STAAR Questions: U.S. Constitution.

Why did the Anti-Federalists demand that a bill of rights be added to the U.S. Constitution?

• To strengthen the authority of the federal government.

• To improve the organization of the judiciary.

• To give each state an equal amount of power.

• To protect individual freedoms from the federal government.

Which U.S. document guarantees protection against these injustices below?

• The Constitution

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Mayflower Compact

This provision is a response to which grievance from the Declaration of Independence?

• “For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever . . .”

• “For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government . . .”

• “He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records.”

• “He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners.”

Which excerpt from the U.S. Constitution best illustrates the principle of popular sovereignty?

• “Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members. . . .”

• “The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States. . . .”

• “The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore. . . .”

• “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof.”

This excerpt below provides one example of which constitutional principle?

• Federalism

• Checks and balances

• Popular sovereignty

• Individual rights

Which right best completes the diagram below?

• The right to bear arms.

• Freedom to speak without fear of punishment.

• Protection from cruel and unusual punishment.

• Freedom of the press to report on court proceedings.

Which principle of U.S. government is most clearly reflected in the amendment below?

• Checks and balances

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

• Due process

Which principle of U.S. government is illustrated in the sequence shown below?

• Judicial review

• Checks and balances

• Popular sovereignty

• Federalism

The Constitution describes two ways to propose an amendment. Which of the following gives an example of one way?

• The president officially requests that Congress propose the amendment.

• Three-fourths of state governors sign a petition in favor of proposing the amendment.

• A majority of citizens vote in favor of proposing the amendment.

• Two-thirds of both congressional houses vote in favor of proposing the amendment.

Those in favor of ratifying the Constitution would most likely respond to this concern by pointing out that?

• elected representatives are accountable to individual voters.

• courts have the right to resolve disputes between states.

• each branch of government can serve as a check on the other branches.

• power is divided between the federal government and state governments.