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St Petersburg College Civic Literacy Exam
Questions And Answers 100% Pass
Democracy - ANS Type of government where power is derived from the people, either
directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic - ANS An indirect or a representative
democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on their behalf and make
political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy - ANS 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 - ANS 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 - ANS The idea that our government derives its power from the
people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of government.
Checks and Balances - ANS Principle reflected in the Constitution that grants each of the
three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and scrutiny over one another.
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Separation of Powers - ANS 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 - ANS 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 - ANS Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Equality under the Law - ANS Equal treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of
equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty - ANS A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Natural rights - ANS 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 - ANS A political system in which power is divided between a central government
and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Concurrent powers - ANS Powers that are held by both the federal and the local
governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause - ANS 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.
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Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution - ANS 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 - ANS Provides that the President of the
United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College - ANS 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 - ANS 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 - ANS Florida has 67 counties. Each county has an elected
Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county.
Preamble to the Constitution - ANS 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."
Article I of the United States Constitution - ANS Legislative Branch (Congress).
The United States Congress is bicameral, consisting of two chambers, the House of
Representatives and the Senate. Congress is the branch that is responsible for making the laws.
Other powers include commerce, taxing, roads, defense, war, citizenship, etc. The founders
St Petersburg College Civic Literacy Exam
Questions And Answers 100% Pass
Democracy - ANS Type of government where power is derived from the people, either
directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic - ANS An indirect or a representative
democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on their behalf and make
political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy - ANS 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 - ANS 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 - ANS The idea that our government derives its power from the
people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of government.
Checks and Balances - ANS Principle reflected in the Constitution that grants each of the
three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and scrutiny over one another.
, ©EVERLY 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Separation of Powers - ANS 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 - ANS 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 - ANS Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Equality under the Law - ANS Equal treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of
equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty - ANS A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Natural rights - ANS 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 - ANS A political system in which power is divided between a central government
and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Concurrent powers - ANS Powers that are held by both the federal and the local
governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause - ANS 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.
, ©EVERLY 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution - ANS 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 - ANS Provides that the President of the
United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College - ANS 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 - ANS 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 - ANS Florida has 67 counties. Each county has an elected
Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county.
Preamble to the Constitution - ANS 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."
Article I of the United States Constitution - ANS Legislative Branch (Congress).
The United States Congress is bicameral, consisting of two chambers, the House of
Representatives and the Senate. Congress is the branch that is responsible for making the laws.
Other powers include commerce, taxing, roads, defense, war, citizenship, etc. The founders
