This page shows a list of test questions in the 8th Grade Social Studies public release collection at MSDE. 8th Grade Social Studies
Standard "1.0 Civics," Indicator "FNG.3 …"
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Which statement describes the principle of limited government?
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What is one example of how “the blessings of liberty,” as described in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, are secured for Americans?
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Read the excerpt and use it to answer the constructed response question.
The federal and State governments are . . . different agents . . . of the people . . . with different powers, and designed for different purposes.
James Madison, The Federalist: No. 46
- Identify the principle of government described in this excerpt.
- Explain how the U.S. Constitution provides for this principle of government.
- Use details and examples from the excerpt to support your response.
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This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the excerpt and use it to answer the constructed response question.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution
- Identify the purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.
- Explain why the words “to form a more perfect Union” were significant at the time the U.S. Constitution was written.
- Use details and examples from the excerpt to support your response.
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Which goal in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution is most directly related to the creation of the judicial branch?
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Information about the Question.
Which statement best describes the principle of popular sovereignty?
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Information about the Question.
Read the excerpt.
On May 18, 1896, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson that “separate but equal” facilities were considered sufficient [enough] to satisfy the 14th Amendment. It wasn't until May 17, 1954, however, that the Court reversed the Plessy decision, bringing the era of government-sanctioned [approved] segregation to an end.
—"14th Amendment to the Constitution was Ratified," Library of Congress
Which goal in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution is best reflected by the reversal of the Supreme Court decision described in this excerpt?
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Which part of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution demonstrates the principle of popular sovereignty?
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Which article in the Constitution helps fulfill the Preamble’s goal of establishing justice?
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Information about the Paper Booklet.
Information about the Question.
Study the table.
Title: mathematics expression or equation
| Executive Branch | Legislative Branch | Judicial Branch |
|---|---|---|
| enforces law | makes laws | interprets laws |
Which principle of government is the best title for this table?
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Information about the Question.
Read the excerpt.
The Congress shall have Power To . . . raise and support Armies . . . provide and maintain a Navy, . . . make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces. . . .
—U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 12 to 14
Which goal in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution is supported by this excerpt?
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Which principle of government allows states and the national government to share powers?
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Which example best demonstrates the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution’s goal of promoting the general welfare?
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Read the excerpt.
The powers not delegated [given] to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively [each state], or to the people.
10th Amendment, U.S. Constitution
Which principle is supported by this constitutional amendment?
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Which example best demonstrates the idea of promoting the general welfare as described in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution?
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Why was the Preamble included in the U.S. Constitution?