3.07 Interpreting the Constitution

Which part of the Constitution establishes that the government derives its power from the people and introduces the six purposes of government in serving the people?

• the amendment

• the Bill of Rights

• the seven articles

• the preamble

Which branches of government do Articles I, II, and III

of the Constitution establish?

Choose all answers that are correct.

• the legislative branch

• the executive branch

• the military branch

• the judicial branch

Which statement best describes the constitutional amendment process?

• It is a unique process in which the public proposes an amendment and votes on it in a special election before sending it to the Supreme Court, which can ratify it if five of the nine judges agree that it is constitutional.

• It is a secretive process in which an amendment is proposed by secret ballot before being approved or vetoed by the president, who then lobbies Congress to ratify it.

• It is an intentionally difficult process in which an amendment must be proposed and approved by two-thirds of Congress or two-thirds of the state legislatures before being ratified by three-fourths of the states.

• It is a simple process in which an amendment must be introduced and approved by a simple majority in Congress and at least half of the states.

Which purpose does the necessary and proper clause have in the Constitution?

• to prevent Congress from enacting any law that falls outside the scope of what is stated in the Constitution

• to grant Congress implied powers so that the government could address unforeseeable issues and changes

• to lay out the rules and regulations that Congress must follow when holding elections and swearing in members

• to keep the president from proposing bills or budgets to Congress unless they are necessary and proper

Which descriptions accurately explain two types of constitutional interpretation?

• Favoring a “loose” interpretation of the Constitution means believing that Congress should be permitted to enact any law that is necessary and that the Constitution does not directly forbid.

• Favoring a “bold” interpretation of the Constitution means believing that Congress can and should enact laws regardless of what the Constitution says or does not say about their power to do so.

• Favoring a “fair” interpretation of the Constitution means believing that Congress can and should only enact laws that reflect modern ideas about equality and justice.

• Favoring a “strict” interpretation of the Constitution means believing that Congress should only enact those types of laws that the Constitution directly states they have the power to enact.