4.3 A More Perfect Union

Which democratic principle plays the most important role in the first three articles of the U.S. Constitution?

• federalism

• individual rights

• majority rule

• separation of powers

intrest group

• an organization that doesn't promote the view of some part of the public on specific issues in order to influence government policy

• an organization that actively promotes the view of some part of the public for leisure

• an organization that actively promotes the view of some part of the public on specific issues in order to influence government policy

Which part of the Constitution was cited by the Supreme Court in its 1828 decision in McCulloch v. Maryland?

• the Preamble

• the Bill of Rights

• the commerce clause

• the supremacy clause

Which action illustrates the principle of checks and balances?

• A state changes the way its educational system is run.

• A member of the president’s Cabinet resigns in protest.

• A court voids a congressional law.

• The people of a state vote to replace a representative.

Which feature makes the government created by the Constitution a federal system?

• The states limit each other’s power.

• The legislative, executive, and judicial branches limit each other’s power.

• The legislative, executive, and judicial branches share power with each other.

• The national government shares power with the states.

The process for amending the Constitution is different from the process for passing a law, in that amendments must be

• accepted with unanimous support

• originated in the Senate

• approved by individual states

• issued by the Supreme Court

According to the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, who established the federal government?

• the legislature

• the 13 original states

• the people

• the elected representatives

Which section of the U.S. Constitution protects individual liberties?

• the Preamble

• Articles I through III

• Articles IV through VII

• Amendments 1 through 10

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot … The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed. —Constitution of the United States, Article II, Section 1

Using the process described above, which outcome is possible?

• Two different people are chosen to serve as vice president.

• A person becomes president with less than half of the popular vote.

• The Senate decides whether or not the vice president can become president.

• The two houses of Congress overturn the outcome of the presidential election.

Which constitutional provision best illustrates the principle of checks and balances?

• the Supreme Court’s ability to invalidate laws

• the prohibition of ex post facto laws

• the president’s power to appoint cabinet officers

• the age requirements for federal officers