BYU FINAL EXAM GOVT-041-S003: AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENSHIP EXPECTED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1.
Which leading political thinker is given credit for his influence on the separation of powers?
ANSWER
Charles-Louis Montesquieu
Question 2.
"we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are en dowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
Happiness." In which document are these words written by Thomas Jefferson?
ANSWER
the Declaration of Independence
-
Question 3.
Why is Tocqueville still relevant today?
ANSWER
Citizens should beware of being too self-absorbed and not participating in the political
process.
Question 4.
How did Alexis de Tocqueville describe the 1830s in America?
ANSWER
It was a time when Americans worked together for the common good of others.
,Question 5.
After studying and reading examples about liberty and order consider the following: After the
terrorist attack on Septem-
ANSWER
The president believed Americans had too much liberty and too little security.
Question 6.
What is a statement that Hobbes and Locke would both agree on?
ANSWER
Government is necessary to protect life and property.
Question 7.
What term is best used to describe our govern ment?
ANSWER
representative republic
-
Question 8.
How long is the term for a member in the House of Representative before they face re-election?
ANSWER
2 years
Question 9.
Which of the following is true of the Bill of Rights?
ANSWER
It was included in the Constitution as a concession to the Anti-federalists who opposed
ratification of the Constitution.
,Question 10.
A prominent political scientist famously described American government as separate institutions
sharing powers; Which
ANSWER
separation of powers and checks and balances
Question 11.
According to Tocqueville, civic virtue means simply that individuals have interests and desires that
are not solely focused on themselves. Rather, they are willing to give up some of the things they
want in order to promote the common good. What did he mean by this?
ANSWER
People should help one another because the welfare of others affects individual welfare.
Question 12.
If you were to read about a country whose government allows their president to declare war on
another country, and individually coin money to fight the war without the consent of any oth er
government official. Which of the following would best describe this system as compared with the
gov-
ANSWER
In the United States the president can neither declare nor fund a war without the vote of
Congress.
-
Question 13.
Which of the following best describes separation of powers?
ANSWER
i. executive
ii. legislative
iii. judicial branches
, Question 14.
What does civilian control of the military mean?
ANSWER
Military leaders do not have any independent authority, but are the servants of the elected
representatives of the people.
Question 15.
According to Hobbes, what would life be like without limits on an in dividual's behavior or i living in a
state of nature?
ANSWER
Perilous
-f
Question 16.
What does unit 1 say is perhaps the most com plex form of human in teraction?
ANSWER
politics
-
-
Question 17.
How can the principle of federalism promote the protection of civil rights in the American federal
system?
ANSWER
It provides both state and national governments with the ability to protect citizens from
abuses of power by the other.
Question 18.
Which of the following would Tocqueville most likely endorse?
ANSWER
encouraging civic groups to help the poor
GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENSHIP EXPECTED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1.
Which leading political thinker is given credit for his influence on the separation of powers?
ANSWER
Charles-Louis Montesquieu
Question 2.
"we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are en dowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
Happiness." In which document are these words written by Thomas Jefferson?
ANSWER
the Declaration of Independence
-
Question 3.
Why is Tocqueville still relevant today?
ANSWER
Citizens should beware of being too self-absorbed and not participating in the political
process.
Question 4.
How did Alexis de Tocqueville describe the 1830s in America?
ANSWER
It was a time when Americans worked together for the common good of others.
,Question 5.
After studying and reading examples about liberty and order consider the following: After the
terrorist attack on Septem-
ANSWER
The president believed Americans had too much liberty and too little security.
Question 6.
What is a statement that Hobbes and Locke would both agree on?
ANSWER
Government is necessary to protect life and property.
Question 7.
What term is best used to describe our govern ment?
ANSWER
representative republic
-
Question 8.
How long is the term for a member in the House of Representative before they face re-election?
ANSWER
2 years
Question 9.
Which of the following is true of the Bill of Rights?
ANSWER
It was included in the Constitution as a concession to the Anti-federalists who opposed
ratification of the Constitution.
,Question 10.
A prominent political scientist famously described American government as separate institutions
sharing powers; Which
ANSWER
separation of powers and checks and balances
Question 11.
According to Tocqueville, civic virtue means simply that individuals have interests and desires that
are not solely focused on themselves. Rather, they are willing to give up some of the things they
want in order to promote the common good. What did he mean by this?
ANSWER
People should help one another because the welfare of others affects individual welfare.
Question 12.
If you were to read about a country whose government allows their president to declare war on
another country, and individually coin money to fight the war without the consent of any oth er
government official. Which of the following would best describe this system as compared with the
gov-
ANSWER
In the United States the president can neither declare nor fund a war without the vote of
Congress.
-
Question 13.
Which of the following best describes separation of powers?
ANSWER
i. executive
ii. legislative
iii. judicial branches
, Question 14.
What does civilian control of the military mean?
ANSWER
Military leaders do not have any independent authority, but are the servants of the elected
representatives of the people.
Question 15.
According to Hobbes, what would life be like without limits on an in dividual's behavior or i living in a
state of nature?
ANSWER
Perilous
-f
Question 16.
What does unit 1 say is perhaps the most com plex form of human in teraction?
ANSWER
politics
-
-
Question 17.
How can the principle of federalism promote the protection of civil rights in the American federal
system?
ANSWER
It provides both state and national governments with the ability to protect citizens from
abuses of power by the other.
Question 18.
Which of the following would Tocqueville most likely endorse?
ANSWER
encouraging civic groups to help the poor
