CIVIC AND GOVERNMENT

1. The following text comes from James Madison’s Federalist Paper #10.
…a pure Democracy, by which I mean a Society consisting of a small number of citizens, who
assemble and administer the Government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of
faction. A common passion or interest will, in almost every case, be felt by a majority of the
whole; a communication and concert result from the form of Government itself; and there is
nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party, or an obnoxious individual.
Hence it is, that such Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention.
In this text, James Madison most directly warns against
A. presidential democracy.
B. parliamentary democracy.
C. representative democracy.
D. direct democracy.
2. Questions 2 refer to the following text of the Sixth Amendment:
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by
an impartial jury … and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be
confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Which right is granted by the Sixth Amendment to persons accused of a crime?
A. The right not to be tried twice for the same crime.
B. The right not to answer questions in court or in a police interrogation.
C. The right to a lawyer.
D. The right to be released on bail.
3. Question 3 is based on the following passage
The Constitution assigned to Congress responsibility for organizing the executive and
judicial branches, raising revenue, declaring war, and making all laws necessary for
executing these powers. The president is permitted to veto specific legislative acts,but
 Congress has the authority to override presidential vetoes by two-thirds majorities of both
houses. The Constitution also provides that the Senate advise and consent on key
executive and judicial appointments and on the ratification of treaties.
What is the purpose of the Constitution?
A. It permits a presidential veto over laws.
B. It selects the members of the executive branch of government.
C. It defines the responsibilities of the three branches of government.
D. It explains who may be a representative in government.
4. Questions 4 refer to the following cartoon.

What is the main idea of this cartoon?

A. Most voters are working people.
B. Most registered voters don’t vote.
C. Voters should establish another political party.
D. A non-voters’ party would lose every election.

5. Read the following statements ,and then choose the principle that is addressed.
“All . . . will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in
all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess
their equal rights, which equal law must protect and to violate would be oppression.” —
Thomas Jefferson
 A. limited government
B. minority rights
C. popular sovereignty
D. natural rights philosophy
6. Use the map to answer the following questions. For each question, choose the best
answer to the question.

6. During the 113th Congress, which began on January 3, 2013, California had 53
representatives. What does that indicate?
A. California had a greater population than any other state at the time the Constitution was
ratified.
B. At the time of this session of Congress, the population of California was greater than
that of any other state.
C. More voters in California participated in the 2012 presidential election than in any other
state.
D. California has the greatest land area, in square miles, of any state in the country.
7. Question 7 is based on the following graph:
 Based on the graph, which statement is true?
A. Most presidents have had more than one party affiliation.
B. There have been more Republican than Democratic presidents.
C. The last four presidents have been affiliated with the Whig party.
D. The next president is more likely to be a Democrat than Republican

8. Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.

There are currently about 25 million living American veterans. Of these, approximately
75% served the country either during a time of war or during an official time of hostility.
This means that about one fourth of the population of the United States, about 70 million
people, could be eligible for veterans’ benefits as a result of either being a veteran or
being a family member or survivor of a veteran.
Based on this information, which conclusion can be drawn?
A. The Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs oversees a very large budget.
B. Benefits for veterans and their families will run out within the next decade.
C. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs will have to decrease the amount of benefits
awarded.
D. Family members of veterans should not receive benefits because they did not
serve our country.
9. Read the following passage, and then answer the question.
So we can gut education to pay for more tax breaks for the wealthy, or we can decide that
in the United States of America, no child should have her dreams deferred because of an
overcrowded classroom. No family should have to set aside a college acceptance letter
because they don’t have the money. No business should have to look for workers in
China because they can’t find ones with the right skills here in the United States. So,
Ohio, I am asking you to help me recruit 100,000 new math and science teachers. Help
me improve early childhood education. Help me give two million workers the chance to
learn the skills they need at community colleges that will lead directly to a new job. Help
us work with colleges and universities to cut the cost of tuition. Help us meet those goals.
Help us choose that future for America.
—Excerpt from a speech by President Barack Obama during the 2012 election campaign

Which is a public policy that Obama is proposing?

A. building more affordable public housing
B. retraining U.S. workers to give them new job skills
C. recruiting foreign workers for U.S. businesses
D. reducing taxes for middle-class families.
10. Congress once debated a proposed amendment that would have lowered the voting
age from 18 to 16, but the proposal was defeated.
What point of view does this defeat reflect?
A. A minority of representatives and senators favored raising the
minimum voting age.
B. Most legislators believed that high school students are ready to
vote.
C. The president believed that people should not be allowed to vote
at 16 years of age.
D. Most representatives and senators thought that only people aged
18 or older should be able to vote.
11. Read the following passage, and then answer the question.
The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example
the hope of Liberty throughout the world.
—PresidentJamesMadison(1829)
What did Madison mean by the phrase “the hope of Liberty throughout the world”?
A. People in other countries look at the United States and hope that
someday Americans will be free.
B. Everyone around the world will someday enjoy the same rights as
 citizens of the United States.
C. People in the United States do not believe that people in other
countries will also gain liberty.
D. People in other countries will see that it is possible for a
government to protect the freedom of its people.
12. The Constitution specifies the wording of the oath of office of the President of the
United States. Read the following excerpts from the Constitution.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the
United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of
the United States.”
What is the central idea of the oath of office? The president will
A. protect the people of the United States.
B. support the U.S. Constitution.
C. work to preserve the land of the United States.
D. amend the U.S. Constitution as he or she finds it necessary.
13. The political party that has a majority in the House of Representatives or the Senate is called
the “majority party.” The other party is called the “minority party.” If a Republican is the
majority party leader in the Senate, what does this indicate?

A. There are more Republicans than Democrats in the Senate.

B. There are more Republicans than Democrats in the House of Representatives.
C. More Republicans than Democrats were elected to office in the last election.
D. A Republican was most recently elected as President of the United States.
14. During elections, candidates often use slogans to help voters remember a key point about
them or their campaign on Election Day. During his 1864 reelection campaign in the midst of the
Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln’s slogan was “Don’t swap horses in the middle of the
stream.” What point was he trying to make?
A. Lincoln supported people who raised horses for a living.
B. Lincoln wanted Americans to purchase new horses.
C. Lincoln was urging Americans to keep him in office until the country’s problems were
resolved.
D. Lincoln’s wartime policies had all been implemented successfully.
 15. Herbert Hoover’s presidential campaign during the Great Depression promised a
return to economic prosperity. Which was most likely the slogan he used while
campaigning for the presidency in 1928?
A. Sunflowers die in November
B. Building a bridge to the 21st century
C. Hoover we trusted—now we’re busted
D. A chicken in every pot (and a car in every back
16. Questions 16 refers to the following graph.

Which state shows the greatest gains in seats in the House of Representatives?
A. Washington (WA)
B. New York (NY)
C. Oklahoma (OK)
D. Texas (TX)

17. Questions 17–18 are based on Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it
become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it,
but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated,
who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such
Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together
with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if
approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of
both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and
against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively, If any Bill shall not
be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been
presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the
Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
17.How can Congress force the implementation of a bill the president rejects and sends back to
Congress?
(A) It can’t.
(B) The presidential objection can be overturned if the bill in question is reapproved by a
two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress.
(C) Congress can lobby the president to change his mind.
(D) Congress can appeal to the Supreme Court.
18.What happens to an unsigned bill if it spends more time than ten days in the president’s
possession?
(A) It automatically becomes law.
(B) It automatically dies.
(C) It automatically becomes law if Congress is in session.
(D) None of the above.
19. Questions 19–20 are based on the following passage from Article IV, Section 2 of the
Constitution of the United States
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the
several States. A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall
flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of
the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of
the Crime. [No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping
into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such
Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or
Labour may be due.]
19.What does “The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of
Citizens in the several States” mean?
(A) The citizens of any state of the United States will have the same rights in all the states.
(B) Citizens granted immunity in one state will have the same immunity in every other state.
(C) A citizen’s rights may apply only to several states.
(D) Immunities of citizens vary from state to state.
20 .The police in New York State discover someone in their state has committed a crime in
Texas. What happens when Texas demands that person’s return?
(A) nothing
(B) Texas is offered the opportunity to try the person in New York State.
(C) New York State has to try that person.
(D) New York State must return the individual to Texas.
21. Question 21 is based on the following remarks by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh
Johnson at the RSA Conference 2015
Just a few days ago President Obama signed an Executive Order which authorizes the Secretary
of Treasury to impose financial sanctions on those who engage in malicious cyber-enabled
activities that are a threat to national security, foreign policy, economic health, or the financial
stability of our country. Two weeks ago I was in Beijing and met with the Minister of Public
Security and the Minister of Cyberspace Administration of the People’s Republic of China.
Though we have sharp differences with the Chinese Government, particularly when it comes to
the theft of confidential business information and proprietary technology through cyber
intrusions, we and the Chinese recognize the need to make progress on a range of cyber-related
issues. As the two largest economies in the world, the U.S. and China have a vested interest in
working together to address shared cyber threats, and making progress on our differences.
What connection does the passage suggest between the president’s executive order and the visit
of the secretary of homeland security to the People’s Republic of China?
(A) Homeland security wants the People’s Republic of China to work with America to solve
cyberbullying. (B) The theft of confidential business information is also a Chinese concern.
(C) The U.S. president is about to impose sanctions on the People’s Republic of China.
(D) The American government suspects the Chinese are involved in cyber intrusions in the
United States

22. Question 3 is based on the following reading:

What Is a Filibuster?
The filibuster refers to continuing debate endlessly to prevent a vote on a proposed law that is
likely to pass. The rules of the House of Representatives do not allow a filibuster, but in the
Senate, a minority of the senators can block a vote on a proposed law that has majority support.
Sixty percent of senators must vote to end debate (cloture) before a vote on the proposed law can
be taken. Nowadays, the Senate usually moves on to other business until a sufficient number of
senators can be convinced to support cloture rather than wasting time with endless debate.
The filibuster is an example of:
A. Federalism
B. Checks and balances
C. Limitations on the power of the majority
D. Separation of powers
23. Question 23 refers to the following political cartoon:

23. What is the main point the cartoonist is making in this cartoon?
A. Politicians in both parties admire Abraham Lincoln.
B. Government officials will do anything for money.
 C. Money plays too large a role in American elections.
D. Lincoln was able to provide real leadership and get both parties to support him.

24. Question 24 refers to the following map:

24. Based on the information shown on the map, which one of the following statements is
correct?
A. Smaller states have no say in selecting a president.
B. In awarding electoral votes to states, population is not important.
C. The states with the smallest population get only one electoral vote.
D. In the presidential electoral system, virtually all states cast their electoral votes as
a block for the same candidate.
25. Both political parties and interest groups play important roles in American democracy. In
some ways, they are similar: both are organized groups of people working to accomplish their
goals, and both support political candidates and raise money to fund their objectives. In the
United States, however, the two groups serve different purposes as outlined in the following
table.
Both interest groups and political parties are likely to:
A. Raise money for candidates running for office
B. Try to get all the candidates from one political party elected
C. Try to influence the policy-making process of the federal government
D. Recruit candidates to run for office
26. The political party that has a majority in the House of Representatives or the Senate is
called the “majority party.” The other party is called the “minority party.” If a Republican
is the majority party leader in the Senate, what does this indicate?
A. There are more Republicans than Democrats in the Senate.
B. There are more Republicans than Democrats in the House of Representatives.
C. More Republicans than Democrats were elected to office in the last election.
D. A Republican was most recently elected as President of the United States.
27. Use the following graph to answer Questions 27.
In a recent year, a controversial proposal was on the ballot in a certain state.
Contributions by interest groups supporting or opposed to the proposition are shown in
the graph.

Which interest group donated approximately $350,000 to support the proposition?

A. We Build Roads
B. Kids’ School Alliance
C. Statewide Construction Company
D. Parents for Education
28. Question 28 refers to the following cartoon.

Which of the following people is most likely depicted in the cartoon?

A. the president
B. a member of Congress
C. the head of a government department
D. a federal judge
29. The United States must balance the right of society to protect itself against the rights of an
accused criminal. One aspect of this tension is the Fourth Amendment guarantee of “the right of
people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures.”
Which of the following values is supported by the Fourth Amendment?
A. free speech
B. privacy
C. civic duty
D. volunteerism

30. Question 30 refers to the following graph.

Which of the following is a conclusion based on the graph rather than a

detail of the graph?
A. About 63 percent of people aged 45 to 64 reported voting in the 2012 presidential election.
B. Those aged 65+ reported the highest voter turnout in the 2012 presidential election, at 70
percent.
C. If the 2012 presidential election is representative of elections generally in the United
States, voter turnout increases with age.
D. Only about 38 percent of young people reported voting in the 2012 presidential election.