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US Government
Name: ______________________
Mrs. Barton
Date: ____________ Block: ____
US Government Mid Term Study Guide
2011-2012
Beginnings & Ideals of Government
1. What does a ruler’s legitimacy depends upon?
2. Define consent of the governed.
3. Define rule of law.
4. Which Article of the U.S. Constitution explains the duties and powers of the President?
5. Define federalism.
6. Who was John Locke?
7. What are “natural rights”?
8. Which American document was inspired by Locke’s theory of natural rights?
9. Who wrote the words “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?”
10. Who was Baron de Montesquieu and what did he believe in?
11. Which documents gave us the idea that all people should be free to worship as they
please?
12. Which of documents was a list of grievances against King George the III?
13. Which Article of the U.S. Constitution explains the establishment of the U.S. Courts?
14. Which Article of the U.S. Constitution explains the relations among the states?
15. Which term means “People Rule”?
16. Define Limited Government.
17. Define Separation of Powers.
18. Which Article states that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme governing document of
the United States?
19. Which Article explains the amendment process?
US Government
Name: ______________________
Mrs. Barton
Date: ____________ Block: ____
20. What does each of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution cover? Make sure you
understand the language being used.
1.
6.
2.
7.
3.
8.
4.
9.
5.
10.
21. What did the Anti-Federalists believe in?
22. What did the Federalists believe in?
23. Define Concurrent Powers.
24. Define Expressed Powers.
25. Define Reserved Powers.
26. Define interstate. Why is this concept important in a Federal system?
Legislative Branch
1. How is a conference committee made up?
2. How is the number of seats in the Senate determined? Which document states this
rule?
3. Which event triggers the reapportionment of seats in the House of Representatives?
4. What is the key factor in choosing committee chairs?
5. What type of committee investigated the White House party crashing incident?
6. The House Education and Workforce Committee is an example of a ___________
committee.
7. Which of these is a constitutional power of Congress?
o
Carry out (enforce) laws
o
Borrow money on credit of the US
o
Appoint justices to the Supreme Court
US Government
Name: ______________________
Mrs. Barton
Date: ____________ Block: ____
o
Make laws
o
Declare war
8. Which of these is a characteristic of the House vs. Senate?
o
435 members
o
Representatives serve for 2 years
o
100 members
o
Each state receives 2
o
Republicans are in the majority now
o
Speaker of the House
o
President Pro Tempore
o
6 year term
o
2 year term
o
Mark Warner
o
Frank Wolf
o
Jim Webb
9. Define Bill.
10. Define Bi-Cameral.
11. Define Gerrymander
12. Define Impeach
13. Define Filibuster
14. Fill in the blanks using the word bank below.
Laws begin as ideas. First, a representative _________a bill. The bill is then assigned to a
committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be
________________________. If the bill passes by simple majority, the bill moves to the Senate.
US Government
Name: ______________________
Mrs. Barton
Date: ____________ Block: ____
In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on.
Again, a simple majority passes the bill. Finally, a conference committee made of House and
Senate members ____________ any differences between the House and Senate versions of the
bill. The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for ______________________________.
The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill. The President has 10 days to
____________________________ the enrolled bill.
final approval
sponsors
sign or veto
works out
voted on, debated or amended
Elections
1. Which propaganda techniques can be used to send a negative message about a
candidate?
2. How many electoral votes are there in a presidential election?
3. What is the main criticism against the Electoral College system for electing presidents?
4. Which propaganda technique might say, “Maria grew up in a middle class neighborhood
in Sterling, Virginia.”
5. Which propaganda technique might say, “Making America Strong Again”
6. What is the major purpose of voter registration?
7. How many electoral votes does Virginia have?
8. Define Winner take All.
9. If a candidate wins a state with 65% of the popular vote, how many electoral votes will
he/she receive?
10. What is the primary reason political parties form?
11. Define platform.
12. Define a third party.
13. Define interest group.
14. What is the major reason people do not vote in America?
15. What is the function of Political Action Committees (PACs)?
US Government
Name: ______________________
Mrs. Barton
Date: ____________ Block: ____
16. Why do people join third parties?
17. What is a Blue State?
18. What is a Red State?
19. Define Independent voter.
20. Why is the number 270 important?
21. Why is the number 538 important?
22. What is a two party system?
23. What is the popular vote?
24. Who are people voting for during a general election?
25. Who are people voting for during a primary election?
26. What are the characteristics of someone who is most likely to vote in an American
election?
27. Are registered voters required to vote?
28. What does a person need in order to register to vote?
Executive Branch
1. Which amendment covers presidential succession?
2. Which amendment explains the term limits for the president?
3. Who has the power to veto legislation?
4. Who has the power to declare war?
5. Who has the power to nominate justices to the Supreme Court?
6. Who has the power to approve presidential treaties?
7. What are the qualifications for seeking the presidency?
8. What are the roles of the POTUS? What are some things he does for each role?
US Government
Name: ______________________
Mrs. Barton
Date: ____________ Block: ____
9. What does the list below show?
Vice President
Speaker of the House of Representatives
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Defense
Attorney General
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
...
Secretary of Homeland Security
US Government
Mrs. Barton
Name: __________________________
Date: ______________ Block: _______
US Government Mid Term Exam – SHORT ANSWER (3 pts. each)
Mrs. Barton
2011-2012
Directions: Choose three of the following questions to answer in complete sentences. Your
answer must include the vocabulary terms provided with the prompt. Use the empty space
beolow to outline your answer. The write your answer choices on the back of this paper.
To get the highest grade possible, your answers should be accurate and detailed (not just your
opinion), grammatically correct, and use all of the vocabulary words.
Short Answer Essay Choices:
1. Explain how power is divided between our National and State Governments. (Federalism,
Expressed, Reserved, Concurrent)
2. Describe the US Constitution, addressing both its form and function. (Articles of
Confederation, Preamble, Bill of Rights, Separation of Powers)
3. Define a “democracy”. (Consent of the governed, legitimate, representative government)
4. Explain the concept of gerrymandering. (Republican, Democrat, census)
5. Describe the organization of the US Congress (bi-cameral, committee, Speaker of the House,
President Pro Tempore)
6. Explain how George Bush won the 2000 Presidential Election. (electoral college, winner take
all, popular vote)
7. Describe how political candidates can use demographic information about voters during a
campaign. (propaganda, platform, voter registration)
8. Explain the president’s role as Chief Executive. (cabinet, bureaucracy, executive order)
US Government
Mrs. Barton
Name: __________________________
Date: ______________ Block: _______
Wasn’t that fun?!?!?
Now this is for extra credit!
THE MORE HONEST, THE BETTER! In order to earn SIX extra points (1/2 a letter grade),
simply answer the questions below, truthfully and thoughtfully…
Discuss your favorite activities or lessons from government class so far this year.
o What have you liked, and what have you disliked?
o Do you feel comfortable participating in class? Why or why not?
o Give Mrs. Barton suggestions and advice for the 2nd semester.