Laurel Springs High School American Government Questions

1) Match the definitions with the terms.

possible answers: dissent, common law, charter, precedent, unicameral, bicameral.

a legislative branch with two houses
to disagree with a majority view
a term that describes unwritten laws that are based on customs, traditions, and prior judicial decisions
any decision that serves as a pattern for future decisions
a legislative branch with a single house

a grant by a sovereign power creating a new entity

2) Check all that apply.

Select THREE facts that describe a charter.

	customs and traditions that were authorized through a grant
	an official written document giving permission to own land
	a grant for ownership from someone with sovereign power
	an unwritten document giving authority to govern in any way one chooses
	a document that ensured colonists had rights and liberties as freemen to colonize

3) Check all that apply.

Select THREE principles guaranteed by the Magna Carta that later influenced some of the

fundamental principles found in the Constitution of the United States.

	freedom of the press
	representation of the people
	separation of powers
	limited government
	rights and liberties for the individual such as trial by jury
	federal system of government

4) Check all that apply.

Select the THREE fundamental principles widely applied by the governments established in

English North American colonies.

	government that must represent the people
	government that is not all-powerful
	religious toleration
	establishment of a state religion
	freedom of the press
	bicameralism

5) Select the best answer.

Why did the Puritans establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony?

	They wished to avoid interaction with foreigners.
	They hoped to make a fortune in order to send missionaries all over the world.

6) Select the best answer.

The ___ provided a framework for the first form of democratic government in the American colonies.

	Jamestown Charter
	Statutes for Religious Freedom
	Declaration of Independence
	Mayflower Compact

7) Match each statement with the type of colony it best describes.
possible answers: Royal, Charter, proprietary.

This colony was meant to bring revenue to England.


This colony was not strictly controlled; most of these types could make their own decisions.
This colony was under strict rule by a sovereign power
Often, this type of colony was established because of religious intolerance.
This colony’s governor answered directly to the king.
This colony’s landowner appointed a governor.

This colony’s governor was often elected by the people.

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