Selected Response Item - Released in 2002 |
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The process of amending the Constitution is an example of federalism because it requires |
- approval of two-thirds of the Supreme Court
- unanimous approval of both the President and Congress
- unanimous approval of both state and local governments
- approval of two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_111_gov11.xml |
Correct Answer:
D
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2003 |
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Which of these principles of government is demonstrated when the governor of Maryland vetoes a bill? |
- federalism
- popular sovereignty
- checks and balances
- representative democracy
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_111_gov03.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2003 |
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Read the excerpt below.
"Neither slavery nor involuntary [labor], except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States...."
Thirteenth Amendment, United States Constitution |
Which of these would be acceptable as a result of this amendment?
|
- A defendant in a criminal case is sentenced by a court of law to provide unpaid community service work.
- A public defender is required to provide legal services to a person accused of a crime who cannot afford representation.
- A United States President is elected to serve as the country's leader for a term of four years.
- A United States citizen is required by law to serve as a member of the jury when selected for duty.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_111_gov04.xml |
Correct Answer:
A
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2003 |
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The "elastic clause" gives Congress implied power to act in areas not specifically expressed in the Constitution at the time it was written.
Congress is exercising its power under the "elastic clause" when it |
- declares war on a foreign nation
- establishes a post office in a community
- authorizes the testing of nuclear weapons
- prohibits export taxes
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_111_gov15.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2002 |
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The United States Constitution is called a “living document” because it |
- can be changed when needed
- outlines the government's structure
- refers to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- supports every citizen's right to make a good living
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_111_gov02.xml |
Correct Answer:
A
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2005 |
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Read the excerpt below.
| “No freeman [person] shall be taken or imprisoned,...or outlawed, or banished, or in any way destroyed, unless by the lawful judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land...”
–Magna Carta, 1215 |
Which of these principles found in the Bill of Rights is based on the Magna Carta? |
- guarantee of free speech
- protection of the right of the state to organize a militia
- provision for due process
- prohibition against excessive bail and fines
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_111_gov11.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2005 |
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Which of these is a similarity between the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence? |
- They list the rights of those accused of a crime.
- They divide powers of government among three branches.
- They list the grievances of American colonists against Great Britain.
- They state that government gains authority from the people.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_111_gov15.xml |
Correct Answer:
D
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2005 |
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Read the paragraph below.
| “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution thereof, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people thereof.”
–Article 3, Declaration of Rights,
Constitution of Maryland |
What principle of government is best reflected in the article above? |
- federalism
- majority rule
- judicial review
- checks and balances
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_111_gov47.xml |
Correct Answer:
A
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2001 |
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Which of these was an opinion held by opponents to the Constitution in 1787? |
- The Constitution gave the state
governments too much power.
- A bill of rights should be added
to the Constitution.
- The Articles of Confederation
had too many weaknesses.
- A strong central government
was needed for protection.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_111_gov02.xml |
Correct Answer:
B
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2001 |
|
Which of these quotes from the
Constitutional Convention best
represents the principle of
separation of powers? |
- "The preservation of the States
. . . is indispensable."
- "The purse and sword must
not be in the same hands."
- "The people can not know or
judge the characters of
Candidates."
- "Look to the votes in Congress,
and most of them stand
divided by the geography of
the country. . . ."
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_111_gov03.xml |
Correct Answer:
B
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Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2001 |
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Read the paragraph below.
In 1941, Franklin Roosevelt
addressed Congress and the
public about the importance of
freedom. Roosevelt spoke
specifically of freedom of
speech and expression, freedom
of religion, freedom from want,
and freedom from fear. |
- Select one of the freedoms listed
above and discuss its importance
in the lives of United States
citizens.
- State why you chose this
freedom.
- Include examples and
details to support your answer.
Write your answer in the answer box below. |
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_111_gov15.xml |
View Scoring Information
|
Selected Response Item - Released in 2004 |
|
Read the excerpts below.
Article 1
“That all government of right originates from the people;...they have...the right to alter, reform, or abolish their form of Government....”
Article 24
“That no man ought to be taken or imprisoned...but by the judgment of
his peers, or by the law of the land.”
–Maryland Declaration of Rights |
Which of these constitutional
principles is described in Article 1
of the Maryland Declaration of
Rights? |
- The people should have equal
protection under the law.
- State governments and the
federal government share
powers.
- The people in a democratic
society give their consent to
be governed.
- Each branch of the government
has powers over the other
branches.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_111_gov51.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2004 |
|
Read the excerpts below.
Article 1
“That all government of right originates from the people;...they have...the right to alter, reform, or abolish their form of Government....”
Article 24
“That no man ought to be taken or imprisoned...but by the judgment of
his peers, or by the law of the land.”
–Maryland Declaration of Rights |
Which of these constitutional rights
is described in Article 24? |
- the right to bear arms
- the right to due process
- the right to freedom of speech
- the right to peaceably assemble
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_111_gov52.xml |
Correct Answer:
B
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Extended Constructed Response (ECR) Item - Released in 2002 |
|
Read the list of freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
- freedom of religion
- freedom of speech
- freedom of the press
- the right to peaceably assemble
- the right to petition the government
Citizens of a newly independent country are drafting a constitution. They have requested your help in selecting the two most important rights in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution to include in their constitution.
- Choose two First Amendment rights from the United States Constitution that you think should be included in the new country's constitution.
- Identify your choices and explain why you think they should be included.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the answer box below.
|
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_111_gov27.xml |
View Scoring Information
|
Selected Response Item - Released in 2002 |
|
Read the quotation below.
“...in all that people can individually do for themselves, government ought not to interfere.”
Abraham Lincoln |
|
|
Which of these constitutional principles best applies to this quote? |
- rule of law
- due process
- limited government
- separation of powers
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_111_gov34.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2006 |
|
Read the quotation below.
“Our citizens have wisely
formed themselves into one
nation as to others and several
States as among themselves...”
—Thomas Jefferson, 1801
The quotation refers to the
principle of
- federalism
- rule of law
- majority rule
- separation of powers
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_111_gov11.xml |
Correct Answer:
A
|
Selected Response Item - Released in 2006 |
|
Look at the excerpt below.
Article 1
All human beings are born free
and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason
and conscience and should act
towards one another in a spirit
of brotherhood.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life,
liberty, and security of person.
—Universal Declaration of
Human Rights
The Declaration of Independence
and the articles above are similar
because both
- describe the powers of
government
- are enforced in every country in
the world
- describe personal freedoms to
which every person is entitled
- are used by the World Court to
resolve international disputes
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_111_gov17.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2006 |
|
Read the news article excerpt below.
The city's actions were unconstitutional because posting the religious laws in
public places violated the principle of
- right of assembly
- freedom of the press
- separation of church and state
- protection against unreasonable searches
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_111_gov27.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2006 |
|
One of the main purposes of the Bill of Rights is to
- limit individual rights
- strengthen criminal laws
- limit the power of government
- improve the court system
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_111_gov35.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2007 |
|
Read the excerpt below.
“After [dividing] the several
classes of power, as they may in
their nature be legislative,
executive, or judiciary, the next
and most difficult task is to
provide some practical security
for each, against the invasion of
the others.”
—The Federalist, No. 48
Which of these principles of
government is described in the
excerpt?
- due process
- popular sovereignty
- checks and balances
- representative democracy
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_111_gov04.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
|
Selected Response Item - Released in 2007 |
|
Read the excerpt below.
“No freeman [person] shall be
taken or imprisoned,… or
outlawed, or banished, or in any
way destroyed, unless by the
lawful judgment of his peers, or
by the law of the land….”
—Magna Carta, 1215
Which of these constitutional
protections is described in the
excerpt?
- government leaders are chosen
by the people
- citizens will receive a fair price
for land taken for public use
- citizens accused of crimes will be
heard by an impartial jury
- power is divided between the
three branches of government
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_111_gov21.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2008 |
|
Read the excerpt below.
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution… are reserved to the States… or to the people….”
— Article 3, Maryland Declaration of Rights
Which of these principles of government is described in the excerpt?
- Citizens elect representatives in government to make laws.
- Each branch of government has different responsibilities.
- State governments exist at the will of the federal government.
- Powers are divided among different levels of government.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_111_gov07.xml |
Correct Answer:
D
|
Selected Response Item - Released in 2008 |
|
Read the excerpt below.
“No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned… unless by the lawful judgement of his peers, or by the law of the land.”
—Magna Carta, 1215
Which of these constitutional protections is based on the principle described in the excerpt above?
- the right to petition the government
- the right to vote
- the right to a trial by jury
- the right to bear arms
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_111_gov29.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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Selected Response Item - Released in 2008 |
|
Which of these excerpts from the United States Constitution best reflects the principle of checks and balances?
- “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States… shall be the supreme Law of the Land.….”
- “All persons born or naturalized in the United States… are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
- “Every Bill which shall have passed [Congress] shall, before it becomes a Law, be presented to the President of the United States.”
- “The [listing] in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be [interpreted] to deny… others retained by the people.”
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_111_gov44.xml |
Correct Answer:
C
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