GOVERNMENT TEST REVIEW
1. Identify questions political scientists ask in examining the United States. (4-C1.0.1)

Know what it means to have a Democracy.
o
“Republic” worksheet- We choose our leaders, we can express ourselves freely,
we can practice any religion, we can assemble freely, etc.
2. Explain probable consequences of an absence of government and rules or law. ( 4-C1.0.2)

Know why laws are important.
o :Life Without Rules” worksheet
3. Describe the purpose of government as identified in the Preamble of the Constitution. ( 4C1.0.3)



Know what the Constitution is.
Know what the Preamble is.
Know what the government does for us.
o “Constitution” worksheet
4. Explain how the principles of popular sovereignty, rule of law, checks and balances,
separation of powers, and individual rights serve to limit the powers of government. ( 4-C2.0.1)

Know what the following are: popular sovereignty, rule of law, checks and balances,
separation of powers, individual rights and be able to pick out an example of each.
o Worksheets : Core Democratic Values, Checks and Balances, Separation of
Powers, and Amendment
5. Give examples of powers given to the federal and state governments. (4-C2.0.2)

Know what powers are given to the federal government and which ones are given to the
state government. Know at least one power that they share.
o Government Venn diagram
6. Describe the organizational structure of the federal government.
( 4-C2.0.3)

Know what the 3 branches of government are.
o Branches of government pizza wheel.
7. Describe how the powers of the federal government are separated among the branches. ( 4C3.0.4)

Know what the jobs of each branch of government does and who is in that branch.
o Branches of government pizza wheel.
8. Give examples of how checks and balances limit the power of the federal government. ( 4C3.0.5)

Know how each branch checks the other branch.
o Checks and balance graphic organizer.
9. Describe how the President, members of Congress, and Supreme Court Justices came to
power. ( 4-C3.0.6)

Know that we vote for our President and Congress, but the President assigns the
Supreme Court Justices.
10. Explain how the federal government uses taxes and spending to serve the purpose of
government. ( 4-C3.0.7)

Know why we pay taxes and how the government uses the taxes we pay.
o Tax worksheet
11. Explain the responsibilities of citizens. ( 4-C5.0.1)
o We need to respect the law, be informed about public issues, pay taxes, register
to vote
12. Describe the relationship between rights and responsibility.
( 4-C5.0.2)
o
13. Explain why rights have limits. (4-C5.0.3)
o Freedom of speech – we have the right to say what we want – the limit is that
we can not say things that harm people.
o Pursuit of Happiness- we have the right to do things that make us happy- the
limit is we can not do things that make us happy if they harm others.
14. Describe ways citizens can work together to promote the value and principles of American
Democracy. ( 4-C5.04)
o Common Good – we can recycle