CIVICS AND ECONOMICS MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE
This study guide is due on the day of your civics midterm. This study guide will help you go through your notebook in preparation for the midterm exam. The civics midterm will include multiple-choice questions that apply the civics information in your notebook and reviewed in this study guide.
Unit One: Citizenship and Naturalization (Starts on page 1 of notebook)
STANDARD CE.4
civic/social duties address community needs serve the public good.
Personal traits of good citizens / What That MeansTrustworthiness and honesty
Courtesy and respect for the rights of others
Responsibility, accountability, and self-reliance
Respect for the law
Patriotism
Participation in the school and/or local community
Participation in elections as an informed voter
STANDARD CE.3c
Duties and responsibilities of citizenship
Citizens SHOULD complete their Civic ______(duties or responsibilities). They are voluntary.
Citizens MUST complete their Civic ______(duties or responsibilities) or face legal ______.
Next to each, write a D if the action is a civic duty or a R if the action is a civic responsibility.
1. ____Register and vote
2. ____Pay Taxes
3. ____Hold elective office
4. ____Influence government by communicating with government officials
5. ____Serve in the military if called
6. ____Serve in voluntary, appointed positions
7. ____Obey Laws
8. ____Participate in political campaigns
9. ____Keep informed regarding current issues
10. ____Serve on a jury if called
11. ____Respect others' rights to an equal voice in government
What are the ways individuals demonstrate responsible citizenship?
Ways for citizens to participate in community service
· ______to support democratic institutions (e.g., League of Women Voters).
· Express concern about the ______of the community as a whole (e.g., as related to environment, public health and safety, education).
· Help to make the community a ______(e.g., by becoming involved with public service organizations, tutoring, volunteering in nursing homes).
STANDARD CE.3a
becoming a U.S. citizen
A ______ is an individual with certain rights and duties under a government and who, by birth or by choice, owes allegiance to that government.
The ______Amendment states “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the state wherein they reside.”
The Fourteenth Amendment defines ______.
Means of obtaining citizenship (becoming a citizen):
1. ______
2. ______
To become a citizen, a person must:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of ______
2. Know ______
3. Demonstrate ability to ______, ______, and ______.
Immigration in ______century has led to an increasingly diverse society.
Unit Two: Establishing our Government (Starts on pages 11 of notebook)
STANDARD CE.2b
Influence of earlier documents
Historical Document / Why is this document important?·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
The Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights…
1. Protects ______of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
2. Affirms individual ______and ______of all people
3. Guarantees ______under the law with ______rule and the rights of the
______protected.
4. Establishes the ______of the United States government.
5. Article I established the ______branch
6. Article II established the ______branch
7. Article III established the ______branch
STANDARD CE.2c
the preamble
The preamble is the first sentence of the ______. The first three words are ______.
The preamble lists the goals and reasons the ______was written.
Phrase from the Preamble / Meaning of the PhraseWe the ______
To form a more perfect ______
To establish ______
To ensure domestic ______
To provide for ______
To promote the general ______
To secure the blessings of ______
STANDARD CE.2d
procedures for amending the US Constitution
The US Constitution defines the process for making ______, changes to the Constitution.
Process for amending the Constitution
1. Proposed by a _____/______vote by ______
2. Ratification by a ______/______vote by the ______
STANDARD CE.3b
The First Amendment freedoms
The First Amendment lists the five freedoms guaranteed in the United States.
First Amendment Freedom / DefinitionIndividuals have the right to complain to their government officials through a letter to a Congressman or to the President.
The Government may not establish one religion or stop you from practicing yours
Express opinions through writing or verbally
Newspapers and television have the right to gather and publish information, even if it criticizes the government.
Protest, gather in groups
STANDARD CE.2a
fundamental principles
Fundamental Principle / Definition/Key PhraseUnit Three: Structure of the US Government and Policymaking (Starts on pg. 35 in notebook)
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
The National Legislative Branch is called the ______.
· It is ______which means there are ______houses.
Senate / House of Representatives______members / ______members
______per state / Based on ______
· The National Legislative has two types of powers.
______- powers that are not listed, but are “necessary and proper”
______- listed powers
· Some of the listed powers of the National Legislative branch are:
· Makes ______
· Approves ______
· Confirms ______
· Raises ______
· Regulates ______
· Declares ______
Describe the lawmaking process for the following situation:
You call your Senator with an idea for an Education bill.
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
6. ______
7. ______
8. ______
9. ______
· Congress writes laws and takes action in response to ______and ______.
· Who can influence the laws Congress makes? ______
· What document lists and limits the powers of Congress? ______.
The National Executive Branch includes the ______, ______,
______, ______, and ______.
Roles of the President / What That MeansThe National Judicial branch is the ______. The main job of the National Judicial branch is to ______the Constitution.
The Courts in the National Level are the…. / The powers of the courts at the National Level are…The power of judicial review is an important check on the ______and ______branches.
______is when the Supreme Courts of the United States and Virginia determine the constitutionality of laws and acts of the executive branch of government.
· M______v. M______ established the principle of judicial review at the national level.
· The ______is the supreme law of the land.
· State laws must conform to the Virginia and United States Constitutions
Checks and Balances – Branches
A system of ______keeps the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches equal in power.
Each branch having different powers demonstrates the principle of ______.
KEY WORDS: Sort out the following key words by the Branch that performs the action:
confirm, prepares, executes, carry-out, appoint, approve, impeach, makes laws, vetoes, overrides vetoes, declares, interprets, propose,
Legislative Key Words / Executive Key Words / Judicial Key Words______
______
______
______
______/ ______
______
______
______
______/ ______
______
Public Policy
What is public policy? ______
Presidential Influences on Public Policy / Individual Influences on Public Policy / Interest Groups Influences on Public Policy / Media Influences on Public Policy· ______
· ______
· ______
· ______/ · ______
· ______
· ______/ · ______
· ______
· ______
· ______/ · ______
· ______
· ______
· ______
Unit Four: The Political Process (Starts on page 61 of notebook)
Political Parties
STANDARD CE.5a
What are the functions of political parties?
STANDARD CE.5b
The two major political parties are ______and ______.
How are these two parties similar? How are they different? Complete the Venn Diagram using your notes.
Same
How do third parties differ from the two major parties?
Do NOT usually ______
I______new ideas
F______on one issue
R______around a political personality
STANDARD CE.5c
How do citizens pick a SIDE during an election?
S______fact from opinion
I______propoganda
D______bias
E______sources
How does the media play a role in the political process?
Mass media roles in elections:
1. Identifying ______
2. Writing ______, creating ______, and publishing ______
3. Broadcasting different ______
4. Emphasizing ______
STANDARD CE.5d
How has the high cost of getting elected changed campaigning for public office?
Changes in campaigning due to rising campaign costs:
· Require candidates to conduct ______
· ______to run for public office
· Give an advantage to ______
· Encourage development of ______
· Give ______increased influence
Campaign Finance Reforms
1. ______campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws
2. ______exist on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns
STANDARD CE.5f
How does the Electoral College select the President and Vice-President of the United States?
Electoral College:
· The Electoral college selects the ______and ______
· ______System leads to the targeting of large states for campaigning, although candidates must pay attention to small states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections.
· The number of electors of each state is based on the state’s ______
· The requirements for a majority vote to win in the Electoral College favors a ______system
The steps in the Electoral College Process are:
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
STANDARD CE.5f
What are the requirements for voter registration in Virginia?
· Qualifications to register to vote in a primary or general election:
1. Must be ______of the United States.
2. ______of Virginia and precinct (Area where you vote)
3. Must be _____ years old by the day of the general election
· Only citizens who ______can participate in primary and general elections. Some places to register in Virginia are:
1. At the ______office
2. By ______
3. At the ______, or other designated sites.
· Registration is closed ______days before elections.
Unit Five: Structure of the State and Local Government (Starts on notebook pages 83)
STANDARD CE.6
FEDERALISM – levels
The Constitution establishes the principle of ______ which is dividing power between the local, state, and national government.
The ______level of government is Supreme.
The National Government is responsible for:
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
· The powers not given to the national government by the Constitution are ______for the states.
The State Government is responsible for:
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
Powers that are SHARED between the National and State government are:\
1. ______
2. ______
who’s who in the government – levels and branches
Sort out who’s who in the government in the chart: Governor, Federal Courts, State Court, President, Congress, General Assembly
BranchesLegislative (Group) / Executive (One Person) / Judicial (Courts)
State
National
STANDARD CE.7a
STATE GOVERNMENT
What is the structure of Virginia’s state government? Who makes up each branch?
Branch:Who is it? / Branch:
Who is it? / Branch:
Who is it?
· Tensions exist between the National and State governments when federal mandates require state action without
______.
The primary issues in the legislative process at the state level are:
Issue / What That MeansThe State Executive fulfills the roles of…
Roles of the Governor / What That Means· Cabinet secretaries and departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards
• ______laws
• ______aspects of business and the economy
• ______services.
STANDARD CE.7c
How is the state lawmaking process different from the national lawmaking process? ______
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