Unit 2: Forming a New Nation

There were two competing plans at the Constitutional Convention-Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan. Which states would have supported each of these plans?

• States with small populations would have supported the New Jersey Plan. States with large populations would have supported the Virginia Plan.

• States with small populations would have supported the Virginia Plan. States with large populations would have supported the New Jersey Plan.

• Rich states would have supported the New Jersey Plan. Poor states would have supported the Virginia Plan.

• Rich states would have supported the Virginia Plan. Poor states would have supported the New Jersey Plan.

Mary has just discovered that a local politician is stealing money from the city. She is very angry about this and feels that the politician should lose his job. How will the First Amendment affect Mary's decision to tell a local news reporter about her discovery?

• The First Amendment protects Mary's right to speak about her discovery , even if it causes the mayor to lose his job.

• The First Amendment protects Mary's right to speak about her discovery, but only if it does not affect the mayor's popularity.

• The First Amendment protects the politician from negative statements and Mary will be punished if she turns out to be wrong.

• The First Amendment protects the politician from negative statements and Mary will be punished even if her claims are correct.

How is the US Constitution different from the Articles of Confederation?

• The Constitution provides for a national government with three branches.

• The Constitution gives more power to each of the states.

• The Constitution makes it more difficult to ratify amendments.

• The Constitution does not let states collect taxes.

Which of these ideas in the US Constitution corrects a weakness of the Articles of Confederation and demonstrates an important part of the framework of the Constitution?

• providing a definition of states' rights

• limiting the powers of the executive branch

• creating three branches of government

• establishing an amendment process

The Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution for all of the following purposes EXCEPT to...

• protect the rights of United States citizens

• establish the structure of the federal government

• give unlimited power to the state governments

• define the limits on the powers of the federal government

Why is freedom of the press important?

• It helps the government gather new information.

• It helps citizens communicate with elected officials.

• It helps citizens stay informed about important issues.

• It helps the government control the spread of information.

What does the First Amendment stop the government from doing?

• forcing citizens to join the army

• raising the taxes that citizens pay

• making citizens practice a religion

• punishing citizens who break the law

Whose actions would NOT be protected by the First Amendment?

• Jennifer handed out fliers inviting people to her church.

• Simone published a news story about a company polluting local rivers.

• Solomon played a prank and pulled the fire alarm at the mall.

• Tyree stood on a street corner with a sign protesting the mayor's decisions.

How does the First Amendment help citizens stay informed about important issues?

• It protects the right to vote.

• It protects freedom of religion.

• It protects freedom of the press.

• It protects the right to bear arms.

Which action would NOT be protected by the First Amendment?

• A state legislature approves a measure that creates a space outside the capitol building for citizens to assemble.

• A city council passes a law that outlaws people from praying on any public sidewalk within the city.

• A student wears a button in school that supports electing the student's favorite presidential candidate.

• A parent stands outside a school board meeting with a sign saying that the board members should all be fired.