Scoring Guide: Government & Citizenship

Read the map box. Then answer each question.

1. 1.

   Map box: Map of Maple Grove (a made-up town). North is at the top. Key: a book means library, an X means school, and a striped bar means crosswalk. Maple Grove School is on the south side of Main Street. The library is on the north side of Main Street, right across from the school. The only crosswalk on Main Street is 6 blocks east of the school. Notes from a town council meeting: "Parents say kids cross Main Street with no crosswalk to reach the library after school. Painting a crosswalk would be paid for once. A crossing guard would have to be paid every week. Some drivers worry about more stops on Main Street." What direction is the library from the school?

   (1 pt)

   Answer: north

2. 2.

   Which local government group would vote on painting a new crosswalk on Main Street?

   (1 pt)

   Answer: the town council (also accept the mayor and council)

3. 3.

   Claim question: Should Maple Grove paint a crosswalk between the school and the library? Write a claim. Give two pieces of evidence from the map and the meeting notes.

   (4 pts)

   Answer: Answers vary. Look for: a clear yes or no claim and two pieces of evidence from the box, such as kids cross with no crosswalk, the nearest crosswalk is 6 blocks away, a crosswalk is paid for once while a guard is paid every week, or drivers worry about more stops.

4. 4.

   Name one group that might disagree with your claim. Tell why they might see it differently.

   (2 pts)

   Answer: Answers vary. Look for: a real group from the box (drivers, parents, kids, the council) and a reason that fits their point of view.

5. 5.

   At the meeting, people for and against the crosswalk take turns speaking. Which step of a local decision is this?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: discussion

6. 6.

   A crossing guard would be paid by the town. Where does the town get the money?

   (1 pt)

   Answer: from taxes paid by people and businesses

Read each question. Circle or write your answer.

1. 7.

   The Senate and the House both pass a bill about national parks. Who decides next whether to sign it or veto it?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: the President

2. 8.

   Fill in the missing leaders. Federal executive: the President. State executive: the ____. Local executive (in many towns): the ____.

   (2 pts)

   Answer: the governor; the mayor

3. 9.

   A state has 11 members of Congress in all. How many of them are U.S. senators? How many are members of the House of Representatives?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: 2 senators; 9 House members (11 − 2 = 9)

4. 10.

   Which job belongs to the judicial branch?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: deciding whether a law follows the Constitution

5. 11.

   Imagine one person could make the laws, carry them out and judge them, all alone. What problem could that cause? Explain how three branches help.

   (3 pts)

   Answer: Answers vary. Look for: one person would have too much power and could be unfair; with three branches, power is shared and each branch can check the others (for example, a veto, or a court deciding a law does not follow the Constitution).

Read each question. Circle or write your answer.

1. 12.

   Jamal writes a letter to the newspaper saying he disagrees with the town's plan. Which right is he using?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: freedom of speech

2. 13.

   Which is a responsibility of adult citizens, not a right?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: serving on a jury when called

3. 14.

   A class of 30 votes on what to grow in the class garden: tomatoes 8 votes, pumpkins 11 votes, sunflowers 6 votes. The rest of the students were absent. Which choice won? How many students did not vote? If all of them had voted for tomatoes, would the winner change?

   (3 pts)

   Answer: Pumpkins won (11 votes). 5 students did not vote (8 + 11 + 6 = 25; 30 − 25 = 5). Yes: tomatoes would have 13 votes, more than 11, so tomatoes would win.

4. 15.

   Rafael is a U.S. citizen. He just turned 17. An election is next month. Can he vote? Name one way he can still take part.

   (2 pts)

   Answer: Not yet; a person must be 18 to vote. Look for: learning about the candidates or ballot questions, going with a family member to vote, helping remind people to vote, or volunteering.

5. 16.

   One candidate for Park Planner wants a new skate area. The other wants to fix the old pool. Name one fair way a voter could compare the two candidates.

   (2 pts)

   Answer: Answers vary. Look for: compare their plans and facts (cost, who it helps), listen to a debate, check facts instead of trusting ads that only give feelings.

Read each question. Circle or write your answer. Show your math.

1. 17.

   Which is a want, not a need?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: a box of fancy markers

2. 18.

   Nadia has $18. She needs lunch for $6 and a notebook for $4. How much is left for wants? Can she buy a $9 kite?

   (3 pts)

   Answer: $8 is left (6 + 4 = 10; 18 − 10 = 8). No, because $9 is more than $8.

3. 19.

   On Saturday, Eli can go to a soccer game or to a library craft class. The craft class is his second choice. He picks the soccer game. What is his opportunity cost?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: the library craft class

4. 20.

   A store says, "Bring your own bag and get 10 cents off." Is this an incentive? What does it try to get people to do?

   (2 pts)

   Answer: Yes. It tries to get people to bring their own bags.

5. 21.

   Why does every choice have an opportunity cost? Give an example from your own life.

   (2 pts)

   Answer: Answers vary. Look for: time and money are limited, so choosing one thing means giving up the next-best thing; a real example that names the choice and what was given up.