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 does the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibit? → The government from establishing an official religion
7. What words of warning in Latin tell a buyer to be careful of what they buy? → Caveat Emptor
8. Who would vote in an "at-large" city council election? → All Voters In The Entire City
9. What is the minimum age requirement to serve as President of the United States? → 35 years old
10. What is the significance of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? → It abolished slavery throughout the United States
11. Fundamental duties increase the feeling of patriotism in citizens and help in the betterment of the nation. → TRUE
12. Which constitutional amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States? → 13th Amendment
13. How should one be aware of their rights as a citizen? → By reading the constitution
14. Which branch of the U.S. federal government has the power to declare war? → Congress
15. The longest and most costly of the three Seminole Wars in Florida lasted from 1835 to 1842 — what is it called? → Second Seminole War
16. The Supreme Court's ruling in Furman v. Georgia (1972) temporarily halted capital punishment because: → Death sentences were being applied in an arbitrary and capricious manner
17. Which constitutional provision most directly prohibits Congress from passing a law that singles out a specific individual for punishment without a trial? → The Bill of Attainder Clause (Art. I, Sec. 9)
18. What constitutional right was established by Miranda v. Arizona (1966)? → The right to be informed of one's rights before police interrogation
19. What does 'checks and balances' mean in the context of U.S. government? → Each branch of government has powers to limit the other branches
20. Which constitutional principle did Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) clarify? → Congress has broad authority to regulate interstate commerce
21. Which Supreme Court case established the principle of 'one person, one vote' in legislative apportionment? → Both B and C
22. At what age can U.S. citizens vote in federal elections? → 18
23. Under the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, what happens when a valid federal law directly conflicts with a state law on the same subject? → The federal law preempts and invalidates the conflicting state law
24. The Seventeenth Amendment changed how U.S. Senators are chosen by providing for: → Direct election by the people
25. What is the principal function of a written constitution? → Outlining the structure and powers of a government
26. What is the primary role of the judicial branch in the federal government? → To interpret laws and determine their constitutionality
27. Which circumstance would require a search warrant? → Examining the contents of a hotel room
28. According to Thomas Hobbes, life without government: → Would be nasty, brutish, and short.
29. It is often necessary for government to provide public goods because: → Public goods are often underproduced in a free market.
30. Government that is ruled by a small group of people. → Oligarchy