FCLE Practice Test: Video 1 Answers (25 Questions) Flashcards
25 cards from real FCLE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 FCLE Practice Test: Video 1 Answers (25 Questions) flashcards as text
Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration, which was adopted July 4, 1776. Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution, not the Declaration.
The Declaration of Independence states governments derive their just powers from what?
Answer: The consent of the governed
The Declaration says just powers come from the consent of the governed. Divine right was the monarchist idea the colonists rejected.
What was the main purpose of the Federalist Papers?
Answer: Urge ratification of the Constitution
Hamilton, Madison and Jay wrote them to persuade states to ratify the Constitution. The Bill of Rights came later, largely to answer Anti-Federalist concerns.
What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Answer: Congress could not levy taxes
Congress could only request funds from the states, leaving the central government weak. It had no strong executive or national courts, so distractor D is wrong.
The Magna Carta (1215) most influenced which principle of American government?
Answer: Limited government and rule of law
The Magna Carta established that even the king was subject to law. Judicial review came later from Marbury v. Madison.
Which amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures?
Answer: Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment requires warrants based on probable cause. The Fifth covers self-incrimination and due process.
Which amendment guaranteed women the right to vote?
Answer: 19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment (1920) prohibited denying the vote based on sex. The 15th concerned race, and the 26th lowered the voting age to 18.
Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?
Answer: 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery. The 14th granted citizenship and equal protection, not abolition.
Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?
Answer: Article III
Article III creates the Supreme Court and allows lower federal courts. Article I is the legislative branch.
Which amendment limits a President to two elected terms?
Answer: 22nd Amendment
The 22nd Amendment (1951) limits presidents to two elected terms. The 25th deals with presidential succession and disability.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) established what principle?
Answer: Judicial review
Chief Justice Marshall asserted the Court's power to review laws for constitutionality. Implied powers came from McCulloch v. Maryland.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ruled that segregated public schools were what?
Answer: Unconstitutional
The Court held separate educational facilities are inherently unequal under the Equal Protection Clause. 'Separate but equal' was the earlier Plessy doctrine.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) guaranteed what right in state felony cases?
Answer: Right to an attorney
The Court held states must provide counsel to defendants who cannot afford one. Miranda v. Arizona later covered self-incrimination warnings.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) held that states could not do what?
Answer: Tax the national bank
The Court ruled Congress could charter a national bank and Maryland could not tax it. This reflects the Supremacy Clause.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) protected what for public school students?
Answer: Symbolic political speech
The Court ruled students do not shed free speech rights at the schoolhouse gate unless speech substantially disrupts school. It is a First Amendment case.
What vote is needed in Congress to override a presidential veto?
Answer: Two-thirds of both houses
Overriding a veto takes two-thirds of both the House and Senate. A simple majority is only needed to pass a bill initially.
Federalism is best described as what?
Answer: Power divided between national and state governments
Federalism divides authority between national and state governments. A unitary system concentrates power in one central government.
How many U.S. Senators does each state have, and for how long is each term?
Answer: Two; six years
Each state has two Senators serving six-year terms. House terms are two years and based on population.
How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?
Answer: 270
There are 538 electoral votes, so 270 is a majority. 435 is the number of House members.
Who nominates federal judges, and who confirms them?
Answer: President nominates; Senate confirms
The President nominates and the Senate confirms by majority vote. The House has no role in confirmation.
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