U.S. GOVERNMENT AND HISTORY AMERICANISM AND GOVERNMENT TESTING PROGRAM STUDY GUIDE 1. When was the Declaration of Independence signed? 2. What were the Articles of Confederation? 3. Who was responsible for writing most of the Constitution? 4. When was the U.S. Constitution ratified? 5. When was the Bill of Rights ratified? 6. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to trial by jury? 7. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution establishes the rights of free speech, religion, assembly, and petition? 8. Which amendment protects individuals against cruel and unusual punishment? 9. Which amendment gave women the right to vote? 10. Which amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote? 11. Which amendment protects individuals against unreasonable search and seizure? 12. Which amendment limits a President to two full terms in office? 13. What Supreme Court case in 1803 established the principle of Judicial Review? 14. What Supreme Court case decision in 1954 ended segregation in public schools? 15. During what years was the Civil War fought in the U.S.? 16. Who was President of the U.S. during the Civil War? 17. How many times (and in what years) has the U.S. Congress formally declared war against another country? 18. When did the Great Depression occur in the U.S.? 19. Who was the only U.S. President to be elected to office more than twice? 20. What event on what date brought the U.S. into World War II? 21. When was the Korean War fought? 22. When was the Vietnam War fought? 23. Who is currently the Commander in Chief of U.S. Military Forces?
U.S. GOVERNMENT 1. What are the three branches of the U.S. Government? 2. Who is the U.S. Senator from Indiana? 3. Who is your representative in the U.S. House? 4. What Congressional District do you live in? 5. What is the name and title of the presiding officer in the U.S. Senate? 6. What is the name and title of the presiding officer in the U.S. House? 7. Which party holds the current majority in the U.S. Senate? 8. Which party holds the current majority in the U.S. House? 9. How many total members are there in the U.S. Senate? 10. How many total members are there in the U.S. House? 11. What is the minimum age to serve in the U.S. Senate? 12. What is the minimum age to serve in the U.S. House? 13. How many Congressional Districts does Indiana have? 14. How many electoral votes are required to win a presidential election? 15. How is the President chosen if no candidate wins the required number of electoral votes in an election? 16. Which article in the U.S. Constitution establishes the office and power of the presidency? 17. What is the major duty or responsibility of Congress? 18. Which article of the U.S. Constitution establishes the office and power of the presidency? 19. How long is a U.S. Senator s term of office? 20. How long is a U.S. Representative s term of office? 21. How long does the Term of Congress last? 22. Which branch of U.S. Government has the power to declare war? 23. Which branch of U.S. Government has the power to negotiate treaties with foreign nations? 24. Which House of Congress has the authority to ratify treaties and by what required margin? 25. What percentage vote is required to remove a president from office in an impeachment case? 26. What body in U.S. Government has the authority to declare a law unconstitutional? 27. How many Justices are seated on the U.S. Supreme Court? 2
28. Which article of the U.S. Constitution provides provisions for amending the Constitution? 29. How many states must ratify an amendment to the Constitution before it becomes effective? 30. The IRS is part of what Cabinet Level Department? 31. The heads of the branches of Armed Services form a group of military advisors to the President called the...? 32. The first Ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known as the...? 33. How many total amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution to date? 34. How many votes does Indiana have in the Electoral College? 35. Which House of Congress has the authority to propose Constitutional amendments? 36. What are the Constitutional qualifications for the presidency? 37. What is the major Constitutional duty of the Vice President? 38. What are all of the Cabinet Departments, and what are their respective duties and responsibilities? 39. What Cabinet Department has responsibility over the Conduct of Foreign Policy? 40. When is the next presidential election? 41. How long is the term of office for a Federal Court Judge? 42. Name the two houses in the U.S. Congress. 43. What percentage vote is required to override a presidential veto? 44. What act of Congress in 1973 limits the power of the President to engage U.S. forces in combat without a declaration of war by Congress? 45. What is the Department of HHS? 46. What percent vote, by which House of Congress, is required to confirm an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court? Secretary of State Secretary of Defense Secretary of Treasury Attorney General Secretary of Education Secretary of Labor Secretary of HUD 3
Secretary of HHS Secretary of Energy Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Veterans Affairs EPA Vietnam Ambassador Secretary of Transportation Chairman JCS New Supreme Court Justice Speaker of the House President Pro Tem Senate President of Senate Senate Majority Leader House Majority Leader House Minority Leader Senate Minority Leader Federal Reserve Chairman Supreme Court Chief Justice President s Chief of Staff Budget Director Surgeon General FBI Director CIA Director 4
INDIANA GOVERNMENT AND HISTORY 1. What year did Indiana become a state? 2. What year was the present Indiana Constitution written? 3. Where was Indiana s first territorial capital? 4. Where was Indiana s first state capital? 5. What is Indiana s present state capital? 6. Name the present Governor of Indiana. 7. Name the present Lieutenant Governor of Indiana. 8. How many stars are on the Indiana State Flag? 9. What large animal appears on the official Seal of the State of Indiana? 10. Who was the first Governor of the Indiana territory in 1800? 11. Who was the first Governor of the state of Indiana? 12. What is the proper name of the Indiana State Legislature? 13. How many members are in the Indiana State Senate? 14. How long is the term of office of an Indiana State Senator? 15. How many members in the Indiana State House? 16. How long is the term of office of a member of the Indiana House? 17. How long is the term of office of the Governor? 18. When will the Governor be elected next? 19. How long is the term of the Indiana Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, Auditors of State, and Attorney General? 20. What Indiana government agency is responsible for collecting state taxes? 21. What Indiana government agency is responsible for negotiating and overseeing landfills and trash disposal in the state? 22. What Indiana state department or agency has jurisdiction over policies for management of natural resources, historic landmarks, and recreation areas? 23. What are the major duties of the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana? 24. What is the minimum age to serve as Governor in Indiana? 5
25. Who presides over the Indiana Department of Commerce? 26. How many State Appeals Court Districts are there in Indiana? 27. What Indiana government agency has the authority to audit and examine the records of all state and local government agencies? 28. What Indiana government agency has the authority over laws regarding matters of health and sanitation standards in the state? 29. What official appoints judges to the Indiana Supreme Court? 30. How many days per year does the Indiana General Assembly meet? 31. What official directs the Indiana Department of Education? 32. Who is the Chief Executive of the State of Indiana? 33. What state agency is responsible for registration, titling, and licensing of motor vehicles? 34. What state agency was formally called the State Board of Health? 35. What state official represents the state of Indiana lawsuits in which the state has an interest? 36. What restriction on number of terms served exists for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and Auditor of State? 37. What is the official motto for the state of Indiana? 38. How was the name of our state (Indiana) derived? 39. What Indiana official is the official receiver and custodian of all state revenue? 40. What Indiana official is the official bookkeeper and auditor of receipts and disbursements for the state? 41. What official is the head of the state military forces? 42. Primary elections in Indiana are held during the month of...? 43. General elections are on what day of the week? 44. What is the agency or department in Indiana government responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads and highways? 45. What is the minimum age to serve in the Indiana House of Representatives? 46. What is the minimum age to serve in the Indiana Senate? 47. Can the Indiana General Assembly override a Governor s vote by a veto in both houses? 48. Amendments to the Indiana Constitution must be ratified by a majority vote of...? 6
COUNTY GOVERNMENT 1. How many counties are there in the State of Indiana? 2. When was the first county organized in Indiana? 3. What is the significance of Parke County s auto license plates beginning with the number 61? 4. State Circuit Courts are often called County Courts. How many Circuit Courts are there in Indiana? 5. The agency in county government responsible for the administration of all business is the...? 6. How many people sit on the Board of County Commissioners? 7. How long is the term of office of the Board of County Commissioners? 8. What county government agency has the primary or chief financial power in county government? 9. To what county officials are property taxes paid? 10. How many members are there on a County Planning Commission and how are they chosen? 11. What county agency establishes county property tax rates? 12. The County Sheriff is elected for a term of how many years? 13. The Judge of the Circuit Court is elected for a term of how many years? 14. What is the official title of the County Clerk? 15. Who is the county official responsible for the keeping of all county records? 16. Who is the county official responsible for prosecuting alleged violators of state laws? 17. Who is the county official responsible for collecting, controlling, and disbursing county funds? 18. The Chief Fiscal Officer of the county is the...? 19. The Chief Administrative Officer of the township is the...? 20. How many members are in the County Council and how long is their term? 21. The county official responsible for determining the official cause of death in all questionable cases is the...? 22. What township official is responsible for establishing the value of real estate and personal property for tax purposes? 23. What are the lengths of each county elected office? 24. What does CAGIT refer to in county government? 25. Each county is divided into several smaller governmental units called what? 7
U.S. FLAG HISTORY 1. How many stars are on the U.S. Flag? 2. What do the stars represent? 3. How many stripes are on the U.S. Flag? 4. What do the stripes represent? 5. What day is celebrated as Flag Day? 6. Can the U.S. Flag be displayed at night? If so, under what conditions? 7. When may the Flag of the United States be flown at half-staff (half-mast)? 8. What is the procedure for raising the Flag to half-staff? 9. If the U.S. Flag is used to cover a casket at a funeral, can the Flag be lowered into the grave? 10. Is it acceptable to use the U.S. Flag for advertising purposes? 11. When can the U.S. Flag be displayed properly with the Union down? 12. T or F: The U.S. Flag should be displayed on or near the main building of all public institutions and government buildings. 13. T or F: The U.S. Flag should be displayed during each school day at or near all school buildings. 14. T or F: The U.S. Flag should be displayed so as to never touch anything below it. 15. T or F: Flags of different nations should not be flown from the same staff. 16. T or F: No Flag of any other nation is to be displayed above or to the right of the U.S. Flag. 17. T or F: When the U.S. Flag is displayed flat, as against a wall, the union is to appear on the Flag s right, which is to say, to the viewers left. 18. T or F: When the U.S. Flag is displayed in a marching procession of many flags it should be placed either in the marching right or at the front center of the line. 19. T or F: The U.S. Flag should never have any mark, insignia, decoration, or picture placed on or attached to it. 8
Dates of Historical/Governmental interest: January 17, 1991 January 27, 1973 February 1, 1865 February 8, 1910 February 12, 1809 February 22, 1971 February 22, 1732 March 2, 1965 March 3, 1931 March 12, 1912 March 19, 2003 April 11, 1991 May 1, 1958 May 5, 1952 May 6, 1984 May 7, 1945 May 8, 1945 May 20, 1950 May 30, 1868 June 6, 1944 June 14, 1775 June 22, 1942 June 22, 1944 June 25, 1950 June 30, 2008 June 30, 1948 July 2, 1926 July 4, 1776 July 27, 1953 July 28, 1914 August 1, 1947 August 4, 1790 August 7, 1782 August 14, 1945 September 2, 1945 September 10, 1962 September 11, 2001 September 14, 1814 September 16, 1986 September 17, 1787 September 18, 1947 October 7, 2001 October 12, 1492 October 13, 1775 November 8, 1845 November 10, 1775 November 11, 1918 December 7, 1941 December 8, 1941 Dec ember 10, 1950 Persian Gulf War (began) Signing of Peace Accord Viet Nam National Freedom Day (signing) Boy Scouts Founded Abraham Lincoln s Birthday President s Day George Washington s Birthday Viet Nam War/Conflict (began) Star Spangled Banner became National Anthem Girl Scouts Founded Operation Iraqi Freedom (began) Persian Gulf War (cease fire) Loyalty Day (Americanization Day) National Day of Prayer Military Spouse Day Unconditional Surrender of German Forces (signed)wwii V-E Day declared (Victory over Europe)WWII Armed Forces Day Memorial Day D-day (Invasion of Europe) United States Army Founded Pledge Of Allegiance (Recognized by Congress) G.I. Bill signed into Law (original) Korean War (began) G.I. Bill for the 21 st Century signed into Law signing of the 13 th Amendment (National Freedom Day) United States Army Air Corp (established) Independence Day Korean War (ended) World War I (began) Air Force Day United States Coast Guard (established) Purple Heart Medal (established) Japan Surrenders/WWII V-J Day (Japan signed Formal Surrender)WWII United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (Incorporated) Patriots Day Star Spangled Banner written (Francis Scott Key) P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day United States Constitution (Approved) United States Air Force (established) War on Terror (began) Columbus Day United States Navy (established) Election Day United States Marines (established) Signing of WWI Armistice (Veterans Day) Attack on Pearl Harbor War declared on Japan WWII Human Rights Day 9
December 11, 1941 December 15, 1941 December 31, 1946 Germany and Italy declares war against The United States Bill of Rights Day The Official end of WWII Government acronyms: ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act AG Attorney General APO Army Post Office AUS Army of the United States (U.S. Army) AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax ASAP As Soon As Possible CAN-SPAM - Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 CFR - Council on Foreign Relations CIA - Central Intelligence Agency COG - Continuity of Government DARPA - Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (www.darpa.mil) DEA - Drug Enforcement Agency DOD - Department of Defense DOE - Department Of Energy DOL - Department of Labor DOT - Department of Transportation DPW Department of Public Works DUI - Driving Under the Influence DWI - Driving While Intoxicated EPA - Environmental Protection Agency EPRI - Electric Power Research Institute ESA - European Space Agency EU - European Union FAR - Federal Acquisition Regulation FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation FCC - Federal Communications Commission FDA - Food and Drug Administration FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency FERPA - Family Educational Records Privacy Act FLSA - Fair Labor Standards Act FPO Fleet Post Office FREDDIE MAC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation FTC - Federal Trade Commission GDP - Gross Domestic Product GINNIE MAE - Government National Mortgage Association GNP - Gross National Product GOP - Grand Old Party HOMSEC Homeland Security HONDA - Home School Non-Discrimination Act HUD - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development IRS Internal Revenue Service JCS - Joint Chiefs of Staff KIA Killed In Action MIA Missing In Action NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration NCIS - National Criminal Intelligence Service (U.K.) 10
NDIU - National Drugs Intelligence Unit (U.K.) NSA - National Security Agency NSC - National Security Council OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration OR Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 PC - Politically Correct PO Post Office POW- Prisoner of War RICO - Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act SBA - Small Business Administration SLORC - State Law and Order Restoration Council SOCA - Serious Organized Crime Agency (U.K.) SSA - Social Security Administration SSN - Social Security Number SWAT - Special Weapons and Tactics TIN - Tax Identification Number UDHR - Universal Declaration on Human Rights UN - United Nations UNEP - United Nations Environment Program UNFPA - United Nations Fund for Population Activities (see www.unfpa.org) USA United States of America USA PATRIOT - Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (a government act passed in late 2001) USAF - United States Air Force USCG United States Coast Guard USDA - United States Department of Agriculture USGS - United States Geological Survey USMC United States Marine Corp USN United States Navy USO United Service Organization USPS - United States Postal Service UGMA - Uniform Gifts To Minors Act UTMA - Uniform Transfers To Minors Act VA Veterans Affairs WIA Wounded In Action Sample Citizenship Questions 1. What are the colors of our flag? Red, White, and Blue. 2. How many stars are there in our flag? 50 3. What color are the stars on our flag? White. 4. What do the stars on the flag mean? One for each state in the Union. 11
5. How many stripes are there in the flag? 13 6. What color are the stripes? Red and White. 7. What do the stripes on the flag mean? They represent the original 13 states. 8. How many states are there in the Union? 50 9. What is the 4th of July? Independence Day. 10. What is the date of Independence Day? July 4th 11. Independence from whom? England 12. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War? England 13. Who was the first President of the United States? George Washington 14. Who is the President of the United States today? Currently Barack Obama 15. Who is the vice-president of the United States today? Currently Joseph Biden 16. Who elects the President of the United States? The electoral college 12
17. Who becomes President of the United States if the President should die? Vice - President 18. For how long do we elect the President? Four years 19. What is the Constitution? The supreme law of the land 20. Can the Constitution be changed? Yes 21. What do we call a change to the Constitution? An Amendment 22. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution? 27 23. How many branches are there in our government? 3 24. What are the three branches of our government? Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary 25. What is the legislative branch of our government? Congress 26. Who makes the laws in the United States? Congress 27. What is the Congress? The Senate and the House of Representatives 28. What are the duties of Congress? To make laws 13
29. Who elects the Congress? The people 30. How many senators are there in Congress? 100 31. Can you name the two senators from your state? (insert local information) 32. For how long do we elect each senator? 6 years 33. How many representatives are there in Congress? 435 34. For how long do we elect the representatives? 2 years 35. What is the executive branch of our government? The President, vice president, cabinet, and departments under the cabinet members 36. What is the judiciary branch of our government? The Supreme Court 37. What are the duties of the Supreme Court? To interpret laws 38. What is the supreme court law of the United States? The Constitution 39. What is the Bill of Rights? The first 10 amendments of the Constitution 40. What is the capital of your state? (insert local information) 14
41. Who is the current governor of your state? (insert local information) 42. Who becomes President of the United States if the President and the vice-president should die? Speaker of the House of Representative 43. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? 44. Can you name thirteen original states? Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Maryland. 45. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death."? Patrick Henry 46. Which countries were our enemies during World War II? Germany, Italy, and Japan 47. What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union? Alaska and Hawaii 48. How many terms can the President be elected? 2 49. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? A civil rights leader 50. Who is the head of your local government? (insert local information) 51. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of these requirements. Must be a natural born citizen of the United States; must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve; must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. 15
52. Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate? Two (2) from each state 53. Who selects the Supreme Court justice? Appointed by the President 54. How many Supreme Court justice are there? Nine (9) 55. Why did the Pilgrims come to America? For religious freedom 56. What is the head executive of a state government called? Governor 57. What is the head executive of a city government called? Mayor 58. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by the Americans colonists? Thanksgiving 59. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson 60. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? July 4, 1776 61. What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence? That all men are created equal 62. What is the national anthem of the United States? The Star-Spangled Banner 63. Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner? Francis Scott Key 16
64. Where does freedom of speech come from? The Bill of Rights 65. What is a minimum voting age in the United States? Eighteen (18) 66. Who signs bills into law? The President 67. What is the highest court in the United States? The Supreme Court 68. Who was the President during the Civil War? Abraham Lincoln 69. What did the Emancipation Declaration do? Freed many slaves 70. What special group advises the President? The Cabinet 71. Which President is called the "Father of our country"? George Washington 72. What Immigration and Naturalization Service form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen? Form N-400, Application to File Petition for Naturalization 73. Who helped the Pilgrims in America? The American-Indians (Native Americans) 74. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America? The Mayflower 75. What are the 13 original states of the U.S. called? Colonies 17
76. Name 3 rights of freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The right of freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting change of government. The right to bear arms (the right to have weapons or own a gun, though subject to certain regulations). The government may not quarter, or house, soldiers in the people's homes during peacetime without the people's consent. The government may not search or take a person's property without a warrant. A person may not be tried twice for the same crime and does not have to testify against him/herself. A person charged with a crime still has some rights, such as the right to a trial and to have a lawyer. The right to trial by jury in most cases. Protects people against excessive or unreasonable fines or cruel and unusual punishment. The people have rights other than those mentioned in the Constitution. Any power not given to the federal government by the Constitution is a power of either the state or the people. 77. Who has the power to declare the war? The Congress 78. What kind of government does the United States have? Democracy 79. Which President freed the slaves? Abraham Lincoln 80. In what year was the Constitution written? 1787 81. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called? The Bill of Rights 82. Name one purpose of the United Nations? For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems, to provide economic aid to many countries. 83. Where does Congress meet? In the Capitol in Washington, D.C. 84. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Everyone (citizens and non-citizens) living in U.S. 85. What is the introduction to the Constitution called? The Preamble 18
86. Name one benefit of being citizen of the United States. Obtain federal government jobs, travel with U.S. passport, petition for close relatives to come to the U.S. to live. 87. What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens? The right to vote 88. What is the United States Capitol? The place where Congress meets 89. What is the White House? The President's official home 90. Where is the White House located? Washington, D.C. (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.) 91. What is the name of the President's official home? The White House 92. Name the right guaranteed by the first amendment. Freedom of: speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting change of the government. 93. Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? The President 94. Which President was the first Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? George Washington 95. In what month do we vote for the President? November 96. In what month is the new President inaugurated? January 97. How many times may a Senator be re-elected? There is no limit 19
98. How many times may a Congressman be re-elected? There is no limit 99. What are the 2 major political parties in the U.S. today? Democratic and Republican 100. How many states are there in the United States today? Fifty (50) AMERICAN GOVERNMENT A. Principles of American Democracy 1. What is the supreme law of the land? A: The Constitution 2. What does the Constitution do? A: sets up the government A: defines the government A: protects basic rights of Americans 3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? 20
A: We the People 4. What is an amendment? A: a change (to the Constitution) A: an addition (to the Constitution) 5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? A: The Bill of Rights 6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* A: speech A: religion A: assembly A: press A: petition the government 7. How many amendments does the Constitution have? A: twenty-seven (27) 8. What did the Declaration of Independence do? A: announced our independence (from Great Britain) A: declared our independence (from Great Britain) A: said that the United States is free (from Great Britain) 9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? A: life A: liberty A: pursuit of happiness 21
10. What is freedom of religion? A: You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion. 11. What is the economic system in the United States?* A: capitalist economy A: market economy 12. What is the "rule of law"? A: Everyone must follow the law. A: Leaders must obey the law. A: Government must obey the law. A: No one is above the law. B. System of Government 13. Name one branch or part of the government.* A: Congress A: legislative A: President A: executive A: the courts A: judicial 14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? A: checks and balances A: separation of powers 15. Who is in charge of the executive branch? 22
A: the President 16. Who makes federal laws? A: Congress A: Senate and House (of Representatives) A: (U.S. or national) legislature 17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* A: the Senate and House (of Representatives) 18. How many U.S. Senators are there? A: one hundred (100) 19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? A: six (6) 20. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators?* A: Answers will vary. [For District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories, the answer is that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.] * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. 21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members? A: four hundred thirty-five (435) 23
22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? A: two (2) 23. Name your U.S. Representative. A: Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.] 24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent? A: all people of the state 25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? A: (because of) the state's population A: (because) they have more people A: (because) some states have more people 26. We elect a President for how many years? A: four (4) 27. In what month do we vote for President?* A: November 28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?* 29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? 24
30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? A: the Vice President 31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? A: the Speaker of the House 32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? A: the President 33. Who signs bills to become laws? A: the President 34. Who vetoes bills? A: the President 35. What does the President's Cabinet do? A: advises the President 36. What are two Cabinet-level positions? A: Secretary of Agriculture A: Secretary of Commerce A: Secretary of Defense A: Secretary of Education A: Secretary of Energy 25
A: Secretary of Health and Human Services A: Secretary of Homeland Security A: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development A: Secretary of Interior A: Secretary of State A: Secretary of Transportation A: Secretary of Treasury A: Secretary of Veterans' Affairs A: Secretary of Labor A: Attorney General 37. does the judicial branch do? A: reviews laws A: explains laws A: resolves disputes (disagreements) A: decides if a law goes against the Constitution 38. What is the highest court in the United States? A: the Supreme Court 39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? A: nine (9) 40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States? * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. 41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? A: to print money A: to declare war A: to create an army A: to make treaties 26
42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? A: provide schooling and education A: provide protection (police) A: provide safety (fire departments) A: give a driver's license A: approve zoning and land use 43. Who is the Governor of your state? A: Answers will vary. [Residents of the District of Columbia and U.S. territories without a Governor should say "we don't have a Governor."] 44. What is the capital of your state?* A: Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.] 45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?* A: Democratic and Republican 46. What is the political party of the President now? A: 47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? A: 27
C: Rights and Responsibilities 48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. A: Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). A: You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. A: Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.) A: A male citizen of any race (can vote). 49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* A: serve on a jury A: vote 50. What are two rights only for United States citizens? A: apply for a federal job A: vote A: run for office A: carry a U.S. passport 51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? A: freedom of expression A: freedom of speech A: freedom of assembly A: freedom to petition the government A: freedom of worship A: the right to bear arms 52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? A: the United States A: the flag 28
53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? A: give up loyalty to other countries A: defend the Constitution and laws of the United States A: obey the laws of the United States A: serve in the U.S. military (if needed) A: serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) A: be loyal to the United States 54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* A: eighteen (18) and older 55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? A: vote A: join a political party A: help with a campaign A: join a civic group A: join a community group A: give an elected official your opinion on an issue A: call Senators and Representatives A: publicly support or oppose an issue or policy A: run for office A: write to a newspaper 56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?* A: April 15 57. When must all men register for the Selective Service? A: at age eighteen (18) A: between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26) 29
AMERICAN HISTORY A: Colonial Period and Independence 58. What is one reason colonists came to America? A: freedom A: political liberty A: religious freedom A: economic opportunity A: practice their religion A: escape persecution 59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? A: Native Americans A: American Indians 60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? A: Africans A: people from Africa * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. 61. Why did the colonists fight the British? A: because of high taxes (taxation without representation) A: because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering) A: because they didn't have self-government 62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? 30
A: (Thomas) Jefferson 63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? A: July 4, 1776 64. There were 13 original states. Name three. A: New Hampshire A: Massachusetts A: Rhode Island A: Connecticut A: New York A: New Jersey A: Pennsylvania A: Delaware A: Maryland A: Virginia A: North Carolina A: South Carolina A: Georgia 65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention? A: The Constitution was written. A: The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution. 66. When was the Constitution written? A: 1787 67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. A: (James) Madison A: (Alexander) Hamilton A: (John) Jay A: Publius 31
68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? A: U.S. diplomat A: oldest member of the Constitutional Convention A: first Postmaster General of the United States A: writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac" A: started the first free libraries 69. Who is the "Father of Our Country"? A: (George) Washington 70. Who was the first President?* A: (George) Washington B: 1800s 71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? A: the Louisiana Territory A: Louisiana 72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. A: War of 1812 A: Mexican-American War A: Civil War A: Spanish-American War 73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. A: the Civil War A: the War between the States 32
74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War. A: slavery A: economic reasons A: states' rights 75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?* A: freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) A: saved (or preserved) the Union A: led the United States during the Civil War 76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? A: freed the slaves A: freed slaves in the Confederacy A: freed slaves in the Confederate states A: freed slaves in most Southern states 77. What did Susan B. Anthony do? A: fought for women's rights A: fought for civil rights C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information 78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.* A: World War I A: World War II A: Korean War A: Vietnam War A: (Persian) Gulf War 79. Who was President during World War I? 33
A: (Woodrow) Wilson 80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? A: (Franklin) Roosevelt * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. 81. Who did the United States fight in World War II? A: Japan, Germany and Italy 82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in? A: World War II 83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States? A: Communism 84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination? A: civil rights (movement) 85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?* A: fought for civil rights A: worked for equality for all Americans 34
86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? A: Terrorists attacked the United States. 87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. [Adjudicators will be supplied with a complete list.] A: Cherokee A: Navajo A: Sioux A: Chippewa A: Choctaw A: Pueblo A: Apache A: Iroquois A: Creek A: Blackfeet A: Seminole A: Cheyenne A: Arawak A: Shawnee A: Mohegan A: Huron A: Oneida A: Lakota A: Crow A: Teton A: Hopi A: Inuit INTEGRATED CIVICS A: Geography 88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. A: Missouri (River) A: Mississippi (River) 89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? 35
A: Pacific (Ocean) 90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? A: Atlantic (Ocean) 91. Name one U.S. territory. A: Puerto Rico A: U.S. Virgin Islands A: American Samoa A: Northern Mariana Islands A: Guam 92. Name one state that borders Canada. A: Maine A: New Hampshire A: Vermont A: New York A: Pennsylvania A: Ohio A: Michigan A: Minnesota A: North Dakota A: Montana A: Idaho A: Washington A: Alaska 93. Name one state that borders Mexico. A: California A: Arizona A: New Mexico A: Texas 94. What is the capital of the United States?* 36
A: Washington, D.C. 95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?* A: New York (Harbor) A: Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).] B. Symbols 96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? A: because there were 13 original colonies A: because the stripes represent the original colonies 97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?* A: because there is one star for each state A: because each star represents a state A: because there are 50 states 98. What is the name of the national anthem? A: The Star-Spangled Banner C: Holidays 99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?* A: July 4 100. Name two national U.S. holidays. 37
A: New Year's Day A: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day A: Presidents' Day A: Memorial Day A: Independence Day A: Labor Day A: Columbus Day A: Veterans Day A: Thanksgiving A: Christmas 38