Chapter 1: American Government: Roots, Context, and Culture Multiple-Choice Questions 1. How does the Preamble to the Constitution begin? a. We the People b. We hold these truths to be self-evident c. When in the Course of human events d. In Order to form a more perfect Union -- Consider This: While these words come early in the Constitution, they are not the beginning of the Preamble. Answer: a 2. What was the most common initial reason for settlement in North America by the first colonists? a. family reunification b. religious freedom -- Consider This: While religion played a large role in subsequent settlement, initially the colonists were interested in the new world for more economic reasons. c. flight from diseases rampaging through Europe d. commerce Page Reference: 4
3. In a direct democracy, decisions are made collectively by citizens using. a. indirect democracy b. majority rule c. enlightened representatives -- Consider This: While American government has elected representatives selected by citizens, this is not indicative of a direct democracy. d. oligarchy Answer: b 4. Indirect democracy uses which of the following? a. plebiscites b. unanimity c. representation d. mob rule -- Consider This: In an indirect democracy, citizens do not have a direct role in policymaking. Instead, they elect individuals to make decisions on their behalf. 5. What are republics? a. representative democracies b. direct democracies -- Consider This: Republics are rooted in the consent of the governed, but they do not necessarily allow individuals to directly participate. c. a hallmark of direct democracy d. communist regimes Answer: a
6. Which function of government stated in the Preamble is consistent with the notion of having government-provided police protection? a. establishing justice -- Consider This: While government is expected to have a judicial system to handle disputes, this does not reflect directly on protection and prevention. b. securing the blessings of liberty c. promoting the general welfare d. ensuring domestic tranquility Skill Level: Apply What You Know 7. The Framers agreed that the new nation had to be founded on notions of which of the following? a. economic equality -- Consider This: While many settlers were interested in economic gain, they were not necessarily concerned with equality when arriving to colonize. b. aristocracy c. racial equality d. religious freedom Topic: The Changing American Public Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Analyze the changing characteristics of the American public. Page Reference: 9 8. In general, which of the following is true about the U.S. population? a. It is mostly under the age of thirty. b. It is getting older. c. It is becoming more homogeneous. -- Consider This: A sign of growing diversity, America is actually becoming significantly less homogenous with each passing generation. d. It is becoming more Christian. Answer: b Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Analyze the changing characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 8 9. What percentage of Americans are immigrants? a. 0.7 percent b. 3 percent c. 9 percent -- Consider This: The percentage of Americans that could be classified as immigrants has grown in recent years. d. 15 percent Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Analyze the changing characteristics of the American public. Page Reference: 7 10. Which accurately compares Southerners to Northerners? a. Northerners are more religious. b. Northerners are more likely to favor states rights. -- Consider This: While one geographic region tends to be more in favor of states rights, it is not the North historically. c. Southerners are more in favor of civil rights. d. Southerners are more likely to favor downsizing the federal government. Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Analyze the changing characteristics of the American public. Page Reference: 9 Skill Level: Analyze It Difficulty Level: Difficult 11. Approximately what percentage of children live in a household with both parents? a. 45 percent b. 55 percent c. 65 percent d. 75 percent -- Consider This: While the percentage of children in dual parent households is high, it fails to hit 75 percent.
Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Analyze the changing characteristics of the American public. Page Reference: 10 12. Based on the average age of the state s population, which issue would you expect to be least important to voters in Florida, which has the oldest state population in the U.S.? a. Social Security b. Medicare c. public education d. prescription drug costs -- Consider This: Since elderly individuals are more likely to be on routine prescriptions, this is an important issue. A less important issue would be one that the elderly do not themselves consume. Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Analyze the changing characteristics of the American public. Page Reference: 8 Skill Level: Apply What You Know 13. Over time, Americans expectations of government have generally. a. increased b. decreased c. been related to national defense -- Consider This: Americans have wanted to see more from their government with regards to both foreign and domestic issues over time. d. been related to foreign policy Answer: a Page Reference: 11-12 Skill Level: Analyze It 14. Americans confidence in government institutions in the United States has. a. remained stagnant over time b. generally increased c. generally decreased
d. fluctuated considerably depending on who is in office -- Consider This: While there has been some fluctuation based on officeholders, the overall trend appears to clearly be moving in a direction. Page Reference: 11 15. Americans generally have the lowest levels of confidence in which of the following institutions? a. the press b. business and industry -- Consider This: While less than 20 percent of Americans expressed confidence in big business in 2016, one institution was still viewed less favorably. c. the executive branch d. Congress Page Reference: 11 16. Which of the following was expected of the federal government 200 years ago? a. regulating business -- Consider This: Outside of tariffs and taxes, the government was not expected to play a prominent role in business until more recently in American history. b. providing national defense c. providing poverty relief d. inspecting food Answer: b Page Reference: 11
17. The first permanent English settlement was established where? a. Jamestown b. Albany c. St. Augustine d. Plymouth -- Consider This: While this is where the Pilgrims originally landed, the first permanent settlement was located further South. Answer: a Page Reference: 3 18. Roger Williams settled which colony as part of his effort to separate from the Church of England? a. Plymouth b. Providence c. Massachusetts Bay d. Delaware -- Consider This: While Delaware was purchased by Quakers originally, it was not where Roger Williams chose to settle. Answer: b Page Reference: 4 19. William Penn s colony s long-term survival has been attributed to its: a. Mineral wealth b. Natural location c. Religious freedom -- Consider This: While there was religious freedom within Penn s colony, it was also present in other colonies that were not as ultimately successful. d. Ethnic and religious diversity Page Reference: 4
20. Which country is not listed as free according to the Freedom in the World 2016 rankings? a. Russia b. Brazil c. Australia d. South Africa -- Consider This: While not many African nations receive this ranking, South Africa is deemed free according to Freedom in the World. Page Reference: 6 21. Which is not a core element of the American Dream? a. education b. freedom c. high income d. home ownership -- Consider This: While owning a home is more material than other core elements, it is viewed as an important way to establish roots. Page Reference: 11