Name ____________________________________________________ Period ____________

Unit 1: Principles of Democracy and Citizenship Reading Questions

Pgs. 7-8

1. What are the (5) characteristics of a state?

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

Pgs. 13-14

2. What are (3) major purposes set out in a Constitution?

1.

2.

3.

Pg. 14

3. What are (2) reasons Constitutions are incomplete?

1.

2.

Pg. 16

4. What is a democracy?

Pg. 17

5. What form of democracy is practiced in the United States?

Pg. 37

6. What is the idea that a government’s power is not absolute known as?

Pg. 56

7. What does the term bicameral mean?

Pg. 70

8. What are the changes to the U.S. Constitution formally known as? Currently, how many

changes have been made to the U.S. Constitution?

Pg. 70

9. What is Popular Sovereignty?

Pg. 70

10. What is the term for the division of power between the states and the federal government?

Pg. 71

11. Why does the U.S. Constitution provide for a Separation of Powers?

Pg. 78 (Chart)

12. Give (1) example of Checks & Balances for each of the following:

1. Legislative Branch:

2. Executive Branch:

3. Judicial Branch:

Pg. 698

13. What is amnesty?

Pg. 700

14. What are special documents allowing foreign-born people into the United States?

Pg. 700

15. Under what circumstances will the United States grant asylum?