American Studies First Benchmark Assessment 2015-2016 Multiple Choice Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 1 A federal government is one in which A all power is concentrated in the central government. B limited powers are assigned to a central government by independent states. C power is divided between a central government and local governments D powers are divided between a legislative branch and an executive branch. 2 What would be the best title for the diagram above? A The Policy of Mercantilism B A Plan for Representative Government C Constitutional Monarchy in the United States D The Importance of the Divine Right of Kings 3 What British document was the first to limit the king s power? A Declaration of Independence B Magna Carta C English Bill of Rights D Mayflower Compact 4 Federalism is a way of organizing a nation so that A power is centralized in state and local government. B both national and state levels of government have some authority over the same land and people. C there is one federal government and all regional governments are administrative subunits of it. D there are three branches of government and a system of checks and balances. 5 The rule of law means: A That all law should be set out in rules and regulations. B That law is the main way people s behavior in society is controlled. C That the law applies to everyone without exception. D None of the above. 1
6 Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress Assembled... Article XIII.... And the Articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every state, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them; unless such alteration be agreed to in a congress of the united states, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every state. Articles of Confederation, 1777 Based on the above excerpt, which conclusion can best be reached? A The states wanted to create a weak central government to prevent tyranny. B The states believed that they lacked the authority to create a strong central government. C The states wanted to create a weak central government so that they could leave the union. D The states believed that they could easily create a strong central government at a later date. 7 In writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was most influenced by the writers of the A Romantic Era. C Renaissance. B Enlightenment. D Middle Ages. 8 Hobbes, Locke s, and Rousseau s theory of social contract as developed in the Declaration of Independence, stated that A legislatures should have more power than kings. B government should guarantee equal economic conditions to all people. C the people should revolt against a government that did not protect their rights. D monarchs could rule autocratically, but they had to grant certain rights to their subjects. 9 The English philosopher John Locke believed that A citizens make states by abandoning social contracts. B public policies are essential tools of dictatorships. C governments should not protect citizens from foreign invaders. D a government has legitimacy because the people give it authority. 10 The Virginia House of Burgesses was important to the thirteen colonies because it A began the practice of legislative override of executive vetoes. B provided an example of a representative form of government. C provided for direct election of representatives to Parliament. D created the first written constitution in America. 2
11 Read the excerpt below from a Patrick Henry speech and use the information to answer the question that follows. On March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to take up arms in their own defense in a speech delivered at St. John s Church in Richmond. This is an excerpt from that speech. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on... There is no longer room for hope. If we wish to be free... we must fight!... The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave... There is not retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come!...is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course other may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! What conclusion can best be drawn from the speech Patrick Henry made to the people prior to the American Revolution? A Only the free can survive. C Free people live longer. B Freedom is worth the loss of life. D People must die to gain freedom. 12 Which statement best summarizes the relationship between the citizens and their government as set forth in the Declaration of Independence? A Governments have complete authority over all citizens. B Citizens have basic rights and they can overthrow a government that takes away these rights. C Citizens have the right to limit the authority of the kings by refusing the pay taxes. D The government is not empowered to protect the rights of its citizens. 13 A government that is not all-powerful is a(n) A balanced government. C ordered government. B limited government. D weak government. 14 A dictator s authority is based on his or her A education, popularity, and place of birth. B creation of a well-balanced parliament. C police force, school system, and health-care institutions. D wealth, military power, political power, and/or social position. 15 Most decisions in a democracy are made by A majority rule. C the court system. B special interest groups. D the oligarchy. 3
16 In a parliamentary system A the head of the church and the leader of parliament are monarchs. B the prime minister is selected by popular vote. C the prime minister is selected by the legislature. D officials chosen by aristocrats make up the parliament. 17 Direct democracies are A forms of government in which officials cannot be voted out of office. B systems in which laws may be made directly by all qualified citizens. C governments that directly protect the rights of privileged people. D the type of government favored by the ancient Romans. 18 The ideals of the Athenian State, Roman law, and the Mayflower Compact contributed to the growth of A government under law and popular sovereignty. B religious freedom and women s suffrage. C federalism and separation of powers. D racial equality and equal treatment under law. 4
19 Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin..... to be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness.... Small islands not capable of protecting themselves are the proper objects for government to take under their care: but there is something very absurd, in supposing a Continent to be perpetually governed by an island. A government of our own is our natural right, and when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human affairs, he will become convinced, that it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a Constitution... Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 Based on the excerpt, which statement best explains how Thomas Paine influenced the Declaration of Independence? A By emphasizing the distance between the colonies and Great Britain, he reminded the delegates that Great Britain could never effectively govern the American colonies. B By noting the difference in size between Great Britain and the American colonies, he reminded the delegates that small countries had no right to rule larger countries. C By indicating that war was common among the European monarchies, he reminded the delegates that economies of the American colonies were dependent on English policies. D By stressing that government is based on the consent of the governed, he reminded the delegates that they had a natural right to depose the king and establish their own nation. 20 In American History, what is the earliest known case of people establishing, by mutual consent, a social contract form of government? A Magna Carta C Mayflower Compact B Articles of Confederation D Declaration of Independence 21 The ultimate outcome of the Albany Plan is evidence that the American colonies A were beginning to develop a sense of nationalism B did not have very strong bonds of unity with one another. C no longer felt the Indians to be a serious threat to their survival. D were ready to subordinate their differences and unite for common defense. 5
22 Which theory of the origin of stares is repesented in this cartoon? A force C divine right B social contract D evolutionary 23 From the 1690 s to mid-1760 s, the British policy of salutary neglect toward the American colonies contributed to A a decline in colonial manufacturing. B the decline of slavery in the northern colonies. C the development of independent colonial trade practices. D a decrease in French and Spanish influence in North America. 24 Articles of Confederation could only be amended A by the founding fathers. C by a national referendum. B by a unanimous vote by states. D by a majority of states. 6
25 The purpose of the United States Declaration of Independence is to A establish the basic law of the land in the United States. B explain and justify why the American colonists revolted against England. C provide a clear plan for a meaningful and effective political system. D create a new government for the United States. 26 How did the Federalist Papers persuade Americans to support the Constitution? A by saying that the government would be more like Great Britain s B by saying that the government would protect the rights of citizens C by saying that the government would not overpower the states D by saying that the government would one day abolish slavery 27 Which document was adopted two years after the Constitution went into effect? A Articles of Confederation C Declaration of Independence B Bill of Rights D Eleventh Amendment 28 What is the age of which a U.S. citizen can vote? A 16 C 18 B 21 D 25 29... in order to form a more perfect union... Which document was written with this stated purpose? A Albany Plan of Union C Articles of Confederation B Declaration of Independence D Constitution of the United States 30 The MAIN weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the national government A depended too heavily on the military for support. B gave larger states more power than smaller states. C did not have enough power to rule effectively. D had no authority to borrow or coin money. 7
31 We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government... Based on the above excerpt written by colonial writers, which conclusion can best be reached? A The Patriots created a form of government that was meant to only benefit themselves. B The Patriots developed a form of government based on principles that were new to people. C The Patriots established their understanding of government on their experiences with religious conflict. D The Patriots based their vision of government on universal principles that became the foundation of modern democracies. 32 Suffrage is defined as the right to A run for public office. C vote. B receive humane punishment. D practice your religion. 33 At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great (Connecticut) Compromise was concerned mainly with A representation of the state in Congress. C the question of slavery. B the powers of the executive. D control of interstate commerce. 34 Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 adopted the Great Compromise to provide for A interstate trade regulation. C taxation. B bicameral legislature. D military service. 8
35 INTERPRETING TABLES Use the chart to answer questions 35 and 36. In which country is government power limited to a single person or very small group? A Cuba C United States B Costa Rica D Brazil 36 Which country has power concentrated at the national level? A Brazil C Syria B India D United States 37 The main idea that government gets its authority from the people is known as A a state of nature. C popular sovereignty. B social justice. D a natural right. 38 Which agent of socialization has the most influence on a child s political attitudes? A schools C the FBI B churches D family 39 The American colonists rebelled against the British because they were forced to pay A a fee each time they voted. B a set amount in support of British churches. C for an independent police force and local militia. D a series of new taxes. 9
40 The Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 provided freedom from persecution A for persons of different races to live where they choose. B for persons to express opposing political ideologies. C for all people of the Christian faith. D for women to hold public office. 41 What did Shays Rebellion prove about the government? A The French were putting demands on the new government. B Rebels in the army were overthrowing the federal government. C Massachusetts had a system to reward veterans of the Revolutionary War. D The Articles of Confederation did not work to solve the problems of the new nation. 42 What philosopher promoted the questioning of governmental authority. A Montesquieu C Socrates B Hobbes D Locke 43 Which type of government was most common in the colonies? A royal C proprietary B territory D charter 44 The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. --James Madison If your... [President] be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute: The army is in his hands, and if he be a man of address, it will be attached to him; and it will be the subject of long mediation with him to seize the first auspicious moment to accomplish his design. --Patrick Henry Which of the above statements supports the Anti-Federalists point of view? A The Constitution divided power equally among the branches of government. B The Constitution needed to increase the power of the legislative branch. C The Constitution gave too much power to the executive branch. D The Constitution guaranteed the protection of individual rights. 10
45 Based on the excerpt, which conclusion can best be reached? A Delegates from small states opposed the Virginia plan because resolution 1 gave too much power to the executive branch. B Delegates from large states supported the Virginia plan because resolution 3 allowed the people and not the state legislatures to elect their representatives. C Delegates from large states supported the Virginia plan because resolution 4 allowed them to choose their representatives in the Senate. D Delegates from small states opposed the Virginia plan because resolution 7 gave too much power to the large states 46 How did the delegates of the Constitutional Convention resolve the debate over how slaves should factor into representation in government? A They decided that each individual slave should count as one person when determining representation. B They decided that slaves were not citizens and should not be counted when determining representation. C They reached a compromise that allowed every ten slaves to be counted as one person. D They reached a compromise that allowed each individual slave to be counted as three-fifths of a person. 11
47 Distance from Great Britain Mayflower Compact Town hall meetings The factors listed above contributed most to the A expansion of British trade in the Americas B election of British colonists to Parliament C growth of representative government in the British colonies D creation of alliances between British settlers and American Indians 48 In the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which point would have been made by a Federalist? A The existing national government lacks the ability to add new states to the union. B The existing national government lacks the power to perform essential functions. C The states are in danger of losing the ability to raise revenue. D The states are unable to protect the rights of the people. 49 Why did the Anti-Federalists demand that a bill of rights be added to the U.S. Constitution? A To protect individual freedoms from the federal government B To strengthen the authority of the federal government C To improve the organization of the judiciary D To give each state an equal amount of power 50 Unalienable Rights Life Liberty Pursuit of happiness The rights listed above were A established by a series of Supreme Court decisions B defined by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence C established by the ratification of the U.S. Constitution D defined by President George Washington in his Farewell Address 12
ID: A American Studies First Benchmark Assessment 2015-2016 Answer Section MULTIPLE CHOICE 1 ANS: C STA: 1.4 2 ANS: B STA: 1.2 3 ANS: B STA: 2.2 4 ANS: C STA: 3.2 5 ANS: C STA: 3.6 6 ANS: A STA: 2.2 7 ANS: B STA: 2.1 8 ANS: C STA: 2.1 9 ANS: D STA: 2.1 10 ANS: B STA: 2.1 11 ANS: B STA: 2.2 12 ANS: B STA: 2.3 13 ANS: B STA: 1.1 14 ANS: D STA: 1.2 15 ANS: A STA: 1.3 16 ANS: C STA: 1.4 17 ANS: B STA: 1.2 18 ANS: A STA: 2.2 19 ANS: D STA: 2.2 20 ANS: C STA: 2.2 21 ANS: B STA: 2.2 22 ANS: C STA: 1.2 23 ANS: C STA: 2.2 24 ANS: B STA: 2.2 25 ANS: B STA: 2.3 26 ANS: C STA: 2.5 27 ANS: B STA: 2.5 28 ANS: C STA: 5.1 29 ANS: D STA: 4.1 30 ANS: C STA: 2.3 31 ANS: D STA: 2.1 32 ANS: C STA: 5.1 33 ANS: A STA: 2.5 34 ANS: B STA: 2.5 35 ANS: A STA: 1.2 36 ANS: C STA: 1.2 37 ANS: C STA: 1.2 38 ANS: D STA: 5.1 39 ANS: D STA: 2.2 1
ID: A 40 ANS: C STA: 2.2 41 ANS: D STA: 2.4 42 ANS: C STA: 2.1 43 ANS: A STA: 5.2 44 ANS: C STA: 2.5 45 ANS: D STA: 2.5 46 ANS: D STA: 2.5 47 ANS: C STA: 1.1 48 ANS: B STA: 2.5 49 ANS: A STA: 2.5 50 ANS: B STA: 2.3 2