Midterm Review

Directions: 7 of the following prompts will be on the exam. You will choose 4 prompts to respond to.
Each response should be about a page.
You will have a full double period to complete the exam.
You should prepare for each prompt, you do not know which prompts will be on the exam.
A rubric is provided on the back of this page.

PROMPTS
1. What are the purposes of government?
2. What was the Enlightenment? What role did the Enlightenment play in influencing the Founding
Fathers?
3. Who is John Locke? How did Lockes ideas influence the founding of the United States?
4. Who is Thomas Hobbes? According to Hobbes what is the role of government? Explain the social
contract?
5. According to the Declaration of Independence when is it acceptable to rebel against the government?
6. List and explain at least three grievances the colonists made against the king in the Declaration of
Independence?
7. Why did the founders create a weak federal government in the Articles of Confederation?
8. Describe the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
9. What are the Virginia and New Jersey Plans? How was the issue of representation handled at the
Constitutional Convention?
10. Why was there tension between Northern and Southern states at the Constitutional Convention? How
was this tension resolved?
11. Describe the rights protected under the First Amendment. How do these rights apply to public school
students?
12. List 2 Republicans and 2 Democrats running for President. Compare and contrast the ideas of two
people running for office (2 republicans OR 2 democrats OR 1 democrat and 1 republican)
13. Explain the electoral process in the United States.

1. Completeness (5 points)

Does your response directly answer the question(s)

___ Needs Improvement

___ Approaching Standard

____ Meets Standard

____ Exceeds Standard

2. Knowledge (10 points)

Does your response clearly show you understand the Government lessons, key people, and concepts?
___ Needs Improvement

___ Approaching Standard

____ Meets Standard

____ Exceeds Standard

3. Analysis (5 points)
Have you clearly stated analysis and given examples and supporting evidence?
Does your response provide deeper insight to the larger concepts of U.S. government?
___ Needs Improvement

___ Approaching Standard

____ Meets Standard

____ Exceeds Standard

4. Writing Skills (3 points)

Do you write clearly, in complete sentences, with minimal errors in grammar and spelling?
___ Needs Improvement

___ Approaching Standard

____ Meets Standard

____ Exceeds Standard