Introduction to Civics Test Name: __________________________

Date: __________________

Directions: Read the questions. Give your best answer. Ask Dave if you have any
problems.
All questions are worth two points, unless otherwise noted. 121 total points.
rn because I’m really British. However, you propaganda propagator, Dave, wants me to ask you a question: “Wh

1. (worth 4 pts)
_______________________________________________________________________________

2. ____ In the United States, our Rights and Freedoms are protected by ____.
a) The President
b) Laws
c) Moses
d) State
governments

3. ____ - Having a(n) ____ allows Americans to enjoy their freedom more fully, allows
them to understand their rights, and know when their liberties are violated.
a) Education
b) I-Pod
c) Strong leader
d) Powerful
government
4. Our government was created “______ ______ ________,” meaning the citizens of the
United States form and establish our government.

5. The ideals that make the American way-of-life function are:

a) Education and
Family
b) Courage and
Honor
6. A citizen’s Number One civic responsibility is to ____.
a) Support a
politician
b) Attend rallies
c) Vote in elections
7. Based on your notes, what does it mean to be a good citizen? Name three. (Worth 3
pts)
_________________________________________
___________________________________________
 _________________________________________

8. Matching (Worth 5 pts)

___ Monarchy a. Without a

___ Oligarchy government
___ Anarchy b. “people rule”
___ c. Meaning, a few rule
Democracy d. Leaders
___ Republic accountable to law
1. Why is a government with only one ruler, like a dictatorship, typically an oligarchy
in reality? (3 pts)
_________________________________________________________________________________

2. In one sentence, explain how representative democracy works. (2 pts)

_________________________________________________________________________________

3. What are the three purposes of government, according to our notes? (P.U.L) (3 pts)
1) ___________________
___
2) ___________________
___
4. What are the purposes of a Constitution in defining government? (P.O.L) (2 pts)
1) _Purpose_
2) ___________________
___

5. TWO OPTIONS (either one, three points)

In a sentence, why did Moses switch from a “Ruler’s Law” to a “People’s Law” as he
tried to lead the nation of Israel?
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

OR Label the following “triangles of power” as they demonstrate who had the power
under “Ruler’s Law” and “People’s Law.” (please include your own horizontal lines to divide
the groups) Ruler’s People’s
Law Law
6. ___ Thomas Jefferson used the Israelites and ____ as models when forming his
political philosophy.
a) Germany
b) The Vikings
c) Canada
d) The Anglo-
Saxons

7. ___ The Magna-Carta was the first document to provide a ____ government.
a) Limited
b) Democrati
c
c) Totalitaria
n
8. When all people of one nation are under the same set of common regulations, it’s
called: a) Absolute Ruler
b) Authoritarian
Dictatorship
c) Representative
Democracy

9. The Declaration of Independence. Circle the correct answers. Then, fill in the
blanks. (4 pts)
We hold these truths to be [ sacred and undeniable / self-evident ] that all men
are
created [ equal / the same ], that they are endowed by their creator with certain [
unique abilities / unalienable rights ] that among these are
_________________________________________________.

10.(3 pts) We talked about seven different weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
which led to the writing of a new Constitution. Please list at least three:
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
__________________________________________

11.___ The Articles of Confederation were good in theory, but functioned too closely to
____.
a) anarchy
b) dictatorship
c) oligarchy
d) monarchy
12.Please label the line as it relates to the type of control a government has over its
citizens. (2 pts) Happy middle 
aka: People’s Law

100 % 0%
Control Control

13.Explain why the French Revolution did not end by accomplishing the goals it set out
to do: (2 pts)
______________________________________________________________________________

14.Fill in the blank: The Constitution begins, “____________________________ … do ordain

and establish this Constitution.”

15.Question 22 leaves a lot out of the Constitution’s Preamble.

___ The 1st goal of the Constitution is to create a more perfect ____.
a) society
b) union
c) people
d) lasagna

16.___ Which is the main benefit of creating a stronger central government, according
to our notes?
a) Better protection
& defense
b) Improved
communication

17.___ 2nd Goal – It’s the government’s duty to protect our rights and provide ___ when
our rights are violated.
a) mercy
b) help
c) justice
d) a tissue

18.___ 3rd Goal – The purpose of law and order in this country is to provide ____ to its
citizens.
a) Peace and security
b) Liberty and
welfare
c) Protection and
money
19.___ The tyranny of government can be avoided by placing most of the decision
making power ____.
a) At a local level
b) In the Supreme
Court
c) At a national level

20.___ 4th Goal – The Constitution allows the government to provide for the common
____, against all enemies foreign and domestic.

a) warning
b) defense
c) prosecution
d) education

21.___ Ben Franklin said, “The way to secure peace, is to be prepared for ____.

a) war
b) anything
c) peace
th
22.___ 5d) Goal
new – The Constitution
inventions is designed to promote practices and policies for the
___ of the nation.
a) Well connected
b) Economic growth
c) Special welfare
d) General welfare

23.___ 6th Goal – The Constitution should secure the blessings of ____ for Americans
living today an in the future.

a) Unlimited
freedom
b) liberty
c) wealth
d) socialism
24.___ Vital to ensuring our rights, America must have a(n) ____ population, according
to our Founders.
a) wealthy
b) diverse
c) educated
d) hobbit
25.___ Even in times of peace, the people have a right & responsibility to ____ their
government to ensure their liberties and freedom.
a) question
b) overthrow
c) ignore
d) slander

26.___ The Articles of Confederation created a central government too ____ to unify the
country.
a) strong
b) corrupt
c) weak
d) dumb

27.The Constitution created a new “____ system” to divide government’s power

between state and central governments.

a) communist
b) democratic
c) federal
d) statist

28.There are about 20 ____ powers to Constitution specifically gives to the central
government and Congress.

a) concurrent
b) delegated
c) reserved
d) useless

29.___ All power not given to the central government or Congress is ____ the states
and/or people.
a) Concurrent with
b) Delegated to
c) Reserved for
d) Useless to

30.___ The power to tax is shared by state and central government; thus, it is called a
____ (shared) power.
a) concurrent
b) delegated
c) reserved
d) useless
31.___ England limited its King with Parliament, establishing “legislative supremacy.”
The Article of Confederation attempted “state supremacy.” Our founders created a
unique brand of “___ Supremacy.”
a) constitutional
b) popular
c) presidential
d) Jesse Walsh

32.___ The first [ 10 / 12 / 17 / 189 ] amendments to the Constitution are known as

the ____. (3 pts)
a) Federalist Papers
b) Bill of Rights
c) Mayflower
Compact
d) Lord of the Rings

33.___ The Bill of Rights is not only a list of rights but a set of ____ the federal
government.
a) Restrictions on
b) Liberties of
c) Essays about
d) Stories on

34.___ It is NOT the right of government to tell you which ___ you must choose or how
you worship.
a) Doctor
b) Home
c) Religion
d) Political party

35.___ The government may NOT have any legal authority over the freedom of ___ nor
the press. Those who control this right control ideas and thinking.

a) Due process
b) Speech
c) Assembly
d) A Jury

36.___ Questions 42 & 43 were 1st amendment rights. The other two right detailed in
the 1st amendment are the rights ___.

a) A speedy trial and due

process
b) A trial by jury and face
the accuser
37.___ Because the Minutemen were a formidable force during the Revolutionary War
and vital to preserving our liberties, our Founders were sure to include our right ___
in the 2nd amendment
a) To Due process
b) To Free speech
c) To Bear arms
d) A Fair jury

38.___ Included after the injustices of King George  and rarely used today, the 3rd
amendment prevents ___ in American homes.

a) Smashing printing
presses
b) Quartering combat
troops
c) Peaceful
39.Give one example of how the 4th Amendment seeks to protect your right to privacy.
____________________________________________________________________

40.___ The 5th amendment is designed to prevent reckless accusations from hurting
innocent people. Evidence must be screened by ____ before prosecution.

a) A grand jury
b) A lawyer
c) A judge
d) The President

41.Explain, in a sentence, why a person has the Constitutional right to “Plead the 5th.”
_________________________________________________________________________________

42.The 6th Amendment outlines your rights “In all criminal prosecutions.” Detail two
rights that you have under the Constitution if you were to go to criminal court.
(Extra Credit: list four rights)
____________________________________________________________________

43. [ True / False ] The 7th Amendment allows civil cases the right of trial by jury.

44.According to the 8th Amendment, what “shall not be inflicted” upon any American?
_______________________________________

9th and 10th Amendment questions

45.[ True / False ] American citizens only have those rights listed in the Bill of Rights.

46.[ True / False ] All powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved
for the states or people.
 Extra Credit
1. This famous American symbol has the inscription “Proclaim Liberty throughout all
the land unto all the inhabitants thereof. Leviticus 25:5” _____________________

2. What was the 1st document in the New World written to create a government from
the consent of the governed? ________________________________

3. Alexis de Tocqueville, “In the United States, ___________ is/are the end and aim of
education.”

4. Give an example of when you do NOT have the freedom to assemble.

________________________________________________________

5. To rally support of the Constitution, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John
Jay wrote the ____________________________, explaining their reasoning for the
Constitution.

6. How did the United States and the Constitution succeed where the French
Revolution failed? (see question 21 for details of their failure)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

What is
Thomas
Jefferson
thinking??

ticles of Confederation were insufficient!