Civics Test Study Guide_ .

A: Principles of American Democracy 1. What is the supreme law of the land? ▪ the Constitution 2. What does the Constitution do? ▪ sets up the government▪ defines the government ▪ protects basic rights of Americans 3. The idea ofself-government isin the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? ▪ We the People 4. What is an amendment? ▪ a change (to the Constitution) ▪ an addition (to the Constitution) 5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? ▪ the Bill of Rights 6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* ▪ speech ▪ religion ▪ assembly ▪ press ▪ petition the government 7. How many amendments doesthe Constitution have? ▪ twenty-seven (27) 8. What did the Declaration of Independence do? ▪ announced ourindependence (from Great Britain) ▪ declared ourindependence (from Great Britain) ▪ 9. What are two rightsin the Declaration of Independence? ▪ life ▪ liberty ▪ pursuit of happiness 10. What isfreedom of religion? ▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion. 11. What is the economic system in the United States?* ▪ capitalist economy ▪ market economy 12. What is the “rule of law”? ▪ Everyone must follow the law. ▪ Leaders must obey the law. ▪ Government must obey the law. ▪ No one is above the law. B: System of Government 13. Name one branch or part of the government.* ▪ Congress▪ legislative ▪ President ▪ executive ▪ the courts ▪ judicial 14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? ▪ checks and balances▪separation of powers 15. Who isin charge of the executive branch? ▪ the President 16. Who makesfederal laws? ▪ Congress▪ Senate and House (of Representatives) ▪ (U.S. or national) legislature 17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* ▪ the Senate and House (of Representatives) 18. How many U.S. Senators are there? ▪ one hundred (100) 19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? ▪ six (6)