PURDUE UNIVERSITY CIVICS LITERACY EXAM
QUESTIONS & UPDATED COMPLETE ANSWERS
/. Limited Government - Answer-The government can only do what the constitution
allows
/.Rule of Law - Answer-A principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who
govern
/.Checks and Balances - Answer-A system that allows each branch of government to
limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
/.Separation of Powers - Answer-Division of powers among the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches
/.Legislative branch - Answer-Makes laws
/.Executive branch - Answer-Enforces laws
/.Judicial branch - Answer-Interprets the laws
/.Declaration of Independence - Answer-Signed in 1776 declaring the United States as
a free state.
/.Articles of Confederation - Answer-1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788
(weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)
/.Great compromise - Answer-1787; Gave power to congress, created electoral college,
house of reps, and supreme court
/.electoral college - Answer-number depends on state population
/.supreme court - Answer-consists of 9 justices appointed by president and confirmed
by congress.
/.3/5ths clause - Answer-1787; stated that slaves counted as 3/5 of a person when
speaking of state population for representation
/.senators are elected how? - Answer-elected in statewide election
/.senator terms - Answer-6 years
QUESTIONS & UPDATED COMPLETE ANSWERS
/. Limited Government - Answer-The government can only do what the constitution
allows
/.Rule of Law - Answer-A principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who
govern
/.Checks and Balances - Answer-A system that allows each branch of government to
limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
/.Separation of Powers - Answer-Division of powers among the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches
/.Legislative branch - Answer-Makes laws
/.Executive branch - Answer-Enforces laws
/.Judicial branch - Answer-Interprets the laws
/.Declaration of Independence - Answer-Signed in 1776 declaring the United States as
a free state.
/.Articles of Confederation - Answer-1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788
(weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)
/.Great compromise - Answer-1787; Gave power to congress, created electoral college,
house of reps, and supreme court
/.electoral college - Answer-number depends on state population
/.supreme court - Answer-consists of 9 justices appointed by president and confirmed
by congress.
/.3/5ths clause - Answer-1787; stated that slaves counted as 3/5 of a person when
speaking of state population for representation
/.senators are elected how? - Answer-elected in statewide election
/.senator terms - Answer-6 years
