Question: Which is the highest level of the federal judiciary?
Answer Choices: A the U.S. District Courts B the U.S. Supreme Court C the U.S. Courts of Appeals D the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Answer: B. the U.S. Supreme Court
Question: Which founding document was heavily influenced by the political philosophies of John Locke and was produced for the purpose of providing a detailed rationale for the colonies’ inability to remain under British control?
Answer Choices: A the Declaration of Independence B the Virginia Declaration of Rights C the Massachusetts Constitution D the Articles of Confederation
Answer: A. the Declaration of Independence
Question: Which is an example of federalism?
Answer Choices: A the Congress declaring war B the President nominating an ambassador C power being separated among branches of government D power being shared between state and national governments
Answer: D. power being shared between state and national governments
Question: Which United States Supreme Court decision was based on the free exercise clause?
Answer Choices: A West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) B McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) C Marbury v. Madison (1803) D Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Answer: A. West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)
Question: Which document reflects the principle of federalism?
Answer Choices: A Declaration of Independence B Articles of Confederation C U.S. Constitution D Mayflower Compact
Answer: C. U.S. Constitution
Question: Which amendment was the legal basis for the decision in Roe v. Wade?
Answer Choices: A the Thirteenth Amendment B the Fourteenth Amendment C the Fifteenth Amendment D the Nineteenth Amendment
Answer: B. the Fourteenth Amendment
Question: Which elected official is elected to serve a two-year term?
Answer Choices: A U.S. Senator B U.S. President C U.S. Representative D U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Answer: C. U.S. Representative
Question: In Plessy v. Ferguson, which constitutional principle did Homer Plessy unsuccessfully argue was violated by the Louisiana statute that required he ride in a separate train car because of his race?
Answer Choices: A due process B equal protection C unalienable rights D fundamental liberty
Answer: B. equal protection
Question: Which statement from the English Bill of Rights is reflected in the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
Answer Choices: A “That the … power of suspending the laws … without the consent of Parliament is illegal” B “That … keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, … is against law” C “That the freedom of speech … in Parliament ought not to be … questioned in any court” D “That excessive bail ought not to be required … nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted”
Answer: D. “That excessive bail ought not to be required … nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted”
Question: Which of the following was a major effect of the Missouri Compromise of 1820?
Answer Choices: A It required federal judicial officials in all states and federal territories to return fugitive slaves to their masters in slave states. B It empowered the citizens of each territory, rather than Congress, to determine whether slavery would be allowed. C It prohibited slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase territories north of the 36th parallel. D It banned slave trading in federal territories but permitted slave ownership.
Answer: C. It prohibited slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase territories north of the 36th parallel.
Question: Which of the following Supreme Court decisions challenged the constitutionality of affirmative action policies?
Answer Choices: A Regents of the University of California v. Bakke B Brown v. Board of Education C Dred Scott v. Sandford D Plessy v. Ferguson
Answer: A. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Question: Which founding document supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?
Answer Choices: A Northwest Ordinances B Federalist Papers C Common Sense D Magna Carta
Answer: B. Federalist Papers
Question: Which executive power can the U.S. President exercise to check legislative power?
Answer Choices: A tax B veto C judicial review D appoint ambassadors
Answer: B. veto
Question: Which Supreme Court case upheld a suspension of civil rights in the name of national security?
Answer Choices: A Korematsu v. United States B McDonald v. Chicago C Plessy v. Ferguson D Roe v. Wade
Answer: A. Korematsu v. United States
Question: If the offices of U.S. President and Vice President are vacant at the same time, which official is next in the line of presidential succession?
Answer Choices: A the Chief Justice B the Secretary of State C the Speaker of the House D the Senate Majority Leader
Answer: C. the Speaker of the House
Question: Which group was empowered due to the Seventeenth Amendment?
Answer Choices: A candidates B governors C judges D voters
Answer: D. voters
Question: Which weakness of the Articles of Confederation led to the call to revise the document?
Answer Choices: A lenient federal court policies B strict international trade regulations C inadequate congressional tax authority D rapid congressional amendment procedures
Answer: C. inadequate congressional tax authority
Question: Which statement represents a goal of the Supremacy Clause?
Answer Choices: A Presidents may not form congressional committees. B States may not pass laws that conflict with federal laws. C The U.S. Supreme Court may reject an appeal from a lower court. D Congress may settle disputes between the United States and another country.
Answer: B. States may not pass laws that conflict with federal laws.
Question: Which two natural rights are identified in the Declaration of Independence?
Answer Choices: A life and liberty B life and bearing arms C liberty and jury trials D jury trials and bearing arms
Answer: A. life and liberty