U.S. Government and Civics Flashcards
7 cards from real CFPT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 U.S. Government and Civics flashcards as text
Which clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has been used most extensively by the Supreme Court to apply Bill of Rights protections to the states?
Answer: The Due Process Clause
The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has been the primary vehicle for incorporating Bill of Rights protections against state governments.
Which U.S. government publication sets forth the official positions and policies of federal agencies and is updated daily?
Answer: The Federal Register
The Federal Register is the official daily journal of the U.S. government, publishing proposed and final rules, notices, and executive orders.
In the U.S. federal system, which level of government has authority over matters such as marriage laws, intrastate commerce, and education standards?
Answer: State governments primarily
Under federalism, states retain primary authority over domestic matters like marriage, intrastate commerce, and public education.
What is the constitutional procedure if no presidential candidate wins a majority of electoral votes?
Answer: The House of Representatives selects the President
Under the Twelfth Amendment, if no candidate wins an electoral majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President, with each state delegation casting one vote.
Which principle holds that the U.S. Constitution and federal laws take precedence over conflicting state laws?
Answer: The Supremacy Clause
The Supremacy Clause (Article VI) establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the 'supreme Law of the Land,' overriding conflicting state laws.
How many amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution since its ratification in 1788?
Answer: 27
The Constitution has been amended 27 times; the first 10 (the Bill of Rights) were ratified in 1791, and the most recent was ratified in 1992.
What term describes the constitutional system that divides governmental power between a national government and state governments?
Answer: Federalism
Federalism is the system by which sovereign power is constitutionally divided between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments.