American Government - Principles of Democracy

Question 1

What is the supreme law of the land?

Answer 1

The Constitution

Question 2

What does the Constitution do?

Answer 2

Sets up the government, defines the government, and protects basic rights of Americans

Question 3

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

Answer 3

We the People

Question 4

What is an amendment?

Answer 4

A change or addition to the Constitution

Question 5

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

Answer 5

The Bill of Rights

Question 6

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

Answer 6

Speech, religion, assembly, press, or petition the government

Question 7

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

Answer 7

Twenty-seven (27)

Question 8

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Answer 8

Announced our independence from Great Britain, declared our independence from Great Britain, or said that the United States is free from Great Britain

Question 9

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 9

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Question 10

What is freedom of religion?

Answer 10

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion

Question 11

What is the economic system in the United States?

Answer 11

Capitalist economy or market economy

Question 12

What is the ‘rule of law’?

Answer 12

Everyone must follow the law, leaders must obey the law, government must obey the law, no one is above the law

Question 13

Name one branch or part of the government.

Answer 13

Congress, legislative, President, executive, the courts, judicial

Question 14

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Answer 14

Checks and balances or separation of powers

Question 15

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

Answer 15

The President

Question 16

Who makes federal laws?

Answer 16

Congress, Senate and House of Representatives, or U.S. or national legislature

Question 17

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

Answer 17

The Senate and House of Representatives

Question 18

How many U.S. Senators are there?

Answer 18

One hundred (100)

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Six (6)

Question 20

Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?

Answer 20

Answers will vary (students should know their current senators)

Question 21

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

Answer 21

Four hundred thirty-five (435)

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Two (2)

Question 23

Name your U.S. Representative.

Answer 23

Answers will vary (students should know their current representative)

Question 24

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

Answer 24

All people of the state

Question 25

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

Answer 25

Because of the state's population or because they have more people

Question 26

We elect a President for how many years?

Answer 26

Four (4)

Question 27

In what month do we vote for President?

Answer 27

November

Question 28

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

Answer 28

Donald Trump (as of 2025)

Question 29

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

Answer 29

J.D. Vance (as of 2025)

Question 30

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

Answer 30

The Vice President

Question 31

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

Answer 31

The Speaker of the House

Question 32

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

Answer 32

The President

Question 33

Who signs bills to become laws?

Answer 33

The President

Question 34

Who vetoes bills?

Answer 34

The President

Question 35

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Answer 35

Advises the President

Question 36

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Answer 36

Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Attorney General, Vice President

Question 37

What does the judicial branch do?

Answer 37

Reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes, decides if a law goes against the Constitution

Question 38

What is the highest court in the United States?

Answer 38

The Supreme Court

Question 39

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

Answer 39

Nine (9)

Question 40

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

Answer 40

John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)