FREE NAEP Civics Grade 12 Questions and Answers

Question 1

The subject at hand is federalism.
Federalism: A system of government in which two or more levels of government share control over the same territory and population. Which aspect of American government best exemplifies the federalism described above?

Accepted Answer

Citizens in the United States are subject to both state and federal laws.

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Citizens in the United States have a right to protection from intrusion into their private affairs.

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Power is divided among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

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Private organizations in the United States do much of the work that is performed by local governments in other countries.

Question 2

The subject at hand is federalism.
What happens when state and federal laws clash in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The national law is enforced.

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The state decides which law to enforce.

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The state law is enforced.

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The public holds a referendum to decide which law should be enforced.

Question 3

What does the cartoon above primarily convey?

Accepted Answer

Well-funded special interest groups have privileged access to Congress.

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Labor and business agree on which policies Congress should follow.

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Even though members of Congress say that they are for protecting the environment, they tend to drive big, gas-guzzling cars.

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People with money play no role in the political process.

Question 4

Which year saw the highest overall percentage of adult Americans turn out for the two major political parties?

Accepted Answer

1940

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1950

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1992

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1982

Question 5

Which conclusion is best supported by the graph above?

Accepted Answer

Since 1950, all levels of government have increased their spending.

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State governments increased spending at a higher rate than local or federal government.

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The Great Depression of the 1930's saw the greatest increase in federal government spending.

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State and local governments decreased their spending in the 1960's.

Question 6

The scenario depicted in the cartoon was referred to as

Accepted Answer

the domino effect

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the good neighbor policy

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the Laos doctrine

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big stick diplomacy

Question 7

Congress shares power in the area of United States foreign policy with the

Accepted Answer

President

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Supreme Court

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United Nations

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state governments

Question 8

Which topic would have most likely caused an argument between a Japanese Prime Minister and a US President recently?

Accepted Answer

America's desire to have greater access to Japanese markets

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America's discrimination toward Japanese nationals

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Japan's development of nuclear weapons

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Japan's wish to enter the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Question 9

Refers to the following statement.
Americans work with a wide range of nongovernmental organizations as volunteers. Volunteers help with social services, environmental cleanup, and youth education. Even though many people consider volunteering to be ""good,"" they are unaware of how crucial volunteers are to the health of American democracy. Volunteering helps people become better citizens and restrains the expansion of the government in a way that safeguards everyone's freedom. What kind of volunteer work falls under the description in the previous sentence?

Accepted Answer

A youth group holds a food drive to help poor people.

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Soldiers are sent to help put out forest fires threatening homes.

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The Environmental Protection Agency cleans up toxic waste dumps.

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A public school sponsors after-school programs for children whose parents work.

Question 10

What is a significant way in which the central political principles of the United States government have had a major impact on U.S. foreign policy?

Accepted Answer

The United States has supported the growth of Western-style democracy in countries that were once communist dictatorships.

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The United States has usually supported movements in foreign countries to give all citizens basic economic rights.

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The United States has consistently encouraged its allies to develop federal systems of government.

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The United States has played a leading role in the international environmental movement.