Florida Civic Literacy Exam FCLE 2024 Preparation Guide
Florida Civic Literacy Exam FCLE 2024 –
30 Verified Questions & Answers
Prepared for Florida College and University Students
Date: June 14, 2025
Introduction
This professional guide is crafted for students preparing for the Florida Civic Literacy Exam
(FCLE) in 2024, a graduation requirement for Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Bac-
calaureate degree-seeking students in Florida’s public institutions, per Florida Statute 1007.25.
The FCLE evaluates civic literacy across four domains: American Democracy, U.S. Consti-
tution, Founding Documents, and Landmark Impact on Law and Society. This document pro-
vides 30 verified multiple-choice questions with detailed step-by-step explanations, aligned with
2024 FLDOE standards. Each question includes four answer choices, the correct answer, and
an explanation to deepen understanding. Additional sections offer preparation tips, curated re-
sources, a practice strategy, and common pitfalls to avoid, ensuring you achieve the required
passing score of 60% (48/80 questions) and excel in your civic literacy assessment.
1 Verified Questions and Answers
1. Which principle prevents any single branch of government from dominating?
A. Federalism
B. Checks and balances
C. Popular sovereignty
D. Judicial review
Correct Answer: B. Checks and balances
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Define principle: Checks and balances distribute power among legislative, executive,
and judicial branches to prevent overreach.
2. Analyze options: Federalism (A) divides federal and state powers, popular sovereignty
(C) empowers citizens, judicial review (D) checks laws.
3. Confirm: Checks and balances enable inter-branch oversight (e.g., vetoes, overrides).
Study Tip: Review Articles I–III for branch interactions.
2. Which Supreme Court case established judicial review?
A. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
B. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
C. Roe v. Wade (1973)
D. Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Correct Answer: B. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Define judicial review: Courts’ authority to declare laws unconstitutional.
2. Identify case: Marbury v. Madison, under Chief Justice Marshall, set this precedent.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Brown (A) ended segregation, Roe (C) protected abortion,
Miranda (D) ensured suspect rights.
4. Confirm: Marbury established judicial review’s foundation.
Page 1
, Florida Civic Literacy Exam FCLE 2024 Preparation Guide
Study Tip: Memorize landmark cases’ core impacts.
3. What is the supreme law of the United States?
A. State constitutions
B. U.S. Constitution
C. Declaration of Independence
D. Articles of Confederation
Correct Answer: B. U.S. Constitution
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Define supreme law: The U.S. Constitution is the highest legal authority, per Article
VI.
2. Eliminate alternatives: State constitutions (A) are subordinate, Declaration (C) is
philosophical, Articles (D) were superseded.
3. Confirm: The Constitution governs federal authority.
Study Tip: Study Article VI for supremacy clause.
4. Which document introduced the rule of law concept?
A. Declaration of Independence
B. Magna Carta
C. U.S. Constitution
D. Articles of Confederation
Correct Answer: B. Magna Carta
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Define rule of law: No one is above the law, established by the Magna Carta (1215).
2. Analyze options: Declaration (A) claims independence, Constitution (C) structures
government, Articles (D) were temporary.
3. Confirm: Magna Carta influenced legal accountability.
Study Tip: Link Magna Carta to constitutional principles.
5. Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech?
A. Second Amendment
B. First Amendment
C. Fourth Amendment
D. Fifth Amendment
Correct Answer: B. First Amendment
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Identify amendment: The First Amendment protects speech, press, religion, assembly,
and petition.
2. Eliminate alternatives: Second (A) covers arms, Fourth (C) searches, Fifth (D) due
process.
3. Confirm: First Amendment safeguards core liberties.
Study Tip: Memorize Bill of Rights amendments.
6. What is the minimum number of U.S. House members per state?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Correct Answer: A. One
Step-by-Step Explanation:
Page 2
Florida Civic Literacy Exam FCLE 2024 –
30 Verified Questions & Answers
Prepared for Florida College and University Students
Date: June 14, 2025
Introduction
This professional guide is crafted for students preparing for the Florida Civic Literacy Exam
(FCLE) in 2024, a graduation requirement for Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Bac-
calaureate degree-seeking students in Florida’s public institutions, per Florida Statute 1007.25.
The FCLE evaluates civic literacy across four domains: American Democracy, U.S. Consti-
tution, Founding Documents, and Landmark Impact on Law and Society. This document pro-
vides 30 verified multiple-choice questions with detailed step-by-step explanations, aligned with
2024 FLDOE standards. Each question includes four answer choices, the correct answer, and
an explanation to deepen understanding. Additional sections offer preparation tips, curated re-
sources, a practice strategy, and common pitfalls to avoid, ensuring you achieve the required
passing score of 60% (48/80 questions) and excel in your civic literacy assessment.
1 Verified Questions and Answers
1. Which principle prevents any single branch of government from dominating?
A. Federalism
B. Checks and balances
C. Popular sovereignty
D. Judicial review
Correct Answer: B. Checks and balances
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Define principle: Checks and balances distribute power among legislative, executive,
and judicial branches to prevent overreach.
2. Analyze options: Federalism (A) divides federal and state powers, popular sovereignty
(C) empowers citizens, judicial review (D) checks laws.
3. Confirm: Checks and balances enable inter-branch oversight (e.g., vetoes, overrides).
Study Tip: Review Articles I–III for branch interactions.
2. Which Supreme Court case established judicial review?
A. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
B. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
C. Roe v. Wade (1973)
D. Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Correct Answer: B. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Define judicial review: Courts’ authority to declare laws unconstitutional.
2. Identify case: Marbury v. Madison, under Chief Justice Marshall, set this precedent.
3. Eliminate alternatives: Brown (A) ended segregation, Roe (C) protected abortion,
Miranda (D) ensured suspect rights.
4. Confirm: Marbury established judicial review’s foundation.
Page 1
, Florida Civic Literacy Exam FCLE 2024 Preparation Guide
Study Tip: Memorize landmark cases’ core impacts.
3. What is the supreme law of the United States?
A. State constitutions
B. U.S. Constitution
C. Declaration of Independence
D. Articles of Confederation
Correct Answer: B. U.S. Constitution
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Define supreme law: The U.S. Constitution is the highest legal authority, per Article
VI.
2. Eliminate alternatives: State constitutions (A) are subordinate, Declaration (C) is
philosophical, Articles (D) were superseded.
3. Confirm: The Constitution governs federal authority.
Study Tip: Study Article VI for supremacy clause.
4. Which document introduced the rule of law concept?
A. Declaration of Independence
B. Magna Carta
C. U.S. Constitution
D. Articles of Confederation
Correct Answer: B. Magna Carta
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Define rule of law: No one is above the law, established by the Magna Carta (1215).
2. Analyze options: Declaration (A) claims independence, Constitution (C) structures
government, Articles (D) were temporary.
3. Confirm: Magna Carta influenced legal accountability.
Study Tip: Link Magna Carta to constitutional principles.
5. Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech?
A. Second Amendment
B. First Amendment
C. Fourth Amendment
D. Fifth Amendment
Correct Answer: B. First Amendment
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Identify amendment: The First Amendment protects speech, press, religion, assembly,
and petition.
2. Eliminate alternatives: Second (A) covers arms, Fourth (C) searches, Fifth (D) due
process.
3. Confirm: First Amendment safeguards core liberties.
Study Tip: Memorize Bill of Rights amendments.
6. What is the minimum number of U.S. House members per state?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Correct Answer: A. One
Step-by-Step Explanation:
Page 2
