Poll-ish Humor, Jan. 13 -- 37 and Under

DOOR 1: 37 and Under

Today's poll was created by public demand. Many readers were dissatisfied with last week's civics/history poll because they found some of the questions too easy, some too random, and some too arguable; several of you asked me to create a better test.

I have. There are 11 questions; I contend an adequately knowledgeable citizen should get at least five right. Eight or more means you are very well informed. If you get 'em all, you're better'n I am. I had to research a couple, and had been wrong in my assumptions.

1. Which of the following acts has the U. S. Supreme Court declared to be constitutionally protected free speech?

A. Burning the American flag.
B. Making political contributions.
C. Shouting "fire" as a prank in a crowded theater.
D. Distributing explicit adult pornography to adults.

2. During an Obama administration, assuming all nominees are confirmed and incumbent party leaders remain in their current positions, which person would be second in line of succession to the presidency, right after the vice president?

Hillary Clinton

Nancy Pelosi

Robert Gates

Harry Reid

Robert Byrd

There is no official legal designation for a second in line; a special election must be held.

3. What state has the THIRD highest number of electoral votes?

4. What was the first year women were allowed to vote in the U.S.?

1914

1920

1928

In some states, women could not vote until 1940.

In some states, women have been allowed to vote since the 1880s.

5. Who was freed by The Emancipation Proclamation?

All slaves in The United States.

Only male slaves in the United States.

Only male slaves in the United States willing to take up arms against the Confederacy.

Only those slaves living in Confederate states that were still in rebellion; slaves in northern or border states remained in bondage.

6. Which of the following crises killed the most Americans ever during a period of one year?

The Civil War -- 1863

World War I -- 1917

World War II -- 1944

The flu -- 1918

7. On Columbus's second expedition to the New World, he was under instructions to bring back tons of gold. When little or no gold was found, what did he fill his ship with tons of, instead?

8. Which of the following people ran against Franklin Roosevelt for president?

A. Alfred Landon
B. Herbert Hoover
C. Wendell Willkie
D. Thomas E. Dewey

9. In the United States, can convicted felons vote?

No.

Yes, so long as they have served their time or their probation.

It varies state to state. In some states, loss of voting rights is permanent; in some, it is restored after prisoners have served their time or their probation.

It varies state to state. In some states even the currently incarcerated can vote.

10. In most jurisdictions, in a criminal trial being held before a jury, can the judge suddenly decide the case himself, bypassing the jury entirely?

No.

Yes, but only if he acquits the defendant.

Yes, but only if he convicts the defendant.

Yes, he can do this whatever his verdict.

Yes, but only if the jury agrees by majority vote to cede its authority to the judge.

11. In terms of dollars, which of these commodities accounts for the most U.S. exports?