GSAT GSAT Social Studies and Civics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many branches of the U.S. federal government are there?
- Two
- Three (Correct answer)
- Four
- Five
Correct answer: Three
The U.S. federal government has three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
Question 2: Which document is considered the supreme law of the United States?
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Bill of Rights
- The Constitution (Correct answer)
- The Federalist Papers
Correct answer: The Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, establishing the framework for federal government.
Question 3: What term describes a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional governments?
- Unitary system
- Confederacy
- Federalism (Correct answer)
- Oligarchy
Correct answer: Federalism
Federalism divides governmental power between a central national government and state or regional governments.
Question 4: Which of the following is a responsibility of the legislative branch of the U.S. government?
- Enforcing laws
- Interpreting laws
- Making laws (Correct answer)
- Appointing judges
Correct answer: Making laws
The legislative branch, consisting of Congress, is responsible for creating and passing federal laws.
Question 5: What is the term for a formal change or addition to the U.S. Constitution?
- Statute
- Ordinance
- Amendment (Correct answer)
- Decree
Correct answer: Amendment
An amendment is a formal change to the Constitution; there are currently 27 amendments.
Question 6: Which economic system is characterized by private ownership of the means of production and free market competition?
- Socialism
- Communism
- Capitalism (Correct answer)
- Mercantilism
Correct answer: Capitalism
Capitalism features private ownership, profit motive, and free-market competition to determine prices and production.
GSAT GSAT Social Studies and Civics 1
How many branches of the U.S. federal government are there?