Q 01/05

Splitting government into legislative, executive and judicial branches is called what?

A) Federalism

B) Separation of powers

C) Popular sovereignty

D) Bicameralism

Answer · why

B) Separation of powers

Separation of powers: the French thinker Montesquieu argued in 1748 that liberty is safest when no single body makes, enforces and judges the law, and...

Q 02/05

The US Constitution has been in effect since which year?

A) 1776

B) 1783

C) 1789

D) 1791

Answer · why

C) 1789

1789: the Constitution took effect on 4 March 1789, after being drafted in 1787 and ratified by the ninth state in June 1788; the Bill of Rights follo...

Q 03/05

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery?

A) 12th

B) 13th

C) 14th

D) 15th

Answer · why

B) 13th

The 13th Amendment, ratified on 6 December 1865, abolished slavery throughout the United States, while its text permits involuntary servitude as punis...

Q 04/05

Which US body has nine members?

A) Cabinet

B) Federal Reserve Board

C) Supreme Court

D) Joint Chiefs of Staff

Answer · why

C) Supreme Court

The Supreme Court was given six justices in 1789, and its size changed six times before a law of 1869 settled on nine; a 1937 plan to add up to six mo...

Q 05/05

Besides being at least 35 and a 14-year resident, what must a US president be under the Constitution?

A) A natural-born citizen

B) A registered voter

C) A military veteran

D) A former officeholder

Answer · why

A) A natural-born citizen

A natural-born citizen: the clause exempted anyone already a citizen when the Constitution was adopted, which the earliest presidents needed, since al...