Challenge Your Understanding of American Politics

U.S. Government and Civics Exam Sample Questions

• The national government provides security through funding state jails, maintaining a military, and overseeing a national police force.
• Political parties nominate candidates for office as their chief function.
• The phrase “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” in the Declaration of Independence argues that the colonies have the right to independence because of natural law.
• The Declaration of Independence lists “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” as unalienable rights.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would most likely regulate the use of pesticides to control insects.
• The federal courts have chosen at times to deal with local school districts by intervening in local issues.
• U.S. foreign policy decisions are most affected by the federal government’s responsibility for national security.
• Republicanism argues that a legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed.
• The Founding Fathers were determined to protect religious freedom, prompting them to write the First Amendment because they disapproved of how England had financially supported the Anglican Church.
• Critics of the electoral college argue that the system can result in the selection of a President who did not win the popular vote.
• The adoption of the Bill of Rights demonstrated a belief in the importance of individual rights.
• The decision of Miranda v. Arizona impacted due process for accused persons by making them aware of their rights.
• When a judge defers actions to the legislative and executive branches, except for cases that are clearly unconstitutional, that judge is practicing judicial restraint.

Civics Exam Practice Questions

• Governments provide security to the people through funding jails, maintaining a military, establishing a Supreme Court, and overseeing a national police force.
• Political parties nominate candidates for office, among other functions.
• The phrase "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" in the Declaration of Independence argues for natural law as the basis for independence.
• The Declaration of Independence lists "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" as unalienable rights.
• The Environmental Protection Agency regulates issues related to chemical use, loud noise, pesticide use, and consumer product safety.
• Federal courts deal with local school districts through intervention, deference, protection of rights, and negotiation.
• U.S. foreign policy decisions are most affected by national security concerns.
• Legitimate government based on the consent of the governed is a major argument of republicanism.
• The Founding Fathers wrote the First Amendment to protect religious freedom and disapprove of England's financial support of the Anglican Church.
• The electoral college can result in the selection of a President who did not win the popular vote, according to critics.
• The Bill of Rights demonstrates the Founding Fathers' belief in the importance of individual rights.
• The Miranda v. Arizona decision requires accused individuals to be made aware of their rights.
• Judicial restraint defers actions to the legislative and executive branches, except in clearly unconstitutional cases.
• Judicial activism promotes new social policy by overturning precedent.
• The vice president's duty as President of the Senate is described in the U.S. Constitution.
• The Senate has the power to advise and consent on some executive decisions.
• Allowing the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan to determine the structure of Congress resulted in a bicameral legislature.
• The invention of the Internet is an example of how technology can impact government and society.
• The unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Civics Exam Practice Questions

• Governments provide security to the people through funding jails, maintaining a military, establishing a Supreme Court, and overseeing a national police force.
• Political parties nominate candidates for office, among other functions.
• The phrase "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" in the Declaration of Independence argues for natural law as the basis for independence.
• The Declaration of Independence lists "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" as unalienable rights.
• The Environmental Protection Agency regulates issues related to chemical use, loud noise, pesticide use, and consumer product safety.
• Federal courts deal with local school districts through intervention, deference, protection of rights, and negotiation.
• U.S. foreign policy decisions are most affected by national security concerns.
• Legitimate government based on the consent of the governed is a major argument of republicanism.
• The Founding Fathers wrote the First Amendment to protect religious freedom and disapprove of England's financial support of the Anglican Church.
• The electoral college can result in the selection of a President who did not win the popular vote, according to critics.
• The Bill of Rights demonstrates the Founding Fathers' belief in the importance of individual rights.
• The Miranda v. Arizona decision requires accused individuals to be made aware of their rights.
• Judicial restraint defers actions to the legislative and executive branches, except in clearly unconstitutional cases.
• Judicial activism promotes new social policy by overturning precedent.
• The vice president's duty as President of the Senate is described in the U.S. Constitution.
• The Senate has the power to advise and consent on some executive decisions.
• Allowing the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan to determine the structure of Congress resulted in a bicameral legislature.
• The invention of the Internet is an example of how technology can impact government and society.
• The unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.