FCLE Practice Exam
Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of government?
a) Roman
b) Egyptian
c) Greek
d) Persian - correct answer a) Roman
During the 6th century BCE, the ancient Athenians divided the powers of their government between 2
assemblies and guaranteed certain political rights to all male citizens. How do these political reforms
best illustrate how societies develop?
a) by limiting government authority
b) by choosing government leaders
c) by improving government services
d) by reducing government expenditures - correct answer a) by limiting government authority
A certain country is characterized by the following traits:
1. power achieved through inheritance
2. same ruling family for over a century
3. finite freedoms and rights
4. hierarchical social status
5. single established state religion
The establishment and maintenance of these traits is based on which of the following principles?
a) popular sovereignty
b) due process of law
c) social contract theory
d) divine right of kings - correct answer d) divine right of kings
, Which modern democratic concept practiced in the United States is most like the
democratic process of ancient Greece?
a) the referendum
b) the presidential election
c) the primary election
d) the nominating convention - correct answer a) the referendum
What is the principal function of a written constitution?
a) resolving disagreements between competing parties
b) confirming resistance to civil disobedience
c) declaring the independence of a state
d) outlining the structure and powers of a government - correct answer d) outlining the structure and
powers of a government
Which of the following objectives best describes the purpose of the system of checks
and balances, as defined in the U.S. Constitution?
a) establishing accountability for the government when levying taxes
b) maintaining a healthy economy and establishing trade with other governments
c) keeping any one of the three branches of government from becoming too
powerful
d) assuring that the government spends only as much money as it takes in - correct answer c) keeping
any one of the three branches of government from becoming too powerful
Which modern process would be supported by the ancient Greeks?
a) electing governors
b) hiring press secretaries
c) nominating an ambassador
d) appointing a majority leader - correct answer a) electing governors
Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of government?
a) Roman
b) Egyptian
c) Greek
d) Persian - correct answer a) Roman
During the 6th century BCE, the ancient Athenians divided the powers of their government between 2
assemblies and guaranteed certain political rights to all male citizens. How do these political reforms
best illustrate how societies develop?
a) by limiting government authority
b) by choosing government leaders
c) by improving government services
d) by reducing government expenditures - correct answer a) by limiting government authority
A certain country is characterized by the following traits:
1. power achieved through inheritance
2. same ruling family for over a century
3. finite freedoms and rights
4. hierarchical social status
5. single established state religion
The establishment and maintenance of these traits is based on which of the following principles?
a) popular sovereignty
b) due process of law
c) social contract theory
d) divine right of kings - correct answer d) divine right of kings
, Which modern democratic concept practiced in the United States is most like the
democratic process of ancient Greece?
a) the referendum
b) the presidential election
c) the primary election
d) the nominating convention - correct answer a) the referendum
What is the principal function of a written constitution?
a) resolving disagreements between competing parties
b) confirming resistance to civil disobedience
c) declaring the independence of a state
d) outlining the structure and powers of a government - correct answer d) outlining the structure and
powers of a government
Which of the following objectives best describes the purpose of the system of checks
and balances, as defined in the U.S. Constitution?
a) establishing accountability for the government when levying taxes
b) maintaining a healthy economy and establishing trade with other governments
c) keeping any one of the three branches of government from becoming too
powerful
d) assuring that the government spends only as much money as it takes in - correct answer c) keeping
any one of the three branches of government from becoming too powerful
Which modern process would be supported by the ancient Greeks?
a) electing governors
b) hiring press secretaries
c) nominating an ambassador
d) appointing a majority leader - correct answer a) electing governors
