FCLE Practice Exam
Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of
government?
a) Roman
b) Egyptian
c) Greek
d) Persian - Answers -a) Roman
During the 6th century BCE, the ancient Athenians divided the powers of their
government between 2 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 - Answers -a) by limiting government authority
A certain country is characterized by the following traits:
1. power achieved through inheritance
2. same ruling family for over a century
3. finite freedoms and rights
4. hierarchical social status
5. 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 -d) divine right of kings
Which modern democratic concept practiced in the United States is most like the
democratic process of ancient Greece?
a) the referendum
b) the presidential election
c) the primary election
d) the nominating convention - Answers -a) the referendum
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 - Answers -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 - Answers -
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 - Answers -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 - Answers -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
Which constitutional principle does the statement from President Nixon contradict?
a) separation of powers
b) republicanism
c) rule of law
d) equality - Answers -c) rule of law
Which form of government is based on popular sovereignty?
a) communism
b) dictatorship
c) monarchy
d) republic - Answers -d) republic
Use the provided Preamble to the United States Constitution to answer the question.
Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of
government?
a) Roman
b) Egyptian
c) Greek
d) Persian - Answers -a) Roman
During the 6th century BCE, the ancient Athenians divided the powers of their
government between 2 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 - Answers -a) by limiting government authority
A certain country is characterized by the following traits:
1. power achieved through inheritance
2. same ruling family for over a century
3. finite freedoms and rights
4. hierarchical social status
5. 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 -d) divine right of kings
Which modern democratic concept practiced in the United States is most like the
democratic process of ancient Greece?
a) the referendum
b) the presidential election
c) the primary election
d) the nominating convention - Answers -a) the referendum
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 - Answers -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 - Answers -
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 - Answers -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 - Answers -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
Which constitutional principle does the statement from President Nixon contradict?
a) separation of powers
b) republicanism
c) rule of law
d) equality - Answers -c) rule of law
Which form of government is based on popular sovereignty?
a) communism
b) dictatorship
c) monarchy
d) republic - Answers -d) republic
Use the provided Preamble to the United States Constitution to answer the question.
