Civics (Grade 7) Midterm — Units 5–6

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. Which service is usually provided by local governments?
   1. A. Making treaties
   2. B. Printing money
   3. C. Fire protection
   4. D. National defense
2. The Tenth Amendment gives powers not delegated to the national government to whom?
   1. A. The President
   2. B. Congress
   3. C. The states or the people
   4. D. The Supreme Court
3. Which statement about state constitutions is true?
   1. A. They cannot conflict with the U.S. Constitution
   2. B. One state constitution applies to every state
   3. C. They are written by Congress
   4. D. They can override the U.S. Constitution
4. Which is an example of a power reserved to the states?
   1. A. Printing money
   2. B. Running public schools
   3. C. Making treaties
   4. D. Declaring war
5. Which state has a unicameral, or one-house, legislature?
   1. A. Texas
   2. B. Alabama
   3. C. Nebraska
   4. D. California
6. Who usually leads a city government?
   1. A. A sheriff
   2. B. A governor
   3. C. A senator
   4. D. A mayor
7. What is a local ordinance?
   1. A. A treaty signed by the President
   2. B. An amendment to a state constitution
   3. C. A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court
   4. D. A law passed by a city or county government
8. Which power is shared by both the national and state governments?
   1. A. Printing money
   2. B. Collecting taxes
   3. C. Making treaties
   4. D. Declaring war
9. Who leads the executive branch of a state government?
   1. A. The state attorney general
   2. B. The state chief justice
   3. C. The governor
   4. D. The mayor
10. Nationwide, which tax is a major source of money for local governments and schools?
    1. A. Federal income taxes
    2. B. Social Security payroll taxes
    3. C. Tariffs on imports
    4. D. Property taxes
11. What is the minimum age to vote in U.S. federal elections?
    1. A. 25
    2. B. 16
    3. C. 18
    4. D. 21
12. Who formally elects the President of the United States?
    1. A. The Electoral College
    2. B. The Senate
    3. C. The state governors
    4. D. The Supreme Court
13. What is the purpose of a primary election?
    1. A. To select justices for the Supreme Court
    2. B. To approve amendments to the Constitution
    3. C. To choose a party's candidates for the general election
    4. D. To choose the final winner of an office
14. Which is a legal duty of U.S. citizens?
    1. A. Voting in every election
    2. B. Volunteering in the community
    3. C. Joining a political party
    4. D. Serving on a jury when called
15. When do midterm elections take place?
    1. A. At the same time as presidential elections
    2. B. Only when a president leaves office early
    3. C. Halfway through a president's four-year term
    4. D. Every six years
16. Which is a civic responsibility rather than a legal duty?
    1. A. Obeying laws
    2. B. Paying taxes
    3. C. Serving on a jury when summoned
    4. D. Voting in elections
17. What is a main purpose of political parties?
    1. A. To write the Constitution
    2. B. To appoint federal judges
    3. C. To interpret laws in court
    4. D. To nominate candidates and promote ideas
18. What is an interest group?
    1. A. A branch of government that writes laws
    2. B. A group that tries to influence government on certain issues
    3. C. A court that hears appeals
    4. D. A committee that counts election votes
19. What is the process by which an immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen called?
    1. A. Naturalization
    2. B. Immigration
    3. C. Ratification
    4. D. Apportionment
20. What does it mean to petition the government?
    1. A. To pay taxes on time
    2. B. To formally ask officials to take an action
    3. C. To vote for a candidate in an election
    4. D. To serve on a jury in court

Part 2: Written Response

21. Explain the difference between a civic duty and a civic responsibility. Give two examples of each.