C963 - American Politics and the US Constitution Questions with
Verified Answers (Correct Update)
Question 1: Natural rights
Answer: the right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government
may take away
Question 2: State of nature
Answer: a theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence
Page 1
,Question 3: Due process
Answer: the requirement that government, when dealing with people, has in place fair
procedures that it applies equally to all
Question 4: Social contract
Answer: a powerful, foundational agreement between people and their government in
which citizens consent to be governed so long as the government protects their
natural rights
Question 5: Direct democracy a
Answer: form of democracy where people participate personally in making government
decisions instead of choosing representatives to do it for them
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,Question 6: Declaration of In- th
dependence
Answer: he original document, authored principally by Thomas Jetterson, that "birthed"
the US and started the Revolutionary War. It lists important natural rights and
grievances against the King of England, as well as declaring independence
Question 7: Bill of Rights
Answer: collectively, the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791; they
list citizens' civil liberties and civil rights
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, Question 8: Bicameral legislature
Answer: a lawmaking body in the legislative branch that consists of 2 separate chambers
or 2 separately elected groups of oflcials, such as Senators and Representatives,
like the Virginia Plan; bi- meaning "two", and camera, meaning "chamber", are
from Latin
Question 9: Political ideologies
Answer: a coherent philosophy about the structure, power, and purpose of government;
American political ideologies include progressive, liberal, moderate, independent, conservative, and
libertarian
Page 4
Verified Answers (Correct Update)
Question 1: Natural rights
Answer: the right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government
may take away
Question 2: State of nature
Answer: a theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence
Page 1
,Question 3: Due process
Answer: the requirement that government, when dealing with people, has in place fair
procedures that it applies equally to all
Question 4: Social contract
Answer: a powerful, foundational agreement between people and their government in
which citizens consent to be governed so long as the government protects their
natural rights
Question 5: Direct democracy a
Answer: form of democracy where people participate personally in making government
decisions instead of choosing representatives to do it for them
Page 2
,Question 6: Declaration of In- th
dependence
Answer: he original document, authored principally by Thomas Jetterson, that "birthed"
the US and started the Revolutionary War. It lists important natural rights and
grievances against the King of England, as well as declaring independence
Question 7: Bill of Rights
Answer: collectively, the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791; they
list citizens' civil liberties and civil rights
Page 3
, Question 8: Bicameral legislature
Answer: a lawmaking body in the legislative branch that consists of 2 separate chambers
or 2 separately elected groups of oflcials, such as Senators and Representatives,
like the Virginia Plan; bi- meaning "two", and camera, meaning "chamber", are
from Latin
Question 9: Political ideologies
Answer: a coherent philosophy about the structure, power, and purpose of government;
American political ideologies include progressive, liberal, moderate, independent, conservative, and
libertarian
Page 4
