Purdue Civics Literacy Exam 2026 Questions and verified answers

in terms of representation in government, which term best describes the government of the United States

a constitutional republic

use the quote to answer the question- wherever law ends, tyranny begins" - John Locke (1690). How is the quote related to the rule of law?

it supports the idea that clear, shared, and acceptable rules are needed to protect the rights of citizens

which principle is based on the belief that all people and institutions are accountable to laws that are written publicly shared, equally enforced, and independently judged?

Rule of Law

what document is the supreme law of the land in the united states

the constitution

what is a necessary condition for the constitution of the US to remain the law of the land

citizens must accept the relationship between government and citizens as outlined in the document

which document influenced both the declaration of independence and the constitution of the US

the magna carta

what was the main purpose of the declaration of independence

to announce the colonies were establishing their own country free from british control

what is one current outcome of america's history of slavery

members of minority are subjected to discrimmination

this diagram lists services provided by state and local governments. Which service best fits in the intersection of these two circles?

maintaining a police force

why did the framers of the constituion of the US adopt a federal system as a means to govern the country

to distribute the powers of the government

what is the formal name given to an addition or change to the constiution

amendment

suppose 2/3 of the house and senate approve a proposed amendment to the constitution of the US. what must happen next for the amendement to be ratified?

it must be approved by 3/4 of the states

suppose a constitution convention approved a proposed amendment. what must happen next for the amendment to be ratified

it must be approved by 3/4 of the states

how are natural rights obtained by people

people are born with them

which is an example of how natural rights are protected by the constitution

the police must obtain a warrant from a judge before entering a private property

according to the constitution, which action is reserved to the federal gov

making treaties with other countries

according to the constitution, states do not have the power to do which of the following

make treaties

which best explains what the authors of the declaration of independence mean when they write about the pursuit of hapiness

people should be free to live in a way that makes them happy as long as it's legal and doesn't violate the right of others

which of the following is a principle of american democracy

people exercise their political authority thru elected representatives

which entity has the most control over funding for the army and air force

the US congress

which brand of gov is responsible for making laws

legislative

why did the framers of the constitution allow US supreme court justices to serve until the resign, retire, die, or are removed from office for criminal behavior?

they felt job security would help keep the judges free from public or political pressure

what position at the federal level is similar to a governor at the state level

president of the US

A US senator is a representative if which brand and level of gov

legislative brand, federal government

congress passes a law, but the president vetos it. Congress reverses the president's veto and the law is enacted. This scenario is an example of which principle of american government?

checks and balances

which statement best describes an effect of the supreme court decision in Marbury v Madison?

It established the Supreme Court's power to void a law passed by congress.

On September 28, 2016, Congress passed the justice against sponsors of terrorism act. Even tho president obama vetoed this legislation, it still became law. Which term best describes the congressional action that stopped that veto?

override

1954 In Brown v. Board of Education decision, the Supreme Court ruled that laws mandating racially segregated public school systems were unconstitutional. 1957 The Governor of Arkansas ordered the Arkansas National Guard to block nine African American students as they attempted to enter a segregated high school in Little Rock. Later that same month, President Eisenhower called out federal troops to escort the nine students into the school. President Eisenhower's actions are consistent with which principle?

rule of law

in the case of gideon v wainwright, the supreme court ruled that felony defendants who cannot afford an attorney have the right to a court appointed attorney. This ruling extended protections offered by which amendment?

sixth amendment

which activity is a primary responsibility of poltical parties

recruiting candidates

what is one way independent third parties have an impact on american politics

they raise issues often ignored by the major parties

based on the benjamin franklin quote, with which statement would he most likely agree?

the ability of a free press to report on government actions is critical

what is the primary way a free press is important to american democracy

it facilitates the exhancge of information and ideas

how did the passage of the nineteenth amendment impact womens poltical and civic rights?

It secured the right of women to vote in federal elections

what do the fifteenth, ninetenth, and twenty-sixth amendments have in common?

they provided a path for more citizens to actively participate in poltics

which amendment gives citizens aged 18yo the right to vote

twenty sixth amendment

what does the free exercise of religion mean

citizens can practice a religion or not practice a religion

which amendment is most relevant for the situation involving the mayor and the TV station

first amendment

what is the best reason the oppurtunity to attened a governmenet supported public school can be classified as atype of economic right

it helps fulfill a basic human need

which right is guarenteed by the sixth amendment?

the right to a speedy trial

which is the best example of civic participation

running for an elected office

which if the following is the best example of civic participation

planting a community garden

which is one way the harlem reaissance contributed to the development of the united states

it highlighted the intellectual and artistic achievements of African american citizens

how did the efforts of individuals like elizabeth cady stanton and susan B anthony contribute to the social development of the US?

their efforts led to greater rights for women

why did paul revere create his famous etching of the boston massacre

to generate colonial resistance to the british

what phrase is most associated with a cause of the american revolution

no taxation without representation

slavery and states rights were the major causes for which US conflicts

civil war

The 1852 book Uncle Tom's Cabin told a fictionalized story of the lives of people living under slavery, a system that allowed for their legalized violence and abuse of enslaved people. How did this book influence American society?

it energized and expanded the abolitionist movement

Use the quote to answer the question. "Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history." Oscar Handlin, The Uprooted. Which statement best reflects the main idea of the quote?

Immigrants have contributed meaningfully to the development of the United States