Topic 5: Amending our Constitution

How does the formal amendment process reflect the concept of federalism?

• It grants the greatest amount of power to the national government.
• Power to change the Constitution requires both the national and state governments.
• The system for changing the Constitution recognizes popular sovereignty.
• Federal authority is supreme and, as such, has sole power to change the Constitution.

At which level of government can changes to the Constitution be proposed?

• local
• state
• national
• executive

Ratification of proposed amendments happens

• by popular vote.
• at the state level.
• with a 3/4 approval of both houses of Congress.
• at the national level with a majority vote in Congress and presidential approval.

How many times has the Constitution been changed?

• 12,000.
• 33 times
• 27 times.
• 26 times.

Which government institution may vote on constitutional amendments?

• bureaucracy

• executive

• judicial

• legislative

Describes the process for amending the Constitution

• Article I

• Article V

• Article IV

• Article II

Which is the last step in amending the U.S. Constitution?

• The voters approve the amendment in a national election.

• The president signs the amendment in a public ceremony.

• Three-fourths of the state legislatures ratify the amendment.

• Two-thirds of both houses of Congress ratify the amendment.

Which of the following is necessary to propose a new amendment to the Constitution?

• approval by a popular vote held in every state
• approval by two thirds of the House and Senate
• approval by three quarters of the House and Senate
• approval by the legislatures in at least three fourths of the states

Which statement accurately reflects the Amendment process to the U.S. Constitution so far?

• All 50 states must approve the Amendment in their legislatures.

• The majority of the U.S. Congress must approve the amendment; state involvement isn’t necessary.

• The process starts in the U.S. Congress and final approval rests with the states.

• The process starts in the State Legislature and final approval is given by the U.S. Congress.

Why did the framers feel it was necessary at times to amend the Constitution?

• amending the Constitution would allow for tyranny.

• amending the Constitution can reflect changing times, beliefs, and social conditions.

• amending the Constitution shows other countries how strong the U.S. government is.

• amending the Constitution allows for a smooth transition of power between political parties.