FSOT : Trivia Questions On U.S. Government! Quiz
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- 1.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 26.More Constitutional amendments have dealt with ______________ than any other specific issue.
- A.
Impeachment
- B.
Immigration and naturalization
- C.
Voting
- D.
Slavery
- 27.True or False: A Representative must live in the congressional district he or she is elected from.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 28.What is the maximum number of terms that a member of Congress may serve?
- A.
2 terms
- B.
4 terms
- C.
8 terms
- D.
No limit
- 29.Under the original Constitution, slaves counted as ________ a person.
- A.
1/2
- B.
3/4
- C.
3/5
- D.
7/8
- 30.
- A.
I only
- B.
II only
- C.
III only
- D.
II and III
- E.
I and III
- 31.The Constitution requires a census to be undertaken every ____ years to determine_____.
- A.
10 years; apportionment in the House of Representatives
- B.
10 years; population demographics
- C.
20 years; apportionment in the House of Representatives
- D.
20 years; population demographics
- 32.True or False: A State can have more Senators than Representatives.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 33.How many Senators are in the U.S. Senate?
- A.
50
- B.
100
- C.
150
- D.
250
- 34.
- A.
180
- B.
275
- C.
435
- D.
489
- 35."Impeachment" is:
- A.
The process by which a civil officer is accused of wrongdoing.
- B.
The process by which the President is removed from office.
- C.
The process by which an elected official is prosecuted by a federal judge.
- D.
The process by which Congress screens Supreme Court nominees.
- 36.True or False: The President may issue pardons to civil officers who have been impeached.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 37.What government body has the sole power to initiate impeachment of a federal official?
- A.
The House of Representatives
- B.
The Senate
- C.
The Supreme Court
- D.
The Department of Justice
- 38.
- A.
The President of the Senate
- B.
The president pro tempore
- C.
The Senate Majority Leader
- D.
The Senate Minority Leader
- 39.An impeached civil officer, such as the President of the United States, is found to be guilty if _______ of the Senate vote that he is guilty.
- A.
1/2
- B.
2/3
- C.
3/4
- D.
It must be unanimous.
- 40.What happens to a civil officer who is found guilty during an impeachment trial?
- A.
They are removed from office, but not subject to criminal penalties due to double jeopardy laws.
- B.
They are removed from office, and subject to criminal investigation.
- C.
They are removed from office, and automatically sentenced to criminal punishment, They are removed from office, and automatically sentenced to criminal punishment, as deemed appropriate by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
- D.
They are removed from office, and subject to a military tribunal.
- 41.True or False: Congressional members, like other civil officers, may be impeached.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 42.Habeas corpus is protected by the Constitution in Article I, Section IX. Habeas corpus requires that:
- A.
A person must be read his/her rights while being arrested.
- B.
An individual who is arrested must be provided with access to representation.
- C.
A person who is accused of a crime must be a U.S. citizen in order to be tried in the U.S.
- D.
The courts, on demand, show just cause for a person's arrest and detention.
- 43.A "Bill of Attainder" is prohibited in Article I, Section IX of the Constitution. What is a Bill of Attainder?
- A.
An act of the legislature declaring a person guilty of a crime without access to a trial.
- B.
An act of the courts requiring a person to be held in servitude until his/her debts are paid.
- C.
A legal document authorizing the detention of a person without just cause.
- D.
A legal document that prohibits free speech against the government.
- 44.Ex post facto laws are prohibited in Article I, Section IX of the Constitution. Which of the following is an example of an ex post facto law?
- A.
Joseph is with a friend when he shoplifts. Although Joesph did not steal anything, he is tried and convicted of theft.
- B.
Amanda is arrested for a crime she did not commit and held without bail until her trial.
- C.
Kevin is convicted of arson and the court orders his house to be burned down as restitution.
- D.
Kelly is arrested in June for a violating a smoking ban in back in January. The ban did not take effect until February 1.
- 45.Under the Constitution, States are banned from all of the following EXCEPT:
- A.
Entering into a treaty
- B.
Imposing duties on imports and exports
- C.
Entering into an agreement with another state without congressional approval
- D.
Imposing inspections on imports
- 46.True or False: Because our country is a democracy, the President of the United States is chosen directly by the people.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 47.If the Electoral College reaches a tie during a Presidential race, the winner is determined by:
- A.
The candidate who received the most popular votes.
- B.
A run-off election.
- C.
A special vote of the House of Representatives, with each state getting one vote.
- D.
The candidate who won the most states overall in the election, regardless of electoral value.
- 48.The requirements to be elected President of the United States are:
- A.
Be at least 35-years-old, a natural-born citizen of the U.S., and lived in the United States for 20 years.
- B.
Be at least 35-years-old, a natural-born citizen of the U.S., and lived in the United States for 14 years.
- C.
Be at least 45-years-old, be a natural-born citizen of the U.S., no felony convictions, and lived in the United States for 10 years.
- D.
Be at least 45-years-old, be a natural-born citizen of the U.S., no felony convictions, and lived in the United States for more than half of your life.
- 49.Election Day is:
- A.
The first Tuesday in November
- B.
The first Tuesday in November that does not fall on November 1.
- C.
The second Monday in November
- D.
The third Wednesday in November, provided that Congress is not in session.
- 50.After the Vice-President, the next in line for the Presidency upon the President's death or disability is:
- A.
The Senate Majority Leader
- B.
The Speaker of the House
- C.
The Secretary of State
- D.
The president pro tempore of the Senate
- 51.True or False: Both Houses in Congress must approve treaties made by the President.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 52.Supreme Court Justices are:
- A.
Appointed by the President, confirmed by both houses of Congress
- B.
Appointed by the President, confirmed by the House of Representatives
- C.
Appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate
- D.
Appointed by the President, confirmed by the other members of the Supreme Court
- 53.True or False: The President has no authority to introduce legislation on Capitol Hill.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 54.After a brutal civil war, the southern most province of the island nation of Atlantica has seceded from the rest of the country and declared independence. Which branch of the U.S. Government has the ability to officially recognize this new country?I. LegislativeII. ExecutiveIII. Judicial
- A.
I only
- B.
II only
- C.
III only
- D.
I and II
- E.
II and III
- 55.Which of the following crimes is NOT an impeachable offense?
- A.
Federal Judge A was found to have accepted a bribe.
- B.
Federal Judge B was found to have knowingly leaked national security information.
- C.
Federal Judge C was tried and convicted on felony drug charges.
- D.
Federal Judge D was found to have knowingly ruled on a controversial court decision before his federal appointment.
- 56.A new President of the United States has just been elected. His executive powers include the ability to: (check ALL that apply)
- A.
Determine military actions as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
- B.
Exercise line-item veto power on appropriations bills
- C.
Recognize foreign governments and diplomats
- D.
Appoint a new Ambassador
- E.
Declare war
- F.
Grant a pardon
- G.
Call up the National Guard
- H.
Nominate Federal Judges
- I.
Create a new department within the government
- J.
Allocate federal funds to a newly created department within the government.
- 57.True or False: Giving an annual State of the Union to Congress is constitutionally required of the President.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 58.A President could grant a pardon to all of the following people EXCEPT:
- A.
A federal judge he appointed who has just been impeached.
- B.
A Wall Street CEO who was convicted of embezzling taxpayer money under the TARP program.
- C.
The former head of his political party, who was convicted of extortion in a criminal trial.
- D.
His daughter, who was convicted of manslaughter while drunk driving.
- 59.A formerly uninhabited part of the country has experienced a population boom in recent years following the discovery of gold there. Government officials need to set up a federal district court in the region to maintain law and order. Who is responsible for authorizing the new federal courts?
- A.
The President authorizes the courts and appoints new judges.
- B.
Congress authorizes the courts; the President appoints new judges, which Congress must approve.
- C.
The Supreme Court authorizes the courts; the President appoints new judges, which Congress must approve.
- D.
Congress authorizes the courts; the President appoints new judges, which the Supreme Court must approve.
- 60.True or False: Federal judges' salaries may not be reduced, except when approved by Congress.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 61.A congressional committee wants to know the constitutionality of a bill they are considering passing. Can the committee receive advice from the Supreme Court on this matter?
- A.
Yes
- B.
No
- 62.Which of the following cases would the federal court system have original jurisdiction over?
- A.
A citizen of Massachusetts is suing a citizen of Vermont for $1 million over a real estate transaction involving property in New Hampshire.
- B.
A citizen of California is suing the United States Government over a new federal law she says violates her right to equal protection.
- C.
A citizen of New York is filing bankruptcy.
- D.
All of the above.
- 63.The court case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the new concept of:
- A.
Judicial review
- B.
Appellate jurisdiction
- C.
Judicial precedent
- D.
Separate-but-equal
- 64.Which of the following Supreme Court cases are incorrectly matched?
- A.
Texas v. Johnson - burning the flag is protected by First Amendment rights
- B.
McCulloch v. Maryland - The Federal Government may adopt a loose constructionist attitude toward the Constitution.
- C.
Clinton v. City of New York - The doctrine of executive privilege is legitimate, but cannot be used to withhold evidence from criminal proceedings.
- D.
Mapp v. Ohio - evidence obtained through a search that violates the Fourteenth Amendment is inadmissible in court.
- 65.A petition for a writ of certiorari is:
- A.
A petition made by a court to a party to cease and desist an activity under threat of legal penalty.
- B.
A petition made by a party in a lawsuit asking the Supreme Court to review the case under appellate jurisdiction.
- C.
A petition made by the defendant in a lawsuit that requires the plaintiff to show just cause for the lawsuit.
- D.
A petition made by a party that was convicted requesting to have the court record expunged.
- 66.The protection of a trial by jury in criminal cases is found where in the Constitution?
- A.
Amendment I
- B.
Amendment VII
- C.
Article III
- D.
Article V
- 67.The crime of treason is the only one specifically defined in the Constitution. According to the Constitution, the strict definition of treason is:
- A.
Knowingly inflecting harm to a federal officer, engaging in armed hostilities with the United States, or conspiring to do so.
- B.
Entering into contact with a foreign state or with foreign parties or other foreign organizations or their agents, or making or disseminating untrue or tendentious claims against the United States.
- C.
Rising up in rebellion against the United States or conspiring to do so, or in aiding and abetting its enemies.
- D.
Levying war against the United States or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.
- 68.
- A.
Emolument Clause
- B.
Full Faith and Credit Clause
- C.
Necessary and Proper Clause
- D.
Contracts Clause
- 69.The constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1996, is currently being questioned due to what Constitutional provision?
- A.
Uniformity Clause
- B.
Citizenship Clause
- C.
Full Faith and Credit Clause
- D.
Obligation of Contracts Clause
- 70.
- A.
A resident of Oregon is denied a job on an oil pipeline in Alaska because he is not a state resident.
- B.
A Hispanic citizen of Utah is prohibited from sending her children to public school because they don't speak English.
- C.
A Baptist church declines to hire a qualified janitor because is not Christian.
- D.
A public high school teacher in Tennessee is fired by the school board for teaching creationism alongside evolution.
- 71.The current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is:
- A.
John G. Roberts, Jr.
- B.
Antonin Scalia
- C.
Anthony Kennedy
- D.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- 72.In Dred Scott vs. Sandford (1857), the Supreme Court found that:
- A.
Congress must allow a state to choose if they want to outlaw slavery.
- B.
The President of the United States could not issue an emancipation proclamation, as it would have been in violation of certain state charters.
- C.
Congress could not enforce slavery laws in territories - such a decision was up to territorial governors and violated a territories rights under Article IV of the Constitution.
- D.
Congress could not forbid slavery in the Western U.S. territories when such an action would deprive slaveholders of their property without due process.
- 73.Which one of these common phrases is actually attributed to the Constitution?
- A.
"no taxation without representation"
- B.
"of the People, by the People, for the People"
- C.
"innocent until proven guilty"
- D.
"cruel and unusual punishment"
- 74.In order to amend the Constitution, which of the following must occur:I. Two-thirds of Congress must vote yes to propose an amendment, then it must be ratified by 3/4 of the States through legislation or convention.II. Two-thirds of Congress must vote yes to propose an amendment, then it must be ratified by 2/3 of the States through legislation or convention.III. Two-thirds of States must convene for a constitutional convention to propose an amendment, then it must be ratified by 3/4 of the States through legislation or convention.
- A.
I only
- B.
II only
- C.
III only
- D.
I or III
- E.
II or III
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