Quiz - US Department of State

The United States of America has been a
democracy for more than 200 years.
Issues that were important in its early
years remain so today: big government versus
small government, individual rights versus group
rights, free markets versus controlled trade,
and connection with the world versus focusing
on internal affairs.
The U.S. tries to be a fair and just society, and much
of the time it succeeds. Through compromise and
change, the country has grown, prospered, and made
progress toward its ideals.
de·moc·ra·cy / d�� mɑ: krəsi /
noun plural -cies
: a form of government in
which people choose leaders
by voting • The nation has chosen
democracy over monarchy.
: a country ruled by democracy
• In a democracy, every citizen
should have the right to vote.
• Western democracies
right / ˈraɪt / adjective plural
rights
: something that a person is
or should be morally or legally
allowed to have, get, or do
• women fighting for equal rights
• The government has denied the
people their rights. [=has not allowed
the people to do the things
that they should be allowed to do]
fair / ˈfeɚ / adjective fair·er;
fair·est
: agreeing with what is
thought to be right or acceptable
• fair elections • The workers
claim that they are not being
paid fair wages. [=they are being
paid less than they should be paid]
: treating people in a way that
does not favor some over others
• a fair and impartial jury • All
she wants is a fair chance. [=the
same chance everyone else gets]
just / ˈʤʌst / adjective [more
just; most just]
: agreeing with what is
considered morally right
or good : fair • a just society
• a just cause for war • a just
decision : treating people
in a way that is considered
morally right • a just man
com·pro·mise
/ ˈkɑ:mprəˌmaɪz / noun plural
com·pro·mis·es
: a way of reaching agreement
in which each person or group
gives up something that was
wanted in order to end an
argument or dispute • To avoid
an argument, always be ready
to seek compromise. • The two
sides were unable to reach a
compromise. [=unable to come
to an agreement]
ide·al / aɪˈdi:l / noun
plural ideals
: an idea or standard of
perfection or excellence • The
organization has remained true
to its ideals. [=has continued to
work for and support the goals
that it considers most worthwhile
and important] • He hasn’t lived
up to his high ideals.
Opposite: Multitudes of red, white,
and blue balloons were released
over the U.S. Capitol during the
Bicentennial of the Constitution
celebration in 1987.
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