civics test

What is the form of government of the United States?

Republic

What is the supreme law of the land?

Constitution

Name one thing that the US Constitution does.

Forms the government

The US Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?

Self-government

How are changes made to the US Constitution?

Amendments

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

The basic rights of Americans

How many amendments does the US Constitution have?

27

Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

It says all people are created equal

What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

The Declaration of Independence

Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.

Liberty and equality

The words “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are in what founding document?

The Declaration of Independence

What is the economic system of the United States?

Capitalism

What is the rule of law?

Everyone must follow the law

Many documents influenced the US Constitution. Name one.

The Declaration of Independence

There are three branches of government. Why?

Checks and balances

Name the three branches of government.

Congress, president, courts

The president of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

Executive branch

What part of the federal government writes laws?

The US Congress

What are the two parts of the US Congress?

Senate and House

Name one power of the US Congress.

Writes laws

How many US senators are there?

100

How long is a term for a US senator?

Six years

Who is one of your state’s US senators?

ted cruz

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

435

How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

2 years

Why do US representatives serve shorter terms than US senators?

To more closely follow public opinion

How many senators does each state have?

2

Why does each state have two senators?

Equal representation

Name your US representative.

troy nehls

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

Mike Johnson

Who does a US senator represent?

Citizens of their state

Who elects US senators?

Citizens from their state

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Citizens in their district

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

Citizens in their district

Some states have more representatives than others. Why?

Because they have more people

The president of the United States is elected for how many years?

Four years

The president of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

22nd Amendment

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

Donald Trump

What is the name of the vice president of the United States now?

JD Vance

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

= vice president

Name one power of the president.

Signs bills into law

Who is commander in chief of the US military?

The president

Who signs bills to become laws?

The president

Who vetoes bills?

The president

Who appoints federal judges?

The president

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

The president

What does the president’s cabinet do?

Advises the president

What are two cabinet-level positions?

Attorney General and Vice President

Why is the Electoral College important?

It decides who is elected president

What is one part of the judicial branch?

The Supreme Court

What does the judicial branch do?

Reviews laws

What is the highest court in the United States?

The Supreme Court

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

9

How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?

5

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

For life

Why do Supreme Court justices serve for life?

To be independent of politics

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Print paper money

Name one power that is only for the states.

Give a driver’s license

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people

Who is the governor of your state now?

gregg abott

What is the capital of your state?

austin

There are four amendments about who can vote. Describe one.

Any citizen can vote

Who can vote in federal elections, run for office, and serve on a jury?

US citizens

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

Freedom of expression, speech, and religion

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

The United States

Name two promises in the Oath of Allegiance.

Obey laws and be loyal to the US

How can people become US citizens?

Naturalize

What are two examples of civic participation?

Vote and run for office

What is one way Americans can serve their country?

Vote

Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

It’s required by law

Why must men register for Selective Service?

It’s required by law

Why did colonists come to America?

Freedom

Who lived in America before Europeans arrived?

Native Americans

What group was taken and sold as slaves?

Africans

What war did Americans fight for independence?

American Revolution

Why did Americans declare independence?

High taxes

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

Name one event of the American Revolution.

The Declaration of Independence

Name five original states.

New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina

document was written in 1787?

=US Constitution

Who wrote the Federalist Papers?

James Madison

Why were the Federalist Papers important?

Helped people understand the Constitution

Benjamin Franklin is famous for what?

US diplomat

George Washington is famous for what?

Father of our country

Thomas Jefferson is famous for what?

Writer of the Declaration of Independence

James Madison is famous for what?

Writer of the Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton is famous for what?

Writer of the Federalist Papers

What territory did the US buy in 1803?

Louisiana

Name a war in the 1800s.

The Civil War

What war was between the North and South?

The Civil War

Name one Civil War event.

Lincoln was assassinated

Abraham Lincoln is famous for what?

Freed the slaves

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed the slaves

What war ended slavery?

The Civil War

What amendment defines US citizenship?

The 14th Amendment

When did all men get the right to vote?

After the Civil War

Name a women’s rights leader.

Susan B. Anthony

Name a war in the 1900s.

World War I