CLEP American Government Last-Minute Study
Questions with Correct Answers 2025/2026
1. What was Plymouth Colony's first governing document?
Correct answer: Mayflower Compact
Explanation: In the Mayflower Compact, the colonists agreed to live under the
colony's recognized authority… consent of the governed.
2. What 1215 document set limits on the English monarch's powers and
helped make the U.S. Constitution possible?
Correct answer: Magna Carta
3. The U.S. was formed, and continues to operate as what type of nation?
Correct answer: Sovereign Nation
Explanation: No other country has control over the U.S.
4. Which body of colonial leaders devised the Articles of Confederation?
Correct answer: Second Continental Congress
5. Which document empowered the government to declare war, regulate
coinage… but not draft soldiers?
Correct answer: Articles of Confederation
6. Which document sought to correct the problems caused by the Articles of
Confederation?
Correct answer: Constitution
7. As a condition for ratification of the Constitution, opponents demanded a list
of rights inspired by what document?
Correct answer: English Bill of Rights
8. While framing the Constitution, who sought to limit factions?
, Correct answer: James Madison
9. What series of papers were written under the name “Publius” to support the
Constitution?
Correct answer: The Federalist Papers
10. What collection of works opposed the ratification of the Constitution?
Correct answer: The Anti-Federalist Papers
11. In what pamphlet did Thomas Paine advocate independence from Britain?
Correct answer: Common Sense
12. In what works did John Locke outline natural rights and social contract
theory?
Correct answer: Two Treatises of Government
13. Which English philosopher’s words appear almost verbatim in the
Declaration of Independence?
Correct answer: John Locke
14. Which philosopher influenced separation of powers?
Correct answer: Montesquieu
15. Which two political parties were the first to emerge in the U.S.?
Correct answer: Democratic Republican, Federalist
16. Jackson’s supporters formed which party, and his opponents formed
which?
Correct answer: Democratic Party, Whig Party
Questions with Correct Answers 2025/2026
1. What was Plymouth Colony's first governing document?
Correct answer: Mayflower Compact
Explanation: In the Mayflower Compact, the colonists agreed to live under the
colony's recognized authority… consent of the governed.
2. What 1215 document set limits on the English monarch's powers and
helped make the U.S. Constitution possible?
Correct answer: Magna Carta
3. The U.S. was formed, and continues to operate as what type of nation?
Correct answer: Sovereign Nation
Explanation: No other country has control over the U.S.
4. Which body of colonial leaders devised the Articles of Confederation?
Correct answer: Second Continental Congress
5. Which document empowered the government to declare war, regulate
coinage… but not draft soldiers?
Correct answer: Articles of Confederation
6. Which document sought to correct the problems caused by the Articles of
Confederation?
Correct answer: Constitution
7. As a condition for ratification of the Constitution, opponents demanded a list
of rights inspired by what document?
Correct answer: English Bill of Rights
8. While framing the Constitution, who sought to limit factions?
, Correct answer: James Madison
9. What series of papers were written under the name “Publius” to support the
Constitution?
Correct answer: The Federalist Papers
10. What collection of works opposed the ratification of the Constitution?
Correct answer: The Anti-Federalist Papers
11. In what pamphlet did Thomas Paine advocate independence from Britain?
Correct answer: Common Sense
12. In what works did John Locke outline natural rights and social contract
theory?
Correct answer: Two Treatises of Government
13. Which English philosopher’s words appear almost verbatim in the
Declaration of Independence?
Correct answer: John Locke
14. Which philosopher influenced separation of powers?
Correct answer: Montesquieu
15. Which two political parties were the first to emerge in the U.S.?
Correct answer: Democratic Republican, Federalist
16. Jackson’s supporters formed which party, and his opponents formed
which?
Correct answer: Democratic Party, Whig Party
