comprehension: understanding main ideas
on a separate sheet of paper, write the answers to the
following questions using complete sentences.
1) what are three powers that the states reserved for
themselves when writing the united states constitution?
2) how do state governments spend money to protect the
lives and property of its citizens?
3) who is the chief executive of a state government? name
three of his/her duties.
4) what is the job of a state supreme court in appeals
cases?
5) for a territory to become a state, who has to approve its
state constitution?
6) what things change for citizens of u.s. territories if a
territory becomes a state?
critical thinking: write your opinion
1) states use several ways to obtain money to run their
governments. can you think of additional ways that
states may obtain money?
2) is the use of lotteries a good way for a state to raise funds
for education? explain your opinion.
3) many state constitutions are very long—much longer
than the united states constitution. why do you think
this is true?
test taking tip
when you review your notes to
prepare for an exam, use a marker to highlight key
words and example problems.

Question

Accepted Answer

### Comprehension: Understanding Main Ideas
1. **What are three powers that the states reserved for themselves when writing the United States Constitution?**
# Brief Explanations:
States reserved powers like conducting elections (for state and local offices), managing education systems (setting curriculum, funding schools), and regulating intrastate commerce (business within the state). These are not delegated to the federal government.
# Answer:
Three powers states reserved are conducting state and local elections, managing public education within the state, and regulating intrastate commerce (business activities that occur entirely within the state’s borders).

2. **How do state governments spend money to protect the lives and property of its citizens?**
# Brief Explanations:
State governments allocate funds to law enforcement (police departments, state troopers) for crime prevention, fire departments for fire safety and response, and emergency management agencies for disaster preparedness (like hurricanes, floods) and response. They also fund infrastructure like road maintenance to prevent accidents.
# Answer:
State governments spend money on law enforcement (e.g., police, state troopers) to prevent crime, fire departments to respond to fires and ensure fire safety, emergency management agencies for disaster preparedness/response (e.g., for floods, hurricanes), and maintaining safe infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges) to protect citizens’ lives and property.

3. **Who is the chief executive of a state government? Name three of his/her duties.**
# Brief Explanations:
The governor is the chief executive of a state government. Duties include enforcing state laws (ensuring laws are followed), proposing the state budget (outlining spending plans), and appointing officials (like heads of state agencies, judges in some cases) to manage state operations.
# Answer:
The chief executive of a state government is the governor. Three duties are: enforcing state laws (ensuring compliance), proposing the state budget (to fund government operations and services), and appointing key state officials (e.g., agency heads, judges in some states).

4. **What is the job of a state supreme court in appeals cases?**
# Brief Explanations:
In appeals cases, a state supreme court reviews decisions from lower state courts (like appellate or trial courts) to check if legal procedures were followed and if the law was applied correctly. It can affirm (uphold), reverse (overturn), or remand (send back) the lower court’s decision, and its rulings set precedents for state law.
# Answer:
In appeals cases, a state supreme court reviews lower state courts’ decisions to determine if legal procedures were followed and the law was applied correctly. It may affirm (uphold), reverse (overturn), or remand (send back for re - hearing) the decision, and its rulings establish state - law precedents.

5. **For a territory to become a state, who has to approve its state constitution?**
# Brief Explanations:
For a territory to become a state, the U.S. Congress must approve its state constitution. After the territory drafts a constitution (meeting federal and democratic standards), Congress votes on admitting it as a state, which includes approving the constitution.
# Answer:
For a territory to become a state, the United States Congress must approve its state constitution.

6. **What things change for citizens of U.S. territories if a territory becomes a state?**
# Brief Explanations:
If a territory becomes a state, its citizens gain the right to vote in U.S. presidential elections (previously they couldn’t), get full representation in Congress (two senators and representatives based on population), and the state gains more autonomy in some policy areas (while still following federal law). Also, state citizens pay federal income taxes (some territories have different tax rules), and the state receives more federal funding for programs like education and infrastructure.
# Answer:
If a U.S. territory becomes a state, its citizens can vote in U.S. presidential elections, gain full congressional representation (two senators + representatives), the state has more policy autonomy (within federal law), citizens pay federal income taxes (in most cases), and the state receives more federal funding for programs (e.g., education, infrastructure).

### Critical Thinking: Write Your Opinion
1. **States use several ways to obtain money to run their governments. Can you think of additional ways that states may obtain money?**
# Brief Explanations:
States could partner with private companies for public - private projects (e.g., building toll roads, where the state gets revenue from tolls), lease state - owned land or buildings (for commercial use, getting rent), or create special taxes on luxury goods (like high - end cars, jewelry) to generate additional revenue without overburdening all citizens.
# Answer:
States could obtain money through public - private partnerships (e.g., leasing state land for private development and receiving rent), leasing state - owned buildings/land for commercial use (earning rental income), or implementing special taxes on luxury goods (e.g., high - end vehicles, designer jewelry) to generate additional revenue.

2. **Is the use of lotteries a good way for a state to raise funds for education? Explain your opinion.**
# Brief Explanations:
Using lotteries for education funding can be good as it provides a non - tax revenue source (citizens choose to participate, so it’s voluntary). However, it has drawbacks: lottery participation is often higher among lower - income groups (regressive), and revenue can be unstable (depends on ticket sales). But if managed well (e.g., earmarking funds clearly, promoting responsible gambling), it can supplement education budgets without raising taxes.
# Answer:
Using lotteries to raise funds for education can be a good way, but with caveats. It’s a voluntary, non - tax revenue source (citizens choose to play), which can supplement education budgets without increasing taxes. However, lottery participation is often regressive (lower - income groups spend a larger share of income on tickets), and revenue is unstable (depends on sales). If states ensure responsible gambling and clear earmarking of funds, it can be a useful tool, but it shouldn’t be the sole funding source for education.

3. **Many state constitutions are very long—much longer than the United States Constitution. Why do you think this is true?**
# Brief Explanations:
State constitutions are longer because they address more detailed, local issues (like local government structure, education funding, property rights specific to the state) that the brief U.S. Constitution (focused on federal - state relations, basic rights) doesn’t cover. States also amend their constitutions more frequently (for policy changes like tax rules, social issues), adding length, while the U.S. Constitution is hard to amend, keeping it concise.
# Answer:
State constitutions are longer than the U.S. Constitution because they address detailed, state - specific issues (e.g., local government structure, education funding, property laws) that the federal - focused U.S. Constitution doesn’t. States also amend their constitutions more often (for policy changes like taxes, social issues), adding provisions, while the U.S. Constitution is difficult to amend, keeping it concise.

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Comprehension: Understanding Main Ideas

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