FLORIDA CIVIC LITERACY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATE
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
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
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
A. electing governors
Laws against defamation, including libel and slander, property damage and breach of contract
represent which legal concern underlying most Western nations?
A. criminal law
B. military law
C. civil law
D. juvenile law
C. civil law
Use the passage below, from an exchange between former president Nixon and a television
interviewer, to answer the question that follows.
"Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal"-Richard M. Nixon Source:
The Washington Post, June 5, 1977
Which constitutional principle does the statement from President Nixon contradict?
,A. separation of powers
B. republicanism
C. rule of law
D. equality
C. rule of law
Which form of government is based on popular sovereignty?
A. communism
B. dictatorship
C. monarchy
D. republic
D. republic
Use the provided Preamble to the United States Constitution to answer the question.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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." Source: National Archives and Records
Administration
Which of the following statements best describes the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?
A. Governments are accountable to the citizens over whom they rule.
B. States will ensure that all citizens are granted certain freedoms.
C. People allow representatives to speak on behalf of all citizens.
D. Courts will elect officials to represent the people and ensure liberty.
A. Governments are accountable to the citizens over whom they rule.
The U.S. Congress fulfilled which of the following purposes of government when it declared war
on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor?
A. ensuring domestic tranquility
B. promoting the general welfare
C. providing for the common defense
D. establishing a system of justice
C. providing for the common defense
Which circumstance would require a search warrant?
A. searching persons with reasonable suspicion
B. examining evidence that is in plain view
C. searching school lockers for contraband
D. examining the contents of a hotel room
D. examining the contents of a hotel room
In the United States, which of the following is permitted to citizens by the right of freedom of
assembly?
, A. the right to demonstrate
B. the right to riot
C. the right to immigrate
D. the right to work
A. the right to demonstrate
A man is walking down a public street window-shopping. A robbery is reported in that same
area. Police officers stop and search the man who is shopping. On what Constitutional grounds
could this man contest this search as a violation of his rights?
A. Second Amendment
B. Third Amendment
C. Fourth Amendment
D. Fifth Amendment
C. Fourth Amendment
Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of government?
A. Roman
B. Egyptian
C. Greek
D. Persian
A. Roman
During the 6th century B.C.E., the ancient Athenians divided the powers of their government
between two 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
A. by limiting government authority
A certain country is characterized by the following traits:
- power achieved through inheritance
-same ruling family for over a century
-finite freedoms and rights
-hierarchical social status
-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
ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATE
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
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
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
A. electing governors
Laws against defamation, including libel and slander, property damage and breach of contract
represent which legal concern underlying most Western nations?
A. criminal law
B. military law
C. civil law
D. juvenile law
C. civil law
Use the passage below, from an exchange between former president Nixon and a television
interviewer, to answer the question that follows.
"Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal"-Richard M. Nixon Source:
The Washington Post, June 5, 1977
Which constitutional principle does the statement from President Nixon contradict?
,A. separation of powers
B. republicanism
C. rule of law
D. equality
C. rule of law
Which form of government is based on popular sovereignty?
A. communism
B. dictatorship
C. monarchy
D. republic
D. republic
Use the provided Preamble to the United States Constitution to answer the question.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,
insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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." Source: National Archives and Records
Administration
Which of the following statements best describes the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?
A. Governments are accountable to the citizens over whom they rule.
B. States will ensure that all citizens are granted certain freedoms.
C. People allow representatives to speak on behalf of all citizens.
D. Courts will elect officials to represent the people and ensure liberty.
A. Governments are accountable to the citizens over whom they rule.
The U.S. Congress fulfilled which of the following purposes of government when it declared war
on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor?
A. ensuring domestic tranquility
B. promoting the general welfare
C. providing for the common defense
D. establishing a system of justice
C. providing for the common defense
Which circumstance would require a search warrant?
A. searching persons with reasonable suspicion
B. examining evidence that is in plain view
C. searching school lockers for contraband
D. examining the contents of a hotel room
D. examining the contents of a hotel room
In the United States, which of the following is permitted to citizens by the right of freedom of
assembly?
, A. the right to demonstrate
B. the right to riot
C. the right to immigrate
D. the right to work
A. the right to demonstrate
A man is walking down a public street window-shopping. A robbery is reported in that same
area. Police officers stop and search the man who is shopping. On what Constitutional grounds
could this man contest this search as a violation of his rights?
A. Second Amendment
B. Third Amendment
C. Fourth Amendment
D. Fifth Amendment
C. Fourth Amendment
Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of government?
A. Roman
B. Egyptian
C. Greek
D. Persian
A. Roman
During the 6th century B.C.E., the ancient Athenians divided the powers of their government
between two 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
A. by limiting government authority
A certain country is characterized by the following traits:
- power achieved through inheritance
-same ruling family for over a century
-finite freedoms and rights
-hierarchical social status
-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
