Civic Literacy 1 Flashcards
6 cards from real Civic Literacy Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Civic Literacy 1 flashcards as text
Which branch of the U.S. federal government has the sole authority to declare war?
Answer: Congress
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution explicitly grants Congress — not the President — the power to declare war. While the President commands the military, only Congress can issue a formal declaration of war.
What is the primary purpose of the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
Answer: To reserve powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people
The Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people. It is a cornerstone of federalism.
How many justices currently sit on the U.S. Supreme Court?
Answer: 9
The U.S. Supreme Court is composed of nine justices: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. This number has been set by Congress since 1869 and has not changed since.
Which constitutional clause gives Congress the broad power to make all laws 'necessary and proper' to carry out its enumerated powers?
Answer: The Elastic Clause
Article I, Section 8 ends with the Necessary and Proper Clause, often called the 'Elastic Clause' because it stretches congressional authority to enact legislation beyond its explicitly listed powers, as long as those laws support an enumerated power.
What is the term length for a U.S. House of Representatives member?
Answer: 2 years
Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms, as established by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. All 435 House seats are up for election every two years during federal elections.
Which constitutional amendment lowered the voting age in the United States to 18?
Answer: Twenty-Sixth Amendment
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the national voting age from 21 to 18. It was largely driven by arguments that citizens old enough to be drafted and serve in Vietnam should have the right to vote.