GED Social Studies Civics and Government 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which constitutional amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States?
- 13th Amendment (Correct answer)
- 14th Amendment
- 15th Amendment
- 16th Amendment
Correct answer: 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime.
Question 2: What is the primary role of the Electoral College in the United States?
- To confirm Supreme Court justices
- To formally elect the President and Vice President (Correct answer)
- To ratify constitutional amendments
- To approve federal legislation
Correct answer: To formally elect the President and Vice President
The Electoral College is a body of electors established by the Constitution to formally elect the President and Vice President.
Question 3: Under the system of federalism, which level of government has the authority to coin money?
- State governments
- Local governments
- The federal government (Correct answer)
- Both state and federal governments
Correct answer: The federal government
The Constitution grants only the federal government the power to coin money, making it an exclusive national power.
Question 4: What is a filibuster in the context of the U.S. Senate?
- A vote to override a presidential veto
- A tactic to delay or block legislation by prolonged debate (Correct answer)
- A procedure to remove a senator from office
- A method for proposing constitutional amendments
Correct answer: A tactic to delay or block legislation by prolonged debate
A filibuster is a Senate tactic where a senator or group speaks for extended periods to delay or prevent a vote on legislation.
Question 5: Which branch of government has the power to declare war?
- The Executive Branch (President)
- The Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
- The Legislative Branch (Congress) (Correct answer)
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff
Correct answer: The Legislative Branch (Congress)
Article I of the Constitution grants Congress, not the President, the exclusive power to formally declare war.
Question 6: What does the term 'due process' mean in American law?
- The government must follow fair procedures before depriving someone of life, liberty, or property (Correct answer)
- Citizens must pay taxes before receiving government services
- Laws must be passed by both houses of Congress
- The President must consult Congress before signing treaties
Correct answer: The government must follow fair procedures before depriving someone of life, liberty, or property
Due process guarantees that the government must follow fair legal procedures before depriving any person of life, liberty, or property.
Question 7: Which document established the framework of government that preceded the U.S. Constitution?
- The Magna Carta
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Articles of Confederation (Correct answer)
- The Federalist Papers
Correct answer: The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States, in effect from 1781 until replaced by the Constitution in 1789.
GED Social Studies Civics and Government 3
Which constitutional amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States?