Understanding the U.S. Constitution

What was the primary governing document before the U.S. Constitution?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Federalist Papers

• The Magna Carta

• The Articles of Confederation

What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• Strong central government

• Absence of a legislative branch

• Lack of a national army

• Too much power given to the states

What type of legislature does the U.S. Constitution establish?

• Noncameral

• Tricameral

• Bicameral

• Unicameral

Which clause gives Congress the power to pass laws deemed 'necessary and proper'?

• Elastic Clause

• Commerce Clause

• Establishment Clause

• Supremacy Clause

Who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces according to the Constitution?

• The President

• The Vice President

• The Secretary of Defense

• The Speaker of the House

What does the judicial branch do?

• Amends laws

• Interprets laws

• Executes laws

• Makes laws

Which branch of government is responsible for enforcing laws?

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• None of the above

How can an amendment to the Constitution be proposed?

• By a national referendum

• By a majority vote in Congress

• By two-thirds of both houses of Congress

• By the President

What does the Supremacy Clause establish?

• The supremacy of state laws over federal laws

• The supremacy of the Constitution over all laws

• The supremacy of the President over Congress

• The supremacy of the Supreme Court over state courts

What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

• To declare independence from Britain

• To protect individual liberties

• To establish the federal budget

• To outline the structure of the government