Civics (Grade 7) Midterm — Units 1–2

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. What does the rule of law mean?
   1. A. Everyone, including leaders, must follow the law
   2. B. Only judges have to obey the law
   3. C. Laws apply only to those who vote
   4. D. Leaders may ignore laws during emergencies
2. What is the main idea of the social contract?
   1. A. Citizens must obey every law without question
   2. B. Government should own all land and businesses
   3. C. Rulers get their power directly from God
   4. D. People give up some freedoms so government will protect their rights
3. The Declaration of Independence says governments get their power from where?
   1. A. The strength of the military
   2. B. The leaders of the church
   3. C. The consent of the governed
   4. D. The approval of the king
4. The Magna Carta of 1215 limited the power of whom?
   1. A. The English Parliament
   2. B. The English king
   3. C. The American Congress
   4. D. The colonial governors
5. Which idea is the French thinker Montesquieu known for?
   1. A. Natural rights to property
   2. B. The general will
   3. C. Separation of powers
   4. D. The divine right of kings
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. What is the purpose of checks and balances?
    1. A. To let each branch limit the power of the others
    2. B. To let the president control the other branches
    3. C. To let states cancel any national law
    4. D. To let Congress choose Supreme Court justices alone
12. Why did many Anti-Federalists oppose the Constitution at first?
    1. A. It made the national government too weak
    2. B. It did not include a bill of rights
    3. C. It did not create a president
    4. D. It gave the states too much power
13. What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?
    1. A. To explain how to add amendments
    2. B. To state the goals of the government
    3. C. To list the rights of citizens
    4. D. To describe the powers of Congress
14. The opening words "We the People" show that the government's power comes from whom?
    1. A. The president
    2. B. The states
    3. C. The people
    4. D. Congress
15. What does the Supremacy Clause say?
    1. A. The Constitution and federal laws override conflicting state laws
    2. B. States may ignore federal laws they dislike
    3. C. The president is above Congress
    4. D. The Supreme Court cannot strike down laws
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. Where was the Constitutional Convention held in 1787?
    1. A. Boston
    2. B. Philadelphia
    3. C. Washington, D.C.
    4. D. New York City
20. 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

Part 2: Written Response

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