1

12th Grade American Studies First Semester Test

Multiple ChoiceIdentify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

1 Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau believed that government and the state should be based on theA evolutionary theory.B divine right theory.C force theory.D social contract theory.

2 In a presidential systemA the legislative and executive branches are independent of each other.B the president serves for life.C the president is a member of the legislative branch.D the president has absolute power.

3 The United State’s Congress is which type of legislature?A unicameralB bicameralC unifiedD nonfederal

4 The Declaration of Independence included all of the following exceptA reasons for separation.B specific organization of American Government.C formal declaration of war.D a new theory of government.

5 A government that is not all-powerful is a (n)A balanced government.B limited government.C ordered government.D weak government.

6 The U.S. Supreme Court first established national supremacy in the case ofA Brown v Board of Education.B Texas v Johnson.C Roe v Wade.D McCulloch v Maryland.

2

7 According to the Declaration of Independence, the people have the right to alter or abolish a government if that governmentA is a limited monarchy.B violates natural, unalienable rights.C becomes involved in entangling alliances.D favors one religion over another.

8 The right to equal protection of the law means that governmentA is responsible for seeing that people have the same opportunities.B may not unfairly or unreasonably treat people differently.C is responsible for ensuring that people have a decent standard of living.D may not conduct unreasonable searches and seizures of private property.

9 The Fourteenth Amendment was created to guarantee equal protection of the law forA blacks, former slaves.B females.C whites under age twenty-one.D whites who did not own property.

10 The highest form of law in the United States is the A Constitution.B Declaration of Independence.C President.D Supreme Court.

11 A court order requiring an officer to show cause why a prisoner should be detained is a (n)A bill of attainder.B writ of habeas corpus.C injunction.D writ of assistance.

12 One important aspect of the First Amendment’s protection of free assembly is the right to engage inA clear and present dangers.B picketing on private property.C hate crimes.D peaceful associations.

3

13 What basic constitutional principle does the cartoon represent?A Judicial ReviewB Popular SovereigntyC Checks and BalancesD Limited Government

14 According to the Sixth Amendment, a person accused of a crime has the right to A have a speedy trial by jury.B hear the charges against them.C have a lawyer.D all of the above.

15 The Ninth Amendment provides thatA Congress cannot establish an official church or religion.B the government cannot use private homes to house soldiers without permission.C the people have other rights besides those listed in the Constitution.D a person cannot be forced to testify against himself or herself.

16 Which of the following is NOT a goal listed in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution?A to establish justice.B to limit the federal government.C to provide for the common defense.D to promote the general welfare.

17 According to the Constitution, the primary role of Congress is toA choose presidential appointees.B write and enact laws.C allocate presidential revenue.D amend the Constitution.

4

18 The legislative branch includes theA electoral college.B House of Representatives and Senate.C advisors to the President.D governors of states.

19 All of the following are expressed powers of Congress exceptA calling a national militia.B issuing bills of attainder.C governing the District of Columbia.D declaring war.

20 The Elastic Clause gives CongressA inherent powers.B expressed powers.C implied powers.D reserved powers.

21 The process of amending the Constitution has typically involved proposals at theA national level and ratification at the national level.B national level and ratification at the state level.C state level and ratification at the national level.D state level and ratification at the state level.

22 The presiding officer in the House of Representatives is theA Clerk of the House.B House Whip.C President of the House.D Speaker of the House.

23 The President of the Senate is the same as theA majority floor leader.B majority whip.C President pro tempore.D Vice President of the United States.

24 In the Senate, attempt to delay the passage of a bill by “talking it to death” is called aA cloture.B compromise.C filibuster.D rider.

5

25 More than 90% of the bills introduced in Congress in a term do not become law because theyA are changed so much that their sponsor withdraws them.B are so poorly written.C are voted against in floor vote.D die in committee.

26 Under the Constitution, all bills for national taxes and government spending must begin with theA President.B Senate.C House of Representatives.D states.

27 Powers reserved to the state include the power toA coin money.B declare war.C establish postal offices.D establish schools.

28 A cloture stops a filibuster because it sets a time limit onA analysis of rulings.B debate.C elections.D committee meetings.

29 Conference committees areA temporary groups that attempt to achieve a compromise between Senate and House

versions of a bill.B congressional committees that hold frequent conferences on educational issues.C Senate committees that have small conferences once each month.D subcommittees that specialize in legislative issues.

30 If the vice president is absent, who serves as the formal head of the Senate?A the president pro temporeB the SpeakerC the presidentD the oldest committee chair

31 Dividing government into three branches is known asA federalism.B constitutional government.C separation of powers.D private domain.

6

32 The division of authority between the states and national government is calledA constitutionalism.B federalism.C limited government.D separation of powers.

33 Use the information below and your knowledge of social studies to answer questions 37-39.

The legislative branch can check the judicial branch by its power toA declare executive actions unconstitutional.B approve federal judges.C override a presidential veto.D veto an act of Congress.

34 The legislative branch can check the executive branch by its power toA declare executive actions unconstitutional.B name federal judges.C override a presidential veto.D veto an act of Congress.

7

35 The Constitution provides that congress may override a presidential veto by which of the following votes in each house?A majorityB three-fourthsC two-thirdsD unanimous

36 All treaties must be approved by a two-thirds vote ofA both houses of Congress.B the House of Representatives.C the Senate.D the Supreme Court.

37 Concurrent powers are powersA denied to the federal and state government.B given to the states.C given to the federal government.D shared by the federal and state government.

38 What is the process when congressional districts are redrawn based on shifts of state’s population?A malapportionmentB realignmentC censusD reapportionment

39 The basic constitutional rights of the people were FIRST set out in theA 13th, 14th, 15th amendmentsB 19th amendmentC Bill of Rights.D Equal Rights Amendment.

40 Suffrage is defined as the right to A run for public office.B receive humane punishment.C practice your religion.D vote.

41 The informal amendment processA involves changing the written words of the Constitution.B has been used very little in the past 200 years.C can occur only with the approval of the State.D results from the daily experience of government.

8

42 The formal amendment process of the ConstitutionA shows the concept of federalism.B occurs in the changing of the wording of the constitution.C has occurred only 27 times.D all of the above.

43 Sovereignty is defined asA totalitarian authority.B the power to enforce laws.C the ultimate, supreme power in a state.D military power used in dealing with foreign policy.

44 Which of these amendments refer to suffrage?A 15th, 19th, 26thB 1st, 2nd, 3rdC 4th, 5th, 6thD 7th, 8th, 9th

45 Two-thirds (2/3) of both houses of congress and three-fourths (3/4) of state legislatures must approve a(n)A constitutional amendment.B treatiesC party nominations.D bill.

46 What impact did Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense have on colonial leaders?A It caused them to reject Enlightenment ideas.B It inspired them to challenge British authority.C It explained to them the good sense of monarchy.D It persuaded them to modify British laws.

47 Why was the phrase “taxation without representation” so important to the revolutionary cause?A Colonists did not wish to support government in which they had no voice.B Great Britain would have ended taxation if colonists had kept the peace.C Colonists believed that Great Britain should only tax certain items.D Great Britain only taxed the colonists to force them into war.

48 How did the delegates of the Constitutional Convention resolve the debate over how slaves should factor into representation in government?A They decided that each individual slave should count as one person when determining

representation.B They decided that slaves were not citizens and should not be counted when determining

representation.C They reached a compromise that allowed every ten slaves to be counted as one person.D They reached a compromise that allowed each individual slave to be counted as

three-fifths of a person.

9

49 How did the Federalist Papers persuade Americans to support the Constitution?A by saying that the government would be more like Great Britain’sB by saying that the government would not overpower the statesC by saying that the government would one day abolish slaveryD by saying that the government would protect the rights of citizens

50

Which theory of the origin of states is represented in this cartoon?A forceB social contractC divine rightD evolutionary

51 A person may do as he/she pleases in this countryA because the Constitution guarantees that right.B because the Supreme Court has held to be his/her right.C except that no person has the right to criticize the government.D so long as the person does not interfere with the rights of others.

10

52 The branch of government that makes laws in the United States is theA executive branch.B judicial branch.C legislative branch.D parliamentary branch.

53 The Preamble to the United States Constitution describes theA purposes of the federal government and the Constitution.B laws of the Constitution.C qualifications of members of the Senate.D powers of the President.

54 The Constitution gives the legislative branch the power toA override the rulings of the Supreme Court.B award titles of nobility and borrow money.C serve as commander in chief of the armed forces.D collect national taxes and pay government debts.

55 In what ways do members of the House differ from members of the Senate?A in number, terms, and required qualifications.B in voting records, preferences, and career choices.C in values, age, and constituencies.D in benefits, legal rights, race, and gender.

56 Who is allowed to suggest ideas for a bill?A congress members, ambassadors, and dignitaries onlyB peace officers and judges onlyC interest groups, citizens, the president, and othersD senators, the Speaker of the House, and cabinet members only

57 The only amendment to be repealed dealt withA civil rights.B income taxes.C prohibition.D slave trade.

58 Before the adoption of the 17th Amendment in 1913, who chose senators?A state governorsB state legislatorsC state supreme courtD the people of the state

11

59 The 13th, 14th, and 15th AmendmentsA are known as the Bill of Rights.B dealt with prohibition.C made changes in the presidential election process.D were called the Civil War Amendments.

60 Under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, which of the following are recognized in every state of the Union?A presidential pardonsB mayor’s reportsC FBI filesD states’ official records

ID: A

1

12th Grade American Studies First Semester TestAnswer Section

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1 ANS: D STA: 2.1 2 ANS: A STA: 1.2, 1.4 3 ANS: B STA: 2.5 4 ANS: B STA: 2.3 5 ANS: B STA: 1.1 6 ANS: D STA: 3.5 7 ANS: B STA: 2.3 8 ANS: B STA: 3.7 9 ANS: A STA: 3.7 10 ANS: A STA: 3.5 11 ANS: B STA: 5.3A 12 ANS: D STA: 5.3 13 ANS: B STA: 1.3, 3.1 14 ANS: D STA: 5.3A 15 ANS: C STA: 5.3A 16 ANS: B STA: 4.1 17 ANS: B STA: 4.2A 18 ANS: B STA: 4.2A 19 ANS: B STA: 4.2A 20 ANS: C STA: 4.2F, 4.2C 21 ANS: B STA: 2.6 22 ANS: D STA: 4.2A 23 ANS: D STA: 4.2A 24 ANS: C STA: 4.2C 25 ANS: D STA: 4.2C 26 ANS: C STA: 4.2C 27 ANS: D STA: 2.6 28 ANS: B STA: 4.2C 29 ANS: A STA: 4.2C 30 ANS: A STA: 3.3 31 ANS: C STA: 3.5 32 ANS: B STA: 3.2 33 ANS: B STA: 4.2F 34 ANS: C STA: 4.2F 35 ANS: C STA: 4.2F 36 ANS: C STA: 4.2F 37 ANS: D STA: 3.3 38 ANS: D STA: 4.2B 39 ANS: C STA: 5.3A

ID: A

2

40 ANS: D STA: 5.3A 41 ANS: D STA: 2.6 42 ANS: D STA: 2.6 43 ANS: C STA: 1.3 44 ANS: A STA: 2.3 45 ANS: A STA: 2.6 46 ANS: B STA: 2.2 47 ANS: A STA: 2.3 48 ANS: D STA: 2.5 49 ANS: B STA: 2.5 50 ANS: C STA: 1.2 51 ANS: D STA: 2.3 52 ANS: C STA: 4.2A 53 ANS: A STA: 1.3 54 ANS: D STA: 4.2A 55 ANS: A STA: 4.2A 56 ANS: C STA: 4.2B 57 ANS: C STA: 2.3 58 ANS: B STA: 2.3 59 ANS: D STA: 2.6, 5.3A 60 ANS: D STA: 3.5