Law of the Land

What is the central idea of the text, "Law of the Land"?

• The Supreme Court was created in 1789, two years after the US Constitution was written.

• The United States Supreme Court makes important decisions about whether laws follow the Constitution. Their decisions affect all Americans.

• The Supreme Court is made up of 9 judges, called justices. Each is picked by the president and approved by the Senate.

• The US Constitution is the basis for all Supreme Court Decisions. The Constitution lays out rules for how the government should work.

Which sentences should be included in a summary of the article? Choose three sentences.

• The United States Supreme Court is the nation's highest court and the head of the judicial branch.

• The Supreme court's role is to make sure the president and Congress follow the Constitution.

• Sonia Sotomayor became a justice of the Supreme Court on August 8, 2009.

• Congress is the legislative branch and is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• In Brown vs. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled that separate schools for Black and White children was against the constitution.

How does the photograph of the Constitution contribute to meaning of the article?

• It helps the reader understand what Supreme Court decisions are based on.

• It provides an example of cursive writing from 1786.

• It tells how the founding fathers created a document to ensure that all people are treated equally.

• It provides details on the laws that our country was founded on.

How does the side bar at the bottom of the second page contribute to the central idea?

• It tells about the role of Congress. Congress is in charge of making laws. Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• It tells about the President who can sign laws into bills and has veto power, or the ability to stop laws from becoming laws.

• It gives information about the three branches of Federal government and shows how the Supreme Court is the head of one of these branches.

• It tells about Brown vs. Board of Education and how the Supreme Court ruled to end segragation in schools.

How does the prefix "un" change the meaning of the word unconstitutional in the sentence, "The court said having separate schools for Black and White children was unconstitutional."

• before the constitution. This law was made before the Constitution was written.

• Not constitutional or against the constitution.

• For the constitution or something that agrees with the constitution.

• unjust or not fair

Why is the word "segregation" highlighted on the second page?

• Because the word is important and the author wants the reader to read it again.

• Because the word is difficult to pronounce.

• To show the word is important and will be on the test.

• To draw attention to an unknown word which is defined in the text box above.

What is the central idea of the section titled, "Historic Decision"?

• The Supreme Court ruled to end segregation in US public schools in the Brown vs Board of Education case.

• Linda's father, Oliver Brown wanted his daughter to attend an all-White school.

• The Supreme Court can tell the Congress whether a law follows the Constitution or not.

• The Supreme Court determined that boys and girls have equal rights in school.

Why does the author include a picture at the beginning of the article?

• To inspire the reader to become a judge one day.

• To engage the reader with a picture of the Supreme Court justices.

• To remind the reader that most of the Supreme Court justices are men.

• To highlight the fact that most of the Supreme Court Justices are old.

What is the author's purpose for writing the article, "Law of the Land"?

• To persuade the reader that Supreme Court is the most important branch of the US government.

• To inform the reader of the role of the Supreme Court in the US government.

• To entertain the reader with a story about the US supreme court justices.

• To inform the reader about how one court case changed education forever.

Which detail from the text support the central idea that the US Supreme Court determines whether laws follow the US Constitution?

• Each branch of the government plays an important role in shaping our country.

• One important case was Brown v Board of Education in 1954.

• Each justice is picked by the president and approved by the Senate.

• It can also tell Congress that a law is unconstitutional.