GSAT Social Studies and Civics Flashcards

What is the term for the geographic area a government representative is elected to serve?

Answer: Constituency

A constituency (or district) is the geographic or demographic group that an elected official represents.

Which economic term refers to the total value of all goods and services produced within a country in a year?

Answer: GDP

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) measures the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders annually.

What is the name of the principle that requires government to act according to established laws, not arbitrary decisions?

Answer: Rule of law

The rule of law holds that all individuals and institutions, including the government, are subject to and accountable under the law.

Which of the following best describes a primary election in the U.S. political system?

Answer: A vote within a party to select its candidate

A primary election is held within a political party to select the candidate who will represent that party in the general election.

What does the term 'census' refer to in a civic context?

Answer: An official count of a population

A census is an official, systematic count of a country's population, conducted periodically to inform representation and resource allocation.

Which branch of the U.S. government has the power to declare war?

Answer: Legislative branch

Under Article I of the Constitution, only Congress (the legislative branch) has the power to formally declare war.