1St Semester Civics LCS Common Assessment Benchmark Review
Name: ______Date: ______Per.: ______1
1st Semester Civics LCS Common Assessment Benchmark Review
Essential Question / Answer1. The Enlightenment idea of separation of powers was developed by ______. / Baron de Montesquieu
2. John Locke’s theory that certain truths in society come from and are governed by nature is known as the theory of ______. / Social Contract
3. Describe John Locke’s theory of social contract. / The social contract is a voluntary agreement between the people and the government. The people enter
into a social contract voluntarily provided that the government is formed in a way that respects natural rights and is derived from the consent of the governed.
4. This document guaranteed that not even the king or queen was above the law. / Magna Carta
5. Explain the significance of the English Bill of Rights on the development of the U.S. Constitution. / Delegates to the Convention of 1787 also wished to guarantee Americans the rights contained in the English Constitution
6. What was the first document that established self-government by creating a direct democracy in the colonies? / Mayflower Compact
7. This pamphlet was used to persuade members of the Second Continental Congress and justified the ideals and reasons for independence from Great Britain. / Common Sense
8. Give specific examples of colonial responses to English policies. / The Boston Tea Party, in which colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor in response to the Tea Act taxes
9. What concerns of the colonists’ led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence? / Concern of the trampling of the individual rights of the colonists by the King and Parliament
10. What were the main complaints/arguments against Britain in the Declaration of Independence? / Denied acceptable representation in the legislature
11. John Locke’s theory of ______guaranteed that all individuals are entitled to basic rights such as life, liberty, and property. / Natural Rights
12. Which document outlined the first form of government for the United States? Which system of government did this document create? / Articles of Confederation. A confederation is a state-centered,decentralized government where the primary powers of government are held at the state level.
13. List some of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. / Most power held by the states, one branch of government legislative branch has few powers, no executive branch, no judicial system, no system of checks and balances
14. What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution? / The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution provides information as to why the U.S.
Constitution was being written; it does not form or specify any power of government.
15. What was the main argument the Federalists used to support the ratification of the Constitution? / A strong central government would foster the unity of the new country.
16. List the arguments the Anti-Federalists used to against ratifying the Constitution. / a) The Constitution gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments.
b) The Constitution lacked a specific enumeration of rights which was needed in order to protect the people from the national government.
c) A country as large as the United States could not be controlled by one national
government
17. A legal member of a country is a ______. / citizen
18. Name the two ways a person can become a U.S. citizen. / By Birth or Naturalization
19. List the steps in the naturalization process. / 1. Apply for a permanent residency visa
2. Apply for citizenship
3. Get fingerprinted
4. Be interviewed and pass tests on civics, US History, English
5. Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States
20. What are the major differences between Democrats and Republicans? / Democrats believe in equal opportunity for all people. This includes education, infrastructure and health care. Republicans believe in personal responsibility and people making the most of the opportunities ahead of them.
21. What is a plank? / A political parties specific proposal for legislation or a statement of a short term goal regarding a single issue
22. What is a platform? / A written statement outlining a political party’s views on issues
23. Give an example of media informing the public about government. / As a watchdog, letting the public know what is happening
24. Give an example of how an individual can influence government. / By voting
25. Give an example of how interest groups can influence government. / Endorsing a candidate
26. What is bias? / a preference, opinion or attitude that favors one way of thinking or feeling over another
27. What issymbolism? / the use of something to represent ideas or qualities
28. What is propaganda? / the method of spreading ideas or information for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
29. What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy? / Direct democracy is rule by the people where the people make the laws, while in a representative democracy, the people rule themselves through elected representatives.
30. Explain the major similarity between socialism and communism. / A similarity is that the theories were created by Karl Marx and in both systems most property and resources are owned or controlled by the public or the government.
31. A type of government in which the leadership is comprised of the few wealthy elite is called a ______. / Oligarchy
32. What is monarchy? / Monarchy is a form of government in which power is held by a single person whose right to rule is based on birth and who has the power to remain in office for life.
33. What is autocracy? / Autocracy is a form of government where one person has unlimited power.
34. What is a Federal system of government? Give an example. / A system of government where power is shared
between a central government and states, Argentina
35. What is a confederal system of government? Give an example. / A system of government where power is located with the independent states and there is little power in the central government, European Union
36. What is a unitary system of government? Give an example. / A system of government where almost all power
is located with the central government, Japan
37. What is the term for a system of government in which the power to make and execute laws is held by a parliament? / Parliamentary Government
38. What term means that all citizens are accountable to the law? / Obligation
39. Why is rule of law fundamental to the American legal system? / Law’s are society’s rules and are meant to protect you
40. Why is it an obligation or a duty for citizens to follow laws? / Without following the laws our society could collapse
41. Why do citizens pay taxes? How does this benefit society? / Taxes support government functions, such as police, armed forces, firefighters, education, etc.
42. Why is it important to have citizens serve on juries? / The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to a trial by jury of their peers, or their fellow citizens
43. Order the five rights guaranteed by the 1st amendment. / Freedom of religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
44. Why was it important to add the Bill of Rights to the Constitution? / It was included so the rights that would protect the people from the federal government and would keep the government from abusing its newly acquired power.
45. List the rights guaranteed by the 5th amendment (4D’s) / Criminal indictments must be by grand jury. Freedom from double jeopardy. Freedom from testifying against oneself. Right to face accusers. Right to due process. Right of just compensation for takings
46. How do the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighthamendments protect the rights of the accused?
Fourth:
Fifth:
Sixth:
Eighth: / Fourth: protects against unwarranted search and seizures
Fifth: Right to face accusers and due process
Sixth: Given a speedy trial, must be told of the charges, and provided a lawyer
Eighth: No cruel and unusual punishment
47. Why do you think the Framers included the 2nd amendment with respect to militias? / To ensure the existence of state militias as an armed means of defense
48. Why did the Framers include the 3rdamendment in the Bill of Rights? / To end the practice of soldiers forcing citizens to give them housing and food
49. Explain the difference between the 6th and 7th amendments. / Sixth involves criminal cases while the Seventh involves suits of money or property
50. How does the Ninth Amendment safeguard individual liberties? / That Americans enjoy rights not listed in the Constitution
51. How does the Tenth Amendment reinforce federalism? / Powers not in the constitution, or forbidden, are given to the states
52. Describe the principle of due process of law. / the right of people accused of crimes to have laws that treat them fairly, so that they cannot lose their life or freedom without having their legal rights protected
53. How does the Bill of Rights help ensure that the U.S. remains a democracy? / Keeps the federal government from abusing its power by taking away the rights and freedoms of the people
54. What are the two methods of proposing constitutional amendments? / One method of amending the Constitution is for 2/3 of each house to pass a proposed amendment and send it to the states’ legislatures. Another method for amending the Constitution is a Constitutional Convention to be called for by 2/3 of the state legislatures.
55. In order for an amendment to be added to the Constitution, it must be ______by at least ¾ states. / ratified
56. What is the law making branch of Government? / The Legislative branch, i.e. Congress
57. Which Article in the U.S. Constitution identifies the powers of the president? / Article II
58. Which branch of government is composed of district courts, circuit courts, appellate courts, and other federal courts? / Article III
59. Which goal of the U.S. Constitution states that the government make sure to care for the well-being of all of its people? / Promote the general welfare
60. Which goal of the Preamble to U.S. Constitution states that the government should be a better union of states than the one created under the Articles of Confederation? / Form a more perfect union
61. Which goal of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states that the government should make laws and establish a system of courts that is fair to all? / Establish justice
62. Which goal of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states that the government should work to safeguard the freedom of the people? / And secure the blessings of liberty
63. Which goal of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states that the government should work to protect the country from its enemies? / Provide for the common defense
64. Which goal of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states that the government should preserve peace within the country? / Insure domestic tranquility
65. What is a lobbyist? / A person who is paid by a lobby or interest group to represent that groups interest
66. What are the current major political parties? / Republican and Democratic Party
67. In what founding U.S. document is the principle of “consent of the governed” expressed? / Mayflower Compact
68. What is the meaning of “We the People” as written in the Preamble to the US Constitution? / To show that the foundation of their new government was its citizens
69. Give examples of how a person’s constitutional rights can be limited? / They are limited to keep people from using these freedoms to violate the rights of others. Free speech doesn’t mean we have the right to tell lies about another person.