Civics Benchmark Review & EOC Study Guide Questions and Answers
1. 1. The Enlightenment idea of separation of powers was developed by?: Mon-
tesquieu
2. 2. John Locke's theory that certain truths in society come from and are gov-
erned by nature is known as the theory of?: Natural Law
3. 3. Describe John Locke's theory of social contract.: Citizens surrender some rights (not a
state of nature) to live by laws and be protected by a government.
4. 4. What document guaranteed that not even the king or queen was above the
law.: Magna Carta- Limited Government-Trial by Jury-Rule of Law
5. 5. Explain the significance of the English Bill of Rights on the development of
the U.S. Constitution.: English Bill of Rights - listed guaranteed rights of Englishmen and the anti-federalists
wanted to list the rights of Americans before they agreed to ratify the Constitution
6. 6. What was the first document that established self-government by creating
a direct democracy in the colonies?: Mayflower Compact
7. 7. This pamphlet was used to persuade members of the Second Continental
Congress and justified the ideals and reasons for independence from Great
Britain.: Common Sense written by Thomas Paine
8. 8. Give specific examples of colonial responses to English policies.: Boycotts &
Protests
• Stamp Act Congress
• Boston Tea Party
• Boycott imported goods
9. 9. What concerns of the colonists' led to the writing of the Declaration of
Independence?: King and Parliament did not respect the colonies rights in lawmaking.
10. 10. What were the main complaints/arguments against Britain in the Decla-
ration of Independence?: Unfair Taxes
Unfair Acts (Quartering Act
Stamp Act, Tea Act, Intolerable Acts)
Lack of Representation in Parliament
Dissolved representative houses in colonies
Cut ott trade
trial by jury
, Civics Benchmark Review & EOC Study Guide Questions and Answers
11. 11. John Locke's theory of guaranteed that all individuals are
entitled to basic rights such as life liberty, and property.: Natural Rights
12. 12. Which document outlined the first form of government for the United
States? Which system of government did this document create?: Confederation
Government Loose form of states-States retained all power
13. 13. List some of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.: Na-
tional Government could not- raise taxes
Could not enforce laws
No national courts, No Chief Executive
14. 14. What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?: Outlines the purpose
and intentions of the United States Constitution.
"We the People..." Government gets consent from the people
15. 15. What was the main argument the Federalists used to support the ratifi-
cation of the Constitution?: Federalists believed a strong central government was needed to solve the
countries problems
16. 16. List the arguments the Anti-Federalists used to against ratifying the
Constitution.: Anti-Federalists believed a strong central government would take away newly won rights of
citizens
agreed to ratify Constitution with the promise of the addition of Bill of Rights.
17. 17. A legal member of a country is a .: Citizen
18. 18. Name the two ways a person can become a U.S. citizen. 1. Birth/Natural
Born ( Law of Blood or Law of Soil): 1. Birth/Natural Born ( Law of Blood or Law of Soil)
2. Naturalization Process
19. 19. List the steps in the naturalization process.: 18 or older
lawful permanent resident for 5 years
read write speak English
good moral character
understanding U.S. Civics
Oath of allegiance
20. 20. What are the major beliefs of the Democrat Party?: a political party that believes that
the federal government should take a more active role in people's lives particularly those who are in need
, Civics Benchmark Review & EOC Study Guide Questions and Answers
21. 21. What are the major beliefs of the Republican Party?: a political party that believes
that the federal government should play a small role in people's lives; they favor lower taxes and less government
spending
22. 22. What is a platform?: a document stating the aims and goals of a political party
23. 23. Give an example of media informing the public about government.: Media
as a watchdog exposing illegal activity corruption
24. 24. Give an example of how an individual can influence government.: Collect
signatures for a petition call, email, write a letter to your local, state, and federal representative
25. 25. Give an example of how interest groups can influence government.: Money,
money, money, Endorsements and donating to campaigns Lobby (lobbyist) politicians to influence legislation, political
advertisement
26. 26. What is bias?: a preference, opinion or attitude that favors one way of thinking or feeling over another
27. 27. What is symbolism?: the use of something to represent ideas or qualities
28. 28. What is propaganda?: the method of spreading ideas or information for the purpose of helping
or injuring an institution a cause, or a person
29. 29. What is the difference between direct democracy and representative
democracy?: a form of government in which the power to govern lies directly in the hands of the people rather
than through elected representatives
30. 30. Explain the major similarity between socialism and communism.: a form of
government in which a single ruling party owns and controls all production and distribution of goods, and in which no
private ownership is allowed
31. 31. A type of government in which the leadership is comprised of the few
wealthy elite is called a .: oligarchy
32. 32. What is monarchy?: a form of government headed by a king or queen who inherits the position,
rules for life, and holds power that can range anywhere between limited to absolute
33. 33. What is autocracy?: a form of government where one person has unlimited power ( North Korea,
Syria, Cuba)
34. 34. What is a Federal system of government? Give an example.: a system of
government where power is shared between a central government and states.
35. 35. What is a confederal system of government? Give an example.: a system of
government where power is located with the independent states and there is little power in the central government
1. 1. The Enlightenment idea of separation of powers was developed by?: Mon-
tesquieu
2. 2. John Locke's theory that certain truths in society come from and are gov-
erned by nature is known as the theory of?: Natural Law
3. 3. Describe John Locke's theory of social contract.: Citizens surrender some rights (not a
state of nature) to live by laws and be protected by a government.
4. 4. What document guaranteed that not even the king or queen was above the
law.: Magna Carta- Limited Government-Trial by Jury-Rule of Law
5. 5. Explain the significance of the English Bill of Rights on the development of
the U.S. Constitution.: English Bill of Rights - listed guaranteed rights of Englishmen and the anti-federalists
wanted to list the rights of Americans before they agreed to ratify the Constitution
6. 6. What was the first document that established self-government by creating
a direct democracy in the colonies?: Mayflower Compact
7. 7. This pamphlet was used to persuade members of the Second Continental
Congress and justified the ideals and reasons for independence from Great
Britain.: Common Sense written by Thomas Paine
8. 8. Give specific examples of colonial responses to English policies.: Boycotts &
Protests
• Stamp Act Congress
• Boston Tea Party
• Boycott imported goods
9. 9. What concerns of the colonists' led to the writing of the Declaration of
Independence?: King and Parliament did not respect the colonies rights in lawmaking.
10. 10. What were the main complaints/arguments against Britain in the Decla-
ration of Independence?: Unfair Taxes
Unfair Acts (Quartering Act
Stamp Act, Tea Act, Intolerable Acts)
Lack of Representation in Parliament
Dissolved representative houses in colonies
Cut ott trade
trial by jury
, Civics Benchmark Review & EOC Study Guide Questions and Answers
11. 11. John Locke's theory of guaranteed that all individuals are
entitled to basic rights such as life liberty, and property.: Natural Rights
12. 12. Which document outlined the first form of government for the United
States? Which system of government did this document create?: Confederation
Government Loose form of states-States retained all power
13. 13. List some of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.: Na-
tional Government could not- raise taxes
Could not enforce laws
No national courts, No Chief Executive
14. 14. What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?: Outlines the purpose
and intentions of the United States Constitution.
"We the People..." Government gets consent from the people
15. 15. What was the main argument the Federalists used to support the ratifi-
cation of the Constitution?: Federalists believed a strong central government was needed to solve the
countries problems
16. 16. List the arguments the Anti-Federalists used to against ratifying the
Constitution.: Anti-Federalists believed a strong central government would take away newly won rights of
citizens
agreed to ratify Constitution with the promise of the addition of Bill of Rights.
17. 17. A legal member of a country is a .: Citizen
18. 18. Name the two ways a person can become a U.S. citizen. 1. Birth/Natural
Born ( Law of Blood or Law of Soil): 1. Birth/Natural Born ( Law of Blood or Law of Soil)
2. Naturalization Process
19. 19. List the steps in the naturalization process.: 18 or older
lawful permanent resident for 5 years
read write speak English
good moral character
understanding U.S. Civics
Oath of allegiance
20. 20. What are the major beliefs of the Democrat Party?: a political party that believes that
the federal government should take a more active role in people's lives particularly those who are in need
, Civics Benchmark Review & EOC Study Guide Questions and Answers
21. 21. What are the major beliefs of the Republican Party?: a political party that believes
that the federal government should play a small role in people's lives; they favor lower taxes and less government
spending
22. 22. What is a platform?: a document stating the aims and goals of a political party
23. 23. Give an example of media informing the public about government.: Media
as a watchdog exposing illegal activity corruption
24. 24. Give an example of how an individual can influence government.: Collect
signatures for a petition call, email, write a letter to your local, state, and federal representative
25. 25. Give an example of how interest groups can influence government.: Money,
money, money, Endorsements and donating to campaigns Lobby (lobbyist) politicians to influence legislation, political
advertisement
26. 26. What is bias?: a preference, opinion or attitude that favors one way of thinking or feeling over another
27. 27. What is symbolism?: the use of something to represent ideas or qualities
28. 28. What is propaganda?: the method of spreading ideas or information for the purpose of helping
or injuring an institution a cause, or a person
29. 29. What is the difference between direct democracy and representative
democracy?: a form of government in which the power to govern lies directly in the hands of the people rather
than through elected representatives
30. 30. Explain the major similarity between socialism and communism.: a form of
government in which a single ruling party owns and controls all production and distribution of goods, and in which no
private ownership is allowed
31. 31. A type of government in which the leadership is comprised of the few
wealthy elite is called a .: oligarchy
32. 32. What is monarchy?: a form of government headed by a king or queen who inherits the position,
rules for life, and holds power that can range anywhere between limited to absolute
33. 33. What is autocracy?: a form of government where one person has unlimited power ( North Korea,
Syria, Cuba)
34. 34. What is a Federal system of government? Give an example.: a system of
government where power is shared between a central government and states.
35. 35. What is a confederal system of government? Give an example.: a system of
government where power is located with the independent states and there is little power in the central government
