Civic Literacy Exam 1 (General U.S. Version) |
2025/2026 Practice Edition | Verified Questions,
Correct Answers & Complete Rationales | Fully
Updated Q&A Bank
1. What is the primary purpose of the United States Constitution?
A. To establish the structure of the government and protect individual rights
B. To create laws for all states
C. To describe the history of the United States
D. To list the rights of only the government officials
Answer: A. To establish the structure of the government and protect individual
rights
Rationale: The Constitution sets up the framework for the federal government
and includes the Bill of Rights, which protects the freedoms and rights of
individuals. It defines the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the rule
of law.
,2. Which amendment guarantees the freedom of speech?
A. First Amendment
B. Second Amendment
C. First Amendment
D. Fourth Amendment
Answer: C. First Amendment
Rationale: The First Amendment protects several key freedoms, including
freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. It is foundational to
American democracy by allowing citizens to express opinions without government
censorship.
3. What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
A. Executive, Judicial, Legislative
B. President, Congress, Supreme Court
C. Legislative, Executive, Judicial
D. Senate, House, President
Answer: C. Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Rationale: The three branches are: Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces
laws), and Judicial (interprets laws). This system ensures checks and balances so
no branch becomes too powerful.
4. Who is considered the “Father of the Constitution”?
,A. Thomas Jefferson
B. George Washington
C. James Madison
D. Benjamin Franklin
Answer: C. James Madison
Rationale: James Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution” because
of his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
5. What is the highest court in the United States?
A. Federal District Court
B. Court of Appeals
C. Supreme Court
D. State Supreme Court
Answer: C. Supreme Court
Rationale: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the U.S. It has
the final say on constitutional issues and interprets federal laws and treaties.
6. How many U.S. Senators are there?
A. 100
B. 50
C. 100
D. 435
Answer: C. 100
, Rationale: Each state elects two senators, regardless of population, making a total
of 100 senators.
7. Which document declared the American colonies independent from Britain?
A. U.S. Constitution
B. Declaration of Independence
C. Articles of Confederation
D. Federalist Papers
Answer: B. Declaration of Independence
Rationale: The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, announced
the colonies' separation from Britain and outlined the principles of liberty and
government by consent.
8. What is the term length for a member of the House of Representatives?
A. 6 years
B. 4 years
C. 2 years
D. Lifetime
Answer: C. 2 years
Rationale: Members of the House serve two-year terms and are elected by the
people of their districts.
2025/2026 Practice Edition | Verified Questions,
Correct Answers & Complete Rationales | Fully
Updated Q&A Bank
1. What is the primary purpose of the United States Constitution?
A. To establish the structure of the government and protect individual rights
B. To create laws for all states
C. To describe the history of the United States
D. To list the rights of only the government officials
Answer: A. To establish the structure of the government and protect individual
rights
Rationale: The Constitution sets up the framework for the federal government
and includes the Bill of Rights, which protects the freedoms and rights of
individuals. It defines the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the rule
of law.
,2. Which amendment guarantees the freedom of speech?
A. First Amendment
B. Second Amendment
C. First Amendment
D. Fourth Amendment
Answer: C. First Amendment
Rationale: The First Amendment protects several key freedoms, including
freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. It is foundational to
American democracy by allowing citizens to express opinions without government
censorship.
3. What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
A. Executive, Judicial, Legislative
B. President, Congress, Supreme Court
C. Legislative, Executive, Judicial
D. Senate, House, President
Answer: C. Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Rationale: The three branches are: Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces
laws), and Judicial (interprets laws). This system ensures checks and balances so
no branch becomes too powerful.
4. Who is considered the “Father of the Constitution”?
,A. Thomas Jefferson
B. George Washington
C. James Madison
D. Benjamin Franklin
Answer: C. James Madison
Rationale: James Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution” because
of his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
5. What is the highest court in the United States?
A. Federal District Court
B. Court of Appeals
C. Supreme Court
D. State Supreme Court
Answer: C. Supreme Court
Rationale: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the U.S. It has
the final say on constitutional issues and interprets federal laws and treaties.
6. How many U.S. Senators are there?
A. 100
B. 50
C. 100
D. 435
Answer: C. 100
, Rationale: Each state elects two senators, regardless of population, making a total
of 100 senators.
7. Which document declared the American colonies independent from Britain?
A. U.S. Constitution
B. Declaration of Independence
C. Articles of Confederation
D. Federalist Papers
Answer: B. Declaration of Independence
Rationale: The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, announced
the colonies' separation from Britain and outlined the principles of liberty and
government by consent.
8. What is the term length for a member of the House of Representatives?
A. 6 years
B. 4 years
C. 2 years
D. Lifetime
Answer: C. 2 years
Rationale: Members of the House serve two-year terms and are elected by the
people of their districts.
