Understanding the U.S. Constitution

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

• The Declaration of Independence was signed.

• The Constitution was written.

• The Bill of Rights was drafted.

• The Articles of Confederation were repealed.

When was the Constitution written?

• 1776

• 1781

• 1787

• 1791

What is the supreme law of the land?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Bill of Rights

• The Constitution

What does the Constitution do?

• Sets up the government

• Defines the government

• Protects basic rights of Americans

• All of the above

The idea of popular sovereignty is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

• We the People

• To the Republic

• For the Union

• By the States

What is an amendment?

• A preamble

• A change (to the Constitution)

• A law passed by Congress

• A Supreme Court decision

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

• The Federalist Papers

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Bill of Rights

• The Magna Carta

Name one branch or part of the government.

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• All of the above

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

• The President's veto power

• Checks and balances

• The electoral college

• The Bill of Rights

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

• The Chief Justice

• The Speaker of the House

• The President

• The Vice President