Basics of the U.S. Government (SOL CE 2A and 2B) 2015 Standards

Match the following principles of government to their definitions

• Rule of Law

• We choose officials to conduct government on our behalf.

• Limited Government

• Those who govern are bound by the law. Everyone is equal under the law.

• Consent of the Governed

• The government is not all powerful and may do only what the people give it the power to do.

• Representative Government

• A system of government where the people rule. May be direct or representative.

• Democracy

• Citizens give authority to the government in exchange for protection of their rights.

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CE.2.a

John Locke wrote about the social contract. The social contract states that individuals enter into a government in return for the protection that government grants to their natural rights of life, liberty, and property. Locke's idea of a social contract is closest to what principle of government?

• Representative Government

• Rule of Law

• Consent of the Governed

• Checks and Balances

Answer explanation

John Locke believed that people give up their power to a government so that government will protect their rights. This is concept of consent of governed. Locke also believed if the government did not protect those rights it was the duty of the people to overthrow it.

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CE.2.a

A poster such as this one best supports what principle of U.S. government?

• Rule of Law

• Consent of the Governed

• Limited Government

• Representative Government

Answer explanation

Elections are a means of choosing people who best represent your views. The person who wins an election represents the most people for the area they represent whether it is local, state, or national.

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CE.2.a

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances" First Amendment. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is an example of what principle of the U.S. government in action?

• Judicial Review

• Rule of Law

• Limited Government

• Representative Government

Answer explanation

The First Amendment is a list of rights that the government may not violate. By establishing that everyone has these rights, it has limited the government from making any law that would in any way violate them.

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CE.2.a

The headline best refers to what principle of the U.S. Government.

• Democracy

• Checks and Balances

• Rule of Law

• Consent of the Governed

Answer explanation

Laws have to be followed by everyone. That is what the Founding Fathers believed when they added the principle of rule of law. Therefore if a member of the government breaks the law, they can be punished just like everyone else. Many politicians have lost office and faced legal consequences for breaking the law.

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CE.2.a

Label the two different types of democracy that have existed through history.

a

b

Direct Democracy

Representative Democracy

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CE.2.a

Answer this released question from the Virginia Civics and Economics SOL

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

When the Congressman broke the law by speeding he received a ticket. This is an example of rule of law. Everyone must follow the laws or face legal consequences.

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CE.2.a

Answer this released question from the Virginia Civics and Economics SOL.

• F

• G

• H

• J

Answer explanation

This question is also rule of law. In order for a judge to be impeached they must be accused of breaking a law. The Mayor is being accused of bribery which is also breaking a law. Both of these examples show a government official facing consequences for breaking laws.

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CE.2.a

Answer the following released question from the Virginia Civics and Economics SOL.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

The Constitution begins with the words "We the People do ordain and establish..." This is saying that we created this government so that our rights would be protected under it. If the power had come from anywhere else then it wouldn't have the consent or the permission of the people.

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CE.2.a

What document does the political cartoon refer to?

• U.S. Constitution

• Declaration of Independence

• Charters of the Virginia Company of London

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

Answer explanation

The Declaration of Independence is the world's most famous break up letter. Besides describing all the problems we had with the King and saying that we wanted to end our relationship with England, it listed the rights that each of us should have. It stated all men are created equal and that every man had the right to life, liberty, and to pursue their own happiness.

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CE.2.b