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American Government:
Roots, Context, and
Culture
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. How does the Preamble to the Constitution begin?
a. “We the People . . .”
b. “Four score and seven years ago . . .”
c. “When in the course of human events . . .”
d. “In order to form a more perfect Union . . .”
e. “These are the times that try men’s souls . . .”
Answer: a
Page Reference: pp. 5–7
A-head: Roots of American Government: We the People
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.1
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
2. What was the most common initial reason for settlement in North
America by the first colonists?
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, a. cultural inclusiveness
b. religious freedom
c. the right to vote
d. exploration
e. commerce
Answer: e
Page Reference: pp. 5–7
A-head: Roots of American Government: We the People
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.1
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
3. What is a system of government in which members of the polity meet
to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority
rule?
a. oligarchy
b. direct democracy
c. monarchy
d. tyranny
e. democracy
Answer: b
Page Reference: pp. 7–8
A-head: Types of Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
T Topic: Introduction to American Government
4. Indirect democracy is based on which of the following?
a. consensus
b. unanimity
c. representation
d. “mob rule”
e. the system of government used in ancient Greece
Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 7–8
A-head: Types of Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
5. What are republics?
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, a. representative democracies
b. direct democracies
c. a hallmark of unitary governments
d. forms of government frequently found in totalitarian regimes
e. another name for states
Answer: a
Page Reference: pp. 7–8
A-head: Types of Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
6. In an oligarchy, rule is by which of the following?
a. the many
b. the few
c. one person
d. property owners
e. all the people
Answer: b
Page Reference: pp. 7–8
A-head: Types of Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
7. Which function of government provides for police protection?
a. establishing justice
b. providing for the common defense
c. promoting the general welfare
d. ensuring domestic tranquility
e. securing the blessings of liberty
Answer: d
Page Reference: pp. 8–9
A-head: Functions of American Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.3
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
8. Which of the following expanded Americans’ conceptions of personal
liberty to include some forms of freedom from discrimination?
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,1
American Government:
Roots, Context, and
Culture
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. How does the Preamble to the Constitution begin?
a. “We the People . . .”
b. “Four score and seven years ago . . .”
c. “When in the course of human events . . .”
d. “In order to form a more perfect Union . . .”
e. “These are the times that try men’s souls . . .”
Answer: a
Page Reference: pp. 5–7
A-head: Roots of American Government: We the People
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.1
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
2. What was the most common initial reason for settlement in North
America by the first colonists?
-1-
, a. cultural inclusiveness
b. religious freedom
c. the right to vote
d. exploration
e. commerce
Answer: e
Page Reference: pp. 5–7
A-head: Roots of American Government: We the People
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.1
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
3. What is a system of government in which members of the polity meet
to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority
rule?
a. oligarchy
b. direct democracy
c. monarchy
d. tyranny
e. democracy
Answer: b
Page Reference: pp. 7–8
A-head: Types of Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
T Topic: Introduction to American Government
4. Indirect democracy is based on which of the following?
a. consensus
b. unanimity
c. representation
d. “mob rule”
e. the system of government used in ancient Greece
Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 7–8
A-head: Types of Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
5. What are republics?
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, a. representative democracies
b. direct democracies
c. a hallmark of unitary governments
d. forms of government frequently found in totalitarian regimes
e. another name for states
Answer: a
Page Reference: pp. 7–8
A-head: Types of Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
6. In an oligarchy, rule is by which of the following?
a. the many
b. the few
c. one person
d. property owners
e. all the people
Answer: b
Page Reference: pp. 7–8
A-head: Types of Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
7. Which function of government provides for police protection?
a. establishing justice
b. providing for the common defense
c. promoting the general welfare
d. ensuring domestic tranquility
e. securing the blessings of liberty
Answer: d
Page Reference: pp. 8–9
A-head: Functions of American Government
Learning Objective: O’Connor Essentials L.O. 1.3
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
8. Which of the following expanded Americans’ conceptions of personal
liberty to include some forms of freedom from discrimination?
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