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Question Dissection – Part III
US History/Napp
Name: _________________
Introduction to Review:
Some things just go together. Like
Or
A multiple-choice question also has parts that naturally go together.
In this review, I will present multiple-choice questions and answers. I will explain what
the question is asking and provide its answer. I will also reveal why these two parts of the
question must go together.
Yes, some things just naturally go together.
The Question Dissection:
A. In the pamphlet Common Sense, Thomas Paine urged the American colonists to
(1) oppose the French colonization of North America
(2) compromise with the British
(3) reaffirm their loyalty to King George III
(4) declare their independence from Great Britain
What the question is asking:
Why did Thomas Paine write Common Sense?
Answer:
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense to encourage the colonists to fight for independence.
Many colonists were conflicted about fighting the British. After all, many colonists were
from Great Britain. So, Thomas Paine had to explain why British colonialism was harmful
and why the colonists should fight for their independence.
Thomas Paine argued that the colonists’ corn would be bought in any market and maybe
for better prices. He criticized mercantilism or the British policy of using the colonies for
the benefit of Britain and not the benefit of the colonists.
He argued that Britain’s high taxes and disregard for the needs of the colonists was
harmful for the colonists.
It was time to be free!
Thus, the answer must be 4.

B. Which statement about the United States House of Representatives is accurate?
(1) Representatives are chosen by the legislatures of their states.
(2) The Constitution allows each state two representatives.
(3) The number of representatives from each state is based on its population.
(4) The political party of the president always holds a majority of House seats.
What the question is asking?
The question is asking which answer regarding the House of Representatives is correct.
Large and small states differed on the method of representation for the new legislature.
The Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise resolved the conflict by creating a
bicameral (two-house) Congress. In the House of Representatives, states would be
represented according to the size of their population. In the Senate, each state would be
represented by two Senators.
Thus, the answer must be 3.
C. The United States Constitution requires that a national census be taken every ten years
to
(1) provide the government with information about voter registration
(2) establish a standard for setting income tax rates
(3) determine the number of members each state has in the House of Representatives
(4) decide who can vote in presidential elections
What is the question asking?
What is a census and why is a census taken every ten years?
Every ten years, a census is taken in the United States to count and record the population
of every state. The reason a census is taken is to determine the number of representatives
in the House of Representatives each state will have.
There are 435 representatives in the House of Representatives. The census determines how
many representatives each state will have.
Thus, the answer is 3.
D. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set a precedent for other western territories by
(1) allowing slavery
(2) including voting rights for women
(3) providing a method for the creation of new states
(4) setting aside land for churches
What is the question asking?
What is the Northwest Ordinance and what did it set an example for in the future?
The Northwest Ordinance (1787) is considered one of the few accomplishments achieved by
the Articles of Confederation. The Northwest Ordinance provided a system for governing
the western territories. Between 1803 and 1848, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and
Wisconsin were admitted as states from the Northwest Territory. The purpose of the
Ordinance was to establish orderly and equitable procedures for the settlement and
political incorporation of the Northwest Territory. It established a method for allowing
new states to join the union.
Thus, the answer is 3.
E. Federalism is a term used to define the division of power between the
(1) president and the vice president
(2) Senate and the House of Representatives
(3) national and state levels of government
(4) three branches of the federal government
What is the question asking?
What is Federalism?
Federalism is a system of sharing power between the national and state governments. The
Federal (national) government deals with national matters and relations among the states,
while state governments deal with matters within each state. Concurrent powers, such as
the power to tax, are held by both the federal and state governments. Reserved powers are
those held exclusively by state governments.
Thus, the answer is 3.
F. Which headline illustrates the use of judicial review?
(1) “Congress Passes a Civil Rights Bill”
(2) “Conference Committee Meets to Finalize Budget”
(3) “New York State’s Reapportionment Plan Ruled Unconstitutional”
(4) “President Signs SALT Agreement with Russia”
What is the question asking?
What is judicial review? Provide an example of judicial review.
In reviewing cases, the Supreme Court not only decides whether the law has been applied
correctly, but also whether the law itself is within the power of the government according
to the Constitution. The power of the Court to decide if laws are constitutional is known as
Judicial Review. Chief Justice John Marshall (1801 – 1835) introduced judicial review and
helped establish the importance of the federal judiciary and the supremacy of the national
government over the states.
Thus, the answer is 3.

G. French Enlightenment philosopher Baron De Montesquieu praised the British political
system because it divided the power of government between the monarch and the two
houses of Parliament.
Which principle included in the United States Constitution shows that the framers agreed
with Montesquieu?
(1) separation of powers
(2) federal supremacy
(3) implied powers
(4) due process
What is the question asking?
Who was Montesquieu and what did he believe about power?
Montesquieu was a philosopher during the European Age of Enlightenment. Montesquieu
believed that political power should be divided. In other words, if one individual possessed
all of the power, that individual would be an absolute monarch or a dictator or a tyrant.
Of course, an absolute monarch could do whatever he wanted even if it harmed the people.
Thus, to ensure that the people are not at the mercy of one powerful individual, power
should be divided. In the United States, power is divided into a legislative branch, an
executive branch, and a judicial branch. By dividing power among various branches of
government, no one institution or branch has total power. Another term for dividing
power is separating power.
Thus, the answer is 1.
H. Which action is considered part of the unwritten constitution?
(1) ratification of a treaty by the Senate
(2) formation of the first two political parties
(3) creation of a system of federal courts including the Supreme Court
(4) presidential veto of a bill passed by Congress
What is the question asking?
What is the unwritten constitution and what is an example of the unwritten constitution?
The unwritten constitution refers to traditions and customs in government that usually
began during the time of George Washington’s presidency. Even though these traditions
and customs are not written in the constitution, these traditions and customs are still
followed today. An example of the unwritten constitution is the formation of political
parties. The Constitution does not mention political parties yet political parties are very
much part of American government. Another example is the President’s cabinet. The
advisers in the cabinet are not mentioned in the Constitution but every President has had a
cabinet.
Thus, the correct answer is 2.
I. To provide for change, the authors of the United States Constitution included the
amendment process and the
(1) commerce clause
(2) elastic clause
(3) supremacy clause
(4) naturalization clause
What is the question asking?
How can the Constitution be changed?
The Constitution is a flexible document. The founding fathers recognized that as the times
change, so, too, do the needs of the people. As such, the Constitution can be changed.
Amendments can be added to the Constitution. In addition, the elastic clause of the
Constitution states that the legislative branch can do what is “necessary and proper” to
ensure the functioning of government. Yes, the elastic clause recognizes that the Congress
may need to do certain actions to ensure that the government works best for the people.
Thus, the answer is 2.
J. “. . . Now, one of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one’s
house. A man’s house is his castle; and whilst he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince
in his castle. . . .”
~ James Otis, Against the Writs of Assistance, 1761
Which provision in the Bill of Rights includes this same belief?
(1) right to a fair trial
(2) protection against unreasonable search and seizure
(3) guarantee against double jeopardy
(4) prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment
What is the question asking?
The question is asking the reader to read a passage by James Otis against writs of
assistance. A writ of assistance was a general search warrant. It allowed British officials to
check for any evidence in a person’s home. This angered the colonists for the colonists
believed that a search warrant should be issued for a specific reason and to search for
specific evidence. Thus, the colonists believed that to search for anything for no reason was
an unreasonable search. That is why the Bill of Rights includes protection against
unreasonable search and seizure.
Thus, the answer is 2.
K. The Supreme Court has the power to
(1) control the federal budget
(2) vote to end a tie in the Senate
(3) approve presidential appointments
(4) interpret the Constitution
This question is similar to an earlier question. So, look back for the answer.
L. The unwritten constitution is best defined as the
(1) amendments to the United States Constitution
(2) powers that the Constitution reserves for the states
(3) powers that the Constitution denies to Congress and to the states
(4) practices of the government that are based on custom and tradition
This question is also similar to an earlier question. So, look back for the answer.
M. What were two key precedents established by George Washington during his
presidency?
(1) Aid to farmers and the end of the slave trade
(2) Universal male suffrage and support for political parties
(3) Foreign policy of neutrality and the use of presidential advisors
(4) Protective tariffs and foreign alliances during peacetime
This question is also similar to an earlier question. So, look back for the answer.
However, there is a new component in this question.
So, here is a hint:
George Washington’s Presidency (1789 – 1796) was especially significant because it laid the
foundations for all later U.S. government. To help carry out his duties, Washington
appointed chief officers who met with him and the Vice President to form a Cabinet.
And!
In his final address as President (Washington’s Farewell Address in 1796), George
Washington cautioned against entering into a permanent alliance with any European
country. Washington urged Americans to devote themselves to developing trade and
influence in the Western Hemisphere.
N. What was the primary objection of the Antifederalists to ratification of the
Constitution?
(1) They opposed a bicameral legislature.
(2) They believed the rights of the people were not protected.
(3) They feared a weak central government.
(4) They wanted to give more power to the executive branch.
What is the question asking?
Who were the Antifederalists and why did they not want to approve the Constitution?
Antifederalists feared a strong national or federal government. They feared a strong
central government and wanted the states to have more power. They also felt that
individual rights were not protected by the original Constitution. The original Constitution
lacked a Bill of Rights.
Thus, the correct answer is 2.
O. The Great Compromise enabled delegates at the Constitutional Convention (1787) to
(1) establish the principle of popular sovereignty in the territories
(2) give Congress the exclusive right to declare war if the nation is attacked
(3) protect the interests of states with small populations and states with large populations
(4) provide for the indirect election of the president through the electoral college
What is the question asking?
What is the Great Compromise and why was it created?
Large and small states differed on the method of representation for the new legislature.
The Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise resolved the conflict by creating a
bicameral (two-house) Congress. In the House of Representatives, states would be
represented according to the size of their population. In the Senate, each state would be
represented by two Senators.
Thus, the correct answer is 3.
P. Which constitutional principle best protects the public from abuse by one branch of
government?
(1) equality
(2) federalism
(3) executive privilege
(4) checks and balances
What is the question asking?
What prevents one part of the government from acting like a dictator or absolute monarch,
doing whatever it wants?
To make sure that the national government did not become too strong or oppress those it
was supposed to govern, the Constitution also gave each branch of the federal government
several ways to stop or “check” the other branches. In a system of “checks and balances”,
each branch of the government can prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.
Thus, the correct answer is 4.
Q. Which document is most closely associated with John Locke’s social contract theory of
government?
(1) Albany Plan of Union
(2) Declaration of Independence
(3) Treaty of Paris (1783)
(4) Sedition Act of 1798
What is the question asking? Who was John Locke, what did he believe about government,
and how did he influence the colonists?
John Locke was a British philosopher who believed that government gets its power from
the people. If the government does not protect the people’s natural rights, the people can
withdraw their consent and overthrow the government. Thus, consent of the governed
means that the people give the government the power to rule but if the people no longer
consent, the government can be changed. This idea was expressed in the Declaration of
Independence.
Thus, the correct answer is 2.
R. What is a principle of government that is stated in the Preamble to the United States
Constitution?
(1) Federal laws must be subject to state approval.
(2) The power of government comes from the people.
(3) The right to bear arms shall not be infringed.
(4) All men and women are created equal.
What is the question asking?
Do you know the Preamble to the Constitution?
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Thus, the answer is 2. For it is “We the People” forming this Union!
S. Which protection in the Bill of Rights is most directly related to the 1735 trial of John
Peter Zenger?
(1) freedom of the press
(2) right to bear arms
(3) ban on unreasonable searches
(4) freedom from double jeopardy
What is the question asking?
Who was John Peter Zenger and what happened at his trial?
John Peter Zenger was a printer and journalist whose famous acquittal in a libel suit
(1735) established the first important victory for freedom of the press in the English
colonies of North America (the Zenger trial). On November 5, 1733, Zenger published his
first issue of the New York Weekly Journal – the political organ of a group of residents who
opposed the policies of the colonial governor William Cosby. Although many of the articles
were contributed by his more learned colleagues, Zenger was still legally responsible for
their content as publisher. His brilliant defense attorney, Andrew Hamilton, argued that
the jury itself was competent to decide the truth of Zenger’s printed statements.
Thus, the answer is 1.

T. Which economic policy was based on the idea that the American colonies existed
primarily to provide economic benefits for Great Britain?
(1) mercantilism
(2) socialism
(3) free trade
(4) laissez-faire capitalism
What is the question asking?
What term is being defined – colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country!
The answer is 1 for mercantilism means that colonies exist for the benefit of the mother
country. Colonies can only trade with the mother country. Colonies can only export raw
materials or natural resources to the mother country. Colonies must buy the mother
country’s finished goods.
U. The relatively flat, grassy region of the United States between the Mississippi River and
the Rocky Mountains is known as the
(1) Great Plains
(3) Coastal Plain
(2) Great Basin
(4) Piedmont
The Great Plains, a flat, grassy region between the Mississippi River and the Rocky
Mountains, is good for farming and herding.
V. The main reason Great Britain established the Proclamation Line of 1763 was to
(1) avoid conflicts between American colonists and Native American Indians
(2) make a profit by selling the land west of the Appalachian Mountains
(3) prevent American industrial development in the Ohio River valley
(4) allow Canada to control the Great Lakes Region
What is the question asking?
What was the Proclamation Line of 1763 and why was it established?
After the French and Indian War, many colonists began to migrate westward. This
invasion of Native American Indian land by white settlers resulted in an uprising of several
tribes. The British, who could not protect the frontier, and who wished to avoid further
conflicts, issued the Proclamation Act of 1763. This forbade settlement west of the
Appalachian Mountains.
Thus, the answer is 1.
W. Acquiring New Orleans as part of the Louisiana Purchase was considered important to
the development of the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys because the city
(1) provided protection from attacks by the Spanish
(2) provided migrant workers for river valley farms
(3) served as a port for American agricultural goods
(4) served as the cultural center for the nation
If you look at a map of the United States, you will see that New Orleans is a port and a port
is always good for trade.
Thus, the answer is 3.
X. Which region of the United States is correctly paired with an industry that is dominant
in that region?
1. Southwest — timber
2. Pacific Northwest — citrus crops
3. Great Plains — grain crops
4. Atlantic Coastal Plain — iron mining
This question is similar to an earlier question. Look back and you will find the answer.
Y. Because of fertile land and a long growing season, plantations in the thirteen colonies
developed in
(1) New England
(2) the Middle Atlantic region
(3) the South
(4) the upper Mississippi River valley Base
Plantations were located in the South because the South had very fertile land for farming.
With very fertile land, the South could support large farms or plantations and large farms
or plantations need many workers.
Z. In which area did good harbors, abundant forests, rocky soil, and a short growing
season most influence the colonial economy?
(1) Southern colonies
(2) Middle Atlantic region
(3) Northwest Territory
(4) New England colonies
Oh, New England! It is so unlike the south. It had rocky soil and a short growing season
but many trees and very good harbors. So, in Boston, there is a port and trade. In New
England, there are ships.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Here are some more to practice. You may need my Two Hundred and Fifty Facts to Pass
the US History and Government Regents to find your answers. This packet is the first link
on my U.S. History – Consent of the Governed page on my webpage. Here is a link to my
U.S. page:
http://www.whiteplainspublicschools.org//site/Default.aspx?PageID=12862
The original settlements in the thirteen British colonies were all located
(1) east of the Appalachian Mountains
(2) along the Gulf Coast
(3) on the Great Plains
(4) west of the Mississippi River
The creation of the Virginia House of Burgesses and the signing of the Mayflower Compact
showed that American colonists
(1) supported the abolition of slavery
(2) practiced elements of self-government
(3) promoted public education
(4) demanded immediate independence
During the early 1770s, how did the British government respond to increasing American
protests of British colonial policy?
(1) It offered self-government to the colonists.
(2) It increased efforts to maintain order and enforce laws.
(3) It agreed to grant the colonies representation in Parliament.
(4) It asked France for help in controlling the colonists.
In the 1700s, the triangular trade led directly to the
(1) middle colonies’ role as the chief importers of agricultural products
(2) rapid industrialization of the southern colonies
(3) decline of the New England economy
(4) increased importation of enslaved Africans to the Western Hemisphere
Before 1763, the British policy of salutary neglect toward its American colonies was based
on the desire of Great Britain to
(1) treat all English people, including colonists, on an equal basis
(2) benefit from the economic prosperity of the American colonies
(3) encourage manufacturing in the American colonies
(4) ensure that all mercantile regulations were strictly followed
The colonists’ slogan, “No taxation without representation,” expresses a belief in
(1) free trade
(2) economic interdependence
(3) the supremacy of Parliament
(4) the consent of the governed
Many colonies objected to the Albany Plan of Union (1754) mainly because
(1) the colonies had just been given representation in Parliament
(2) the plan gave too much power to Native American Indians
(3) threats to colonial safety had ended
(4) colonial assemblies did not want to give up their individual power
The Declaration of Independence (1776) has had a major influence on peoples throughout
the world because it
(1) guarantees universal suffrage
(2) establishes a basic set of laws for every nation
(3) provides justification for revolting against unjust governments
(4) describes the importance of a strong central government
“The only representatives of the people of these colonies are persons chosen therein by
themselves; and that no taxes ever have been, or can be constitutionally imposed on them
but by their respective legislatures.”
~ Statement by the Stamp Act Congress, 1765
What is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from this quotation?
(1) The colonial legislatures should be appointed by the English King with the consent
of Parliament.
(2) Only the colonists’ elected representatives should have the power to levy taxes.
(3) The English King should have the right to tax the colonists.
(4) The colonists should be opposed to all taxation. \
Which two key principles of government are included in the Declaration of Independence?
(1) majority rule and minority rights
(2) universal suffrage and judicial independence
(3) direct democracy and equality for women
(4) consent of the governed and natural rights
Which major issue was debated at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and contributed
directly to the start of the Civil War?
(1) regulation of interstate commerce
(2) setting of qualifications for federal office holders
(3) length of presidential term of office
(4) balance of power between the states and the national government
Many critics of the electoral college system point out that it
(1) penalizes the states with the smallest population
(2) encourages the formation of minor political parties
(3) grants too much influence to the United States Senate
(4) might not select the candidate with the largest number of popular votes
The British government’s use of writs of assistance against American merchants is one
reason the Bill of Rights includes protection against
(1) cruel and unusual punishment
(2) self-incrimination
(3) excessive bail
(4) unreasonable search and seizure
Federalism is best defined as a principle of government that
(1) divides power between the central government and state governments
(2) includes a system of checks and balances
(3) allows the states to nullify national laws
(4) places the most power in the hands of the legislative branch

Building support for the ratification of the United States Constitution was the purpose of
the
(1) Farewell Address of George Washington
(2) Albany Plan of Union
(3) Mayflower Compact
(4) Federalist Papers
Which two groups debated the ratification of the new Constitution?
(1) loyalists and revolutionaries
(2) Federalists and Antifederalists
(3) Democratic Party and Whig Party
(4) executive branch and judicial branch
The main reason the Articles of Confederation were replaced as the basis of the United
States government was that they
(1) lacked provision for a national congress
(2) declared that political protests were unconstitutional
(3) placed too many restrictions on the activities of state governments
(4) failed to give the central government enough power to govern effectively
In the United States Constitution, the power to impeach a federal government official is
given to the
(1) House of Representatives
(2) president
(3) state legislatures
(4) Supreme Court
A constitutional power specifically delegated to the federal government is the power to
(1) regulate marriage and divorce
(2) establish education standards
(3) declare war
(4) issue driver’s licenses
To win a presidential election, a candidate must win a
(1) two-thirds vote of the state legislatures
(2) two-thirds vote in Congress
(3) majority of the popular vote
(4) majority of the electoral college vote
The term supreme law of the land refers to which document?
(1) Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
(2) Constitution of the United States
(3) Articles of Confederation
(4) Declaration of Independence

Passing marriage and divorce laws, creating vehicle and traffic regulations, and setting
high school graduation requirements are examples of powers traditionally
(1) exercised solely by local governments
(2) reserved to the state governments
(3) delegated entirely to the federal government
(4) shared by the national and local governments
In Marbury v. Madison (1803), the Supreme Court established a precedent for
(1) judicial review
(2) the impeachment process for civil officers
(3) lifetime offices for justices
(4) treaty ratification procedures
The outcome of the Whiskey Rebellion (1794) strengthened the authority of the
(1) national government
(2) state governors
(3) territorial legislatures
(4) local police
Always read carefully!
