St Petersburg College Civic Literacy
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Democracy - CORRECT ANSWER- Type of government where power is derived from the
people, either directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic - CORRECT ANSWER- An indirect or a
representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on their behalf
and make political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy - CORRECT ANSWER- A government that draws its legitimacy
from an authoritative document (a constitution) that defines the nation's system of
government, its laws and usually the rights of its citizens. The Constitution is the supreme
law of the land. The Constitution describes who will make national laws, who will enforce
them and who will interpret it.
Social Contract Theory - CORRECT ANSWER- The belief that people are free and equal by
natural right but will give up some freedom to give power to the government so that the
government can protect their rights.
Consent of the Governed - CORRECT ANSWER- The idea that our government derives its
power from the people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of
government.
Checks and Balances - CORRECT ANSWER- Principle reflected in the Constitution that
grants each of the three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and
scrutiny over one another.
Separation of Powers - CORRECT ANSWER- Refers to the division of government
branches: each with separate independent power and responsibilities, so that the powers of
one branch do not conflict with the others.
Rule of law - CORRECT ANSWER- No one is above the law; Everyone must follow the
laws, regardless of their position of power. This was established by the Magna Carta in 1215.
Everyone is equal under the law.
, Due process of law - CORRECT ANSWER- Fair treatment through the normal judicial
system.
Equality under the Law - CORRECT ANSWER- Equal treatment and equal protection
without the guarantee of equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty - CORRECT ANSWER- A belief that ultimate power resides in the
people.
Natural rights - CORRECT ANSWER- Rights people have by virtue of being human beings;
both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the government's role in
protecting these rights.
Federalism - CORRECT ANSWER- A political system in which power is divided between a
central government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Concurrent powers - CORRECT ANSWER- Powers that are held by both the federal and the
local governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause - CORRECT ANSWER- Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment that
forbids any state to deny to any person equal protection of the laws. This clause is the major
constitutional restraint on the power of governments to discriminate against persons because
of race, national origin, or sex.
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER- Grants the
states the authority to determine the rules by which they elect their United States Senators
and Representatives, unless the United States Congress acts to change those rules.
Article II, Section 1, of the United States Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER- Provides that
the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College - CORRECT ANSWER- The president is elected by a majority of electoral
votes. After an election a group of electors chosen by each state officially cast the electoral
votes for their state to choose the President.
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Democracy - CORRECT ANSWER- Type of government where power is derived from the
people, either directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic - CORRECT ANSWER- An indirect or a
representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on their behalf
and make political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy - CORRECT ANSWER- A government that draws its legitimacy
from an authoritative document (a constitution) that defines the nation's system of
government, its laws and usually the rights of its citizens. The Constitution is the supreme
law of the land. The Constitution describes who will make national laws, who will enforce
them and who will interpret it.
Social Contract Theory - CORRECT ANSWER- The belief that people are free and equal by
natural right but will give up some freedom to give power to the government so that the
government can protect their rights.
Consent of the Governed - CORRECT ANSWER- The idea that our government derives its
power from the people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of
government.
Checks and Balances - CORRECT ANSWER- Principle reflected in the Constitution that
grants each of the three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and
scrutiny over one another.
Separation of Powers - CORRECT ANSWER- Refers to the division of government
branches: each with separate independent power and responsibilities, so that the powers of
one branch do not conflict with the others.
Rule of law - CORRECT ANSWER- No one is above the law; Everyone must follow the
laws, regardless of their position of power. This was established by the Magna Carta in 1215.
Everyone is equal under the law.
, Due process of law - CORRECT ANSWER- Fair treatment through the normal judicial
system.
Equality under the Law - CORRECT ANSWER- Equal treatment and equal protection
without the guarantee of equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty - CORRECT ANSWER- A belief that ultimate power resides in the
people.
Natural rights - CORRECT ANSWER- Rights people have by virtue of being human beings;
both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the government's role in
protecting these rights.
Federalism - CORRECT ANSWER- A political system in which power is divided between a
central government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Concurrent powers - CORRECT ANSWER- Powers that are held by both the federal and the
local governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause - CORRECT ANSWER- Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment that
forbids any state to deny to any person equal protection of the laws. This clause is the major
constitutional restraint on the power of governments to discriminate against persons because
of race, national origin, or sex.
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER- Grants the
states the authority to determine the rules by which they elect their United States Senators
and Representatives, unless the United States Congress acts to change those rules.
Article II, Section 1, of the United States Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER- Provides that
the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College - CORRECT ANSWER- The president is elected by a majority of electoral
votes. After an election a group of electors chosen by each state officially cast the electoral
votes for their state to choose the President.
