Declaration Of Independence Quiz

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  • 1/20 Questions

    Who was king of Great Britain at the time the colonies adopted the declaration?

    • George III
    • Elizabeth II
    • James I
    • Queen Victoria
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About This Quiz

In honor of Independence Day, the editors at The Dallas Morning News put together a quiz on the Declaration of Independence. Take the quiz and test your knowledge of our country's founding document. (SOURCES: About. Com, FunTrivia. Com, ConstitutionFacts. Com, QuizMoz. Com, Dallas Morning News research)

Declaration Of Independence Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Who was the primary author of the declaration?

    • John Adams

    • Benjamin Franklin

    • Thomas Jefferson

    • James Madison

    Correct Answer
    A. Thomas Jefferson
    Explanation
    Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the declaration because he was chosen by the Continental Congress to draft the document. Jefferson's skill as a writer and his strong belief in the principles of liberty and independence made him the ideal choice for this important task. His eloquent words and persuasive arguments helped to shape the Declaration of Independence into a powerful statement of the colonists' grievances against British rule and their desire for self-governance.

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  • 3. 

    Which part of the declaration are American schoolchildren required to memorize?

    • The Introduction

    • The Preamble

    • The Indictment

    • The Denunciation

    Correct Answer
    A. The Preamble
    Explanation
    American schoolchildren are required to memorize the Preamble of the declaration. The Preamble is the introductory statement of the declaration that outlines the purpose and principles of the document. It begins with the famous phrase "We the People" and sets the tone for the rest of the declaration. Memorizing the Preamble helps students understand the fundamental values and goals of the United States and its government.

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  • 4. 

    Which signers of the declaration would later be elected president?

    • John Adams and John Hancock

    • John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

    • Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson

    • Thomas Jefferson and James Madison

    Correct Answer
    A. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
    Explanation
    John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are the signers of the declaration who would later be elected president. John Adams served as the 2nd president of the United States from 1797 to 1801, while Thomas Jefferson served as the 3rd president from 1801 to 1809. Both Adams and Jefferson played crucial roles in the early years of the United States and their contributions as founding fathers and presidents are widely recognized.

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  • 5. 

    According to the declaration, where does government get its power?

    • From its constitution

    • From its military

    • From the elected representatives

    • From the consent of the governed

    Correct Answer
    A. From the consent of the governed
    Explanation
    The government gets its power from the consent of the governed. This means that the authority and legitimacy of the government come from the agreement and support of the people it governs. The government is given power by the people who consent to be governed and abide by its laws and regulations. Without the consent of the governed, the government would lack the necessary authority to make decisions and enforce laws.

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  • 6. 

    Which of these men was not among those appointed to draft the declaration?

    • Roger Sherman

    • John Adams

    • George Washington

    • Benjamin Franklin

    Correct Answer
    A. George Washington
    Explanation
    George Washington was not among those appointed to draft the declaration. The question is asking for the person who was not part of the group responsible for drafting the declaration. While Roger Sherman, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin were all appointed to draft the declaration, George Washington was not involved in this specific task.

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  • 7. 

    What did Congress cut out of Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the declaration?

    • All references to slavery

    • Some references to women

    • A paragraph written in Latin

    • All references to religion

    Correct Answer
    A. All references to slavery
    Explanation
    Congress cut out all references to slavery from Thomas Jefferson's draft of the declaration. This suggests that the issue of slavery was a contentious topic and was probably removed to avoid controversy and maintain unity among the members of Congress. It also highlights the fact that the founding fathers, despite their ideals of freedom and equality, were not willing to address the issue of slavery in the declaration.

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  • 8. 

    Where is the declaration kept today?

    • Library of Congress

    • Smithsonian

    • White House

    • National Archives

    Correct Answer
    A. National Archives
    Explanation
    The correct answer is National Archives because it is the institution responsible for the preservation and storage of important documents and records of the United States government. It is the official repository for the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, among other significant historical documents. The National Archives ensures the long-term preservation and accessibility of these important national treasures.

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  • 9. 

    Copies of the declaration known as the “Dunlap Broadside” were named after John Dunlap. Who was he?

    • Vice president of Congress

    • First Librarian of Congress

    • An early historian

    • A printer

    Correct Answer
    A. A printer
    Explanation
    John Dunlap was a printer. The copies of the declaration known as the "Dunlap Broadside" were named after him because he was the printer responsible for producing the first printed copies of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

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  • 10. 

    How many delegates signed the declaration?

    • 13

    • 29

    • 38

    • 56

    Correct Answer
    A. 56
    Explanation
    56 delegates signed the declaration.

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  • 11. 

    Who was the oldest signer of the declaration at age 70?

    • Edward Rutledge

    • John Hancock

    • George Washington

    • Benjamin Franklin

    Correct Answer
    A. Benjamin Franklin
    Explanation
    Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer of the declaration at age 70. He was a renowned polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was known for his contributions as a writer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. His wisdom and experience made him a respected figure among his peers, and his age at the time of signing the declaration reflects his long-standing commitment to the cause of American independence.

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  • 12. 

    What is the first word of the declaration?

    • We

    • When

    • The

    • Our

    Correct Answer
    A. When
    Explanation
    The word "When" is the first word of the declaration.

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  • 13. 

    Of the first 13 states, which was the first to sign the bill?

    • Maine

    • Rhode Island

    • Delaware

    • South Carolina

    Correct Answer
    A. Delaware
    Explanation
    Delaware was the first state to sign the bill among the first 13 states.

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  • 14. 

    Who was the first to sign the declaration?

    • Thomas Jefferson

    • Edward Rutledge

    • John Adams

    • John Hancock

    Correct Answer
    A. John Hancock
    Explanation
    John Hancock was the first to sign the declaration because he was the president of the Second Continental Congress, which drafted the declaration. As the president, it was customary for him to be the first to sign important documents.

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  • 15. 

    How many grievances were listed in the declaration?

    • 21

    • 27

    • 32

    • 34

    Correct Answer
    A. 27
    Explanation
    27 grievances were listed in the declaration.

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  • 16. 

    Why did Congressman John Dickinson not sign the declaration?

    • He was afraid of the consequences

    • He was ill

    • He was hoping for a reconciliation with Britain

    • He disagreed with the wording

    Correct Answer
    A. He was hoping for a reconciliation with Britain
    Explanation
    Congressman John Dickinson did not sign the declaration because he was hoping for a reconciliation with Britain. This suggests that he believed that it was still possible to resolve the issues between the American colonies and Britain peacefully, without resorting to declaring independence. By not signing the declaration, Dickinson may have been expressing his desire to continue pursuing diplomatic solutions and avoid further conflict.

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  • 17. 

    Which member of the committee that wrote the declaration refused to sign it?

    • Thomas Jefferson

    • John Adams

    • Robert Livingston

    • Roger Sherman

    Correct Answer
    A. Robert Livingston
    Explanation
    Robert Livingston refused to sign the declaration because he believed that it was too radical and that it would lead to unnecessary conflict with Britain.

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  • 18. 

    Of all the colonies, which state had the most signatories?

    • Virginia

    • Pennsylvania

    • New York

    • Massachusetts

    Correct Answer
    A. Pennsylvania
    Explanation
    Pennsylvania had the most signatories among all the colonies. This means that Pennsylvania had the highest number of individuals who signed a particular document or agreement.

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  • 19. 

    Who said, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately”?

    • John Adams

    • Thomas Jefferson

    • John Hancock

    • Benjamin Franklin

    Correct Answer
    A. Benjamin Franklin
    Explanation
    During the signing of the Declaration of Independence, tensions were high and the consequences for treason against the British crown were severe. Benjamin Franklin uttered this famous quote as a reminder to his fellow signers that they needed to stand united in their fight for independence. He emphasized that if they did not stick together, they would all face the same fate of being hanged individually. This quote highlights Franklin's understanding of the importance of unity and the dire consequences of division in their struggle for freedom.

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  • 20. 

    Most of the signers actually signed the declaration on what date?

    • July 2

    • July 4

    • Aug. 2

    • Aug. 6

    Correct Answer
    A. Aug. 2

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  • Current Version
  • Jul 04, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jun 30, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Dallaswebnews
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