7h Grade Testlets for Social Studies – from revised Benchmarks

1.Constitutional Studies

2.Revolutinary War and Early America

3.Interpreting Political Cartoons

4.Interpreting Primary Sources

5.Interpreting Tables, Charts and graphs

6.Civil War

7.Post Civil War – Westward Migration

8.Industrial Revolution

9.Immigration

10.Progressive Era Politics

11.American Foreign Policy and Imperialism

12. World War I

7th grade test-lets Constitutional Studies

VocabularyTested: Students may benefit from reviewing the definitions then finding the example in the sentence provided.

Here are vocabulary terms for this unit of study with working definitions that can be added to or amended.

Constitution – Supreme Law of the land – all other laws and actions must be in accordance with the Constitution. Other words related: constitutionality, precedent, superiority. Article One – established House of Representatives and Senate; Article Two – established executive branch and Article Three –established judicial branch.

Preamble – states the purpose and role of central or national government

Checks and Balances – basic design of constitution to spread the authority of government among three branches. Recognized that the by design Congress should have more power in determining laws than executive or judicial.

Constitutional Convention – state representatives that determined a new federal formof government set forth in the Constitution and eliminated the Articles of Confederation

Executive- Article Two – President and Presidential powers and limitations.

Articles of Confederation – the 1st form of government after American Revolution, power in hands of states.

Ratification – a process by which the Constitution was legally agreed upon by the states.

Federalist – Supporter of ratification of the Constitution and end of Articles of Confederation, example Alexander Hamilton.

Anti-federalist – Not a supporter of the new Constitution or federal form of government, usually a supporter of states rights. Urged the inclusion of the Bill of Rights as a protection against governmental abuses at the national level

Central Government- also known as a national government or the federal government

Bill of Rights – 10 Amendments included at the end of the Constitution, outlining basic civil rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.

Declaration of Independence – Document outlining the grievances against British rule and reasons for the American Revolution. Specified the colonial grievances against British rule such as taxation without representation, denial of political speech, unlawful detention of political dissenters.

Federal System or Federalism- System of Government outlined in the Constitution which granted certain powers to a national government only enumerated powers (declare war), along with powers shared with the states, called concurrent powers(taxation, courts). Governmental authority shared with state governments.

Confederate System or Confederacy – System of government which recognizes the authority of states or regional governments to determine laws and exercise power over a central government.

Congress or Legislative Branch- Established in Article One of the constitution, establishment of the House of Representatives and Senate. Set up as the law making body of the national government with powers to check presidential action.

Federal and Supreme Court or Judicial Branch – Established in Article Three of the Constitution, set up Congressional power to establish federal courts, Supreme Court rulings would be binding in matters of constitutionality and protection of civil rights and civil liberties.

Judicial Review – The ability of a court to determine whether a law or act of government violates the constitution

Census / redistricting – the prescribed power of central government to determine the number of American citizens in a locality for the purpose of determining legislative representation and later research and administration of federal programs.

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Student Review: Directions - Fill in the definition and associated words for each of the terms.

Example:

Preamble – states the purpose and role ______.

Checks and Balances-______

______Recognized that the by design Congress should have more power in determining laws than executive or judicial.

Constitutional Convention – state representatives that determined ______and eliminated the Articles of Confederation.

Executive Branch- Article Two –established ______for the purpose of ______.

Articles of Confederation – the 1st form of government after American Revolution, power in hands of states. Did not work because ______
______.

Ratification – a process by which the Constitution was legally agreed upon by the ______.

Federalist – Supporter of ratification of the Constitution and end of Articles of Confederation, example Alexander Hamilton.

Anti-federalist – Not a supporter of the new Constitution or federal form of government, usually a supporter of states rights. Urged the inclusion ______as a protection against governmental abuses at the national level

Central Government- also known as a national government or the federal government

Bill of Rights –First ___ Amendments included at the end of the ______, outlining basic civil rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, such as ______and ______.

Declaration of Independence – Document outlining the grievances against ______and reasons for the ______. Named the colonial grievances against British rule such as taxation without representation, denial of political speech, unlawful detention of political dissenters.

Federal System or Federalism- System of Government outlined in the Constitution which granted certain powers to a national government only enumerated powers (declare war), along with powers shared with the states, called concurrent powers(taxation, courts). Governmental authority shared with state governments.

Confederate System or Confederacy – System of government which recognizes the authority of states or regional governments to determine laws and exercise power over a central government.

Congress or Legislative Branch- Established in Article ____ of the constitution, establishment of the ______and______. Set up as the law making body of the national government with powers to checkpresidential ______.

Federal and Supreme Court or Judicial Branch – Established in Article Three of the Constitution, set up Congressional power to establish federal courts, Supreme Court rulings would be binding in matters of constitutionality and protection of civil rights and civil liberties. Example:

Judicial Review – The ability of a ______to determine whether a law or act of government violates the ______. Example:

Census / redistricting – the prescribed power of central government to determine the number of American citizens in a locality for the purpose ______and later research and qualifications for federal programs. Done every ______years.

Examples: Match the given situation with the correct term.

  1. Article One Constitution establishes:
  2. Congress – House of Representatives and the Senate
  3. President and executive branch
  4. Federal courts including the Supreme Court
  1. Court cases must rule in agreement with the Constitution because it is
  2. The Supreme law of the land.
  3. Less important than the Declaration of Independence
  4. Began the American revolution
  5. Ended the Articles of Confederation
  1. Neither the Congress, the President nor the states can violate the Constitution because it is
  2. The Supreme Law of the Land
  3. Part of the agreement between the states
  4. Part of international agreements
  5. After taking a case all the way to the Supreme Court and losing, Mr. Jones told his attorney that he wanted to appeal again. His attorney said that he could not go further with the case because:
  6. There is no appeal beyond the Supreme Court, it is the Highest court in the land.
  7. The President can hear cases after the Supreme Court if the case is about the military.
  8. The Senate can hear cases after the Supreme Court if the case is about tax laws.
  9. If the case involves an Indian tribal dispute the case goes back to local tribal court.
  1. The states and the National government both have criminal courts. This is an example of:
  2. A Confederacy
  3. Federalism
  4. Checks and Balances
  5. Supreme Law of the Land
  1. The States manage state highways and roads while the national government also finances interstate highways and freeways. This is an example of :
  2. Checks and Balances
  3. Abuse of power
  4. Federalism
  5. Articles of Confederation
  1. The president may propose a health care reform bill but only Congress may pass a health care reform bill. If passed the President may decide to sign or veto the bill. This is an example of:
  2. Federalism
  3. Separation of Powers
  4. Abuse of constitutional powers
  5. Checks and Balances
  1. In the year 2010 the federal government will determine how states will gain or lose representation on the House of Representatives. This is based upon the Constitutional authority to redistrict by using the:
  2. The number of tax returns for each state
  3. The number of businesses for each state
  4. The number of schools for each state
  5. The US Census research and findings
  1. Because each state could use its own currency and no one knew the changing value of currency from state to state the economic situation worsened. This is an example of:
  2. Weakness of Federalism
  3. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
  4. Weakness of the British rule
  5. Communication between banks
  6. When disputes arose between states and businesses in different states no courts were available to hear the case without new disputes arising. This is an example of:
  7. Weakness of Federalism
  8. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
  9. Weakness of the British rule
  10. Communication between banks
  1. When trade agreements were made in the newly established country, foreign nations had to deal with individual states since no trade agreements could be negotiated nationally. This is an example of:
  2. Weakness of Federalism
  3. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
  4. Weakness of the British rule
  5. Communication between banks
  1. A news paper article was written warning citizens of the potential dangers of a new government without relying on agreement to certain rights. This is an example of an argument used by:
  2. Federalist
  3. Anti-Federalist
  1. A news pamphlet was written reassuring citizens that the New Constitution had both checks and balances and separation of powers that would protect citizens against governmental abuse. This is an example of:
  2. Federalist
  3. Anti-Federalist
  1. A political discussion was held in a town hall in which most of the townspeople voiced their opposition to the newly proposed government because they feared a strong leader.

One could predict these people were mostly like to consider themselves as:

  1. Federalists
  2. Anti- federalists
  1. Business men throughout the 13 states were worried about the lack of roads, communication and consistency of laws throughout the new nation. Fearing economic ruin they most likely would vote as a:
  2. Federalist
  3. Anti-federalist
  1. Right to question witnesses, speedy and public trial, and right to an appeal are all examples of: a. civil Liberties b. Part of the Bill of Rights c. rights protected by constitution d. all correct.

The following groups of words are inter-related, explain how the terms are related:

Arizona and California argue over the use of Colorado River water. Who is responsible for settling the dispute ______.

This is an example of ______.

This diagram shows :

List the Civil Rights from the First Amendment:

List the Civil Liberties from the Bill of Rights:

What is the difference between a civil right and a civil liberty?

What does this Pyramid show?

Explain how the outer triangles are related to the inner triangle.

(SEE ANSWER KEY BELOW)

Student Review: Directions - Fill in the definition and associated words for each of the terms.

Example:

Preamble – states the purpose and role of the central/federal or national government.

Checks and Balances -built into the basic design of constitution to spread the authority of government among three brancheswith each branch having certain powers to stop or check the authority of the other branches from abusing constitutional roles. Example: Recognized that the by design Congress should have more power in determining laws than executive or judicial.

Constitutional Convention – state representatives that determinedthestructure and power of a new federal form of governmentand eliminated the Articles of Confederation.

Executive Branch- Article Two –established Executive Branch and the office of the President for the purpose of enforcing the laws enacted by Congress.

Articles of Confederation – the 1st form of government after American Revolution, power in hands of states. Did not work because central government was too weak and did not have the authority to act for the country as a whole. Therefore, both national defense and commerce suffered.

Ratification – a process by which the Constitution was legally agreed upon by a vote the states.

Federalist – Supporter of ratification of the Constitution and end of Articles of Confederation, example Alexander Hamilton.

Anti-federalist – Not a supporter of the new Constitution or federal form of government, usually a supporter of states rights. Urged the inclusion Bill of Rights or First ten amendmentsas a protection against governmental abuses at the national level

Central Government- also known as a national government or the federal government

Bill of Rights – First 10Amendments included at the end of theConstitution, outlining basic civil rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, such as answers may vary but may include, first amendment rights of free speech, religion and press, right to fair and speedy trial, protection against search and seizure, etc.

Declaration of Independence – Document outlining the grievances against British/English Rule and reasons for the American Revolution. Named the colonial grievances against British rule such as taxation without representation, denial of political speech, unlawful detention of political dissenters.

Federal System or Federalism- System of Government outlined in the Constitution which granted certain powers to a national government only enumerated powers (declare war), along with powers shared with the states, called concurrent powers(taxation, courts). Governmental authority shared with state governments.

Confederate System or Confederacy – System of government which recognizes the authority of states or regional governments to determine laws and exercise power over a central government.

Congress or Legislative Branch- Established in Article One of the constitution, establishment of the House of RepresentativesandSenate. Set up as the law making body of the national government with powers to check presidential power/authority.

Federal and Supreme Court or Judicial Branch – Established in Article Three of the Constitution, set up Congressional power to establish federal courts, Supreme Court rulings would be binding in matters of constitutionality and protection of civil rights and civil liberties. Example:

Judicial Review – The ability of a federal Courtto determine whether a law or act of government violates theConstitution. Example: List any court case or situation, such as Miranda V. Arizona

Census / redistricting – the prescribed power of central government to determine the number of American citizens in a locality for the purpose determining the right number of representatives for each stateand later research and qualifications for federal programs. Done every 10years.

Examples: Match the given situation with the correct term.

  1. Article One Constitution establishes:
  2. Congress – House of Representatives and the Senate
  3. President and executive branch
  4. Federal courts including the Supreme Court
  1. Court cases must rule in agreement with the Constitution because it is
  2. The Supreme law of the land.
  3. Less important than the Declaration of Independence
  4. Began the American revolution
  5. Ended the Articles of Confederation
  1. Neither the Congress, the President nor the states can violate the Constitution because it is
  2. The Supreme Law of the Land
  3. Part of the agreement between the states
  4. Part of international agreements
  5. After taking a case all the way to the Supreme Court and losing, Mr. Jones told his attorney that he wanted to appeal again. His attorney said that he could not go further with the case because:
  6. There is no appeal beyond the Supreme Court, it is the Highest court in the land.
  7. The President can hear cases after the Supreme Court if the case is about the military.
  8. The Senate can hear cases after the Supreme Court if the case is about tax laws.
  9. If the case involves an Indian tribal dispute the case goes back to local tribal court.
  1. The states and the National government both have criminal courts. This is an example of:
  2. A Confederacy
  3. Federalism
  4. Checks and Balances
  5. Supreme Law of the Land
  1. The States manage state highways and roads while the national government also finances interstate highways and freeways. This is an example of :
  2. Checks and Balances
  3. Abuse of power
  4. Federalism
  5. Articles of Confederation
  1. The president may propose a health care reform bill but only Congress may pass a health care reform bill. If passed the President may decide to sign or veto the bill. This is an example of:
  2. Federalism
  3. Separation of Powers
  4. Abuse of constitutional powers
  5. Checks and Balances
  1. In the year 2010 the federal government will determine how states will gain or lose representation on the House of Representatives. This is based upon the Constitutional authority to redistrict by using the:
  2. The number of tax returns for each state
  3. The number of businesses for each state
  4. The number of schools for each state
  5. The US Census research and findings
  1. Because each state could use its own currency and no one knew the changing value of currency from state to state the economic situation worsened. This is an example of:
  2. Weakness of Federalism
  3. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
  4. Weakness of the British rule
  5. Communication between banks
  6. When disputes arose between states and businesses in different states no courts were available to hear the case without new disputes arising. This is an example of:
  7. Weakness of Federalism
  8. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
  9. Weakness of the British rule
  10. Communication between banks
  1. When trade agreements were made in the newly established country, foreign nations had to deal with individual states since no trade agreements could be negotiated nationally. This is an example of:
  2. Weakness of Federalism
  3. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
  4. Weakness of the British rule
  5. Communication between banks
  1. A news paper article was written warning citizens of the potential dangers of a new government without relying on agreement to certain rights. This is an example of an argument used by:
  2. Federalist
  3. Anti-Federalist
  1. A news pamphlet was written reassuring citizens that the New Constitution had both checks and balances and separation of powers that would protect citizens against governmental abuse. This is an example of:
  2. Federalist
  3. Anti-Federalist
  1. A political discussion was held in a town hall in which most of the townspeople voiced their opposition to the newly proposed government because they feared a strong leader.

One could predict these people were mostly like to consider themselves as: