Pre-Test

Question 1

Assuming good behavior, federal judges serve a term of

Answer 1

life

Question 2

How does direct democracy differ from representative democracy?

Answer 2

Representative democracy is carried out by elected officials who make laws on behalf of the citizens, but direct democracy includes all citizens.

Question 3

Who was the principle author of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 3

Thomas Jefferson

Question 4

The phrase “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” is found in:

Answer 4

The Declaration of Independence

Question 5

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise at the constitutional convention provided for:

Answer 5

A bicameral legislature (two legislative chambers: Senate & House of Representatives)

Question 6

What counted slaves as three-fifths of a person?

Answer 6

The three-fifths compromise, 1787

Question 7

Which Supreme Court case rules that racially segregated education was unconstitutional?

Answer 7

Brown v. Board of Education

Question 8

What part of the government has the power to declare war?

Answer 8

Congress

Question 9

The legislative branch of the federal government is described in what?

Answer 9

Article I of the U.S. constitution

Question 10

In American government, the majority has the power to do whatever it wishes.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

Voter turnout in America is best described as:

Answer 11

Somewhat low but cyclical, with more voters in presidential elections, but fewer otherwise

Question 12

Thinking of political parties in America, it seems we generally have:

Answer 12

Two main parties that compete for influence

Question 13

The number of U.S. Representatives per state is:

Answer 13

Determined by the state’s population

Question 14

The number of U.S. Senators per state is:

Answer 14

Equal , with each state having two members of the Senate

Question 15

Libertarians are opposed to governmental intervention in what spheres?

Answer 15

Both economic and social spheres

Question 16

What is the phrase “city on a hill” used to express in politics?

Answer 16

the United States should serve as an example to other nations

Question 17

The executive branch of the federal government is responsible for what aspect of the law?

Answer 17

Enforcing and implementing it.

Question 18

Liberals are correctly described as:

Answer 18

Support of civil rights and liberties and favor government activism in the area of economic security.

Question 19

What is a formal constitution requirement for becoming president?

Answer 19

Natural-born citizen.

Question 20

The executive branch of the federal government is described in what?

Answer 20

Article II of the U.S. Constitution

Question 21

The judiciary’s status as an independent branch of national government depends on judicial review which grants the judiciary the authority to:

Answer 21

invalidate the actions of other branches of government

Question 22

Christians, according to the Bible, are able to disobey the government

Answer 22

When it commands believers to engage in sinful behavior

Question 23

What describes the President’s veto power?

Answer 23

A President can threaten to veto a bill to influence decision making because congress is usually unable to override a President’s veto

Question 24

The legislative branch of the federal government is primarily responsible for what aspect of the law?

Answer 24

Writing

Question 25

The judicial branch of the federal government is responsible for what aspect of the law?

Answer 25

Interpreting

Question 26

What is the United States Electoral College?

Answer 26

It is a constitutionally mandated assembly that elects the president

Question 27

Who is the commander in chief of the U.S. military?

Answer 27

President

Question 28

The theory of constitutional interpretation which holds that judges should look to how the Constitution was understood by those who wrote and ratifies it is called

Answer 28

Originalism

Question 29

What are two possible reasons there has never been a major socialist movement in the United States?

Answer 29

Support for economic competition and a distrust of central government authority.

Question 30

What prohibits Congress from creating a national religion?

Answer 30

Establishment clause

Question 31

How many branches are in the federal government?

Answer 31

Three

Question 32

Where are our civil liberties found in?

Answer 32

The U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other constitutional amendments

Question 33

The best one word definition of America's government would be

Answer 33

Republic

Question 34

What is a republic?

Answer 34

A government by the people that protects the interests of minority groups by representative democracy and the two legislative branches: The House of Representatives (very democratic) and the Senate (not democratic)

Question 35

Where does the phrase "wall of separation" between church and state originate from?

Answer 35

Thomas Jefferson's Letters

Question 36

Free enterprise or capitalism exits insofar as

Answer 36

Individual citizens create, exchange, and control goods and resources

Question 37

A major distinction of the U.S. from other countries is a wide-spread belief in

Answer 37

Individual responsibility

Question 38

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

Answer 38

Make treaties

Question 39

If no candidate wins a majority of the Electoral College vote, the Constitution stipulates that:

Answer 39

The U.S. House of Representatives selects the President from the top three candidates.

Question 40

What are the two phases of most American elections?

Answer 40

Primary election and general election

Question 41

Which of the following are the inalienable rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 41

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Question 42

According to the Bible, government derives its power and authortiy from

Answer 42

God

Question 43

Members of the House of Representatives are:

Answer 43

Elected directly by the people

Question 44

The principle of popular sovereignty refers to

Answer 44

The idea that all political power is derived from the people

Question 45

According to the original constitution, Senate terms are served for

Answer 45

Six years

Question 46

The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court is?

Answer 46

John Roberts (2023)

Question 47

The judicial branch of the federal government is described where?

Answer 47

Article III of the U.S. Constitution

Question 48

A conservative is opposed to government intervention

Answer 48

In the economic but not in the social sphere

Question 49

Jim Crow laws mandated:

Answer 49

Segregation of the races in most social relations

Question 50

Thre First Amendment to the US Constitution protects what freedoms?

Answer 50

Speech, religious exercise, and press Not against self-incrimination

Question 51

The Apostle Paul makes it clear that Christians are commanded to

Answer 51

Obey government because it is the right thing to do, pray for political leaders, and honor and respect political leaders.

Question 52

Scripture clearly teaches that

Answer 52

Government has the authority to use force to punish evil-doers