Norwalk Public Schools
Civics
Common Final Examination
Directions: Construct responses to the questions as directed by your teacher. You will write a response to at least one essay from each standard. You will be required to respond to at least one document-based question.
Each response should include relevant and accurate evidence and examples.
Questions are categorized according to their related Connecticut Social Studies state standards.
Standard 5: United States Constitution and Government
1.) What is the purpose of Government?*
2.) In what way is the Constitution a series of compromises?
3.) Is our federal system an effective form of government? Why or why not? Provide historical and/or current examples.
4.) How effectively does the Constitution balance the three branches?
5.) Explain the debate between strict constructionists and those who view the Constitution as a “living document.”
6.) What does the Constitution say about political parties? Is the two party system effective? Provide examples from our current political landscape.
7.) Explain to a foreign visitor or recent immigrant how our United States government works. Make sure to reference the Constitution.
Standard 6: Rights and Responsibilities of the Citizen
8.) What is the role of the citizen in a democracy? How has it changed (or been amplified) since September 11th, 2001?*
9.) In what way does campaign financing impact federal elections? Provide recent examples.
10.) Describe various interpretations of the First Amendment over the last 50 years. Include at
least three examples.
11.) Use three Constitutional amendments to argue for or against Capital Punishment.
12.) Please explain your political leanings. Include your stance on three contemporary issues and
provide evidence and examples to justify your thoughts.
Standard 7: Political Systems
13.) Which is more powerful in the U.S.: state or federal government? Explain your answer.
14.) Why do so few bills become law?
15.) Why is the media so powerful? In what way has the media altered the government’s agenda
and the opinion of its citizens? Provide specific examples.*
16.) Is the United States a “true democracy?” Why or why not?
17.) Select two forms of government besides democracy; Explain the ways in which they are
similar to and the ways in which they differ from each other and from democracy.
Standard 8: International Relations:
18.) Identify three international situations over the last semester and explain their importance and
impact upon you, your community, and the nation as a whole.
19.) How does the following political cartoon reflect the opinion of the artist as well as the
social/political event(s) of the time (teacher provides political cartoon)? Do you agree or disagree with its message?
20.) Since 2001 how have American politics, culture, and society been affected and how has
society’s view of government been altered both domestically and internationally?*
Civics
Common Final Examination
Directions: Construct responses to the questions as directed by your teacher. You will write a response to at least one essay from each standard. You will be required to respond to at least one document-based question.
Each response should include relevant and accurate evidence and examples.
Questions are categorized according to their related Connecticut Social Studies state standards.
Standard 5: United States Constitution and Government
1.) What is the purpose of Government?*
2.) In what way is the Constitution a series of compromises?
3.) Is our federal system an effective form of government? Why or why not? Provide historical and/or current examples.
4.) How effectively does the Constitution balance the three branches?
5.) Explain the debate between strict constructionists and those who view the Constitution as a “living document.”
6.) What does the Constitution say about political parties? Is the two party system effective? Provide examples from our current political landscape.
7.) Explain to a foreign visitor or recent immigrant how our United States government works. Make sure to reference the Constitution.
Standard 6: Rights and Responsibilities of the Citizen
8.) What is the role of the citizen in a democracy? How has it changed (or been amplified) since September 11th, 2001?*
9.) In what way does campaign financing impact federal elections? Provide recent examples.
10.) Describe various interpretations of the First Amendment over the last 50 years. Include at
least three examples.
11.) Use three Constitutional amendments to argue for or against Capital Punishment.
12.) Please explain your political leanings. Include your stance on three contemporary issues and
provide evidence and examples to justify your thoughts.
Standard 7: Political Systems
13.) Which is more powerful in the U.S.: state or federal government? Explain your answer.
14.) Why do so few bills become law?
15.) Why is the media so powerful? In what way has the media altered the government’s agenda
and the opinion of its citizens? Provide specific examples.*
16.) Is the United States a “true democracy?” Why or why not?
17.) Select two forms of government besides democracy; Explain the ways in which they are
similar to and the ways in which they differ from each other and from democracy.
Standard 8: International Relations:
18.) Identify three international situations over the last semester and explain their importance and
impact upon you, your community, and the nation as a whole.
19.) How does the following political cartoon reflect the opinion of the artist as well as the
social/political event(s) of the time (teacher provides political cartoon)? Do you agree or disagree with its message?
20.) Since 2001 how have American politics, culture, and society been affected and how has
society’s view of government been altered both domestically and internationally?*