FCLE EXAM COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FLORIDA CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT
PRINCIPLES
◉ What led to the creation of the English Declaration of Rights
(sometimes known as the "English Bill of Rights") in 1689?
Answer: Tension over who should rule; an individual or the people
◉ Who is considered to have been the most influential
Enlightenment philosopher on the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: John Locke
◉ What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact?
Answer: It is the first attempt by Europeans of self-government in
the colonies.
◉ What aspect of the U.S. Constitution was influenced by
Montesquieu?
Answer: Separation of powers
◉ For what purpose were the Federalist Papers written?
,Answer: To support ratification of the Constitution and explain its
commitment to limited government.
◉ What did the anti-Federalist want the Constitution to include?
Answer: A bill of rights
◉ What rights are listed in the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
◉ For what purpose did Thomas Paine write Common Sense?
Answer: To encourage the colonists to demand independence from
Great Britain
◉ Which of the following were thought to be weaknesses of the
government laid out by the Articles of Confederation?
Answer: no power to tax and no executive or judiciary
◉ A state that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
is practicing a form of:
Answer: direct democracy
◉ An individual's belief that ordinary citizens can affect what
government does is:
,Answer: political efficacy
◉ The principle that authority of the government rests in the hands
of the people is:
Answer: popular sovereignty
◉ The "rule of law" is best described as:
Answer: citizens are governed by laws; no one is above the law
◉ In the U.S., voters chose representatives from the state to
represent them in the U.S. Congress. This is known as:
Answer: indirect democracy
◉ Which of the following are reserved for U.S. citizens only?
Answer: voting, serving on a jury, and holding federal office
◉ Which of the following best are the two dominant political parties
in the U.S.
Answer: Democrats and Republicans
◉ In general, the Republican party is ideologically
Answer: conservative
, ◉ Who is responsible for registering voters in the state of Florida?
Answer: a county supervisor of elections
◉ Who is the chief executive in a state?
Answer: the governor
◉ Congress creates laws, but those laws can be vetoed by the
president or overturned by the Supreme Court. This is an example of
a Constitutional principle known as:
Answer: Checks and Balances
◉ Articles one, two, and three in the Constitution reflect which
constitutional principle:
Answer: separation of powers
◉ Which part of the U.S. Constitution declares it to be the supreme
law of the land?
Answer: Article VI
◉ The concept of self-government can be found in:
Answer: the preamble beginning with "we the people"
2026 FLORIDA CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT
PRINCIPLES
◉ What led to the creation of the English Declaration of Rights
(sometimes known as the "English Bill of Rights") in 1689?
Answer: Tension over who should rule; an individual or the people
◉ Who is considered to have been the most influential
Enlightenment philosopher on the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: John Locke
◉ What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact?
Answer: It is the first attempt by Europeans of self-government in
the colonies.
◉ What aspect of the U.S. Constitution was influenced by
Montesquieu?
Answer: Separation of powers
◉ For what purpose were the Federalist Papers written?
,Answer: To support ratification of the Constitution and explain its
commitment to limited government.
◉ What did the anti-Federalist want the Constitution to include?
Answer: A bill of rights
◉ What rights are listed in the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
◉ For what purpose did Thomas Paine write Common Sense?
Answer: To encourage the colonists to demand independence from
Great Britain
◉ Which of the following were thought to be weaknesses of the
government laid out by the Articles of Confederation?
Answer: no power to tax and no executive or judiciary
◉ A state that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
is practicing a form of:
Answer: direct democracy
◉ An individual's belief that ordinary citizens can affect what
government does is:
,Answer: political efficacy
◉ The principle that authority of the government rests in the hands
of the people is:
Answer: popular sovereignty
◉ The "rule of law" is best described as:
Answer: citizens are governed by laws; no one is above the law
◉ In the U.S., voters chose representatives from the state to
represent them in the U.S. Congress. This is known as:
Answer: indirect democracy
◉ Which of the following are reserved for U.S. citizens only?
Answer: voting, serving on a jury, and holding federal office
◉ Which of the following best are the two dominant political parties
in the U.S.
Answer: Democrats and Republicans
◉ In general, the Republican party is ideologically
Answer: conservative
, ◉ Who is responsible for registering voters in the state of Florida?
Answer: a county supervisor of elections
◉ Who is the chief executive in a state?
Answer: the governor
◉ Congress creates laws, but those laws can be vetoed by the
president or overturned by the Supreme Court. This is an example of
a Constitutional principle known as:
Answer: Checks and Balances
◉ Articles one, two, and three in the Constitution reflect which
constitutional principle:
Answer: separation of powers
◉ Which part of the U.S. Constitution declares it to be the supreme
law of the land?
Answer: Article VI
◉ The concept of self-government can be found in:
Answer: the preamble beginning with "we the people"
