Name: ____________________________________________ Red Black Table # _________

Purpose & Forms of Government Exam

_________ 1. In which form of government does power transfer from parent to child,
through heredity?
A) monarchy B) facism C) socialism D) republic

_________ 2. Which ancient civilization most influenced our U.S. form of government?
A) Greece B) Rome C) China D) Egypt

_________ 3. A key advantage of a dictatorship is that it can:

A) provide citizens with a great deal of freedom
B) encourage diversity and multiple points of view
C) control all the means of production and does not allow private
ownership of property
D) make decisions and take action quickly

________ 4. In an oligarchy, power is held by:

A) a dictator C) a small number of people from a powerful elite
B) the people D) a king

________ 5. A “state of nature” is most descriptive of which of the following?

A) anarchy B) monarchy C) fascism D) democracy

________ 6. The key difference between a direct democracy and an indirect

democracy (republic) is that:
A) a direct democracy has elected representatives
B) a direct democracy does not allow ownership of private property
C) a republic does not allow ownership of private property
D) in a republic, citizens elect representatives

________ 7. In communism, the means of production is controlled by:

A) the government/ state C) a powerful elite
B) individual people D) a king

________ 8. One of the pro’s (positive aspects) of a socialistic compared to a representative

democracy is that it provides for:
A) a sense of national unity and pride
B) an efficient transition of power
C) elected officials
D) more security and many social services

_________ 9. The source of power in a democratic form of government is:

A) the people
B) military strength
C) God – Divine right to rule
D) the economic strength of a powerful elite
_________ 10. A good example of tyrannical dictatorship would be:
A) the USA C) France
B) Nazi Germany D) The United Kingdom

_________ 11. A good example of modern day socialist democracy would be:
A) China C) USA
B) Russia D) Many European countries such as France

________ 12. Which of the following is NOT an autocratic form of government?

A) Monarchy C) oligarchy
B) Dictatorship D) republic

_________ 13. Which is typically NOT a key function of government?

A) keep citizens safe
B) maintain law and order
C) help people make a profit in business
D) make rules about justice

________ 14. Which form of government provides the greatest degree of personal freedom?
A) oligarchy C) fascism
B) republic D) monarchy

_________ 15. Which form of government has only one political party?
A) direct democracy
B) representative democracy
C) fascism
D) communism

_________ 16. Who would have agreed with the principle of power by “Divine Right?”
A) John Locke C) Hitler
B) King George D) George Washington

_________ 17. A social compact or social consensus is an agreement among people to:
A) form a government
B) form a company
C) agree to disagree about political issues
D) arrange a social event

__________ 18. Who was the Enlightenment philosopher who said that all people have natural
rights?
A) John Smith C) John Locke
B) John Cabot D) John Calvin

___________ 19. Which is NOT considered a “natural right?”

A) life C) liberty
B) right to own property D) right to rule over others

___________ 20. Which form of government is democratic?

A) dictatorship C) republic
B) monarchy D) oligarchy
________ 21. In a monarchy, decisions are made by:
A) elected representatives C) a single party
B) a dictator’s edicts D) the king’s will using his absolute power

________ 22. The source of power in a fascist state or a dictatorship usually comes from:
A) the people C) natural rights
B) God (Divine Right) D) military power or force

_______ 23. “Law and order” in an Anarchy is funny idea because ___________________.
A) laws are harsh and rigid so no one ever gets out of order.
B) there are no laws in an anarchic situation – everyone does what they want.
C) laws are dictated by the dictator, so everyone behaves or else!
D) the king says what is right and everyone just obeys.

______ 24. All governmental systems involve a trade off between which two key elements?
A) profitability and security
B) profitability and poverty
C) freedom and security
D) freedom and profitability

_______ 25. Which democratic form of government usually requires higher taxes and
participation, but provides greater security in terms of social services?
A) direct democracy C) representative democracy
B) social democracy D) socialism

________ 26. In order to work well, which form of government requires ALL citizens to
understand how their government works, to stay informed about issues, and to actively
participate in the governmental process?
A) monarchy C) fascism
B) oligarchy D) representative democracy (republic)

OPEN RESPONSE:

Government systems can be divided into two forms: a) autocratic systems; b)

democratic systems.
1. Identify an example of an autocratic and a democratic governmental
system.
2. Discuss the source of power for each example.
3. Discuss one pro (positive aspect) for each example.
4. Discuss one con (negative aspect) for each example.
OPEN RESPONSE: Example answer

Government systems can be divided into two forms: a) autocratic systems; b)

democratic systems.
1. Identify an example of an autocratic and a democratic governmental
system.
a. Autocratic form – monarchy
b. Democratic form - republic
2. Discuss the source of power for each example.
a. Autocratic form – monarchy – Divine Right to rule from God (or
dictatorship, oligarchy)
b. Democratic form – republic – the people
3. Discuss one pro (positive aspect) for each example.
a. Monarchy – provides a simple transition in power process, speed
of decision making, opportunity for long term continuity in
leadership
b. Republic – allows for many personal freedoms and individual
participation and influence in governmental decision making;
allows for democratic representation in larger (in terms of both
population and geography), more complex states
4. Discuss one con (negative aspect) for each example.
a. Monarchy – leadership not based on competency creating the
possibility for an inept or tyrannical regime
b. Republic – slow decision-making process, election cycle can allow
for disconnects between representation and peoples’ will

Each of the 8 answer components could be counted for .5 points each.

4– 7-8 elements present and correct

3– 5-6 elements present and correct
2– 3-4 elements present and correct
1- 1-2 elements present and correct