FCLE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield FCLE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of government? → Roman
2. What is a bill that authorizes the spending of public funds called? → Appropriations Bill
3. Which amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury in criminal cases? → 6th Amendment
4. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote? → 19th Amendment
5. Type of government that is usually controlled by one person who allows very little freedom or opposition. → Dictatorship
6. What words of warning in Latin tell a buyer to be careful of what they buy? → Caveat Emptor
7. Who would vote in an "at-large" city council election? → All Voters In The Entire City
8. What is the significance of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? → It abolished slavery throughout the United States
9. Fundamental duties increase the feeling of patriotism in citizens and help in the betterment of the nation. → TRUE
10. How should one be aware of their rights as a citizen? → By reading the constitution
11. The longest and most costly of the three Seminole Wars in Florida lasted from 1835 to 1842 — what is it called? → Second Seminole War
12. What constitutional right was established by Miranda v. Arizona (1966)? → The right to be informed of one's rights before police interrogation
13. At what age can U.S. citizens vote in federal elections? → 18
14. What is the principal function of a written constitution? → Outlining the structure and powers of a government
15. What is the primary role of the judicial branch in the federal government? → To interpret laws and determine their constitutionality
16. Which circumstance would require a search warrant? → Examining the contents of a hotel room
17. According to Thomas Hobbes, life without government: → Would be nasty, brutish, and short.
18. It is often necessary for government to provide public goods because: → Public goods are often underproduced in a free market.
19. Government that is ruled by a small group of people. → Oligarchy
20. Which branch of the U.S. federal government is responsible for interpreting the Constitution? → Judicial branch
21. What does the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment prohibit? → The government from establishing an official state religion
22. The preamble of the U.S. Constitution: → Defines the two central duties of national government.
23. Why did colonists living under British rule protest British tax policies? → The colonists claimed that the tax policies violated their political rights.
24. Which phrase best describes the power of impeachment? → The ability of the U.S. House to charge federal officers with a crime or violation
25. Which Supreme Court case held that the right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples? → Obergefell v. Hodges
26. What was the ruling in Engel v. Vitale (1962) regarding school-sponsored prayer? → School-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause
27. This is when a person has unfair thoughts or beliefs about a particular group of people. → Prejudice
28. Grants freedom of religion, speech, and the press. → 1st amendment
29. Which Supreme Court case established that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional? → Brown v. Board of Education
30. Which Supreme Court case established the basis for the exercise of judicial review under Article III of the Constitution? → Marbury v. Madison