America's Constitution: A Biography

According to America’s Constitution: A Biography, what was the purpose of the series of Federalist essays written by “Publius”?

• The Federalist argued in favor of ratifying the Constitution.

• The Federalist argued in favor of voting rights for all American adults.

• The Federalist argued in favor of retaining the Articles of Confederation.

• The Federalist argued in favor of adding a bill of rights to the Constitution

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According to America’s Constitution: A Biography, which of the following best describes James Wilson’s role in the creation of the Constitution?

• Wilson urged ratification of the Constitution in a newspaper column.

• Wilson praised American citizens for their support of the Constitution.

• Wilson signed the Declaration of Independence.

• Wilson wrote the original draft of the Preamble.

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According to America’s Constitution: A Biography, what was most noteworthy and unusual about the process of ratifying the Constitution?

• The great majority of citizens had a limited understanding of the process.

• Voting restrictions were relaxed to allow a greater number of citizens to take part.

• The debates among the Constitution’s authors were held in secret, behind closed doors.

• Both supporters of and challengers to the Constitution tried to persuade citizens to vote their way.

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Which of the following is the best example of a conclave?

• Friends meet at a train station before boarding the train together.

• Students gather in groups to practice for a debate competition.

• Colleagues meet in the conference room for a policy discussion.

• Tourists gather outside a museum waiting to take a guided tour.

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What is the most likely meaning of eminent in the following sentence?

Due to his brilliant grasp of strategy and his success in leading the French army to several major victories, Napoleon quickly became the most eminent military leader of his era.

• respected, admired

• noble, aristocratic

• fortunate, wealthy

• sneaky, clever

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America’s Constitution: A Biography quotes from the Preamble to the Constitution: “We the People of the United States, … do ordain and establish this Constitution….” Which of the following best describes the special importance of the Preamble?

• The Preamble emphasizes that the government will be a representative republic.

• The Preamble emphasizes that the citizens have decided how they will be ruled.

• The Preamble emphasizes that all the citizens are equal under the law.

• The Preamble emphasizes the universal belief in individual liberty.

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Read this excerpt from America’s Constitution: A Biography.

Virtually no arch-loyalist went on to become a particularly noteworthy political leader in independent America. By contrast, many who would vigorously oppose the Constitution in 1787–88 … moved on to illustrious post-ratification careers.

Based on this excerpt, which is the most reasonable inference to draw about the success of early American political leaders?

• Early American political leaders who engaged in vigorous political debate were unsuccessful.

• Early American political leaders often disagreed and had trouble reaching universal agreement.

• Early American political leaders could disagree with one another and still be professionally successful.

• Early American political leaders encouraged voters to engage in fierce political debate.

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In America’s Constitution: A Biography, the author states the following.

"Like the phrases 'I do' in an exchange of wedding vows and 'I accept' in a contract, the Preamble’s words actually performed the very thing they described."

What is the main effect of the author’s use of analogy in describing the Preamble?

• The analogy helps readers keep track of the chronological order of events.

• The analogy helps readers recognize that the Preamble offers a solution to a problem.

• The analogy helps readers understand that the Preamble was both a statement of intention and a binding document.

• The analogy helps readers remember that the Preamble can be easily summarized by restating it as a main idea.

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The word pragmatist comes from the Latin root word pragmaticus, meaning “busy, active, practical.” Use this information as well as your knowledge of the suffix -ist to choose the correct definition of pragmatist.

• a practical, useful activity

• a practical, useful system

• a person who believes in practical action

• the quality of practicality and usefulness

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