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Foundations of American Government
Session 11: Sample Assessment Items
Asterisk (*) indicates correct answer.
Discussion Questions
1. How have fundamental political principles helped to define the way our government operates?
2. How is the Constitution of the United States based on documents written during the colonial period?
3. Why did the Articles of Confederation create a weak federal government?
4. What are the purposes of the Constitution of the United States as listed in the Preamble?
5. What is the formal amendment process?
Multiple Choice
"We the people of the United States . . .
do ordain and establish . . . |
6. The phrase above states that ____________
A. the power of government comes from the people.*
B. We will be called the United States of America.
C. Our new government would be perfect.
D. The United States will ordain ministers.
7. A system of government in which voters select public officials to conduct government on their behalf is ____________
A. a pure democracy.
B. a representative democracy.*
C. federalism.
D. socialism.
Judge Doris Lyn was tried and convicted of stealing jewelry from the mall. She received a fine and 10 days in jail.
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8. The situation, illustrated in the box above, involves applying which of the fundamental principles?
A. A system of checks and balances
B. Separation of powers
C. The rule of law *
D. Consent of the governed
9. The diagram above illustrates the principle of
A. Checks and balances.
B. Rules of law.
C. Separation of powers.*
D. Majority rule.
10. The Constitution of the United States has
A. 22 amendments.
B. 26 amendments.
C. 27 amendments.*
D. 29 amendments.
11. The process above refers to
A. constitutional amendments.*
B. how bills become law.
C. how judges are approved.
D. the Electoral College.
12. The document which guaranteed the American colonists the same rights as Englishmen was the ____________.
A. Virginia Declaration of Rights
B. The Declaration of Independence
C. Charters of the Virginia Company of London*
D. Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
13. Which early American document would be the best title for the above web?
A. The Constitution of the United States
B. The Virginia Declaration of Rights
C. The Declaration of Independence *
D. The Articles of Confederation
14. All of the following are true of the Articles of Confederation EXCEPT:
A. It created a weak central government.
B. The national government had no power to tax.
C. It gave no power to enforce laws.
D. The states had little power.*
15. When the United States Army defends our country, it is fulfilling one purpose of our government listed in the ____________
A. Virginia Declaration of Rights.
B. Charters of the Virginia Company of London.
C. Preamble.*
D. Bill of Rights.
16. One way the legislative branch checks the executive branch is to
A. call Congress into special session.
B. impeach the President.*
C. declare laws unconstitutional.
D. write laws.
17. Calling a special session of Congress is an example of a check by the Executive over the ____________
A. Legislative Branch.*
B. Judicial Branch.
C. President.
D. Supreme Court.
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