Foreign Service Officer Test Questions With
Answers
Virginia Plan
Compromise written to favor larger states where representation would be based on population
The United States is a republic...
that is made of 50 sates, 14 independent territories, islands, one federal district and 15 departments.
It was founded July 4th, 1776.
New Jersey Plan
favored a large centralized government where each state would receive equal representation (one
vote).
Great Compromise (Sherman Compromise AKA Connecticut Compromise)
agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention regarding
representation. Later led to Article 5 of the Constitution
Three-fifths Compromise
slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for state population purposes. Consensus was reached during
Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise).
Articles of Confederation
First Constitution of the U.S., limited Central government's power requiring 13 state's approval to
make decisions/changes. Replaced by the Constitution
John Locke
father of liberalism; political theorist and philosopher; anti-slavery; wrote many books-guides on
issues
Legislative Branch
is bicameral (the House of Representatives and the Senate)
House of representatives
435 seats, each seat represents a district in the US (proportion of representatives per state is based
on the state's population, smallest number of representatives a state can have is 1)
representatives serve two years per term, there is no limit to how many times a representative can be
reelected (must be 25+ yo, U.S. citizens for minimum of 7 years, show residence in state they are
running for)
There are also 6 members who do not vote (5 delegates from American Samoa, D.C., the Virgin
Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam, and one Resident
Commissioner from Puerto Rico)
- the bills for revenue come from here. All legislation must have the consent of both chambers and
receive the president's signature before it can become law.
- president can veto the bill, if this happens only 2/3 majority vote of both chambers can make the bill
law if the president refuses to sign
- vote for the impeachment of a president
,the senate
two senators from every state (100), a term is six years, almost every two years, about a third of the
senate is up for election
- approve or consent to the president's appointments including federal judges, secretaries of
departments, ambassadors and military and naval officers
- vote again for the removal or retainment of the president
3 presidents have been impeached
Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump (senate did not vote to impeach any of them)
Joe Biden
46th president
- commander in chief of the armed forces
- ceremonial head (head of state)
- chief executive (head of government)
- can make diplomatic negotiations and sign treaties (2/3 of Senate must approve before they are
signed)
- can pardon federal offenders of everything except impeachment (absolute or conditional pardon)
- if charged with bribery, high crimes, or misdemeanors, 2/3 majority of both houses is required for
impeachment
- can adjourn congress if both houses fail to decide an adjourn date
- power to convene the House of Representatives and the Senate when there is an extraordinary
occasion, such as war, nominations and emergency legislation
Kamala Harris
49th vice president
- article I, Section III, clause IV-V, they are president of the senate (non-elected senate member and
can cast a vote when there is a tie)
the Cabinet
heads of 15 departments who the president chooses and is then sent to the Senate for approval
District of Colombia
Since May26, 1961, D.C. has been eligible for participating in elections, however the constitution
provides them with limited representation. It is represented in congress by a non-voting delegate and
is subject to taxes
Puerto Rico
only federal employees in Puerto Rico pay federal income taxes on income generated in Puerto Rico,
other Puerto ricans do not pay this tax (they pay everything else) they are represented in congress by
a resident commissioner who is a non-voting delegate.
Governor
the highest elected official in the state
State government
there is a bicameral legislature in every state except Nebraska
, Article 1 of the Constitution
Legislative powers outline; Section 1: House membership; Section 2: selection of members; Section 3:
selection of senate ; Section 7: all tax bills must originate in the House; Section 8: Congress' powers to
collect taxes, to declare war, to maintain a navy, to make all laws necessary.
Section 10: states rights and limited rights
Article 2 of the Constitution
Executive branch, establishment and investiture of power upon the executive
Article 3 of Constitution
Judicial branch
Article 4
State's rights, no new states within states
Article 5
Congress 2/3 votes needed for amendments
Article 6
All debts prior to Constitution are valid; Constitution is the Supreme Law; Senators and Reps. must
take oath
Article 7
9 states' approval needed to enact Constitution. Established year 1787
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments
1 amendment
freedom of speech
2nd amendment
Right to bear arms
3rd amendment
In time of peace, no soldier should be quartered in private property w/o prior consent
4th amendment
Right to defend against unreasonable searches and seizures of property w/o warrants.
5th amendment
Right to due process. No person shall be forced to incriminate themselves or serve as their own
witness (unless Martial court-military). Protects against double jeopardy.
Answers
Virginia Plan
Compromise written to favor larger states where representation would be based on population
The United States is a republic...
that is made of 50 sates, 14 independent territories, islands, one federal district and 15 departments.
It was founded July 4th, 1776.
New Jersey Plan
favored a large centralized government where each state would receive equal representation (one
vote).
Great Compromise (Sherman Compromise AKA Connecticut Compromise)
agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention regarding
representation. Later led to Article 5 of the Constitution
Three-fifths Compromise
slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for state population purposes. Consensus was reached during
Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise).
Articles of Confederation
First Constitution of the U.S., limited Central government's power requiring 13 state's approval to
make decisions/changes. Replaced by the Constitution
John Locke
father of liberalism; political theorist and philosopher; anti-slavery; wrote many books-guides on
issues
Legislative Branch
is bicameral (the House of Representatives and the Senate)
House of representatives
435 seats, each seat represents a district in the US (proportion of representatives per state is based
on the state's population, smallest number of representatives a state can have is 1)
representatives serve two years per term, there is no limit to how many times a representative can be
reelected (must be 25+ yo, U.S. citizens for minimum of 7 years, show residence in state they are
running for)
There are also 6 members who do not vote (5 delegates from American Samoa, D.C., the Virgin
Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam, and one Resident
Commissioner from Puerto Rico)
- the bills for revenue come from here. All legislation must have the consent of both chambers and
receive the president's signature before it can become law.
- president can veto the bill, if this happens only 2/3 majority vote of both chambers can make the bill
law if the president refuses to sign
- vote for the impeachment of a president
,the senate
two senators from every state (100), a term is six years, almost every two years, about a third of the
senate is up for election
- approve or consent to the president's appointments including federal judges, secretaries of
departments, ambassadors and military and naval officers
- vote again for the removal or retainment of the president
3 presidents have been impeached
Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump (senate did not vote to impeach any of them)
Joe Biden
46th president
- commander in chief of the armed forces
- ceremonial head (head of state)
- chief executive (head of government)
- can make diplomatic negotiations and sign treaties (2/3 of Senate must approve before they are
signed)
- can pardon federal offenders of everything except impeachment (absolute or conditional pardon)
- if charged with bribery, high crimes, or misdemeanors, 2/3 majority of both houses is required for
impeachment
- can adjourn congress if both houses fail to decide an adjourn date
- power to convene the House of Representatives and the Senate when there is an extraordinary
occasion, such as war, nominations and emergency legislation
Kamala Harris
49th vice president
- article I, Section III, clause IV-V, they are president of the senate (non-elected senate member and
can cast a vote when there is a tie)
the Cabinet
heads of 15 departments who the president chooses and is then sent to the Senate for approval
District of Colombia
Since May26, 1961, D.C. has been eligible for participating in elections, however the constitution
provides them with limited representation. It is represented in congress by a non-voting delegate and
is subject to taxes
Puerto Rico
only federal employees in Puerto Rico pay federal income taxes on income generated in Puerto Rico,
other Puerto ricans do not pay this tax (they pay everything else) they are represented in congress by
a resident commissioner who is a non-voting delegate.
Governor
the highest elected official in the state
State government
there is a bicameral legislature in every state except Nebraska
, Article 1 of the Constitution
Legislative powers outline; Section 1: House membership; Section 2: selection of members; Section 3:
selection of senate ; Section 7: all tax bills must originate in the House; Section 8: Congress' powers to
collect taxes, to declare war, to maintain a navy, to make all laws necessary.
Section 10: states rights and limited rights
Article 2 of the Constitution
Executive branch, establishment and investiture of power upon the executive
Article 3 of Constitution
Judicial branch
Article 4
State's rights, no new states within states
Article 5
Congress 2/3 votes needed for amendments
Article 6
All debts prior to Constitution are valid; Constitution is the Supreme Law; Senators and Reps. must
take oath
Article 7
9 states' approval needed to enact Constitution. Established year 1787
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments
1 amendment
freedom of speech
2nd amendment
Right to bear arms
3rd amendment
In time of peace, no soldier should be quartered in private property w/o prior consent
4th amendment
Right to defend against unreasonable searches and seizures of property w/o warrants.
5th amendment
Right to due process. No person shall be forced to incriminate themselves or serve as their own
witness (unless Martial court-military). Protects against double jeopardy.
