Keystone Test Civics: U.S. Government Principles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which branch of the U.S. government has the power to declare war?
- The President
- The Supreme Court
- Congress (Correct answer)
- The Secretary of Defense
Correct answer: Congress
Article I of the Constitution grants Congress the exclusive power to formally declare war.
Question 2: What is the main purpose of the system of checks and balances in the U.S. government?
- To make sure all three branches earn equal salaries
- To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful (Correct answer)
- To ensure the President can veto all laws
- To allow states to override federal decisions
Correct answer: To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
Checks and balances distribute power among the three branches so no single branch can dominate the government.
Question 3: Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery?
- 13th Amendment (Correct answer)
- 14th Amendment
- 15th Amendment
- 19th Amendment
Correct answer: 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, formally abolished slavery throughout the United States.
Question 4: What document established the framework for the current U.S. federal government?
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Articles of Confederation
- The U.S. Constitution (Correct answer)
- The Magna Carta
Correct answer: The U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, established the three branches of government and the supreme law of the land.
Question 5: How many justices currently serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?
- 7
- 8
- 9 (Correct answer)
- 12
Correct answer: 9
By law, the Supreme Court has nine justices, including one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
Question 6: Which principle means that the government must follow established laws and cannot act arbitrarily?
- Federalism
- Separation of powers
- Rule of law (Correct answer)
- Popular sovereignty
Correct answer: Rule of law
The rule of law means no person — including government officials — is above the law.
Question 7: What is the Bill of Rights?
- The original seven articles of the Constitution
- The first ten amendments to the Constitution (Correct answer)
- A declaration issued by the Continental Congress
- A list of duties owed by citizens to the government
Correct answer: The first ten amendments to the Constitution
The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments and protects fundamental individual liberties.
Keystone Test Civics: U.S. Government Principles 2
Which branch of the U.S. government has the power to declare war?