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The Mayflower Compact is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on how the Mayflower Compact set up self-government, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Civ.5.3-5. It prints 5 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.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

The Mayflower Compact

D2.Civ.5.3-5

NameDate

Read the source and answer the questions, then circle the right answers.

1.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

The Mayflower Compact

An extract from the Mayflower Compact, signed by 41 men aboard the Mayflower off Cape Cod in November 1620 (spelling modernized). …do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. Words to know (written for this worksheet): covenant: make a solemn promise. civil body politic: a group of people who govern themselves. meet: fitting or proper.

  1. 1. Who would make the colony's laws, according to the compact?
  2. 2. What did the signers promise to give to the laws they made?
  3. 3. What did the signers promise to enact, constitute and frame?
  4. 4. What does the extract not tell you about who had a say?
2.What is self-government?
  • A.People making their own laws and choosing their leaders
  • B.Living with no rules at all
  • C.A king ruling with no laws
3.Why are the Mayflower Compact and the House of Burgesses remembered together?
  • A.Both were early steps toward self-government in the colonies
  • B.Both were written by the king
  • C.Both ended slavery in the colonies
4.In what year did the Virginia House of Burgesses first meet?
  • A.1619
  • B.1776
  • C.1492
5.Why did the Pilgrims write the Mayflower Compact before going ashore?
  • A.They wanted to declare independence
  • B.They had landed outside the area their permission to settle covered
  • C.The king ordered them to write it

LessonPrint · D2.Civ.5.3-5 · Set 4 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — The Mayflower Compact

Set 4. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. The signers themselves, combined together into a civil body politic. 2. All due submission and obedience. 3. Just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices. 4. It does not mention women or children at all; only the 41 men signed.
  2. 2.People making their own laws and choosing their leaders
  3. 3.Both were early steps toward self-government in the colonies
  4. 4.1619
  5. 5.They had landed outside the area their permission to settle covered

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.Civ.5.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.