civics exam

What is the supreme law of the land?

the Constitution

what does the constitution do?

Set up and define the government and protect the basic rights of Americans

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

we the people

What is an amendment?

A change or addition to the Constitution

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

the bill of rights

which of the following are rights or freedoms from the first amendment?

speech, religion, assembly, press, petition the government

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

27

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Declared our independence from Great Britain

what are the rights declared in the declaration of independence

life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

what is freedom of religion?

A person can practice any religion, or no religion

What is the economic system in the United States?

a capitalist economy or market economy

What is the "rule of law"?

The idea that everyone, including leaders, must obey the law

which of the following are branches of the government?

judicial, legislative and executive

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

checks and balances

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

the president

Who makes federal laws?

congress

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

senate and house of representatives

How many U.S. Senators are there?

100

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

6

Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?

Tom Cotton and John Boozman

the house of representatives has how many voting members?

435

We select a U.S. Representative for how many years?

2

select one representative from Arkansas

steve womack, french hill, rick crawford,
bruce westerman

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

All the people of the state he or she is elected from

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

because some states have more people than other states

We elect a President for how many years?

4 years

In what month do we vote for President?

November

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Joe Biden

What is the name of the Vice President now?

Kamala Harris

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

the vice president

If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

the speaker of the House

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

president

Who signs bills to become laws?

president

Who vetoes bills?

president

What does the President's Cabinet do?

advises the President

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

secretary of education, attorney general

What does the judicial branch do?

review laws, resolves disputes and decides if a law goes against the constitution

What is the highest court in the United States?

Supreme Court

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

9

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one
power of the federal government?

to print money, declare war, to create an army and to make treaties

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the
states?

To provide schooling and education
To provide safety and protection (i.e., fire and police)
To give a driver's license
To approve zoning and land use

Who is the Governor of your state now?

Asa Hutchinson

What is the capital of your state?

Little Rock

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

republican and democratic

What is the political party of the President now?

democratic

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

nancy pelosi

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Which of the
following statements about voting rights is not correct?

Anyone who has lived here for at least 18 years can vote.

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

serve on a jury

Name one right only for United States citizens.

Vote in a federal election

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

Freedom of religion
Freedom to petition the government

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

the flag (representing the U.S.)

What is not a promise that you make when you become a United States citizen?

to speak only English

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

18

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

vote and help with a campaign

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

April 15

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

at age 18

What is not a reason colonists came to America?

Better retirement benefits

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Native Americans

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

Africans

Which is not a reason the colonists fought the British?

Because of restricted access to the Mississippi River

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

There were 13 original states. Name three.

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

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitution was written

When was the Constitution written?

1787

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the
writers.

Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
John Jay

What is not something Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

"Give me liberty or give me death."

Who is the "Father of Our Country"?

George Washington

Who was the first President?

George Washington

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

The Louisiana Territory

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

Civil War

Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

Civil War

Which was not a factor leading to the Civil War?

environmental concerns

Which of the following is not an important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

fought in the Revolutionary war

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed the slaves in the Confederate states

What did Susan B. Anthony do?

fought for women's rights

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

WWI

Who was President during World War I?

Woodrow Wilson

Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

Franklin Roosevelt

81. Who did the United States fight in World War II? [Mark all that apply.]

Japan and Germany

Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

WWII

During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

Communism and the Soviet Union

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

Civil rights movement

What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?

Fight for civil rights

What major event happened on September 11, 2001?

Terrorists attacked the United States

Which of the following is an American Indian tribe in the United States?

Cherokee, Navajo

What is the longest river in the United States?

Mississippi River

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

Pacific Ocean

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

Atlantic Ocean

Which of the following is not a U.S. territory?

Great Britain

Which of the following states does not border Canada?

Kansas

Which of the following states does not border Mexico?

Florida

What is the capital of the United States?

Washington D.C.

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

New York

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

Because there were 13 original colonies

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

Because there is one star for each state.

What is the name of the national anthem?

The Star-Spangled Banner

When do we celebrate Independence Day?

July 4

Which of the following is not a U.S. holiday?

Halloween