Strongsville High School Social Studies Department
U.S. Government & Civics Final Exam Review Sheet
The exam will contain multiple choice, essay, free response and extended response questions.
Chapters 1-4
1. Characteristics of the National government under the Articles of Confederation?
2. Why did the founders choose a bicameral form of government?
3. Main idea of the Declaration of Independence:
4. Why were the Federalist Papers written?
5. What did the authors of the Federalist Papers argue about life tenure for judges in Federalist 78?
6. What was the impact of the Three-Fifths and Connecticut Compromises on the small states?
7. The Constitution begins with “We the People.” What principle does this reflect?
8. Explain the principle of Separation of Powers.
9. Be able to give examples of Checks and Balances
10. Article IV deals with Full Faith and Credit”: Privileges and Immunities, Extradition. Know what these terms mean
11. What are some characteristics of Federalism?
12. Review the Formal Amending procedure.
13. Review the Expressed Powers in Article I Section 8.
14. Explain Majority Rule v Minority Rights
Chapters 5-9
15. What role do the ideas of minor parties play?
16. What are the functions of major parties?
17. Define: political efficacy
18. Define: political socialization
19. What is the role of the family in the political socialization of young children?
20. What role do lobbyists play?
21. What is the role of interest groups?
22. Why are interest groups called pressure groups?
23. What is the role of mass media on the public agenda?
24. Identify ways in which voters, including African Americans, have been denied the right to vote.
25. Define: closed primary
26. What are some reason for non-voting?
27. Why is it important for political parties to have accurate information on public opinion?
Chapters 10-12
28. What are the qualifications for the House and Senate?
29. What house approves treaties and by what margin?
30. What body gerrymanders districts? Why is gerrymandering considered unfair?
31. Who has the sole power to impeach?
32. Who can propose a bill to raise money (revenue)?
33. What did the 17th Amendment change?
34. What non-legislative powers held by the Senate?
35. What are the options a president has when a bill crosses his desk?
36. The Supreme Court established the doctrine of Implied Powers in McCulloch v Maryland. What does this mean?
37. What issue is associated with Gibbons v Ogden?
38. With whom does Congress share Foreign Powers?
39. What is the minimum number of Electors a state can have?
40. Review the qualifications for House and Senate. How long is the term for each house?
41. What is the major job of committees? Why do committees exist?
42. Why did the Framers include the Necessary and Proper Clause?
43. Review how a bill becomes a law: Why is the Conference Committee often called the “Third House of Congress?”
44. What Judicial Powers are given to Congress?
45. What is the purpose of the filibuster?
46. Who can propose amendments to the Constitution?
Chapters 13-14
47. According to the Constitution, who really elects the President?
48. What does a national convention hope to accomplish?
49. Why do candidates try to “balance the ticket?” What does this mean?
50. What is an incumbent and will his party renominate him? Why or why not?
51. How many terms is a president limited to? What is the maximum number of years he can be president? Which Amendment is responsible for the term limits on the President?
52. Who can declare war?
53. What are the qualifications to be president of the United States?
54. What are the two purposes for a presidential primary?
55. According to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, who follows the Vice President in order of succession?
56. What is one major flaw of the Electoral College (think election in 2000)
57. If the president wants to name a new member to his cabinet, what has to happen for this to become a reality?
58. How is presidential power to make undeclared war checked?
Chapter 18
59. Why is the Supreme Court called the High Court?
60. Why is the appointment of justices/judges to the Federal Courts a part of a president’s legacy?
61. What are the terms for constitutional judges? Legislative judges?
62. Which Supreme Court case reinforced the principle of Judicial Review?
63. According to Article III, over what kinds of cases do Federal courts have jurisdiction (think civil issues)
64. According to Article III, what can Congress do to relieve the burden on the Supreme Court?
Chapters 19-20-21
65. What does the 5th Amendment/double jeopardy protect one from?
66. According to the 4th Amendment, when arresting someone, police must have ______. To search for evidence they must have a ______.
67. What is the only crime defined in the Constitution?
68. How do the 5th and 6th Amendments relate to Fair Trials?
69. What does the Free Exercise Clause of the 1st Amendment give people?
Chapters 24-25
70. What can the Ohio Secretary of State require voters to do to prevent voter fraud?
71. From where are the names of potential jurors obtained?
72. In Article V of the Ohio Constitution, what qualifies one to be able to vote?
73. If the governor of Ohio leaves office, for any reason, who will fill out his term?
74. In Ohio, how do we select judges?
75. How can Ohio voters propose the passage of laws?
76. Review the difference between Strong-mayor-councils and Weak-mayor-councils.
The Final Exam has 1 essay question that everyone is required to do. It deals with the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010. You can access an article online at the Social Studies website www.stronget.org; go to Departments, then Social Studies, then to Departmental Study Guides.
You will have a choice of 2 extended response questions (you will write on only one). These extended response questions ask you to evaluate a primary source quote.
Free Response questions, out of 5 questions, you will be responding to two.
How government at the different levels affects your daily life
Why don’t people vote and why they should
Six Basic Principles of the Constitution (Chapter 3)
Five basic Freedoms in the 1st Amendment
Roles of the President