Civics and Economics - 2012 Released Test

Why were the charters of the Virginia Company of London important?
1. They created a federal court system.
2. They established a national banking system.
3. They guaranteed the colonists’ rights as Englishmen.
4. They stated the colonists’ grievances against the English king.
In order for a United States citizen to receive a fair trial, other citizens must —
1. evaluate judges
2. vote in elections
3. pay poll taxes
4. serve on juries
Which goal of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States is illustrated by this cartoon?
1. Provide defense
2. Ensure domestic peace
3. Establish justice
4. Form a union
Which is necessary to amend the Constitution of the United States?
1. Majority vote by the Electoral College
2. Unanimous vote by both houses of Congress
3. Ratification by legislatures or conventions in the states
4. Recommendation by the executive and judicial branches in the states
Which drawing shows a freedom guaranteed in the 1st Amendment?
These headlines best illustrate the concept of —
1. democracy
2. consent of the governed
3. rule of law
4. popular sovereignty
By starting this school supply drive, Aiko and Ian are —
1. engaging in community service
2. demonstrating a civic duty
3. fulfilling their duties as students
4. engaging in patriotic acts
The principle of United States government that is best illustrated in this headline is —
1. popular sovereignty
2. representative democracy
3. concurrent and reserved powers
4. checks and balances
This headline illustrates a power of which branch of government?
1. State executive
2. State legislative
3. Federal legislative
4. Federal judicial
In this situation, the President is acting as the —
1. chief citizen
2. chief diplomat
3. chief legislator
4. chief executive
According to the 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights, powers not specifically delegated are reserved to the people or —
1. local governments
2. the courts
3. political parties
4. the states
Which level of government can declare war on foreign nations?
1. City
2. State
3. County
4. Federal
One way for Mrs. Jones to gain this office is to be elected by —
1. members of the Governor’s cabinet
2. legislative representatives of the county
3. members of the General Assembly
4. registered voters of the city
Which floor would a teenager go to for misdemeanor charges?
1. 1st
2. 2nd
3. 3rd
4. 4th
Which action by the Governor of Virginia is an example of maintaining public safety?
1. Delivering a speech to the General Assembly of Virginia
2. Sending Virginia’s National Guard to help after a disaster
3. Working on Virginia’s budget with the Secretary of Finance
4. Attending a meeting on the Virginia economy
Which legal process does this headline describe?
1. Legislative proceeding
2. Civil trial
3. Judicial review
4. Criminal prosecution
Political parties distribute literature about their candidates in order to —
1. recruit individuals to run for office
2. educate the electorate about campaign issues
3. help new residents register to vote
4. assist people in getting to their polling places
In order to win an election, a major party is most likely to —
1. appeal to the political center
2. propose cuts to popular programs
3. divide campaign funds between candidates equally
4. organize leaders of special interest groups
This campaign poster is most likely trying to —
1. introduce a concern about the President
2. persuade voters to reelect the candidate
3. emphasize certain issues about the President
4. identify a fact relating to the candidate
What is the correct sequence for the law-making process in the General Assembly?
1. 1, 4, 3, 2
2. 2, 1, 4, 3
Which person has the best chance of influencing local legislation?
Which action is most likely to occur at this event?
1. Entering of a plea
2. Filing of an appeal
3. Reading of a verdict
4. Selection of a jury
This cartoon illustrates how government officials use the media to —
1. communicate with other countries
2. approve federal legislation
3. influence political lobbyists
4. communicate with the public
Local governments preparing a response for an international health crisis would most likely —
1. end visits by international travellers
2. develop a public safety plan for the city
3. shut down international airline flights
4. ask the military to police the city
Based on this graph, which statement is most accurate?
1. The number of college- and non-college-educated voters increased between 1972 and 2004.
2. The percentage of voter turnout remained the same for both groups between 1972 and 2004.
3. The number of registered voters in both groups declined each year in all elections.
4. The college-educated voters were more likely to vote than were non-collegeeducated voters.
This letter is an example of —
1. demonstrating
2. lobbying
3. policymaking
4. campaigning
Which economic factor has most likely determined the price in this picture?
1. Capital
2. Scarcity
3. Demand
4. Consumption
Which phrase best completes the title of this diagram?
1. Government Regulation
2. Industrial Productivity
3. Business Profit
4. Consumer Choice
Which type of economy is being defined?
1. Command
2. Free market
3. Mixed
4. Traditional
Advances in technology have increased the number of people needed to —
1. develop computer software
2. teach children in schools
3. work on assembly lines
4. serve in the military
During the school year, which student would be the best match for this job?
1. Lisa goes to school every day and is often late.
2. Juanita has good attendance and good work skills.
3. Mike studies hard and plays in all afterschool programs.
4. Shawn will graduate early and attend an out-of-state college.
What is the first step in career planning?
1. Marketing
2. Self-assessment
3. Interviewing
4. Job search
This table supports the conclusion that a salary —
1. doubles once a college level is attained
2. stays the same for the high school levels
3. grows at the same rate for each level of education
4. increases as the level of education increases
Which economic concept is illustrated in these drawings?
1. Consumer sovereignty
2. Profit margin
3. Opportunity cost
4. Central planning
What term describes a company that is authorized to operate as a legal person?
1. Proprietorship
2. Entrepreneur
3. Corporation
4. Partnership
The federal government would investigate this company’s practices in order to —
1. preserve competition
2. conserve resources
3. protect workers’ rights
4. safeguard international trade
Which incentive best completes this diagram?
1. Dividend payments
2. Interest payments
3. Bonuses
4. Salaries
This graph shows that from 1931 to 1939, the —
1. government received more money than was spent
2. amount of money spent decreased every year
3. government spent more money than it received
4. amount of money collected increased every year
This cartoon shows that the Federal Reserve System is —
1. the federal government’s bank
2. responsible for legislative purchases
3. the federal government’s tax collector
4. accountable for legislative actions
Which picture shows a service usually provided by the government?