US Government Exam Review

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Separated the 13 colonies from Great Britain

• declares US independence

What are the natural rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

What is the supreme law of the land?

The U.S. Constitution, as stated in Article VI.

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

“We the People”

What is meant by the “rule of law”?

It ensures that no one is above the law and that the government itself is accountable. 

• everyone, including government officials, must follow the same laws, and that the law is applied fairly and consistently.

What prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Checks and balances

Why does the US flag have thirteen stripes?

To represent the 13 original colonies that formed the United States.

Why does the American flag have fifty stars?

Each star represents one of the 50 United States

Why was the Constitution written and ratified?

to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a stronger, more unified nation.

What is an amendment?

A formal change or addition to a legal document, law, contract, or constitution.

What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?

Bill of Rights

What are the rights/freedoms guaranteed by the 1st Amendment?

• Freedom of speech

• freedom of religion

• freedom of the press

• right to petition

• freedom of assembly

How many Amendments does the Constitution have?

27 amendments

List 5 examples of federal/expressed powers.

• Regulate commerce

• declaring war

• coining money

• establishing naturalization laws

• establishing post offices and roads

List 5 examples of state/reserved powers

• Regulating intrastate commerce and trade

• establishing public schools and education systems

• issuing professional licenses

• establishing local governments

• conducting elections

Identify 2 specific rights that are only given to U.S. citizens.

• The right to vote in federal elections

• the right to run for federal office

Identify 2 specific rights that are given to all people who are in the United States.

• Freedom of speech

• freedom of religion

How can citizens participate in their democracy?

• Voting

• serving on juries

• joining political parties

• working on a campaign

When must all men register for the Selective Service (draft)?

within 30 days of turning 18.

What issues are supported by Conservatives/Republicans today?

• Lower taxes

• restrictions on abortion

• increased military spending

• opposition to illegal immigration

What issues are supported by Liberals/Democrats today?

• abortion rights

• the LGBT community

• and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants

• universal healthcare

• social security

• more gun control laws

In what month do citizens vote for and elect the President of the United States?

November

What are the requirements to vote in the United States?

• U.S. Citizen

• 18 years or older

Who are Pennsylvania’s two Senators?

• Dave McCormick

• John Fetterman

Who is the US House Representative for Willow Grove?

Madeleine Dean

Who is the current Governor of Pennsylvania?

Josh Shapiro

Who makes federal laws?

• Federal laws are made by Congress

  • which is the House of Representatives and the Senate

    • which together form the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

Which of the following are the two parts of Congress?

Senate and the House of Representatives.

How many senators are there?

100 senators

• 2 for each state x 50 states

What is the term of office for a U.S. Senator?

6 years

Who does a US Senator represent?

Represents the entire state they are elected from

The House of Representatives has how many members?

435

What is the term of office for a U.S. Representative?

2 years

Why do some states have more representatives than other states?

because the number of representatives each state gets is based on its population

Who leads the executive branch of the United States?

The President

How long is the President’s term in office?

4 years

What is the name of the current US President?

Donald Trump

What is the name of the current Vice President of the US?

JD Vance

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

Vice President

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

Speaker of the House

List the roles and powers of the President.

• Head of State

• Chief Executive

• Commander in Chief

• Chief Diplomat

• Legislative Leader

• Economic Planner

• Party Leader

What does the President’s Cabinet do?

The President's Cabinet is composed of the heads of the 15 executive departments

• advises the President on matters related to their departments' duties.

  • departments include: education, energy, state, defense, etc

Identify the power(s) of the judicial branch.

• Judicial review

• Supreme court decides what federal laws mean and if something is unconstitutional

• interpret laws

• settle legal disputes

• ensure that laws are applied fairly and consistently

What is the highest court in the United States?

US Supreme Court

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

9