The Constitution

Which of the following is NOT included in the Bill of Rights?

•  freedom of speech
• freedom of religion
• right to an education
• right to a trial by jury

What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

• to create a bill of rights
• to make changes to the Articles of Confederation
• to declare independence from Great Britain
• to create an entirely new governing document for the new nation

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as _____.

• the Preamble
• the Articles of Confederation
• the Declaration of Independence
• the Bill of Rights

What is meant by the "rule of law"?

• Only poor people have to obey the laws.
• Only people who are rich have to obey the laws.
• People who are in power do NOT have to obey the laws.
• EVERYONE regardless of being rich or poor, strong or weak, must obey the laws.

Which of the following is NOT one of the principles included in the Constitution?

• popular sovereignty
•  rule of law
• equality of the races
• separation of powers

The fact that each branch of government must be separate from the others and function on its own is known as the principle of _______.

• popular sovereignty
• separation of powers
• rule of law
• checks and balances

What did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention do to make sure their meetings were held in private?

• nailed the windows shut
• pulled the curtains
• posted guards at the doors
• all of the above

How many times has the Constitution been amended since it was first ratified?

• 21
• 10
• 75
• 27

What is a system of checks and balances? How does it protect the people of this country?

• Checks and balances means that each branch of the government keeps the other branches from becoming too powerful.  It protects our individual freedom.
• It means that you have to always check the balance of your bank account so that you don't spend more money than you've got.
• It means you need to check your air pressure in your tires to make sure they are all balanced.
• It means check me out while I balance on the tightrope!

Roger Sherman's compromise settled the differences between the large and small states by _______.

• giving slaves the right to vote
• dividing the Congress into two separate houses
• charging larger states higher taxes than smaller states
• allowing the small states to control the courts