Civics MCAS Review (2025)

Key ideas and terms to help prepare for the Grade 8 Civics MCAS

Supreme Law of the Land

The Constitution

Purpose of the Constitution

Establishes government, defines its powers, protects basic rights of Americans

Definition of Amendment

A change (or addition) to the Constitution

First Ten Amendments to the Constitution

The Bill of Rights

First Amendment Rights

Speech, religion, assembly, press, and petition the government

Number of Constitution Amendments

Twenty-seven (27)

Purpose of the Declaration of Independence

Announced our independence from Great Britain

Rights in the Declaration of Independence

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Freedom of Religion

Practice any religion, or not practice a religion

Meaning of 'Rule of Law'

No one is above the law, everyone must follow the law

Name a branch of the government

Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch

What prevents one branch from becoming too powerful?

Checks and balances, Separation of powers

Head of the executive branch

The President

Authority to make federal laws

Congress

Parts of the U.S. Congress

The Senate, House of Representatives

Number of U.S. Senators

100

Term length for a U.S. Senator

6 years

Voting members in the House of Representatives

435

Term length for a U.S. Representative

2 years

Whom does a U.S. Senator represent?

All people of the state

Why do some States have varying numbers of Representatives?

Due to differences in the States' populations.

How long is a presidential term?

4 years.

During which month do we hold presidential elections?

November.

Who currently holds the position of U.S. President?

Donald Trump

Who currently holds the position of U.S. Vice President?

J.D. Vance

If the President is unable to continue serving, who assumes the role?

The Vice President.

Who is the head of the U.S. military forces?

The President.

Which official signs bills into laws?

The President.

Which official has the power to veto bills?

The President.

What is the primary role of the President's cabinet?

To provide advice to the President.

Two Cabinet-Level Positions

Attorney General, Secretary of Education

Role of the Judicial Branch

Reviews laws, decides on constitutionality

Highest Court in the U.S.

The Supreme Court

Number of Justices on the Supreme Court

9

Federal Government Powers

Print money, declare war, create army, make treaties

State Government Powers

Provide schooling, education, protection, safety

Definition of Federalism

Splitting power between state and federal government

Supporters of the Constitution

The Federalists

Major U.S. Political Parties

Democratic and Republican

Advocates for State Government Power

Anti-Federalists

Types of Representation at Constitutional Convention

Equal and Proportional (Population)

Responsibility for U.S. Citizens

Serve on a Jury and Vote in a Federal Election

Rights of Everyone in the U.S.

Freedom of Religion and Right to Bear Arms

Loyalty in Pledge of Allegiance

The U.S. and the Flag

Voting Age for President

18

Ways Americans Participate in Democracy

Vote, Join a Political Party

Reason Colonists Came to America

Freedom

Reason Colonists Fought the British

High Taxes (Taxation Without Representation)

Author of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

Date of Declaration of Independence adoption

July 4, 1776

Number of original colonies and examples

13! New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia

Outcome of the Constitutional Convention

The Constitution was written

Year of Constitution writing

1787

Writers of the Federalist Papers

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Publius

Known as the 'Father of Our Country'

George Washington

First president of the United States

George Washington

Name of the U.S. Civil War

The Civil War

Definition of 'veto'

To reject a bill

Emancipation Proclamation

Freed the slaves.

Civil Rights Movement

Movement to end racial discrimination.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fought for civil rights and equality for all Americans.

Capital of the U.S.

Washington, D.C.

Flag's 13 stripes

Represent the 13 original colonies.

Flag's 50 stars

One star for each state.

Independence Day

Celebrated on July 4.

King of Britain during American Revolution

King George III.

Approval of president's nominations

The Senate.

Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution

Articles of Confederation came first.

One Issue with Articles of Confederation

Weak central government, no executive branch, no power to tax, difficulty amending, lack of unity, inability to enforce treaties

Branch of Secretary of Education

Executive

Number of Branches in the U.S.

3

Definition of Shays Rebellion

Protests by American farmers in 1786 and 1787 against tax collections and judgments, revealing weaknesses in Articles of Confederation

Description of Virginia Plan

Large state proposal for new constitution with proportional representation in bicameral Congress

Explanation of New Jersey Plan

Plan by small states at Constitutional Convention for equal representation

Meaning of Great Compromise

Proposed two houses of Congress, one based on population and one with equal state representation, resolving representation dispute

First Three Words of the Constitution

We the People

Two Rights of Everyone in the U.S.

Freedom of expression and speech

What is the purpose of the Preamble in the Constitution?

To introduce the Constitution and explain the goals of the government.

Who is known as the 'Father of the Constitution'?

James Madison.

What is the Electoral College?

A group of electors chosen by the states to vote for the President and Vice President.

What is the process to amend the Constitution?

Proposal by Congress or a national convention, followed by ratification by 3/4 of the states.

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

To protect individual liberties and limit the power of the government.

Leader of Federal Legislative Branch

Speaker of the House

Leader of the Federal Judicial Branch

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Shays Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts protesting farmers losing their farms

Examples of Local Town Government Departments

Parks and Recreation, Public Health Department, Town Library

elastic clause

the part of the Constitution that allows Congress to make any laws "necessary and proper" to carrying out its powers

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional ("Like an umpire calling balls and strikes in baseball”)

Eligibility for jury duty

U.S. citizens age 18 and order living in America

habeas corpus

An order to produce an arrested person before a judge.

Virginia Plan

Proposal to create a strong national government

New Jersey Plan

Proposal to create a weak national government

Types of Protests

Demonstrations, sit-ins, boycotts