Anatomy of the Constitution

Vocabulary. Match the term with the correct definitions from the lesson.

• amendment

• A change to the Constitution

• execute

• Carry out a law

• federalism

• Approve or pass an amendment

• ratify

• A representative form of government

• republican

• System where the national government shares power with state governments

How many senators in the U.S. Senate?

• 1. 50

• 1. 435

• 1. 100

• 1. It depends on the population.

What does the Constitution say is the 'supreme law of the land'?

• 1. The Bill of Rights

• 1. State laws

• 1. The amendments

• 1. U.S. or federal laws

What was added to the Constitution limit government power?

• The Bill of Rights

• The amendments

• The Elastic Clause

• The Necessary and Proper Clause

The first three words of the Constitution--"We the People"--contain the important idea of _____?

• self government

• popular sovereignty

• republicanism

• civil rights

What is the term (length of service) for members of the House of Representatives?

• 2 years

• 4 years

• 1. 6 years

• 1. Life

Separate Those Powers! Match each branch to the powers it has.

• Executive Branch

• We hear cases and decide what the laws mean.

• Judicial Branch

• We write the bills that become laws.

• Legislative Branch

• We make sure laws are carried out and enforced.

Article Match-Up. Match each Constitutional article with the subject that it covers.

Discusses how states should interact with each other.​ (a)  

​ Tells how to ratify the Constitution.​ (b)  

Creates the three branches of the U.S. Government​ (c)  

Tells how to amend the Constitution​ (d)  

Says the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land ​ (e)  

• Article IV (4)
• Article VII (7)
• Articles I-III (1-3)
• Article V (5)
• Article VI (6)

Table of Contents. Complete the Constitutional Table of Contents by filling in the missing pieces with the words from the lesson.

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

Legislative

states

purpose

amended

Judicial

steps

federalism

Executive

Constitution

Who Said It? First, match the quote about working in government to the correct branch.

• Legislative Branch

• “We apply laws to facts. We do not apply feelings to facts.”

  Justice Sonia Sotomayor

• Executive Branch

• “The presidency has many problems, but boredom is the least of them.”

  Richard Nixon, R-CA

• Judicial Branch

• “Floor debate [on a bill] is an exhilarating experience and important duty.”

  Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D–MI