FSOT FSOT Prep Test
A primer on the U. S. Constitution and U. S. Government designed to help prepare you for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). The test questions are randomized from a database of hundreds, so you can repeat the test and answer different questions each time. Important Note: This test does not attempt to replicate the actual FSOT exam, it is only to be used as a study aide in preparing for the exam. It's main purpose is to test your knowledge of the Constitution inside and out, therefore, some of the questions you encounter in this study exam may be in a different format than the FSOT, or more or less difficult than questions on the actual exam. I have tried to incorporate a variety of difficulty levels in the questions. � All of the questions were created by me and do not violate
- 1.What are the 5 reasons listed in the Preamble of the Constitution for the formation of the Constitution?
- A.
Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.
- B.
Establish justice, promote democracy, provide for the welfare of the people, insure the rights of the people, and promote religious liberty.
- C.
Establish freedom of religion, provide freedom of the press, allow the people to peaceably assemble, petition the Government for a redress of grievances, ensure lasting liberty.
- D.
Establish that all men are created equal; provide for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; secure these rights; establish Government as consent from the governed, throw off the Tyranny of the King of Britain.
- 2.What are the qualifications to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives?
- A.
At least 25-years-old, a natural-born citizen of the United States, living in the state he or she is elected from
- B.
At least 25-years-old, a citizen of the United States for 7 years, living in the state he or she is elected from
- C.
At least 27-years-old, a natural born citizen of the United States, living in the congressional district he or she is elected from
- D.
At least 27-years-old, a citizen of the United States for 10 years, living in the congressional district he or she is elected from
- 3.What are the qualifications to be elected to the U.S. Senate?
- A.
At least 30-years-old, a citizen of the United States for 9 years, no felony convictions, and currently residing in the state he or she is elected from
- B.
At least 30-years-old, a natural-born citizen of the United States, no felony convictions, and currently residing in the state he or she is elected from
- C.
At least 30-years-old, a citizen of the United States for 9 years, and currently resides in the state he or she was elected from
- D.
At least 30-years-old, a natural-born citizen of the United States, and currently residing in the state he or she was elected from
- 4.Which of the following term lengths is mismatched with its office?
- A.
2 years - House of Representatives
- B.
4 years - U.S. Senate
- C.
4 years - U.S. Presidency
- D.
6 years - U.S. Senate
- 5.Who is President of the Senate?
- A.
The president pro tempore
- B.
The Senate Majority Leader
- C.
The Vice President of the United States
- D.
The House Majority Leader
- 6.Prior to the Seventeenth Amendment, how were U.S. Senators elected?
- A.
Elected by popular vote
- B.
Appointed by State governors
- C.
Elected by State legislatures
- D.
Appointed by the President
- 7.U.S. Representatives in the House of Representatives are currently apportioned according to which formula?
- A.
One Representative per 30,000 citizens
- B.
One Representative per 30,000 citizens, with slaves counting at 3/5 a person
- C.
The population of the U.S. at the last census, divided by 50
- D.
The population of the U.S. at the last census, divided by 435
- 8.How are vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives filled?
- A.
By special election
- B.
By gubernatorial appointment
- C.
By presidential appointment
- D.
By the runner-up in the previous election
- 9.How are vacancies in the U.S. Senate filled?
- A.
By special election
- B.
By gubernatorial appointment
- C.
By presidential appointment
- D.
By the runner-up of the previous election
- 10.Congress must meet at least ______ time(s) per year.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
There is no minimum requirement
- 11.During a session of Congress, neither house may adjourn for more than _____ without consent of the other.
- A.
1 day
- B.
3 days
- C.
7 days
- D.
14 days
- 12.All bills for raising revenue must originate where?
- A.
In the House of Representatives
- B.
In the Senate
- C.
In the White House
- D.
In a joint session of Congress
- 13.Presidential vetoes can be overcome by:
- A.
Nothing. A Presidential veto is binding.
- B.
A 2/3 majority in both houses in Congress.
- C.
A popular state referendum where more than 2/3 of the states pass the bill.
- D.
A popular election where more than 2/3 of Americans pass the bill.
- 14.The President has ________ day(s) (excluding Sundays) to veto a bill.
- A.
1
- B.
7
- C.
10
- D.
30
- 15.True or False: The President of the United States has line-item veto power.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 16.Defense appropriations made by Congress are only valid for how long?
- A.
1 year
- B.
2 years
- C.
3 years
- D.
5 years
- 17.Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress under the Constitution?
- A.
To borrow money on the credit of the United States
- B.
To negotiate treaties with foreign nations
- C.
To negotiate commerce with foreign nations
- D.
Establish immigration and naturalization laws
- E.
To coin money
- 18.Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress under the Constitution?
- A.
Provide punishment for counterfeiting
- B.
Establish post offices
- C.
Grant patents
- D.
Create federal courts under the Supreme Court
- E.
Tax state exports
- 19.Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress under the Constitution?
- A.
Power to declare war
- B.
Power to raise an army
- C.
Power to institute an army draft
- D.
Power to veto military action proposed by the President
- E.
Power to govern and discipline the militia
- 20.The precursor to the current Constitution was known by what name?
- A.
Articles of Confederation
- B.
The States' Compact
- C.
The Magna Carta
- D.
The Great Charter
- 21.The U.S. Constitution was ratified in what year?
- A.
1774
- B.
1776
- C.
1787
- D.
1796
- 22.The "Great Compromise" refers to what?
- A.
An agreement allowing slave holding states to join the Union.
- B.
An agreement providing for population-based representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.
- C.
An agreement allowing blacks, but not women, to vote.
- D.
An agreement allowing Indian tribes to remain sovereign entities on Federal land.
- 23.Under the original Constitution, only one branch of government was designed to be directly elected by the people. What branch was this?
- A.
The House of Representatives
- B.
The Senate
- C.
The Presidency
- D.
Federal Judges
- 24.In years between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution being ratified, the United States was governed by which body?
- A.
A unicameral Congress
- B.
The Presidency, under George Washington
- C.
A bicameral Congress
- D.
There was no federal government during these years.
- 25.Under the original Constitution, who could vote in Federal elections?
- A.
White, land-owning men.
- B.
All white men, regardless of land ownership.
- C.
All men, regardless of race or land ownership.
- D.
Each state set its own standards.
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