Test your basic knowledge |

CSET Civics

Subjects : cset, civics
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Citizens can be born on American soil - born to American citizens - or naturalized.






2. 1. Private ownership and control of property and economic resources 2. Free enterprise 3. Competition among businesses 4. Freedom of choice 5. The possibility of profits






3. The powers that the national government may excessive simply because it is a government.






4. The Constitution limits powers of government. The first 10 amendments set limits on freedom of expression - personal security - and fair trials.






5. Private meeting of party members - where party nominations are sought






6. Official public meeting of political parties






7. A group of people that share goals and organize to influence the government. Major groups: business/labor groups - environmental groups - public - interest groups - govt groups - professional associations.






8. Abraham Lincoln in 1854 says a government should do for a community whatever they need for general welfare






9. Some believe the state evolved from the family. The head of the primitive family was the authority that served as government.






10. Congress can pass laws - the President can veto laws - Congress can override the veto by 2/3rds vote. The federal courts can rule the constitutionality of Congresses laws. The President appoints federal judges but the Senate must approve.






11. Shaped by the size and power of government - 3 major provisions: war powers - interstate commerce regulations - and the power to tax and spend. In politics - federalism lessens the risk for 1 political party monopolizing power with elections. It also






12. Rule by the people; government based on consent and authority of the people.






13. Liberal Republican Principles: 1) Government rules through the consensus of the people - 2) Gov't's responsibility to protect and promote the rights and freedoms of the people - 3) Gov't has no right to limit human freedom in order to preserve itself


14. Individuals agree to abide by the state law: A citizen of state agrees to the enforcement of the law of that state; individual transfers part of their responsibility to the collective governing body - Mechanisms for devising new laws and changing old






15. German socialist advocating violent revolution; believed industrialized nations are divided into capitalists (bourgeoisie) and workers (proletariat) in The Communist Manifesto - he wrote that all economic events would lead to Communism.






16. Set apart the role of the government and the rights of the society; set - up the tone for independence; claimed independence would allow American colonists the chance to create a better society - free from tyranny - with equal social and economic opp


17. Citizenship can be lost through expatriation - certain crimes - or ___________.






18. Party members select people to run in the general election (most common)






19. Obeying the law - voting - paying taxes - staying informed - respecting rights and property) to the U.S. govt and the govt secures citizens rights and equality under the law.


20. Advocating the rights of thhe individuals to make decisions as part of a colletive act.






21. How Amerricans feel about govt regarding: family - schools - peer groups - economic/social status - mass media - and govt leaders - most people are liberal - conservative or moderate - measured by meeting with interest group leaders - talking with vo






22. Rights to an acceptable standard of living - freedom of human activity to seek such standards - freedom to hold private property - freedom to participate in private enterprises and gain profits.






23. Affirmative action - discrimination against women - right to know about govt actions - privacy - and the fight against terrorism.






24. John Locke (1632-1704) explained the Social contract theory in 1690 Two Treatises Government - It says people need government to maintain social order by providing ways of solving conflicts since they have power to make and enforce laws.






25. Governments reduce conflicts like material scarcity - intervene in domestic and other nations' economic affairs - pass laws shaping the economic environment - and distribute benefits among citizens.






26. 3 separate branches of the government to check each others' powers.






27. Governments get their right to rule through the will of the people. ('Social Contract')






28. Right of the individual to hold private property and gain profits.






29. Sought via: Caucuses - Nominating conventions - primary elections - petitions (candidate is placed on ballot if # of voters sign a petition)






30. Freedom to express yourself and worship as desired - Right to a prompt - fair trial by jury - Right to vote in elections for public officials - Right to apply for federal employment - Right to run for elected office






31. Fall between liberals and conservatives






32. People have a right to dispose the government which does not protect their rights and property. (Directly influenced creating the US government system)






33. Courts can declare laws of local - state - or national governments unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is the final authority on the interpretation of the Constitution.






34. Govt owns the basic means of production - using resources - distributing products and wages - education - health care and welfare. It's 3 goals: 1. Distribution of wealth and equal economic opportunity 2. Society's control via govt of production 3. P






35. Government should protect people against attacks from other states and threats like terrorism. Also govt should handle relations with other countries.






36. Emphasizes no social class and all property is common - In communist nations - govts decide on production and distribution (command economy)






37. Stated in the Constitution. Most are in the first 3 articles ; includes the por to levy/collect taxes - coin money - make was - rise an army/navy - and regulate state commerce.






38. An individual - by pursuing his own interest - promotes the interests of the society - free - market competition causes healthy competition - better products - and lower prices; Against excessive wealth build - up by 'businessmen' and warns the forma


39. Government emerged when all people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group






40. Changing ideas - social conditions - and technology.






41. Lobbying lawmakers - running publicity campaigns - providing $ for candidates' election campaigns






42. Support both economic and social freedoms - free markets and unrestricted speech






43. Support and defend the Constitution - Participate in the democratic process - Respect and obey federal - state - and local laws - Respect the rights - beliefs - and opinions of others - Participate in your local community - Freedom to pursue 'life -






44. The notion that God or Gods had chosen certain people to rule by devine right - such as those born into royalty. They believed the state was created by God.






45. Legislative: makes the law - Article 1- section 8 Executive: carries out acts of congress - article 2 grants president broad but vague powers Judicial: Interprets the law - Article 3 establishes the Supreme Court






46. Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment: Francis Bacon - Empiricism: 'Knowledge via sense experience': natural laws are not dependent on devine laws. Decartes: cognito - ergo Sum (I think - therefore I am') Voltaire: vocal opponent of religion's






47. 1 - 2 or multi - party systems; several parties often combine to form a coalition government






48. Philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) wrote that in the natural state - no government existed - by contract people surrender to the satiate to maintain order - Then - John Locke wrote people are naturally endowed with the right to life - liberty and






49. 1. To maintain social order 2. Provide public services 3. Provide national security and defense 4. Provide for and control economic system 5. Government has authority to require individuals to obey laws and punish if they don't.






50. Power is divided between national and state governments. Both pass laws and directly affect citizens