CIVIC LITERACY STUDY PRACTICE 2026
NEWLY UPDATED EXAM ELITE SYSTEM
WITH AUTHENTIC SOLUTIONS AND
COMPLETE ANSWERS
The Structure of U.S. Government
Q: The United States is an example of which type of government?
A: ✔✔ A Constitutional Republic.
While the U.S. is often called a democracy, it is more specifically a constitutional
republic.
Constitutional: The government's power is limited by a written document
(the Constitution).
Republic: A form of government where the people exercise their power
through elected representatives rather than by voting on every law directly.
Q: Which is an example of federalism?
A: ✔✔ Power being shared between state and national governments.
Federalism is the division of power between a central (federal) authority and
regional (state) authorities.
Contrast: "Power being separated among branches" is called Separation of
Powers (Legislative, Executive, Judicial). Federalism is about the vertical
layer of government, while separation of powers is the horizontal layer.
National Holidays and Military Service
Q: What do Memorial Day and Veterans Day honor?
A: ✔✔ The service and ultimate sacrifice of those in the U.S. Armed Forces.
While both holidays honor the military, they have distinct purposes that are often
confused:
Holiday When Primary Purpose
Memorial Last Monday To mourn and honor military personnel who died in
Day in May the service of their country (the "ultimate sacrifice").
To thank and honor all who served honorably in the
Veterans November
military—living or deceased—in wartime or
Day 11th
peacetime.
the sacrifices of military personnel -ANSWER✔✔the sacrifices of military
personnel
,Which part of the U.S. government was created to reflect the position that
governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed?
the bureaucracy
the executive
the judiciary
the legislature -ANSWER✔✔the legislature
Which document represents the supreme law of the land?
the Mayflower Compact
the Magna Carta
the Declaration of Independence
the U.S. Constitution -ANSWER✔✔the U.S. Constitution
Which government official is elected by the people?
a congressional staffer
a governor
a lobbyist
a federal judge -ANSWER✔✔a governor
Which right is reserved for U.S. citizens?
earning an income
running for federal office
buying a home
, serving in the military -ANSWER✔✔running for federal office
Which executive power can the U.S. President exercise to check legislative power?
appoint ambassadors
veto
tax
judicial review -ANSWER✔✔veto
The excerpt below is from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
"nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Which government power is described by this excerpt?
bill of attainder
writ of habeas corpus
eminent domain
territorial acquisition -ANSWER✔✔eminent domain
Which U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Korematsu v. United States (1944)
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) -ANSWER✔✔Brown v. Board of Education of
Topeka (1954)
How does the outcome in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) affect the rights of the
accused?
It established that the accused has the right to the assistance of counsel.
NEWLY UPDATED EXAM ELITE SYSTEM
WITH AUTHENTIC SOLUTIONS AND
COMPLETE ANSWERS
The Structure of U.S. Government
Q: The United States is an example of which type of government?
A: ✔✔ A Constitutional Republic.
While the U.S. is often called a democracy, it is more specifically a constitutional
republic.
Constitutional: The government's power is limited by a written document
(the Constitution).
Republic: A form of government where the people exercise their power
through elected representatives rather than by voting on every law directly.
Q: Which is an example of federalism?
A: ✔✔ Power being shared between state and national governments.
Federalism is the division of power between a central (federal) authority and
regional (state) authorities.
Contrast: "Power being separated among branches" is called Separation of
Powers (Legislative, Executive, Judicial). Federalism is about the vertical
layer of government, while separation of powers is the horizontal layer.
National Holidays and Military Service
Q: What do Memorial Day and Veterans Day honor?
A: ✔✔ The service and ultimate sacrifice of those in the U.S. Armed Forces.
While both holidays honor the military, they have distinct purposes that are often
confused:
Holiday When Primary Purpose
Memorial Last Monday To mourn and honor military personnel who died in
Day in May the service of their country (the "ultimate sacrifice").
To thank and honor all who served honorably in the
Veterans November
military—living or deceased—in wartime or
Day 11th
peacetime.
the sacrifices of military personnel -ANSWER✔✔the sacrifices of military
personnel
,Which part of the U.S. government was created to reflect the position that
governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed?
the bureaucracy
the executive
the judiciary
the legislature -ANSWER✔✔the legislature
Which document represents the supreme law of the land?
the Mayflower Compact
the Magna Carta
the Declaration of Independence
the U.S. Constitution -ANSWER✔✔the U.S. Constitution
Which government official is elected by the people?
a congressional staffer
a governor
a lobbyist
a federal judge -ANSWER✔✔a governor
Which right is reserved for U.S. citizens?
earning an income
running for federal office
buying a home
, serving in the military -ANSWER✔✔running for federal office
Which executive power can the U.S. President exercise to check legislative power?
appoint ambassadors
veto
tax
judicial review -ANSWER✔✔veto
The excerpt below is from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
"nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Which government power is described by this excerpt?
bill of attainder
writ of habeas corpus
eminent domain
territorial acquisition -ANSWER✔✔eminent domain
Which U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Korematsu v. United States (1944)
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) -ANSWER✔✔Brown v. Board of Education of
Topeka (1954)
How does the outcome in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) affect the rights of the
accused?
It established that the accused has the right to the assistance of counsel.
