Civics Exam Study Prep

What is the supreme law of the land?

the Constitution

What does the Constitution do?

Sets up the gov

Defines the gov

Protects the basic rights of Americans

The idea of self-gov is in the 3 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 10 amendments to the constitution?

the Bill of Rights

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, or petition

How many Amendments does the Constitution have?

27

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

announced and declared our independence from Great Britain

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Life and Liberty (and the pursuit of happiness)

What is freedom of religion?

You can choose to or not to practice any religion.

What is the economic system in the United States?

Capitalist and market economy

What is the “rule of law”?

EVERYONE must follow the law

Name one branch or part of the government

Congress

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Checks and balances, separation of powers

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

President

Who makes federal laws?

Congress

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

The 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?

Marco Rubio

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

435

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

2

Name your U.S. Representative

Kathy Castor

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

All people in their state

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

Depends on state’s population

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 of the United States now?

Kamala Harris

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

Vice President

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

Speaker of the House

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

The President

Who signs bills to become laws?

the President

Who vetoes bills?

the President

What does the President’s Cabinets do?

Advises the President

What are 2 Cabinet level positions?

Secretary of State and Vice President

What does the judicial branch do?

review laws

What is the highest court in the US

the Supreme Court

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

9

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John G. Roberts, Jr.

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

To declare war

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

Provide Protection

Who is the Governor of your state now?

Ron DeSantis

What is the capital of your state?

Tallahassee

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

Democrat and Republican

What is the political party of the President now?

Democrat

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

Kevin McCarthy

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them

Citizens 18 and older 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 and run for federal office

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

Freedom of speech and freedom of religion

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

the US and/or flag

What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

Obey the laws of the US

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

18 and older

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

Vote and join a political party

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 one reason colonists came to America?

Freedom

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Native Americans

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

Africans

Why did the colonists fight the British?

Taxation without representation, quartering, and they didn’t have self-government

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.

North Carolina, South Carolina, New York

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution

When was the Constitution written?

1787

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

Alexander Hamilton

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

U.S diplomat

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?

Louisiana

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

War of 1812

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

the Civil War

Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

Slavery

What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

Freed slaves

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed slaves

What did Susan B. Anthony do?

Fought for civil and women’s rights

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

World War I

Who was President during World War I?

Woodrow Wilson

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

Franklin Roosevelt

Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Japan, Germany, and Italy

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

World War II

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

Communism

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

Civil rights movement

What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?

Civil rights and for equality for all americans

What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

Terrorists attacked the US

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Cherokee

Name one of the two longest rivers 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

Name one U.S territory

Puerto Rico

Name one state that Borders Canada

New York

Name one state that borders Mexico

Texas

What is the capital of the US?

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 4th

What are two national holidays?

christmas and veteran’s day