Civics (Grade 7) Midterm — Semester 1, Form B

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. Why is the Mayflower Compact important?
   1. A. It was the first U.S. Constitution
   2. B. It was an early example of colonial self-government
   3. C. It declared independence from England
   4. D. It ended the war with Great Britain
2. In which type of government do citizens vote directly on laws?
   1. A. Direct democracy
   2. B. Absolute monarchy
   3. C. Representative democracy
   4. D. Oligarchy
3. A government in which one ruler holds total power, often by force, is called what?
   1. A. A dictatorship
   2. B. A direct democracy
   3. C. A confederation
   4. D. A republic
4. John Locke said all people are born with which natural rights?
   1. A. Voting, trial, and petition
   2. B. Speech, press, and religion
   3. C. Food, shelter, and education
   4. D. Life, liberty, and property
5. What is a republic?
   1. A. A government ruled by a king who inherits power
   2. B. A government where a small group of generals rules
   3. C. A government where religious leaders make all laws
   4. D. A government where citizens elect representatives to make laws
6. What is federalism?
   1. A. Dividing power among three branches
   2. B. Dividing power between national and state governments
   3. C. Dividing power between voters and the president
   4. D. Dividing power between the U.S. and other nations
7. What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
   1. A. Congress could not collect taxes
   2. B. The president had too much power
   3. C. The Supreme Court had too much power
   4. D. States had no power at all
8. What fraction of the states must ratify a proposed amendment?
   1. A. All of them
   2. B. One-half
   3. C. Two-thirds
   4. D. Three-fourths
9. Where was the Constitutional Convention held in 1787?
   1. A. Boston
   2. B. Philadelphia
   3. C. Washington, D.C.
   4. D. New York City
10. What did the Great Compromise create?
    1. A. A president chosen directly by Congress
    2. B. A two-house Congress, one by population and one equal
    3. C. A single-house Congress with equal votes per state
    4. D. A Supreme Court elected by the people
11. Which freedom is protected by the First Amendment?
    1. A. The right to bear arms
    2. B. The right to a jury trial
    3. C. Freedom of the press
    4. D. Protection from unreasonable searches
12. The Fifth Amendment protects a person from what?
    1. A. Unreasonable searches of property
    2. B. Cruel and unusual punishment
    3. C. Having soldiers housed in their home
    4. D. Being forced to testify against themselves
13. What does the Sixth Amendment guarantee to people accused of crimes?
    1. A. Protection of private property from taxes
    2. B. The right to vote
    3. C. Freedom of religion
    4. D. A speedy and public trial
14. The Eighth Amendment bans what?
    1. A. Cruel and unusual punishment
    2. B. Limits on free speech
    3. C. Unreasonable searches
    4. D. Housing soldiers in homes
15. What is the Bill of Rights?
    1. A. The first three articles of the Constitution
    2. B. A list of the powers of Congress
    3. C. The first ten amendments to the Constitution
    4. D. The Declaration of Independence

Part 2: Written Response

16. Explain how the Constitution limits government power. Use at least two principles.