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Class Period:
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State Government Pre-Test

Each multiple choice questions each worth 3 points each.

1. What group leader helped draw up a plan for the first colonial constitution?

A. Thomas Jefferson
B. Thomas Hooker
C. George Washington
D. James Madison

2. Under English rule, the original 13 colonies used what form of documents given by
England to rule?

A. constitutions
B. declarations
C. charters
D. legislations

3. What are the two kinds of changes that can be made to state constitutions?

A. amendments and revisions

B. checks and balances
C. statutory law and fundamental law
D. charters and referendums

4. In some states, what is the process where citizens can suggest constitutional
amendments?

A. referendum
B. initiative
C. revision
D. recall

5. What is police power?

 A. the power that police forces control
B. the power that the governor has over his officials
C. the authority of each state to guard the safety, health, and welfare of citizens
D. the authority of each state to have a police force

6. Which of these is an example of a non-legislative power that the state legislature has?

A. the power to impeach

B. the power to regulate trade
C. the power to pass laws
D. the power to tax

7. Who can suggests the ideas for bills to be passed by the state legislator?

A. the governor only

B. the state legislators only
C. Both A&B
D. Anyone can suggests a bill

8. In Mississippi, if there is not a clear majority in a popular vote for the governor, who
picks the winner?

A. the people in a runoff election

B. the Mississippi courts vote on it
C. the legislature chooses the winner
D. Mississippi mayors vote on the winner

9. What are the roles of a governor?

A. the leader of his or her political party

B. appearing at ceremonies and making speeches
C. suggests laws to the legislature and influence the passage of laws
D. both A and B
E. all of the above

10. Who appoints the heads of departments and agencies needed to run the state?

A. the courts
B. the governor
C. the people
 D. the legislature

11. Who is the states chief legislature?

A. the lieutenant governor

B. the speaker of the house
C. the governor
D. the attorney general

12. Who is the chief legal officer in the state?

A. the attorney general

B. the governor
C. the lieutenant governor
D. the superintendent

13. What is the role of the state treasurer?

A. succeeds the governor if necessary

B. the chief legal officer in the state
C. keeps all records and publishes laws
D. collects taxes and pays bills

14. Short essay question: What is the importance behind having a jury? (2 pts)

15. List two differences between a criminal case and a civil case. (2 pts each)

1.

2.
16. In Mississippi, judges are selected by voting from the

A. people
B. governor
C. state legislature
D. other judges