Consent of the Governed is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on where a government's power comes from, in the founding documents, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Civ.3.3-5. It prints 6 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Read the founding document, answer its questions, then circle the best answers.
1.Look at the source, then answer the questions.
The Declaration of Independence
From the Declaration of Independence, adopted July 4, 1776, when thirteen American colonies broke away from the king of Great Britain. These are its exact words. The word help was written for this worksheet.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…
Word help: unalienable = cannot be taken away. instituted = set up. consent = agreement. the governed = the people a government rules.
1. Why does the Declaration say the people may alter or abolish a government?
2. What does the word consent mean, according to the word help?
3. Why are governments set up, according to the Declaration?
2.What happens to a government that has lost the people's consent, in a democracy?
A.It stays in power forever
B.The people must leave the country
C.Voters can choose new leaders at the next election
3.Why does a city council hold public meetings before deciding big plans?
A.So the plans stay secret
B.So people can share their views with the leaders they chose
C.So leaders can avoid voters
4.What does consent of the governed mean?
A.Only soldiers choose the laws
B.The people agree to be governed
C.The king decides alone
5.Which words begin the Constitution and show its power comes from the people?
A.Four score and seven years ago
B.I pledge allegiance
C.We the People
6.How do people in a US city give their consent to the city government today?
A.By moving to a new street
B.By voting for city leaders
C.By buying a library card
LessonPrint · D2.Civ.3.3-5 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Consent of the Governed
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Because a government that is destructive of people's rights is not doing the job it was set up for. 2. Agreement. 3. To secure these rights.
2.Voters can choose new leaders at the next election
3.So people can share their views with the leaders they chose
4.The people agree to be governed
5.We the People
6.By voting for city leaders
Questions about Consent of the Governed
What does the Consent of the Governed worksheet cover?
It practices where a government's power comes from, in the founding documents — 6 questions for Grade 3 to Grade 5, all on C3 Framework D2.Civ.3.3-5: Look at where rules, laws and key parts of the US Constitution came from. The instruction to students is “Read the founding document, answer its questions, then circle the best answers”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which C3 Framework indicator does Consent of the Governed practice?
D2.Civ.3.3-5, under Civics for Grade 3 to Grade 5. The published indicator reads: “Examine the origins and purposes of rules, laws, and key U.S. constitutional provisions.” The worksheet assesses that indicator rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Consent of the Governed is written for Grade 3 to Grade 5, typically ages 40-41. It is one of the sheets on D2.Civ.3.3-5, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Consent of the Governed come with an answer key?
Yes. All 6 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Consent of the Governed can I print?
25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Consent of the Governed free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Consent of the Governed, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for D2.Civ.3.3-5
Look at where rules, laws and key parts of the US Constitution came from.