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Declaration of Independence
NAME :
CLASS :
Declaration of Independence
58 Questions
DATE :
1.
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
A
Thomas Jefferson
B
Samuel Adams
C
Benjamin Franklin
D
Paul Revere
2.
The Preamble is...
A
the conclusion.
B
in the middle.
C
in the beginning of the Declaration...
D
not in the Declaration.
3.
According to the Declaration of Independence, what truth was "self-evident"?
A
All men are created equal
B
Only a democracy can protect our rights
C
Government exists to protect us from
ourselves
D
Rights are given by good kings
4.
The words self-evident means what?
A
wrong
B
confusing
C
self-aware
D
obvious
5.
What are our natural rights according to Jefferson? (He got the idea from John Locke, but
he changed the last right.)
A
Voting, rebelling, and health
C
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness D
6.
According to the Declaration of Independence, where does government get its power?
A
From the Supreme Court
B
From God
C
From the King
D
From the people
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B
Life, liberty, and property
Freedom of speech, religion, and press
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7.
Why was the Declaration of Independence written?
A
To install their own king in America
B
To gain independence from the British
Empire
C
To make a United States army.
D
To stop taxes from the British Empire.
8.
The List of Grievances were the part of the Declaration that
A
detailed the colonists' complaints with
King George.
B
introduced the Declaration.
C
listed a man's natural rights.
D
concluded the Declaration, declaring
America a free country.
9.
Why is July 4, 1776 an important date in U.S. history?
A
The Olive Branch Petition sent to King
George III.
B
The American Revolution ends.
C
Common Sense was published.
D
The Declaration of Independence is
signed.
10.
To Great Britain, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was
A
an act of bravery.
B
an act of loyalty.
C
an act of insanity.
D
an act of treason.
11.
According to the Declaration of Independence, what was an “unalienable right” that all
governments should protect?
A
The right to elect government officials
B
The right to religious equality
C
The right to social equality
D
The right to personal liberty
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12.
Declaration of Independence
Which statement best describes the role of government according to the Declaration of
Independence?
A
“The main purpose of government is to
promote the general welfare of the
B
community by taking steps toward social
equality”
“The main purpose of government is to
protect the unalienable rights of
individuals”
C
“The main purpose of government is to
protect the rights and privileges of His
Majesty, the King”
“The main purpose of government is to
expand and glorify the state”
13.
Thomas Jefferson was inspired by a famous man of the Enlightenment. His name was...?
A
Robert Livingston
B
John Locke
C
William Penn
D
Roger Sherman
14.
When Thomas Jefferson copied John Locke's ideas about the social contract, what did he
say the people had the right to do to a government who was not protecting the people's
rights?
A
Abolish it
B
Wait until they started to respect the
people's rights
C
Suggest how it could be better
D
Write a letter
15.
What country did The United States declare independence from?
A
France
B
Spain
C
Britain
D
Belgium
16.
To Great Britain, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was
A
an act of loyalty.
B
an act of insanity.
C
an act of bravery.
D
an act of treason.
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D
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17.
How do natural rights, as described in the Declaration of Independence, differ from other
rights?
A
Natural rights are given only to citizens.
B
Natural rights come from the
government.
C
People are born with natural rights.
D
People can vote to choose natural rights
18.
How did the Second Continental Congress respond to British policies?
A
They chose a committee to write the
Declaration of Independence explaining
why the colonies should be free.
B
C
They passed the Tea Act, allowing a
British company to import tea to the
colonies without paying taxes.
D
19.
According to the Declaration of Independence, where does government get its power?
A
From God
B
From the people
C
From the King
D
From the Supreme Court
20.
Why was the Declaration of Independence written?
A
To make a United States army.
B
To install their own king in America
C
To gain independence from the British
Empire
D
To stop taxes from the British Empire.
21.
The List of Grievances were the part of the Declaration that
A
concluded the Declaration, declaring
America a free country.
B
introduced the Declaration.
C
listed a man's natural rights.
D
detailed the colonists' complaints with
King George.
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They started the French and Indian War.
They hired Thomas Paine to write
Common Sense.
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22.
Why is July 4, 1776 an important date in U.S. history?
A
The Declaration of Independence is
signed.
B
The American Revolution ends.
C
The Olive Branch Petition sent to King
George III.
D
Common Sense was published.
23.
There were people in the colonies in North America who had more power in the decisions
being made by the government. Which group had the MOST power in the colonial
government?
A
women
C
wealthy landowners
24.
Leaders from different states met in Philadelphia in 1775 for the
A
Founding Fathers
B
militia
C
Declaration of Independence
D
Second Continental Congress
25.
The main writer of the Declaration of Independence was
A
George Washington
B
Thomas Jefferson.
C
John Adams.
D
Benjamin Franklin.
26.
Which of these ideas was in the Declaration of independence?
A
all rights can be taken away.
B
People should obey governments even
when they are unfair.
C
Women and men are equal.
D
Great Britain has ruled the colonies
unfairly.
27.
After Jefferson completed his draft of the Declaration of Independence, the other
delegates
A
all of the above
B
added language that would anger the
British government.
C
added that American Indians should be
treated fairly.
D
removed most discussion of slavery from
the text.
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B
slaves
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28.
Although Thomas Jefferson believed in equality, he still
A
owned slaves.
B
was poor.
C
respected the king.
D
thought women should vote.
29.
Paragraph A:
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them with another,...a decent respect to the
opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to
the separation.
Question: What "political bands"are the writers referring to in Paragraph A?
A
the relationship between the different
colonies.
B
the relationship of King George III to his
subjects in Great Britain.
C
the relationship between the colonies
and Great Britain.
D
the relationship between the Second
Continental Congress and the colonists.
30.
Paragraph B:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Question:
What are three rights that the Declaration says cannot be taken away in Paragraph B?
A
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness B
justice, common good, and equality.
C
faith, hope, and charity
diversity, truth, and patriotism
31.
Paragraph C:
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,
and to institute new Government.
Question:
According to Paragraph C, where do governments get their power?
A
from the governor
B
from the President
C
from the consent, or agreement, of the
people they govern.
D
from the king
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D
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32.
Declaration of Independence
Paragraph D:
The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and
usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over
these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
Question:
According to Paragraph D, what was the king's purpose in taking away the colonists'
rights?
A
to give the colonists more rights than
those in Great Britain.
C
to give the colonists equal rights as those
D
in Great Britain.
B
to establish an absolute tyranny, or
absolute rule, over the colonies
to allow the colonies to rule themselves.
33.
Paragraph E:
(We) solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to
be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British
Crown, and that all political connection between them and that State of Great Britain, is
and ought to be totally dissolved.
Question:
According to Paragraph E, when does the Declaration say that the colonies would be
independent?
A
immediately, now, or right away.
B
when the colonies start their own
government.
C
never
D
when the king allows them to be free.
34.
According to the Declaration of Independence who gives us our rights?
A
given by God at birth
B
given by our parents
C
given by our government
D
given by our president
35.
The Declaration of Independence states the purpose of government is
A
to provide rules for the people
B
to serve the people
C
to tax and control finances
D
to regulate trade
36.
Who did Thomas Jefferson refer to as a "tyrant" in the Declaration of Independence?
A
George Washington
B
King George of Britain
C
Marco Polo
D
France's Government
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37.
A despotic ruler is best described by which of the following?
A
crazy, mad, married
B
oppressive, evil, dictator
C
rich, young, strong
D
kind, sweet, loving
38.
The Declaration of Independence contains how many main parts?
A
7
B
6
C
4
D
2
39.
Unalienable rights means...
A
from outer space
B
from another country
C
cannot be taken away
D
have to be earned
40.
John Adams of the Second Continental Congress recommended _____________ ____________
as the General of the Continental Army
A
Thomas Jefferson
B
Thomas Edison
C
George Washington
D
Henry Knox
41.
What was the "first declaration of independence" called?
A
The olive branch
B
The Constitution
C
kool aid man
D
Declaration of independance
42.
Where was it signed?
A
Declaration of Independence Hall
B
The White House
C
Independence Hall
D
The Washington monument
43.
Clearly true and needing no proof
A
self-evident
B
secure
C
endowed
D
unalienable
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44.
given
A
just
B
endowed
C
created
D
the governed
45.
God
A
powers
B
the governed
C
created
D
Creator
46.
Thomas Jefferson incorporated John Locke's idea of the social contract theory in the
Declaration of Independence because this idea
A
supported the divine right of kings
B
considered economic rights more
important than inalienable rights
C
called for a gradual change of
government
D
justified the overthrow of a government
that denied individual liberties
47.
...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these rights, Governments are
instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,--That
whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of
the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government,...
Thomas Jefferson
The purpose of this statement was to
A
provide justification for declaring
independence
B
urge support for the Albany Plan of
Union
C
criticize the Articles of Confederation
D
advocate obedience to Great Britain
48.
The Declaration of Independence contains a...
A
proposal for reuniting the colonies and
England
B
request for a treaty between the colonies
and Spain
C
plan for organizing the western
territories
D
statement of grievances against the King
of England
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49.
The Continental Congress met to discuss, debate and adopt the Declaration of
Independence in ___.
A
Philadelphia
B
Boston
C
New York
D
Washington, D.C.
50.
The original draft of the Declaration condemned slavery.
A
True
51.
The Declaration of Independence has served as a partial inspiration for other
independence movements in history.
A
True
52.
The Declaration of Independence opens with which phrase?
A
Four score and seven years ago our
fathers brought forth on this continent, a B
new nation,
We the people of the United States, in
order to form a more perfect union...
C
When in the Course of human events, it
becomes necessary for one people to
Yesterday, ...—a date which will live in
infamy—the United States of America ...
53.
What is the main subject of The Declaration of Independence?
A
People deserve independence
B
The slaves should be made free
C
The Revolutionary War will be long and
hard
D
People need to go to war with France
54.
What does abolish mean?
A
change
B
extricate
C
get rid of
D
revolt
55.
Which of these words have the strongest connotation in this document?
A
superficial, challenging, thoughtless
B
Injuries, usurpation, tyranny
C
unjust, unfair, wrong
D
overwhelming, incorrect, unintelligent
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B
B
D
False
False
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56.
When Jefferson repeats, "he has" who is he talking about?
A
the Governor of the colonies
B
the Government officials in each colony
C
the King of Britain
D
the King of America
57.
What emotions do the words, "death" and "desolation" create for the reader?
A
fearful, unsure, thoughtful
B
troubled, fanatical, confused
C
hatred, depression, sadness
D
happy, hopeful, relieved
58.
If the government did not protect the rights of the people, the people had a right to
___________________________.
A
leave the country
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B
overthrow it to start a new government
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Answer Key
1.a
2.c
3.a
4.d
5.c
6.d
7.b
8.a
9.d
10.d
11.d
12.b
13.b
14.a
15.c
16.d
17.c
18.a
19.b
20.c
21.d
22.a
23.c
24.d
25.b
26.d
27.d
28.a
29.c
30.a
31.c
32.b
33.a
34.a
35.b
36.b
37.b
38.c
39.c
40.c
41.a
42.c
43.a
44.b
45.d
46.d
47.a
48.d
49.a
50.a
51.a
52.a
53.a
54.c
55.b
56.c
57.c
58.b
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