StraighterLine American Government
Final Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025|2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
Which principle of government holds that power ultimately rests with the
people?
a) Federalism
b) Separation of powers
c) Popular sovereignty
d) Checks and balances
Popular sovereignty means that the authority of the government comes from
the consent of the governed.
2.
,What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
a) It gave too much power to the executive branch
b) It created a weak national government with no power to tax
c) It allowed states to print their own currency
d) It had a powerful national judiciary
The Articles created a loose confederation and denied Congress the power to
levy taxes, weakening national authority.
3.
Which compromise at the Constitutional Convention created a bicameral
legislature?
a) Three-Fifths Compromise
b) Great Compromise
c) Virginia Plan
d) New Jersey Plan
The Great Compromise combined the Virginia and New Jersey plans to create
a two-chamber Congress.
4.
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution primarily to:
a) Expand presidential power
b) Establish judicial review
c) Protect individual liberties from the federal government
d) Strengthen Congress
,The first ten amendments safeguard individual rights such as freedom of
speech and religion.
5.
Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?
a) Executive
b) Judicial
c) Legislative
d) Bureaucratic
Congress, composed of the House and Senate, has the constitutional power
to make laws.
6.
The concept of judicial review was established in which Supreme Court
case?
a) Dred Scott v. Sandford
b) McCulloch v. Maryland
c) Marbury v. Madison
d) Gibbons v. Ogden
Marbury v. Madison (1803) gave courts the authority to declare laws
unconstitutional.
7.
What is the primary function of the executive branch?
a) Interpret laws
, b) Make laws
c) Enforce laws
d) Amend the Constitution
The president and executive agencies enforce and implement congressional
legislation.
8.
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
a) 19th
b) 24th
c) 26th
d) 26th
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, granted 18-year-olds the right to
vote.
9.
The principle of federalism divides power between:
a) Congress and the President
b) States and local governments
c) National and state governments
d) The House and Senate
Federalism shares governing authority between national and state levels.
10.
Final Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025|2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
Which principle of government holds that power ultimately rests with the
people?
a) Federalism
b) Separation of powers
c) Popular sovereignty
d) Checks and balances
Popular sovereignty means that the authority of the government comes from
the consent of the governed.
2.
,What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
a) It gave too much power to the executive branch
b) It created a weak national government with no power to tax
c) It allowed states to print their own currency
d) It had a powerful national judiciary
The Articles created a loose confederation and denied Congress the power to
levy taxes, weakening national authority.
3.
Which compromise at the Constitutional Convention created a bicameral
legislature?
a) Three-Fifths Compromise
b) Great Compromise
c) Virginia Plan
d) New Jersey Plan
The Great Compromise combined the Virginia and New Jersey plans to create
a two-chamber Congress.
4.
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution primarily to:
a) Expand presidential power
b) Establish judicial review
c) Protect individual liberties from the federal government
d) Strengthen Congress
,The first ten amendments safeguard individual rights such as freedom of
speech and religion.
5.
Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?
a) Executive
b) Judicial
c) Legislative
d) Bureaucratic
Congress, composed of the House and Senate, has the constitutional power
to make laws.
6.
The concept of judicial review was established in which Supreme Court
case?
a) Dred Scott v. Sandford
b) McCulloch v. Maryland
c) Marbury v. Madison
d) Gibbons v. Ogden
Marbury v. Madison (1803) gave courts the authority to declare laws
unconstitutional.
7.
What is the primary function of the executive branch?
a) Interpret laws
, b) Make laws
c) Enforce laws
d) Amend the Constitution
The president and executive agencies enforce and implement congressional
legislation.
8.
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
a) 19th
b) 24th
c) 26th
d) 26th
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, granted 18-year-olds the right to
vote.
9.
The principle of federalism divides power between:
a) Congress and the President
b) States and local governments
c) National and state governments
d) The House and Senate
Federalism shares governing authority between national and state levels.
10.
