Civics Polity ยท History

US Law and Government

2,254 Questions

This hub provides targeted practice on the American legal system, landmark Supreme Court cases, and federal legislation. It covers constitutional rights, public policies, and historical legal precedents shaping the nation. Answer these questions to build expertise in civics and political science.

Landmark Supreme Court casesFederal laws and actsConstitutional rightsPublic policy

US Law and Government Questions

Multiple choice

Which federal law prohibits discrimination in credit and lending based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, and age?

  1. Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974

  2. Fair Housing Act of 1968

  3. Community Reinvestment Act of 1977

  4. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 prohibits discrimination in credit and lending based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, and age.

Multiple choice

Which federal law prohibits discrimination in jury selection based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and economic status?

  1. Jury Selection and Service Act of 1968

  2. Civil Rights Act of 1964

  3. Voting Rights Act of 1965

  4. Fair Housing Act of 1968
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Jury Selection and Service Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in jury selection based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and economic status.

Multiple choice

Which federal law prohibits discrimination in employment based on age?

  1. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

  2. Older Americans Act of 1965

  3. Social Security Act of 1935

  4. Medicare and Medicaid Act of 1965
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 prohibits discrimination in employment based on age.

Multiple choice

Which landmark case established the principle of "separate but equal" facilities for African Americans?

  1. Plessy v. Ferguson

  2. Brown v. Board of Education

  3. Loving v. Virginia

  4. Obergefell v. Hodges
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In 1896, the Supreme Court ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson that segregation of public facilities was constitutional as long as the facilities were equal in quality.

Multiple choice

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?

  1. 13th Amendment

  2. 14th Amendment

  3. 15th Amendment

  4. 19th Amendment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, guarantees equal protection under the law to all citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Multiple choice

Which Supreme Court case overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine and declared segregation of public schools unconstitutional?

  1. Plessy v. Ferguson

  2. Brown v. Board of Education

  3. Loving v. Virginia

  4. Obergefell v. Hodges
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson.

Multiple choice

Which landmark case legalized interracial marriage in the United States?

  1. Plessy v. Ferguson

  2. Brown v. Board of Education

  3. Loving v. Virginia

  4. Obergefell v. Hodges
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia that laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional, legalizing interracial marriage in the United States.

Multiple choice

Which Supreme Court case legalized same-sex marriage in the United States?

  1. Plessy v. Ferguson

  2. Brown v. Board of Education

  3. Loving v. Virginia

  4. Obergefell v. Hodges
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples have the right to marry, legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the federal law that prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?

  1. Civil Rights Act of 1964

  2. Equal Pay Act of 1963

  3. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

  4. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark federal law that prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Multiple choice

Which Supreme Court case established the principle of "strict scrutiny" for laws that discriminate based on race?

  1. Korematsu v. United States

  2. Loving v. Virginia

  3. Brown v. Board of Education

  4. Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In 1995, the Supreme Court ruled in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena that laws that discriminate based on race must be subjected to "strict scrutiny," meaning that they must be narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?

  1. Fair Housing Act of 1968

  2. Civil Rights Act of 1964

  3. Equal Pay Act of 1963

  4. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Multiple choice

Which Supreme Court case established the principle of "intermediate scrutiny" for laws that discriminate based on sex?

  1. Reed v. Reed

  2. Craig v. Boren

  3. United States v. Virginia

  4. Obergefell v. Hodges
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In 1976, the Supreme Court ruled in Craig v. Boren that laws that discriminate based on sex must be subjected to "intermediate scrutiny," meaning that they must be substantially related to an important government interest.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the federal law that prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?

  1. Civil Rights Act of 1964

  2. Fair Housing Act of 1968

  3. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

  4. Equal Pay Act of 1963
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Multiple choice

Which Supreme Court case established the principle of "rational basis review" for laws that discriminate based on economic status?

  1. Korematsu v. United States

  2. Loving v. Virginia

  3. Brown v. Board of Education

  4. Williamson v. Lee Optical of Oklahoma
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In 1955, the Supreme Court ruled in Williamson v. Lee Optical of Oklahoma that laws that discriminate based on economic status must be subjected to "rational basis review," meaning that they must be rationally related to a legitimate government interest.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, housing, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications?

  1. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

  2. Civil Rights Act of 1964

  3. Fair Housing Act of 1968

  4. Equal Pay Act of 1963
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, housing, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.