Civic Literacy
1. A citizen is protesting outside a government building, holding a sign. The police approach and tell
him to disperse. On what Constitutional grounds could this citizen defend his right to protest?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech and assembly.
2. During a school board meeting, students want to voice their opinions about curriculum changes
but are told to remain silent to avoid disturbance. Which Constitutional right could they cite to
contest this restriction?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
3. A law is passed that restricts adults under 21 from purchasing any firearm. What legal principle
could be challenged if it is argued this law discriminates based on age?
o Answer: Equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment.
4. A journalist publishes a negative article about a public figure, who then sues for defamation.
What defense might the journalist use based on Constitutional protections?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of the press.
5. A police officer conducts a search of a person's home without a warrant or consent, following a
hunch. Under what Constitutional protection could this search be contested?
o Answer: Fourth Amendment - protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
6. A governmental agency denies a permit for a peaceful gathering based solely on the content of
the speech planned. What Constitutional principle could be invoked to challenge this decision?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
7. A defendant in a criminal case argues they did not receive a fair trial because they were not
given an attorney. Which Constitutional amendment supports this claim?
o Answer: Sixth Amendment - right to counsel.
8. A law is enacted that makes it illegal for people to criticize the government. On what grounds
could citizens challenge this law?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
9. An executive order is issued to surveil all communications of a specific political group without a
warrant. Which Constitutional protection might this violate?
o Answer: Fourth Amendment - protection against unreasonable search and seizure.
10. A public school enforces a dress code that prohibits religious symbols. How could students argue
this policy violates their rights?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of religion.
, 11. A woman is fired from her job for taking time off to care for her sick child. Which law could she
invoke to contest her termination?
o Answer: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
12. A local government bans all forms of outdoor advertising. Companies that sell advertising could
argue this action violates which right?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
13. An immigrant faces deportation without a legal hearing. Which constitutional right could be
claimed to challenge this action?
o Answer: Fifth Amendment - due process of law.
14. Citizens are required to show identification at the polls, which some argue disenfranchises
certain voters. Which principle could be used to contest this requirement?
o Answer: Voting rights under the Voting Rights Act.
15. A local college disinvites a controversial speaker due to backlash from students. What First
Amendment issue could arise from this decision?
o Answer: Freedom of speech and academic freedom.
16. Residents challenge a city's zoning laws that restrict where they can place political signs. What
right could they argue is being violated?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
17. A police officer is recorded beating a suspect, and charges are brought against the officer. Which
constitutional clause may be applied in prosecuting police misconduct?
o Answer: Fourteenth Amendment - equal protection under the law.
18. A government agency dismisses an employee for whistleblowing on unlawful practices. What
constitutional protection might the employee invoke?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
19. Students wish to distribute flyers advocating for a political cause on campus, but the
administration restricts this. What right can students argue is being infringed?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
20. A man is stopped and arrested for loitering in a public park. If he argues he was merely sitting on
a bench, which Constitutional right might he claim was violated?
o Answer: Fourth Amendment - protection against unreasonable seizures.
21. Members of a religious group are denied the use of a public park for a gathering. Which
Constitutional amendment protects their right to gather?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of assembly.
1. A citizen is protesting outside a government building, holding a sign. The police approach and tell
him to disperse. On what Constitutional grounds could this citizen defend his right to protest?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech and assembly.
2. During a school board meeting, students want to voice their opinions about curriculum changes
but are told to remain silent to avoid disturbance. Which Constitutional right could they cite to
contest this restriction?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
3. A law is passed that restricts adults under 21 from purchasing any firearm. What legal principle
could be challenged if it is argued this law discriminates based on age?
o Answer: Equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment.
4. A journalist publishes a negative article about a public figure, who then sues for defamation.
What defense might the journalist use based on Constitutional protections?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of the press.
5. A police officer conducts a search of a person's home without a warrant or consent, following a
hunch. Under what Constitutional protection could this search be contested?
o Answer: Fourth Amendment - protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
6. A governmental agency denies a permit for a peaceful gathering based solely on the content of
the speech planned. What Constitutional principle could be invoked to challenge this decision?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
7. A defendant in a criminal case argues they did not receive a fair trial because they were not
given an attorney. Which Constitutional amendment supports this claim?
o Answer: Sixth Amendment - right to counsel.
8. A law is enacted that makes it illegal for people to criticize the government. On what grounds
could citizens challenge this law?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
9. An executive order is issued to surveil all communications of a specific political group without a
warrant. Which Constitutional protection might this violate?
o Answer: Fourth Amendment - protection against unreasonable search and seizure.
10. A public school enforces a dress code that prohibits religious symbols. How could students argue
this policy violates their rights?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of religion.
, 11. A woman is fired from her job for taking time off to care for her sick child. Which law could she
invoke to contest her termination?
o Answer: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
12. A local government bans all forms of outdoor advertising. Companies that sell advertising could
argue this action violates which right?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
13. An immigrant faces deportation without a legal hearing. Which constitutional right could be
claimed to challenge this action?
o Answer: Fifth Amendment - due process of law.
14. Citizens are required to show identification at the polls, which some argue disenfranchises
certain voters. Which principle could be used to contest this requirement?
o Answer: Voting rights under the Voting Rights Act.
15. A local college disinvites a controversial speaker due to backlash from students. What First
Amendment issue could arise from this decision?
o Answer: Freedom of speech and academic freedom.
16. Residents challenge a city's zoning laws that restrict where they can place political signs. What
right could they argue is being violated?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
17. A police officer is recorded beating a suspect, and charges are brought against the officer. Which
constitutional clause may be applied in prosecuting police misconduct?
o Answer: Fourteenth Amendment - equal protection under the law.
18. A government agency dismisses an employee for whistleblowing on unlawful practices. What
constitutional protection might the employee invoke?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
19. Students wish to distribute flyers advocating for a political cause on campus, but the
administration restricts this. What right can students argue is being infringed?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of speech.
20. A man is stopped and arrested for loitering in a public park. If he argues he was merely sitting on
a bench, which Constitutional right might he claim was violated?
o Answer: Fourth Amendment - protection against unreasonable seizures.
21. Members of a religious group are denied the use of a public park for a gathering. Which
Constitutional amendment protects their right to gather?
o Answer: First Amendment - freedom of assembly.
