WGU C963 - OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES/ GRADE A+ ASSURED!!
Question 1
Major contributors to the development of Social Contract Theory include:
A) Plato, Aristotle, and Machiavelli
B) Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
C) Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Diderot
D) Marx, Engels, and Lenin
E) Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
Correct Answer: B) Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
Rationale: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are the most cited
philosophers who developed and defined the foundational principles of Social Contract
Theory.
Question 2
Social Contract Theory primarily states that individuals:
A) are inherently good and do not require government intervention.
B) willingly give up some freedoms to a government to ensure protection of their fundamental
rights.
C) must adhere strictly to religious laws to maintain social order.
D) should only focus on achieving self-sufficiency and economic success.
E) have a duty to constantly rebel against all forms of authority.
Correct Answer: B) We need food, clothing and shelter to survive and nothing should
interfere with our ability to obtain them. We may also choose to believe in a god. The belief
gives definition to our existance. Therefore it is important we define ourselves as
individuals.
Rationale: The core of Social Contract Theory is that people agree to form a society and
government to protect their fundamental rights (life, liberty, property) in exchange for
giving up some absolute freedom.
Question 3
Which components of the U.S. Constitution were directly influenced by Enlightenment
principles related to individual rights?
,A) The Necessary and Proper Clause and the Commerce Clause.
B) The Electoral College and the impeachment process.
C) Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment, Ninth Amendment.
D) The Supremacy Clause and the Full Faith and Credit Clause.
E) The Three-Fifths Compromise and the Recess Appointment Clause.
Correct Answer: C) Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment, Ninth Amendment
Rationale: The Bill of Rights and its focus on specific individual liberties (like the right to
bear arms in the Second Amendment and the retention of unenumerated rights in the
Ninth Amendment) are direct applications of Enlightenment philosophy.
Question 4
The first eight amendments of the U.S. Constitution are collectively known as the:
A) Articles of Confederation.
B) Declaration of Independence.
C) Bill of Rights.
D) Federalists Papers.
E) Amendments of Reconstruction.
Correct Answer: C) Bill of Rights
Rationale: The first ten amendments are the Bill of Rights, with the first eight establishing
fundamental rights.
Question 5
The Declaration of Independence articulates which unalienable rights influenced by
Enlightenment thought?
A) Freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
B) Right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
C) Due process, speedy trial, and freedom from unreasonable searches.
D) Right to bear arms and freedom from quartering troops.
E) Taxation with representation and self-governance.
Correct Answer: B) people have rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Rationale: The Declaration of Independence states that all people have rights of life, liberty,
,and the pursuit of happiness, echoing John Locke's philosophy of "life, liberty, and
property."
Question 6
Which of the following was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
A) The establishment of a strong executive branch.
B) The ability of the national government to levy taxes.
C) No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade.
D) The excessive power given to the national judiciary.
E) The mandatory two-thirds majority required for all legislation.
Correct Answer: C) No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade
Rationale: The central government under the Articles was intentionally weak, lacking a
unified executive or judicial branch, and lacking the critical power to tax or regulate
interstate commerce.
Question 7
Which of the following was a strength of the Articles of Confederation?
A) It established a single, stable national currency.
B) The ability to conduct diplomacy with Europe, and deal with territorial issues and Native
American relations.
C) It created a Supreme Court with appellate jurisdiction over state courts.
D) It gave the national government a monopoly on coining money.
E) It created an independent, popularly elected chief executive.
Correct Answer: B) Provided direction for the Revolution, the ability to conduct diplomacy
with Europe, and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations.
Rationale: Despite its weaknesses, the Articles successfully guided the nation through the
Revolutionary War and provided a framework for managing western territories and
foreign relations.
Question 8
The New Jersey Plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention advocated for:
A) A bicameral legislature with representation based on state population.
B) A strong national government with power to veto state laws.
, C) Equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.
D) A single, powerful executive serving a life term.
E) The abolition of slavery and counting of all enslaved persons for taxation.
Correct Answer: C) The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal
representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.
Rationale: The New Jersey Plan favored smaller states by proposing equal representation in
the legislature, regardless of a state's size or population.
Question 9
The Virginia Plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention advocated for:
A) A single legislative chamber with equal state representation.
B) Limiting the federal government's power to taxation.
C) Proposal to create a strong national government with representation based on population.
D) A judicial branch appointed solely by state governors.
E) The elimination of the executive branch.
Correct Answer: C) Proposal to create a strong national government
Rationale: The Virginia Plan was a proposal to create a strong national government with a
bicameral legislature based on proportional representation, favoring large states.
Question 10
The meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution is known as the:
A) Second Continental Congress.
B) Articles of Confederation Convention.
C) Constitutional Convention.
D) Declaration of Independence Signing.
E) Annapolis Convention.
Correct Answer: C) Constitutional Convention
Rationale: The Constitutional Convention was a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that
produced a new constitution.
Question 11
The Three-Fifths Compromise achieved which of the following?
A) It ended the slave trade after 20 years.
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES/ GRADE A+ ASSURED!!
Question 1
Major contributors to the development of Social Contract Theory include:
A) Plato, Aristotle, and Machiavelli
B) Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
C) Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Diderot
D) Marx, Engels, and Lenin
E) Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
Correct Answer: B) Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
Rationale: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are the most cited
philosophers who developed and defined the foundational principles of Social Contract
Theory.
Question 2
Social Contract Theory primarily states that individuals:
A) are inherently good and do not require government intervention.
B) willingly give up some freedoms to a government to ensure protection of their fundamental
rights.
C) must adhere strictly to religious laws to maintain social order.
D) should only focus on achieving self-sufficiency and economic success.
E) have a duty to constantly rebel against all forms of authority.
Correct Answer: B) We need food, clothing and shelter to survive and nothing should
interfere with our ability to obtain them. We may also choose to believe in a god. The belief
gives definition to our existance. Therefore it is important we define ourselves as
individuals.
Rationale: The core of Social Contract Theory is that people agree to form a society and
government to protect their fundamental rights (life, liberty, property) in exchange for
giving up some absolute freedom.
Question 3
Which components of the U.S. Constitution were directly influenced by Enlightenment
principles related to individual rights?
,A) The Necessary and Proper Clause and the Commerce Clause.
B) The Electoral College and the impeachment process.
C) Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment, Ninth Amendment.
D) The Supremacy Clause and the Full Faith and Credit Clause.
E) The Three-Fifths Compromise and the Recess Appointment Clause.
Correct Answer: C) Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment, Ninth Amendment
Rationale: The Bill of Rights and its focus on specific individual liberties (like the right to
bear arms in the Second Amendment and the retention of unenumerated rights in the
Ninth Amendment) are direct applications of Enlightenment philosophy.
Question 4
The first eight amendments of the U.S. Constitution are collectively known as the:
A) Articles of Confederation.
B) Declaration of Independence.
C) Bill of Rights.
D) Federalists Papers.
E) Amendments of Reconstruction.
Correct Answer: C) Bill of Rights
Rationale: The first ten amendments are the Bill of Rights, with the first eight establishing
fundamental rights.
Question 5
The Declaration of Independence articulates which unalienable rights influenced by
Enlightenment thought?
A) Freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
B) Right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
C) Due process, speedy trial, and freedom from unreasonable searches.
D) Right to bear arms and freedom from quartering troops.
E) Taxation with representation and self-governance.
Correct Answer: B) people have rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Rationale: The Declaration of Independence states that all people have rights of life, liberty,
,and the pursuit of happiness, echoing John Locke's philosophy of "life, liberty, and
property."
Question 6
Which of the following was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
A) The establishment of a strong executive branch.
B) The ability of the national government to levy taxes.
C) No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade.
D) The excessive power given to the national judiciary.
E) The mandatory two-thirds majority required for all legislation.
Correct Answer: C) No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade
Rationale: The central government under the Articles was intentionally weak, lacking a
unified executive or judicial branch, and lacking the critical power to tax or regulate
interstate commerce.
Question 7
Which of the following was a strength of the Articles of Confederation?
A) It established a single, stable national currency.
B) The ability to conduct diplomacy with Europe, and deal with territorial issues and Native
American relations.
C) It created a Supreme Court with appellate jurisdiction over state courts.
D) It gave the national government a monopoly on coining money.
E) It created an independent, popularly elected chief executive.
Correct Answer: B) Provided direction for the Revolution, the ability to conduct diplomacy
with Europe, and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations.
Rationale: Despite its weaknesses, the Articles successfully guided the nation through the
Revolutionary War and provided a framework for managing western territories and
foreign relations.
Question 8
The New Jersey Plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention advocated for:
A) A bicameral legislature with representation based on state population.
B) A strong national government with power to veto state laws.
, C) Equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.
D) A single, powerful executive serving a life term.
E) The abolition of slavery and counting of all enslaved persons for taxation.
Correct Answer: C) The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal
representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.
Rationale: The New Jersey Plan favored smaller states by proposing equal representation in
the legislature, regardless of a state's size or population.
Question 9
The Virginia Plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention advocated for:
A) A single legislative chamber with equal state representation.
B) Limiting the federal government's power to taxation.
C) Proposal to create a strong national government with representation based on population.
D) A judicial branch appointed solely by state governors.
E) The elimination of the executive branch.
Correct Answer: C) Proposal to create a strong national government
Rationale: The Virginia Plan was a proposal to create a strong national government with a
bicameral legislature based on proportional representation, favoring large states.
Question 10
The meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution is known as the:
A) Second Continental Congress.
B) Articles of Confederation Convention.
C) Constitutional Convention.
D) Declaration of Independence Signing.
E) Annapolis Convention.
Correct Answer: C) Constitutional Convention
Rationale: The Constitutional Convention was a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that
produced a new constitution.
Question 11
The Three-Fifths Compromise achieved which of the following?
A) It ended the slave trade after 20 years.
