TCA Georgia HiSET Social Studies Computer Based Test
Exam
Question 1. Which idea is a core principle of natural rights theory in American government?
A) Governments are created by the consent of the governed
B) Governments have unlimited power
C) Rights are granted by the government
D) Power resides solely with the monarchy
Answer: A
Explanation: Natural rights theory asserts that individuals inherently possess rights such as life, liberty,
and property, and governments are created to protect these rights through the consent of the
governed.
Question 2. Which document announced the independence of the American colonies from Britain?
A) The Articles of Confederation
B) The U.S. Constitution
C) The Declaration of Independence
D) The Bill of Rights
Answer: C
Explanation: The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, declared the colonies' separation from
Britain and outlined principles justifying independence.
Question 3. What is the primary purpose of the U.S. Constitution?
A) To declare war on other nations
B) To establish the structure of government and protect individual rights
C) To outline the rules of trade
D) To regulate state taxes
Answer: B
Explanation: The Constitution establishes the framework of the federal government and guarantees
rights to individuals, providing a system of laws and principles.
Question 4. Which principle divides the powers of government into three branches?
A) Federalism
, TCA Georgia HiSET Social Studies Computer Based Test
Exam
B) Checks and Balances
C) Separation of Powers
D) Popular Sovereignty
Answer: C
Explanation: Separation of Powers divides government into the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Question 5. How does the system of checks and balances function in the U.S. government?
A) It allows Congress to pass laws without oversight
B) It enables each branch to limit the powers of the others
C) It ensures the President has unlimited veto power
D) It removes power from the judicial branch
Answer: B
Explanation: Checks and Balances allow each branch to monitor and limit the powers of the others,
maintaining a balance of power within the government.
Question 6. Which body is responsible for making laws at the federal level?
A) The President
B) The Supreme Court
C) Congress
D) The Federal Bureaucracy
Answer: C
Explanation: Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is responsible for
creating federal laws.
Question 7. Who is the head of the executive branch at the federal level?
A) The Speaker of the House
B) The President
C) The Chief Justice
, TCA Georgia HiSET Social Studies Computer Based Test
Exam
D) The Vice President
Answer: B
Explanation: The President is the chief executive officer of the United States, responsible for enforcing
laws and leading the federal government.
Question 8. What role does the Supreme Court play in the federal government?
A) Making laws
B) Enforcing laws
C) Interpreting laws and judicial review
D) Conducting elections
Answer: C
Explanation: The Supreme Court interprets laws and can declare laws or executive actions
unconstitutional through judicial review.
Question 9. Which method is used to elect the President of the United States?
A) Direct popular vote
B) Electoral College
C) Congressional appointment
D) State legislatures choose the President
Answer: B
Explanation: The Electoral College system is used to elect the President, where electors from each state
cast votes based on electoral votes.
Question 10. Which political party is traditionally associated with conservative policies in the U.S.?
A) Democratic Party
B) Republican Party
C) Green Party
D) Libertarian Party
Answer: B
, TCA Georgia HiSET Social Studies Computer Based Test
Exam
Explanation: The Republican Party generally advocates for conservative policies such as limited
government and free-market principles.
Question 11. What is the main purpose of civic duties such as voting?
A) To serve in the military
B) To participate in government and influence decisions
C) To pay taxes
D) To attend school
Answer: B
Explanation: Voting allows citizens to participate in democratic processes and influence government
policies and leadership.
Question 12. Which level of government is primarily responsible for public education?
A) Federal government
B) State government
C) Local government
D) International organizations
Answer: B
Explanation: State governments oversee public education systems, including curriculum standards and
school funding.
Question 13. Which event marked the beginning of American independence?
A) The Boston Tea Party
B) The signing of the Declaration of Independence
C) The Boston Massacre
D) The Constitutional Convention
Answer: B
Explanation: The signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 officially marked the colonies'
break from Britain.
Exam
Question 1. Which idea is a core principle of natural rights theory in American government?
A) Governments are created by the consent of the governed
B) Governments have unlimited power
C) Rights are granted by the government
D) Power resides solely with the monarchy
Answer: A
Explanation: Natural rights theory asserts that individuals inherently possess rights such as life, liberty,
and property, and governments are created to protect these rights through the consent of the
governed.
Question 2. Which document announced the independence of the American colonies from Britain?
A) The Articles of Confederation
B) The U.S. Constitution
C) The Declaration of Independence
D) The Bill of Rights
Answer: C
Explanation: The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, declared the colonies' separation from
Britain and outlined principles justifying independence.
Question 3. What is the primary purpose of the U.S. Constitution?
A) To declare war on other nations
B) To establish the structure of government and protect individual rights
C) To outline the rules of trade
D) To regulate state taxes
Answer: B
Explanation: The Constitution establishes the framework of the federal government and guarantees
rights to individuals, providing a system of laws and principles.
Question 4. Which principle divides the powers of government into three branches?
A) Federalism
, TCA Georgia HiSET Social Studies Computer Based Test
Exam
B) Checks and Balances
C) Separation of Powers
D) Popular Sovereignty
Answer: C
Explanation: Separation of Powers divides government into the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Question 5. How does the system of checks and balances function in the U.S. government?
A) It allows Congress to pass laws without oversight
B) It enables each branch to limit the powers of the others
C) It ensures the President has unlimited veto power
D) It removes power from the judicial branch
Answer: B
Explanation: Checks and Balances allow each branch to monitor and limit the powers of the others,
maintaining a balance of power within the government.
Question 6. Which body is responsible for making laws at the federal level?
A) The President
B) The Supreme Court
C) Congress
D) The Federal Bureaucracy
Answer: C
Explanation: Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is responsible for
creating federal laws.
Question 7. Who is the head of the executive branch at the federal level?
A) The Speaker of the House
B) The President
C) The Chief Justice
, TCA Georgia HiSET Social Studies Computer Based Test
Exam
D) The Vice President
Answer: B
Explanation: The President is the chief executive officer of the United States, responsible for enforcing
laws and leading the federal government.
Question 8. What role does the Supreme Court play in the federal government?
A) Making laws
B) Enforcing laws
C) Interpreting laws and judicial review
D) Conducting elections
Answer: C
Explanation: The Supreme Court interprets laws and can declare laws or executive actions
unconstitutional through judicial review.
Question 9. Which method is used to elect the President of the United States?
A) Direct popular vote
B) Electoral College
C) Congressional appointment
D) State legislatures choose the President
Answer: B
Explanation: The Electoral College system is used to elect the President, where electors from each state
cast votes based on electoral votes.
Question 10. Which political party is traditionally associated with conservative policies in the U.S.?
A) Democratic Party
B) Republican Party
C) Green Party
D) Libertarian Party
Answer: B
, TCA Georgia HiSET Social Studies Computer Based Test
Exam
Explanation: The Republican Party generally advocates for conservative policies such as limited
government and free-market principles.
Question 11. What is the main purpose of civic duties such as voting?
A) To serve in the military
B) To participate in government and influence decisions
C) To pay taxes
D) To attend school
Answer: B
Explanation: Voting allows citizens to participate in democratic processes and influence government
policies and leadership.
Question 12. Which level of government is primarily responsible for public education?
A) Federal government
B) State government
C) Local government
D) International organizations
Answer: B
Explanation: State governments oversee public education systems, including curriculum standards and
school funding.
Question 13. Which event marked the beginning of American independence?
A) The Boston Tea Party
B) The signing of the Declaration of Independence
C) The Boston Massacre
D) The Constitutional Convention
Answer: B
Explanation: The signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 officially marked the colonies'
break from Britain.
