BYU FINAL EXAM GOVT-041-S003 EXAM PAPER
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
LATEST 2026 REVISED UPDATE
Which of the following is true of the Bill of Rights? - ANSWER-It was
included in the Constitution as a concession to the Anti-federalists who
opposed ratification of the Constitution.
A prominent political scientist famously described American
government as separate institutions sharing powers; Which two
constitutional principles are embodied in this statement? - ANSWER-
separation of powers and checks and balances
According to Tocqueville, civic virtue means simply that individuals
have interests and desires that are not solely focused on themselves.
Rather, they are willing to give up some of the things they want in order
to promote the common good. What did he mean by this? - ANSWER-
People should help one another because the welfare of others affects
individual welfare.
If you were to read about a country whose government allows their
president to declare war on another country, and individually coin
money to fight the war without the consent of any other government
official. Which of the following would best describe this system as
,compared with the government in the United States? - ANSWER-In the
United States the president can neither declare nor fund a war without
the vote of Congress.
Which of the following best describes separation of powers? -
ANSWER-executive, legislative, and judicial branches
What does civilian control of the military mean? - ANSWER-Military
leaders do not have any independent authority, but are the servants of the
elected representatives of the people.
According to Hobbes, what would life be like without limits on an
individual's behavior or if living in a state of nature? - ANSWER-
Perilous
What does unit 1 say is perhaps the most complex form of human
interaction? - ANSWER-politics
How can the principle of federalism promote the protection of civil
rights in the American federal system? - ANSWER-It provides both state
and national governments with the ability to protect citizens from abuses
of power by the other.
Which of the following would Tocqueville most likely endorse? -
ANSWER-encouraging civic groups to help the poor
,If a country has a political system where some decisions are made in
local legislatures and others are made in the national legislature. Whose
government would this most likely be compared to? - ANSWER-the
U.S. system of government created in Philadelphia
How does the Constitution divide power between the three branches? -
ANSWER-Power is not completely separated, allowing each branch to
limit the other branches' exercise of power.
Which leading political thinker is given credit for his influence on the
separation of powers? - ANSWER-Charles-Louis Montesquieu
"we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." In
which document are these words written by Thomas Jefferson? -
ANSWER-the Declaration of Independence
Why is Tocqueville still relevant today? - ANSWER-Citizens should
beware of being too self-absorbed and not participating in the political
process.
How did Alexis de Tocqueville describe the 1830s in America? -
ANSWER-It was a time when Americans worked together for the
common good of others.
, After studying and reading examples about liberty and order consider
the following: After the terrorist attack on September 11, President Bush
and Congress passed the PATRIOT Act, which expanded the power of
law enforcement to secretly investigate potential terrorists. What does
this suggest? - ANSWER-The president believed Americans had too
much liberty and too little security.
What is a statement that Hobbes and Locke would both agree on? -
ANSWER-Government is necessary to protect life and property.
What term is best used to describe our government? - ANSWER-
representative republic
How long is the term for a member in the House of Representative
before they face re-election? - ANSWER-2 years
Who was considered to be the inventor of philosophy? - ANSWER-Plato
The Founders established a republican form of government. Why did
they do this? - ANSWER-They believed elected officials could represent
citizens and could be kept in check through elections.
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
LATEST 2026 REVISED UPDATE
Which of the following is true of the Bill of Rights? - ANSWER-It was
included in the Constitution as a concession to the Anti-federalists who
opposed ratification of the Constitution.
A prominent political scientist famously described American
government as separate institutions sharing powers; Which two
constitutional principles are embodied in this statement? - ANSWER-
separation of powers and checks and balances
According to Tocqueville, civic virtue means simply that individuals
have interests and desires that are not solely focused on themselves.
Rather, they are willing to give up some of the things they want in order
to promote the common good. What did he mean by this? - ANSWER-
People should help one another because the welfare of others affects
individual welfare.
If you were to read about a country whose government allows their
president to declare war on another country, and individually coin
money to fight the war without the consent of any other government
official. Which of the following would best describe this system as
,compared with the government in the United States? - ANSWER-In the
United States the president can neither declare nor fund a war without
the vote of Congress.
Which of the following best describes separation of powers? -
ANSWER-executive, legislative, and judicial branches
What does civilian control of the military mean? - ANSWER-Military
leaders do not have any independent authority, but are the servants of the
elected representatives of the people.
According to Hobbes, what would life be like without limits on an
individual's behavior or if living in a state of nature? - ANSWER-
Perilous
What does unit 1 say is perhaps the most complex form of human
interaction? - ANSWER-politics
How can the principle of federalism promote the protection of civil
rights in the American federal system? - ANSWER-It provides both state
and national governments with the ability to protect citizens from abuses
of power by the other.
Which of the following would Tocqueville most likely endorse? -
ANSWER-encouraging civic groups to help the poor
,If a country has a political system where some decisions are made in
local legislatures and others are made in the national legislature. Whose
government would this most likely be compared to? - ANSWER-the
U.S. system of government created in Philadelphia
How does the Constitution divide power between the three branches? -
ANSWER-Power is not completely separated, allowing each branch to
limit the other branches' exercise of power.
Which leading political thinker is given credit for his influence on the
separation of powers? - ANSWER-Charles-Louis Montesquieu
"we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." In
which document are these words written by Thomas Jefferson? -
ANSWER-the Declaration of Independence
Why is Tocqueville still relevant today? - ANSWER-Citizens should
beware of being too self-absorbed and not participating in the political
process.
How did Alexis de Tocqueville describe the 1830s in America? -
ANSWER-It was a time when Americans worked together for the
common good of others.
, After studying and reading examples about liberty and order consider
the following: After the terrorist attack on September 11, President Bush
and Congress passed the PATRIOT Act, which expanded the power of
law enforcement to secretly investigate potential terrorists. What does
this suggest? - ANSWER-The president believed Americans had too
much liberty and too little security.
What is a statement that Hobbes and Locke would both agree on? -
ANSWER-Government is necessary to protect life and property.
What term is best used to describe our government? - ANSWER-
representative republic
How long is the term for a member in the House of Representative
before they face re-election? - ANSWER-2 years
Who was considered to be the inventor of philosophy? - ANSWER-Plato
The Founders established a republican form of government. Why did
they do this? - ANSWER-They believed elected officials could represent
citizens and could be kept in check through elections.
