HS Constitution Test

The people of a nation elect officials to govern for them in a(n)

• direct democracy

• absolute monarchy

• representative democracy

• totalitarian government

Under the U.S. system of government,

• the press has the freedom to print untrue statements.

• the Constitution allows the president to establish a national religion.

• Congress has the power to decide which groups of people in the nation may vote.

• citizens have the right to have their reputations protected from lies.

Which of the following freedoms is not permitted under the American form of government?

• freedom to speak against the political party in power

• freedom to cut down a tree on your neighbor's property

• freedom to refuse to practice a religion

• freedom to compete with other people for jobs

Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• John Adams

• James Madison

The Declaration of Independence

• states that the purpose of government is to protect human rights.

• fails to explain the reasons the thirteen colonies separated from Great Britain.

• provides the blueprint of a government for the new United States.

• objects to the idea that the power of the government comes from the consent of the governed.

It was difficult to pass laws under the Articles of Confederation because

• passage required the votes of 9 of the 13 states.

• passage required a unanimous vote of the 13 states.

• the government did not have a legislature.

• Americans were content to follow British laws.

The U.S. federal system of government was established by the

• Articles of Confederation.

• English Bill of Rights.

• Magna Carta.

• Constitution.

Which of the following guarantees did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention adopt from the English Bill of Rights?

• the right of each state to issue its own money

• the right of American citizens to be judged only according to English law

• the right of citizens found guilty of crimes to receive fair punishment

• the right to establish a one-house legislature

Under the U.S. Constitution, the federal government has the power to

• raise and set taxes.

• coin and print money.

• regulate trade.

• all of the above

The Constitution went into effect in

• 1776.

• 1781.

• 1789.

• 1850.