Grade 7 Civics Semester One Study Guide
The image below concerns government.
Source: U.S. House of Representatives
1. Which Enlightenment idea is represented by the image?
a. Separation of powers
b. Checks and balances
c. Social contract
d. Natural law
The quote below is from a historical document.
A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit
to be the ruler of a free people.
2. How does this quote reflect the influence of Enlightenment ideas on the Founding
Fathers?
a. They had reservations about self-government.
b. They were concerned about property rights.
c. They supported individual liberties.
d. They created a limited monarchy.
Below is a newspaper headline.
3. What Enlightenment idea is represented by this headline?
a. Separation of powers
b. Checks and balances
c. Social contract
d. Natural law
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4. Which right is an example of the Enlightenment idea?
a. Fifth Amendment self-incrimination protection
b. First Amendment freedom of speech guarantees
c. Frist Amendment freedom of religion guarantees
d. Fourth Amendment search and seizure protection
5. How are the Enlightenment ideas that influenced the Founding Fathers reflected in
modern institutions?
a. Colonies have been re-established to preserve popular sovereignty.
b. Oligarchies have increased to safeguard natural rights.
c. The United Nations promotes universal human rights.
d. The European Union encourages economic stability.
6. Which idea is from the Magna Carta?
a. The people should be completely free from government.
b. The people should support a strong central government.
c. The government should give people a fair and speedy trial.
d. The government should have unlimited power to tax.
The statements below are from the English Bill of Rights, 1689.
That the pretended power of
suspending laws … without consent
of Parliament is illegal;
That excessive bail ought not to be
required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted;
And that for redress of all grievances,
and for the amending, strengthening
and preserving of the laws,
Parliaments ought to be held
frequently.
7. Which purpose of government can be traced to these statements?
a. Provide for the common defense
b. Promote the general welfare
c. Ensure domestic tranquility
d. Establish justice
8. Which document addressed colonial concerns about English policies?
a. Declaration of Independence
b. Mayflower Compact
c. U.S. Constitution
d. Bill of Rights
The political cartoon below was created by Benjamin Franklin in1754.
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Source: Library of Congress
9. Which action did colonists use this cartoon to support?
a. Declaring independence from the British monarchy.
b. Declaring loyalty to the British monarchy.
c. Dissolving colonial legislatures.
d. Dissolving colonial charters.
The quotes below are from historical documents.
“For imposing Taxes on us
without our Consent”
Source: Declaration of Independence
“All bills for raising Revenue shall
originate in the House of
Representatives…”
Source: Article I Section 7 U.S. Constitution
10. What is the relationship between these concepts?
a. Both declare to the world why the colonists wanted freedom from England.
b. Both represent actions taken by the colonists to enforce English policies.
c. Both are in response to English policies imposed upon the colonists.
d. Both are responses by England to the actions of the colonists.
The passage below is from a historical document.
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.
Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
11. Which document contains this passage?
a. Declaration of Independence
b. Articles of Confederation
c. English Bill of Rights
d. U.S. Constitution
The passage below is from a historical document.
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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....
Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
12. What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Only citizens can enjoy the rights guaranteed by a government.
b. People have rights that cannot be denied by any government.
c. Government must equally distribute power among the people.
d. Government is necessary to promote equality.
The passage below is from a historical document.
...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....
Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
13. Based on the passage, where should governments get their power?
a. From the legislative branch
b. From the executive branch
c. Form elected leaders
d. From the public
Below is a diagram.
People are endowed by
their creator with certain
unalienable rights
?
Governments derive
their just powers from
the consent of the
governed
14. Which statement completes the diagram?
a. It is the role of government to determine natural rights.
b. It is the role of government to protect natural rights.
c. People establish natural rights.
d. People possess natural rights.
15. What is one way that the ideas stated in the Declaration of Independence are
evident today?
a. Equal employment opportunities
b. Voting rights amendments
c. Selective service
d. Term limits
The diagram below shows steps leading to a historical event.
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Colonial
Independence
?
Shays’
Rebellion
Constitutional
Convention
16. Which event completes the diagram?
a. Declaration of Independence
b. Articles of Confederation
c. Annapolis Convention
d. Whiskey Rebellion
17. Which weakness of the Articles of Confederation led to Shays’ Rebellion?
a. The national government lacked the power to regulate trade.
b. The national government lacked a national court system.
c. The national government lacked central leadership.
d. The national government lacked the power to tax.
18. What was the state-level response to Shays’ rebellion?
a. Judicial protection against taxation without representation.
b. Taxes were declared unconstitutional.
c. Executive regulation of farm trade
d. Debt relief was enacted.
19. Why was the government’s authority to regulate commerce a weakness of the
Articles of Confederation?
a. The president’s authority to collect taxes unfairly burdened the poor.
b. The national court system unfairly prosecuted trade laws.
c. The states’ authority to impose taxes decreased trade.
d. The legislature gave too much power to larger states.
The passage below is from a historical document.
Art. II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and
every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation
expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.
Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
20. How does the U.S. Constitution address concerns that resulted from the government
described in this passage?
a. The new government could enforce treaties between the states.
b. The new government could settle disputes between the states.
c. The new government could regulate trade between the states.
d. The new government could levy taxes between the states.
21. Which part of the U.S. Constitution state the six purposes of government?
5
a.
b.
c.
d.
Bill or Rights
Article IV
Preamble
Article I
President Lyndon B. Johnson made the statement below during an address to the nation on March 31,
1968.
I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my
party for another term as your President.
Source: Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library
22. Which intention of the Preamble is reflected in the statement?
a. Government holds frequent elections.
b. Government exists to serve the people.
c. Government promotes the general welfare.
d. Government provides for the common defense.
This newspaper headline describes an event in U.S. history.
23. Which government purpose identified in the Preamble is reflected in the headline?
a. Ensure domestic tranquility
b. Promote the general welfare
c. Secure the blessings of liberty
d. Provide for the common defense
The statement below is from a historical document.
We the People of the United States... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
Source: Library of Congress
24. How is this statement reflected in the modern American political system?
a. Voters elect Congress members.
b. The Electoral College elects Congress.
c. Congress enforces policies.
d. The president enacts policies.
25. What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?
6
a.
b.
c.
d.
Overriding vetoes
Appointing judges
Declaring laws unconstitutional
Refusing to confirm appointments.
John Adams wrote the statement below in April 1776.
A representation of the people in one assembly being obtained, a question arises, whether all
the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I
think a people cannot be long free, nor ever happy, whose government is in one assembly.
Source: Thoughts on Government, Letter of John Adams
26. Which basic principle of American government is John Adams describing in this
statement?
a. Separation of powers
b. Individual rights
c. Natural laws
d. Civic virtue
The table below describes several powers of the U.S. government.
1
2
3
Senate confirms nominations
President nominates judges
Supreme Court declares laws
unconstitutional
Congress overrides vetoes
President vetoes legislation
Supreme Court hears cases
between states
27. Which tow principles are described in this table?
a. Separation of powers and checks and balances
b. Separation of powers and popular sovereignty
c. Federalism and judicial review
d. Federalism and republicanism
28. Which principle does the U.S. Supreme Court apply when it declares an act of
Congress Unconstitutional?
a. Separation of powers
b. Checks and balances
c. Advice and consent
d. Executive privilege
29. Which principle supports President Eisenhower’s action to uphold the U.S.
Supreme Court’s decision that public schools should be integrated?
a. Judicial review
b. Checks and balances
c. Separation of powers
d. Constitutional government
30. What was the Anti-Federalists greatest concern about ratifying the U.S.
Constitution?
7
a.
b.
c.
d.
The lack of a federal court system.
The lack of legislative veto power.
The lack of a strong military.
The lack of a bill of rights.
The table below shows views about government.
?
Separation of
The national
powers protects
government has too
the people
much power
A bill of rights is
A bill of rights is
not needed
needed
No branch
Congress has too much
controls another
power
31. What title completes the table?
a. Patriots and Loyalists
b. Federalists and Anti-Federalists
c. New Jersey Plan and Virginia Plan
d. Articles of Confederation and U.S. Constitution
32. Why does the U.S. Supreme Court continue to debate states’ rights?
a. Because the Constitution can be amended.
b. Because the Constitution allows judicial review.
c. States’ rights are not mentioned in the Preamble.
d. States’ rights are not enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
33. Which principle is included in the U.S. Constitution?
a. Rule of law
b. Right to trial
c. Capitalism
d. Confederalism
The passages below are from Executive Order 13490, issued by President Barack Obama in 2009.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution …it is hereby ordered as follows:
…Every appointee in every executive agency …shall be ...committed to, the following pledge upon
becoming an appointee:
"As a condition, and in consideration, of my employment in the United States Government in a
position invested with the public trust, …I will not accept gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying
organizations for the duration of my service as an appointee.”
Source: U.S. Press Office
34. Based on these passages, what is the purpose of this executive order?
a. Government employees should be held to the rule of law.
b. Government employees should work with interest groups.
c. Government employees should support political candidates.
d. Government employees should respect enforcement of law.
35. The Code of Hammurabi (1772 BC) includes laws focusing on contracts. What type
of U.S. law is based on the Code of Hammurabi?
8
a.
b.
c.
d.
Civil
Constitutional
Criminal
Military
The table below lists examples of laws.
Category A
Assault
Murder
Theft
Category C
Abandonment of post
Conduct unbecoming of an officer
Mutiny
Category B
Adoption
Contract Disputes
Personal Injury
Category D
Discrimination
Eminent domain
Treason
36. Which lists military laws?
a. Category A
b. Category B
c. Category C
d. Category D
37. Which situation would most likely lead to a civil case?
a. A person robs another person at gunpoint.
b. A person is caught breaking into a house.
c. A person breaks a leg at a friend’s house.
d. A person fails to stop at a red light.
The passage below is from a U.S. Supreme Court opinion announcement.
In 1989 the court held in Stanford versus Kentucky that the Constitution allows states to impose
the death penalty on an offender who is 16 or 17 years old when he committed the crime.
In the interpretation of its terms we have established …the necessity of …standards of decency
that mark the progress of a maturing society.
Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid imposition of the death penalty on offenders who
are under the age of 18 when their crimes were committed.
Source: Roper v. Simmons (2005)
38. According to the passage, which action did the U.S. Supreme Court find constitutional?
a. The death penalty may be imposed only on adults.
b. The death penalty may be imposed only on juveniles.
c. The death penalty may be imposed on both adults and juveniles.
d. The death penalty may be imposed on neither adults nor juveniles.
39. Which is a requirement for a person to become a naturalized U.S. Citizen?
a. Marrying a U.S. citizen and having a child with that person.
b. Being a legal resident of the U.S. for at least five years.
c. Gaining employment in the U.S. for at least five years.
d. Reaching age eighteen while living in the U.S capital.
The passage below describes a court decision.
The Burlingame Treaty (1870) allowed the U.S. to deny citizenship to persons born in
the U.S. whose parents were born outside the U.S. The U.S. Supreme Court granted
writ of certiorari to a case challenging the constitutionality of the treaty.
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40. How did the court apply the 14th Amendment to decide this case?
a. To deny a native person citizenship rights does not support constitutional
principles.
b. A naturalized citizen possesses all the rights of a native citizen according to the
Constitution.
c. Persons born outside the U.S. are not permitted to pursue citizenship because they
are unemployed.
d. Persons born outside the U.S. are not permitted to pursue citizenship because they
do not own property.
41. What right do citizens have?
a. Attending public schools
b. Owning property
c. Holding a job
d. Voting
A citizen received the notification below in the mail.
42. What civic responsibility does this notification represent?
a. Getting a driver’s license
b. Appearing for jury duty
c. Paying income tax
d. Registering to vote
43. Which type of service project would help promote the common good?
a. Planning a neighborhood recycling program
b. Participating in a neighborhood party
c. Completing homework on time
d. Visiting public libraries
44. Which example is NOT a responsibility of citizenship?
a. Volunteering in the community
b. Attending civic meetings
c. Voting in elections
d. Paying taxes
45. Which three rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?
a. Freedom of speech, right to work, right to petition the government
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b. Right to bear arms, right to a speedy trial, right to an education
c. Freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to a speedy trail
d. Right to vote, right to work, right to a speedy trial
The image below symbolizes a right protected by the Bill of Rights.
Source: United States Postal Service
46. What constitutional right does this image symbolize?
a. Speedy trial
b. Trail by peers
c. Legal representation
d. Peaceable assembly
47. Why does the U.S. Supreme Court continue to debate the constitutionality of the death
penalty?
a. Citizens are protected from unreasonable search and seizure.
b. Citizens are protected from cruel and unusual punishment.
c. Citizens are protected against double jeopardy.
d. Citizens are protected against unfair trials.
48. Which constitutional principle is applied when police inform suspects of their rights?
a. due process of law
b. eminent domain
c. double jeopardy
d. trial by jury
49. Which type of law makes an act a crime after it has been committed?
a. summary judgment
b. double jeopardy
c. habeas corpus
d. ex post facto
50. What is the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court opinion that words creating a “clear
and present danger” are not protected by the First Amendment?
a. The Constitution limits individual rights.
b. The Constitution safeguards individual rights.
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c. The Constitution does not limit individual rights.
d. The Constitution does not safeguard individual rights.
51. Which individual protection is found in the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
a. Privacy rights
b. property rights
c. forced internment
d. civil disobedience
52. How do citizens experience economic freedom?
a. petitioning the government
b. electing representatives
c. exercising a religion
d. owning property
53. Which action represents an individual exercising a constitutional right?
a. summary judgment
b. quartering soldiers
c. civil disobedience
d. double jeopardy
54. Which freedom is enumerated in the U.S. Constitution?
a. Assembly
b. Education
c. Privacy
d. travel
Roosevelt, February 19, 1942.
…by …the authority vested in me as President of the United States, …I hereby authorize
…the Secretary of War….whenever he …deems such action necessary…, to prescribe
military areas in such places and of such extent as he…may determine, from which any
or all persons may be excluded, and with respect to which, the right of any person to
enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War
…may impose in his discretion.
Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
55. According to this passage, what impact does government have on the people?
a. Citizens are protected from forced internment.
b. Citizens may be subjected to forced internment.
c. Citizens may be required to perform military service
d. Citizens are protected from required military service.
56. How did the passage of the Voting Rights of 1965 impact political participation?
a. All persons who passed a literacy test could now vote.
b. All children of foreign citizens could now vote.
c. All African-Americans could now vote.
d. All women could now vote.
The passage below describes a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
In 1940, the Texas Democratic Party refused to give an African-American man a ballot to
select candidates to run for Congress and governor.
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In finding this action unconstitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court stated “…this Court is not
constrained to follow a previous decision which…, involves the application of a constitutional
Source: Smith v. Allwright (1944)
57. According to the passage, what did this U.S. Supreme Court decision illustrate?
a. The U.S. Supreme Court expanded voting rights through Voting Rights Act
interpretation.
b. The U.S. Supreme Court expanded voting rights through amendment
interpretation.
c. The U.S. Supreme Court limited voting rights through amendment interpretation.
d. The U.S. Supreme Court limited voting rights through the Voting Rights Act.
58. How are 14th Amendment due process protections related to the Civil Rights Act of
1968?
a. Congress may not enact discriminatory housing statutes.
b. Congress may not enact discriminatory employment policies.
c. State legislatures may not enact discriminatory housing statutes.
d. State legislatures may not enact discriminatory employment policies.
59. Which principle was the focus of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Miranda v.
Arizona (1966)?
a. freedom of expression
b. freedom of speech
c. self-incrimination
d. right to counsel
60. Which was an outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of
Education (1954)?
a. Administrators may limit the content of student publications.
b. Public school districts that segregate deny equal protection.
c. Students have a reduced expectation of privacy in school.
d. Criminal defendants have the right to an attorney.
61. States must pay for public defenders as a result of which U.S. Supreme Court case?
a. District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
b. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
c. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
d. Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
62. Which U.S. Supreme Court decision addresses the need for public schools to balance
students’ rights with principals’ responsibilities?
a. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
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b. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
c. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
d. Bush v. Gore (2000)
63. Juveniles accused of crimes continue to be afforded many of the same due process rights
as adults as a result of which U.S. Supreme Court case?
a. District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
b. District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
c. In re Greene (1930)
d. In re Gault (1967)
64. How does monarchy differ from other forms of government?
a. Leaders are named in the constitution.
b. Leaders are chosen by the upper class.
c. Leaders are born into ruling families.
d. Leaders are given power by kings.
65. What do a republic and a direct democracy have in common?
a. rule by a single political party
b. rule by the people
c. a small group of leaders
d. a single leader
66. Where is power concentrated in a unitary system of government?
a. central government
b. state government
c. dictator
d. military
67. What system of government was in place after the United States adopted the U.S.
Constitution?
a. Confederal
b. Federal
c. Oligarchy
d. Parliamentary
The table below describes a type of government.
?
Executive
Legislature
Elected by the people
Elected by the people
68. Which title completes the table?
a. Parliamentary Government
b. Confederal Government
c. Federal Government
d. Unitary Government
The newspaper headline below describes a historical event.
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69. What long-term impact does this headline reflect?
a. protection of equal property rights
b. expansion of the right to privacy
c. protection of due process rights
d. expansion of the right to vote
70. Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines legislative power?
a. First Amendment
b. Bill of Rights
c. Preamble
d. Article I
The passage below is from a speech by President George W. Bush, March 19, 2003.
On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to
undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a
broad and concerted campaign.
Source: Office of the White House Press Secretary Archives
71. What constitutional power justifies the actions described in the passage?
a. commander-in-chief
b. negotiator-in-chief
c. chief legislator
d. chief regulator
72. Which list includes roles of the president?
a. Chief Justice, Commander-in-Chief
b. Commander-in-Chief, Chief Executive
c. Speaker of the House, Chief Executive
d. Speaker of the House, Chief Justice
The statement below is from a congressional document, July 27, 1974.
Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of
constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest
injury of the people of the United States.
Source: U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary
73. How have similar statements influenced modern congressional actions?
a. presidential impeachment
b. presidential nomination
c. presidential election
d. presidential veto
74. Which constitutional provision forbids conflict between state and federal laws?
15
a.
b.
c.
d.
supremacy clause
habeas corpus
elastic clause
ex post facto
75. Which is an example of a Tenth Amendment issue?
a. state governments oversee public schools
b. state governments coin money
c. national governments make treaties
d. national governments declare war
76. Requiring children to be vaccinated before entering school is an example of which
power?
a. Concurrent
b. Delegated
c. Implied
d. Reserved
77. Which describes concurrent powers?
a. The federal government sets standards state governments must follow.
b. The federal government shares powers with the state governments.
c. The federal government has supremacy over state governments.
d. The federal government follows the lead of state governments.
78. Which government institution may vote on constitutional amendments?
a. Bureaucracy
b. Executive
c. Judicial
d. Legislative
The newspaper headline below describes an event in U.S. history.
Source: Anti-Saloon League Museum
79. Based on the headline, what happened before the event presented in the image?
a. Two-thirds of each house of Congress voted to support the amendment.
b. The president rejected the amendment after Congress voted to support it.
c. Three-fourths of each house of Congress voted to support the amendment.
d. The president forwarded the amendment to the states after Congress voted to
support it.
The timeline below provides details about a constitutional amendment.
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1917: Amendment prohibiting alcohol manufacture, sale or transportation voted on by
Congress.
1919: 18th Amendment prohibiting alcohol manufacture, sale or transportation is ratified
by the states.
1933: 21st Amendment reversing the 18th Amendment is added to the U.S. Constitution.
80. According to the timeline, what happened between 1919 and 1933?
a. The 21st Amendment was approved by state ratifying conventions.
b. The 21st Amendment was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
c. The 21st Amendment was vetoed by the president.
d. The 21st Amendment was vetoed by Congress.
The passage below is from an 1848 speech by Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
In the United States of America women [are] unrepresented in this government—our
rights and interests wholly overlooked.
Source: Public Domain
We have no objection to discuss the question of equality, for we feel that the weight of
argument
liesthe
wholly
withwhich
us, butaction
we wish
themodern
question
of equality
kept
distinct
from the
81.
Based on
passage,
in the
political
system
would
Elizabeth
question
of rights,support?
for the proof of the one does not determine the truth of the other.
Cady Stanton
a. amending the U.S. Constitution to extend suffrage
b. amending the U.S. Constitution to guarantee due process
c. Congress enacting a law limiting freedom of speech rights
d. Congress enacting a law limiting freedom of association rights
82. Who is responsible for breaking a tie vote between the two houses of the U.S. Senate?
a. the speaker of the House of Representatives
b. the chief justice of the Supreme Court
c. the Vice-president
d. the President
83. Which action formally accuses a government official of “wrongdoing”?
a. Filibuster
b. Impeach
c. Override
d. Pardon
84. What powers do the U.S. president have?
a. deliver State of the Union address, four-year term, commander-in-chief, grant
pardons
b. six-year term, grant pardons, make treaties, commander-in-chief
c. grant pardons, veto, deliver State of the Union address, six-year term
d. veto, grant pardons, chief executive, president of the Senate
The table below describes presidential vetoes.
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Source: U.S. House of
President
(Years)
Barack H. Obama
(2009-present)
George W. Bush
(2001-2009)
William J. Clinton
(1993-2001)
George H. W.
Bush
(1989-1993)
Ronald Reagan
(1981-1989)
Jimmy Carter
(1977-1981)
Gerald R. Ford
(1974-1977)
Richard M. Nixon
(1969-1974)
Presidential Legislative
Vetoes
Overrides
2
0
12
4
37
2
44
1
78
9
31
2
66
12
43
7
Representatives
85. Based on the table, how has the legislative process been impacted by presidential
vetoes?
a. The presidents’ views are not reflected in public policy.
b. The presidents’ views are reflected in public policy.
c. Congress represents the will of the people.
d. Congress represents the will of the states.
The passage below describes a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
In 1940, the Texas Democratic Party refused to give an African-American man a ballot
to select candidates to run for Congress and governor.
In finding this action unconstitutional “…this Court is not constrained to follow a
previous decision which…, involves the application of a constitutional principle, rather
than an interpretation of the Constitution to evolve the principle itself.”
Source: Smith v. Allwright (1944)
86. What does this court decision illustrate?
a. The court has the power to accept appeals cases.
b. The court has the power of judicial review.
c. The court is a district court.
d. The court is a trial court.
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