Civic Literacy Test

Which of the following description best defines civic life?

the public life of someone concerned with the affairs of the commnunity.

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

"Where-ever law ends, tyranny begins" -John Locke (1690)

How is this quote related to the Rule of Law?

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

Which document is the supreme law of the land in the United States?

the Constitution

What is a necessary condition for the Constitution of the United States 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 Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States?

the Magna Carta

What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

to announce the colonies were establishing there own country free from British control

What is one current outcome of America's history of slavery?

Members of minority groups are subjected to discrimination

Use the even diagram to answer the question

This diagram list services provided by state and local government. Which service best fits the intersection of the two circles?

maintaining a police force

Why did the farmers of the constitution of the United States adopt a federal system as a means to govern the country?

to distribute the powers of government

What is the formal name given to an addition or change to the Constitution of the United States?

amendment

Suppose two-thirds of the House and Senate approve a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States. What must happen next for the amendment to be ratified?

It must be approved by three-fourths of the seats.

Suppose a Constitutional Convention approves a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States. What must happen next for the amendment to be ratified?

It must be approved by the three-fourths of the states.

How are natural rights obtained by citizens?

People are born with them

Which is an example of how natural rights are protected by the Constitution of the United States?

The police must obtain a warrant from a judge before entering private property.

According to the Constitution of the United States, which action is reserved to the federal government?

making treaties with other countries

According to the Constitution of the United States, states do not have the power to do which of the following?

make treaties

Which best explain what the authors of the Declaration of Independence mean when they write about "the pursuit of Happiness?"

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

Which of the following is a principle of American democracy?

People exercise their political authority through elected representatives.

Which entity has the most control over funding for the Army and Air Force?

the U.S Congress.

Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?

Legislative

Why did the framers of the Constitution of he United States allow U.S Supreme Court Justices to serve until they 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 United States

A United States Senator is a representative of which branch and level of government?

Legislative; Federal

Congress passes a law, but the President vetos it. Congress reverse 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 though President Obama vetoed this legislation, it still became a law. Which term best describes the congressional action that stopped the veto?

override

Use the information to answer the question.

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 Arkansa National Guard to block nine

African America students as they attempted to enter segregated high schooling Little Rock. Later that same month, President Eisenhower called out federal troops to

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 Ammendment

Which activity is a primary responsibility of political parties?

recruiting candidates

What is one way Independent third parties have an impact on American politics?

They raise issues often ignored by major parties.

Use the quote to answer the question.

"Republics....derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates..."- Benjamin Franklin.

Based on this quote, with which statement would Benjamin Franklin 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 exchange of information and ideas.

How did the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment impact women's political and civic rights?

It secured the right of women to vote in federal elections.

What do the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-sixth amendments all have in common?

They provided a path for more citizens to actively participate in politics.

Which amendment to the constitution of the United States gives citizens aged 18 years or older 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.

Use this information answer the question.

The mayor of a city discovers that a local television news program plans to present a story that accuses the mayor of stealing money from the city's bank account. He orders the police to stop the station from broadcasting the story. The television station defies the police order and the broadcasts the story.

Which amendment is most relevant for the current situation?

First Amendment

What is the best reason the opportunity to attend a government supported public school can be classified as a type of economic right?

It helps fulfill a basic human need.

Which right is guaranteed protection by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S.

Constitution?

The right to a speedy trial

Which is the best example of civic participation?

running for elected office

Which of the following is the best example of civic participation?

planting a community garden

Which is one way the Harlem

Renaissance contributed to the development of the United States?

It highlighted the intellectual and artistic achievements of African American citizens.

How did the efforts of the individuals like Elizabeth Lady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony contribute to the social development of the United States?

Their efforts led to greater rights for women.

Use this image to answer the question.

Why did Paul Revere create this famous etching of the Boston Massacre?

to generate colonial resistance to the British

What phrase is not associated with a cause of the American Revolution?

"No taxation without representation."

Slavery and states' rights were the major causes for which U.S conflict?

the 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.