Constitution Assessment

1. The first U.S. plan for government was the

• A) Declaration of Independence
• B) Magna Carta
• C) Articles of Confederation
• D) Constitution

2. Why was it hard to get laws passed under the Articles of Confederation?

• A) To pass a law, all states needed to agree.
• B) To pass a law, 9 of 13 states needed to agree.
• C) The President could veto a law before it was passed.
• D) The Supreme Court could rule any law unconstitutional

3. What is one feature of the political system created by the original Constitution of the United States?

• A) Guaranteeing equal legal rights to all persons
• B) Requiring the federal government to maintain a balanced budget
• C) Dividing powers between the national and state governments
• D) Granting more power to the executive branch than to the other branches of government

4. Building support for the ratification of the United States Constitution was the purpose of the

• A) Farewell Address of George Washington
• B) Albany Plan of Union
• C) Mayflower Compact
• D) Federalist Papers

5. The government structure and powers under the Articles of Confederation differed from the government under the U.S. Constitution. How did the role of the government expand under the U.S. Constitution?

• A) Congress could now collect taxes.
• B) Federal courts had no jurisdiction.
• C) A unicameral legislature made the laws.
• D) The executive branch could enforce laws.

6. Which of these is the main function of the legislative branch?

• A) To make laws
• B) To enforce laws
• C) To define laws
• D) To interpret laws

7. Which person is a member of the legislative branch?

• A) President of the United States
• B) Speaker of the House
• C) Secretary of Education
• D) Ambassador to the United Nations

8. Separation of powers means that

• A) The House and Senate may never pass joint resolutions on foreign policy issues.
• B) The national government and state governments have differing amounts and types of power.
• C) Powers assigned to the national government are distinct from those assigned to the states.
• D) The legislative, executive and judicial functions of government are held by separate people and groups.

9. This branch of government is responsible for carrying out the laws.

• A) Executive
• B) Judicial
• C) Legislative
• D) Police

10. What is the name of the group of executive department heads who advise the president?

• Cabinet
• Electoral college
• Representatives
• Senators