CMAS Civics and Government 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the supreme law of the United States?
- The Bill of Rights
- The Constitution (Correct answer)
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Federalist Papers
Correct answer: The Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, establishing the framework for the federal government.
Question 2: Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for making laws?
- Executive
- Judicial
- Legislative (Correct answer)
- Administrative
Correct answer: Legislative
The Legislative Branch, consisting of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives), is responsible for creating federal laws.
Question 3: What is the role of the judicial branch in the U.S. government?
- To enforce laws
- To create laws
- To interpret laws (Correct answer)
- To veto laws
Correct answer: To interpret laws
The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets laws to determine if they follow the Constitution.
Question 4: How many senators does each U.S. state have in Congress?
- 1
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- It varies by population
Correct answer: 2
Each state, regardless of population, has exactly 2 senators in the U.S. Senate, totaling 100 senators.
Question 5: What does the term 'checks and balances' mean in the U.S. government?
- The government keeps financial records
- Each branch has powers that limit the other branches (Correct answer)
- Only one branch controls the government
- Citizens check on government spending
Correct answer: Each branch has powers that limit the other branches
Checks and balances means each of the three branches has powers to limit the other branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the First Amendment?
- The right to bear arms
- Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition (Correct answer)
- Protection from unreasonable searches
- The right to a fair trial
Correct answer: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
The First Amendment protects five fundamental freedoms: speech, religion, press, peaceful assembly, and petitioning the government.
Question 7: What is the minimum age to vote in U.S. federal elections?
- 16
- 18 (Correct answer)
- 21
- 25
Correct answer: 18
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18 for all federal, state, and local elections.
CMAS Civics and Government 1
What is the supreme law of the United States?