FCLE EXAM: FOUNDING DOCUMENTS,
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, U.S. CONSTITUTION,
LANDMARK CASES QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
How does the Magna Carta provide a foundation for the English perspective of
participatory governance? - CORRECT ANSWER-It establishes a basis for individual
rights.
What led to the creation of the English Declaration of rights (sometimes known as the
"English Bill of Rights") in 1689? - CORRECT ANSWER-Tension over who should rule;
an individual or the people.
Who is considered to have been the most influential enlightenment philosopher on the
Declaration of Independence? - CORRECT ANSWER-John Locke
What is the significance of the Mayflower compact? - CORRECT ANSWER-It is the first
attempt by the Europeans of self-government in the colonies.
What aspect of the U.S. Constitution was influenced by Montesquieu? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Separation of powers.
For what purpose were the Federalist papers written? - CORRECT ANSWER-To
support ratification of the constitution and explain its commitment to limited government.
What did the anti-Federalist want the constitution to include? - CORRECT ANSWER-A
bill of rights
What are rights listed in the Declaration of Independence? - CORRECT ANSWER-Life,
liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
For what purpose did Thomas Paine write Common Sense? - CORRECT ANSWER-To
encourage the colonists to demand independence from Great Britain.
Which of the following were thought to be weakness of the government laid out by the
Articles of Confederation? - CORRECT ANSWER-No power to tax and no executive or
judiciary.
, A state that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and polices is practicing a form of: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Direct democracy
An individual's belief that ordinary citizens can affect what government does is: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Political efficacy
The principle that authority of the government rests in the hands of the people is: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Popular sovereignty.
The "rule of law" is best described as: - CORRECT ANSWER-Citizens are governed by
laws; no one is above the law.
In the U.S. voters chose representatives from the state to represent them in the U.S.
congress. This is known as: - CORRECT ANSWER-Indirect democracy
Which of the following are reserved for U.S. citizens only? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Voting, serving on a jury, and holding federal office.
Which of the following best are the two dominant political parties in the U.S.? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Democrats and Republicans
In general, the republican party is ideologically: - CORRECT ANSWER-Conservative
Who is responsible for registering voters in the state of Florida? - CORRECT ANSWER-
A country supervisor of elections.
Who is the chief executive in a state? - CORRECT ANSWER-The governor.
Congress creates laws, but those laws can be vetoed by the president or overturned by
the supreme court. This is an example of a constitutional principle known as: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Checks and balances.
Articles 1, 2, and 3 in the constitution reflect which constitution principle: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Separation of powers
Which part of the U.S. constitution declares it to be the supreme law of the land? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Article VI
The concept of self-government can be found in: - CORRECT ANSWER-The preamble
beginning with "we the people."
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, U.S. CONSTITUTION,
LANDMARK CASES QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
How does the Magna Carta provide a foundation for the English perspective of
participatory governance? - CORRECT ANSWER-It establishes a basis for individual
rights.
What led to the creation of the English Declaration of rights (sometimes known as the
"English Bill of Rights") in 1689? - CORRECT ANSWER-Tension over who should rule;
an individual or the people.
Who is considered to have been the most influential enlightenment philosopher on the
Declaration of Independence? - CORRECT ANSWER-John Locke
What is the significance of the Mayflower compact? - CORRECT ANSWER-It is the first
attempt by the Europeans of self-government in the colonies.
What aspect of the U.S. Constitution was influenced by Montesquieu? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Separation of powers.
For what purpose were the Federalist papers written? - CORRECT ANSWER-To
support ratification of the constitution and explain its commitment to limited government.
What did the anti-Federalist want the constitution to include? - CORRECT ANSWER-A
bill of rights
What are rights listed in the Declaration of Independence? - CORRECT ANSWER-Life,
liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
For what purpose did Thomas Paine write Common Sense? - CORRECT ANSWER-To
encourage the colonists to demand independence from Great Britain.
Which of the following were thought to be weakness of the government laid out by the
Articles of Confederation? - CORRECT ANSWER-No power to tax and no executive or
judiciary.
, A state that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and polices is practicing a form of: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Direct democracy
An individual's belief that ordinary citizens can affect what government does is: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Political efficacy
The principle that authority of the government rests in the hands of the people is: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Popular sovereignty.
The "rule of law" is best described as: - CORRECT ANSWER-Citizens are governed by
laws; no one is above the law.
In the U.S. voters chose representatives from the state to represent them in the U.S.
congress. This is known as: - CORRECT ANSWER-Indirect democracy
Which of the following are reserved for U.S. citizens only? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Voting, serving on a jury, and holding federal office.
Which of the following best are the two dominant political parties in the U.S.? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Democrats and Republicans
In general, the republican party is ideologically: - CORRECT ANSWER-Conservative
Who is responsible for registering voters in the state of Florida? - CORRECT ANSWER-
A country supervisor of elections.
Who is the chief executive in a state? - CORRECT ANSWER-The governor.
Congress creates laws, but those laws can be vetoed by the president or overturned by
the supreme court. This is an example of a constitutional principle known as: -
CORRECT ANSWER-Checks and balances.
Articles 1, 2, and 3 in the constitution reflect which constitution principle: - CORRECT
ANSWER-Separation of powers
Which part of the U.S. constitution declares it to be the supreme law of the land? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Article VI
The concept of self-government can be found in: - CORRECT ANSWER-The preamble
beginning with "we the people."
