St Petersburg College Civic Literacy Exam Questions
and 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 Carat 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.
Voter Registration requirements in Florida - Correct Answer Be a citizen of the United
States of America, a legal resident of Florida, a legal resident of the county in which you
seek to be registered, at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years old to
register and vote. Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated
with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote
restored; and, not be a person convicted of a felony without having your right to vote
restored.
County Supervisor of Elections - Correct Answer Florida has 67 counties. Each county
has an elected Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county.
Preamble to the Constitution - Correct Answer The opening section of the Constitution;
brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles that the
Constitution is meant to serve.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
and 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 Carat 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.
Voter Registration requirements in Florida - Correct Answer Be a citizen of the United
States of America, a legal resident of Florida, a legal resident of the county in which you
seek to be registered, at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years old to
register and vote. Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated
with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote
restored; and, not be a person convicted of a felony without having your right to vote
restored.
County Supervisor of Elections - Correct Answer Florida has 67 counties. Each county
has an elected Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county.
Preamble to the Constitution - Correct Answer The opening section of the Constitution;
brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles that the
Constitution is meant to serve.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
