MARYLAND CIVIC LITERACY EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED A+
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
A. The Declaration of Independence
B. The Constitution
C. The Bill of Rights
D. The Articles of Confederation
Rationale:
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It establishes the framework for
the federal government and takes precedence over any state laws or prior
documents such as the Articles of Confederation.
2. What does the Constitution do?
A. Declares our independence
B. Creates a system of education
,C. Sets up the government and protects basic rights of Americans
D. Guarantees minimum wage
Rationale:
The Constitution establishes the structure of the U.S. government, defines its
powers, and protects the fundamental rights of citizens.
3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution.
What are these words?
A. We the People
B. Life, Liberty, Happiness
C. United States Forever
D. Government of America
Rationale:
“We the People” emphasizes that government power comes from the citizens,
embodying the principle of popular sovereignty.
4. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
A. Bear arms
B. Speech
C. Trial by jury
D. Vote
,Rationale:
The First Amendment protects freedoms including speech, religion, press,
assembly, and petition. The right to bear arms is from the Second Amendment.
5. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
A. Gave women the right to vote
B. Ended the Civil War
C. Declared our independence from Great Britain
D. Created the Constitution
Rationale:
The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, announced the American
colonies' separation from British rule.
6. Who makes federal laws?
A. The President
B. Congress
C. The Supreme Court
D. The States
Rationale:
Federal laws are made by Congress, which is composed of the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
7. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
, A. The President and Vice President
B. The Senate and House of Representatives
C. The Cabinet and Supreme Court
D. The States and Federal Government
Rationale:
The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
8. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
A. The Speaker of the House
B. The President
C. The Chief Justice
D. The Secretary of State
Rationale:
The President leads the executive branch, which enforces federal laws and
administers the government.
9. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
A. Elections
B. Checks and balances
C. Public opinion
D. Political parties
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED A+
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
A. The Declaration of Independence
B. The Constitution
C. The Bill of Rights
D. The Articles of Confederation
Rationale:
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It establishes the framework for
the federal government and takes precedence over any state laws or prior
documents such as the Articles of Confederation.
2. What does the Constitution do?
A. Declares our independence
B. Creates a system of education
,C. Sets up the government and protects basic rights of Americans
D. Guarantees minimum wage
Rationale:
The Constitution establishes the structure of the U.S. government, defines its
powers, and protects the fundamental rights of citizens.
3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution.
What are these words?
A. We the People
B. Life, Liberty, Happiness
C. United States Forever
D. Government of America
Rationale:
“We the People” emphasizes that government power comes from the citizens,
embodying the principle of popular sovereignty.
4. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
A. Bear arms
B. Speech
C. Trial by jury
D. Vote
,Rationale:
The First Amendment protects freedoms including speech, religion, press,
assembly, and petition. The right to bear arms is from the Second Amendment.
5. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
A. Gave women the right to vote
B. Ended the Civil War
C. Declared our independence from Great Britain
D. Created the Constitution
Rationale:
The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, announced the American
colonies' separation from British rule.
6. Who makes federal laws?
A. The President
B. Congress
C. The Supreme Court
D. The States
Rationale:
Federal laws are made by Congress, which is composed of the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
7. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
, A. The President and Vice President
B. The Senate and House of Representatives
C. The Cabinet and Supreme Court
D. The States and Federal Government
Rationale:
The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
8. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
A. The Speaker of the House
B. The President
C. The Chief Justice
D. The Secretary of State
Rationale:
The President leads the executive branch, which enforces federal laws and
administers the government.
9. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
A. Elections
B. Checks and balances
C. Public opinion
D. Political parties
