Unit #1 - Constitution Foundations Test

Which of the following is the best example of checks and balances as it functions today?

• The congressional veto

• A declaration of war by Congress

• The appointment of the Speaker of the House

• The ratification of treaties by the Senate

Which of the following documents best describes a government based on unity, natural rights, and the social contract theory?

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

• Mayflower Compact

• U.S. Constitution

The original purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to

• write a new constitution

• review the problems of the state governments

• revise the Articles of Confederation

• deal with the issue of slavery

Compared to government under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution

• is harder to amend

• created a league of friendship among the states

• created a unitary system of government

• called for separation of powers among the three branches of government

Which of the following was NOT a weakness of government under the Articles of Confederation?

• the national judiciary resolved arguments between the states

• Congress lacked the power to tax

• it lacked a national judiciary

• it was unable to control commercial interests

Slavery and the taxation of exports were important topics to the Founding Fathers. Which compromise describes how the Founding Fathers resolved both of these issues?

• Great Compromise

• Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

• Electoral Compromise

• Three-Fifths Compromise

Those who support the pluralist theory of democracy believe that

• government depends on the "consent of the governed"

• interest groups compete to promote their preferences

• democracy is based on choosing officials to run the government

• a small number of powerful corporate and military leaders rule in their own self-interest

The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803)

• supported the concept of national supremacy

• established the principle of judicial review

• allowed Congress to amend the Constitution

• strengthened the power of the states

The Bill of Rights includes

• the Preamble

• the Articles of Confederation

• the articles of the Constitution

• the first 10 amendments.

Amending the Constitution is a multi-step process. Which of the following steps are required to amend the Constitution?

• proposal at the national level

• proposal at the state level

• presidential signature

• congressional ratification