Gov civics test

A: Principles of American Democracy

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
   
   The Constitution.
   
   

2. What does the Constitution do?
   
   Sets up the government, defines the government, protects basic rights of Americans.
   
   

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

4. What is an amendment?
   
   A change (to the Constitution), an addition (to the Constitution).
   
   

5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
   
   The Bill of Rights.
   
   

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
   
   Speech, religion, assembly, press, petition the government.
   
   

7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
   
   27.
   
   

8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
   
   Announced our independence from Great Britain, declared our independence, said the U.S. is free.
   
   

9. What is one right listed in the Declaration of Independence?
   
   Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
   
   

10. What is freedom of religion?
    
    You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
    
    

11. What is the economic system most closely identified with the United States?
    
    Capitalist economy, market economy.
    
    

12. What is the “rule of law”?
    
    Everyone must follow the law, leaders must obey the law, government must obey the law, no one is above the law.
    
    

B: System of Government

13. Name one branch or part of the government.
    
    Congress, President, the courts.
    
    

14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
    
    Checks and balances, separation of powers.
    
    

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
    
    The President.
    
    

16. Who makes federal laws?
    
    Congress, Senate and House (of Representatives), U.S. or national legislature.
    
    

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
    
    The Senate and House (of Representatives).
    
    

18. How many U.S. Senators are there?
    
    100.
    
    

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

20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
    
    (Answers vary by state — you’ll need to look this up based on your location.)
    
    

21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
    
    435.
    
    

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

23. The Congress members who represent Districts 6 and 7 in our surrounding area are:
    
    (Your teacher will provide the correct local names.)
    
    

24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
    
    All people of the state.
    
    

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
    
    Because of the state’s population (some states have more people).
    
    

26. We elect a President for how many years?
    
    4 years.
    
    

27. On what day in what month and what years do we vote for President?
    
    The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every 4 years.
    
    

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?
    
    Joe Biden (as of 2025 — always check current answer).
    
    

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
    
    Kamala Harris (as of 2025 — always check current answer).
    
    

30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
    
    The Vice President.
    
    

31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes the President?
    
    The Speaker of the House.
    
    

32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
    
    The President.
    
    

33. In order for a bill to officially become a law, who has to sign it?
    
    The President.
    
    

34. Who vetoes bills?
    
    The President.
    
    

35. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
    
    Advises the President.
    
    

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
    
    Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Education (others include State, Treasury, Homeland Security, etc.).
    
    

37. According to the Constitution the job of the judicial branch is?
    
    To interpret laws, explain laws, resolve disputes.
    
    

38. What is the highest court in the United States?
    
    The Supreme Court.
    
    

39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
    
    9.
    
    

40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
    
    John Roberts (as of 2025 — always check current answer).
    
    

41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
    
    To print money, to declare war, to create an army, to make treaties.
    
    

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
    
    Provide schooling and education, provide protection (police), provide safety (fire departments), give a driver’s license.
    
    

43. Who is the Governor of your state now?
    
    (Check your state’s current governor.)
    
    

44. What is the capital of your state?
    
    (Example: Sacramento, if you live in California.)
    
    

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?
    
    Democratic and Republican.
    
    

46. What is the political party of the President now?
    
    Democratic Party (as of Biden, 2025).
    
    

47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
    
    Mike Johnson (as of 2025 — check before your test).
    
    

C: Rights and Responsibilities

48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. What are the 4 amendments?
    
    15th (race), 19th (women), 24th (no poll tax), 26th (18 and older).
    
    

49. What is not an assumed responsibility for United States citizens?
    
    Paying taxes is a duty, but jury service and voting are responsibilities; “owning property” is not required.
    
    

50. Name one right only for United States citizens.
    
    Vote in a federal election, run for federal office.
    
    

51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
    
    Freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, freedom of religion, the right to bear arms.
    
    

52. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
    
    18 and older.
    
    

53. What is the most common way that Americans can participate in their democracy?
    
    Vote.
    
    

54. How many days before an election must you register to vote by mail in the state of CA?
    
    15 days before the election.
    
    

55. True/False: You can register to vote in person at a polling location the same day as an election if you miss the registration deadline to vote by mail.
    
    True (same-day registration is allowed in CA).
    
    

56. Which political party has a closed primary in the state of CA?
    
    Republican Party.
    
    

57. How can the people remove a sitting governor in CA?
    
    By recall election.
    
    

58. What is one way that the people of CA can pass a state law?
    
    By initiative (ballot proposition).
    
    

59. What are the names of the two legislative houses in CA?
    
    California State Senate and California State Assembly.
    
    

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

At age 18 (between 18 and 26).