Unit 7 Civics Test

What is one of the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment?

• freedom of speech
• freedom of self-incrimination
• freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
• freedom from cruel and unusual punishments

What is usually the first step in amending the U.S. Constitution?

• Three-fourths of the state legislatures propose the amendment.
• Two-thirds of each house of Congress propose the amendment.
• Conventions in three-fourths of the states propose the amendment.
• The President, after consulting with the U.S. Supreme Court, proposes the amendment.

Juanita owns unused property in her town. Her city council decides to use part of her property to build a new bus terminal. The council votes to give Juanita $20,000 for this part of her property. She claims her land is worth much more. The city clerk sends her a check for $20,000, and the city starts building the terminal. Which two rights of Juanita have been violated?

• right to assistance of counsel and trial by jury
• right to privacy and protection from unreasonable seizure
• equal protection of the law and prohibition of double jeopardy
• right to due process and just compensation in case of eminent domain

The diagram below shows the most common method of amending the U.S. Constitution. Which completes the diagram?

• Two-third of the states hold a constitutional convention
• Three-fourths of the state legislatures ratify the amendment
• The President of the United States approves the amendment
• Three-fourths of both houses of Congress ratify the amendment

Which of these rights from the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution) helps people accused of crimes?

• the right to bear arms for self-defense
• the right to have the assistance of counsel
• the right not to have troops quartered in one's home
• the right to petition government for a redress of grievances

While Alex was at school, police officers broke into his home and took his computer. They did not have a warrant and there was no reason to believed that Alex had broken any laws. Alex was not avoiding the police or planning that Alex had broken any laws. Alex was not avoiding the police or planning to move away from his home. Which right did the police officers violate?

• the right to due process of law in the Fourteenth Amendment

• the right to assistance of legal counsel in the Sixth Amendment

• the right to the equal protection of the laws in the Fourteenth Amendment

• the right against unreasonable searches and seizures in the Fourth Amendment

Answer explanation

The police officers violated Alex's right against unreasonable searches and seizures in the Fourth Amendment by breaking into his home and taking his computer without a warrant or probable cause.

Which example illustrates a government-imposed limitation on individual rights that is permitted by the Constitution?

• Government officials arrest a newspaper editor for criticizing their policies.
• A defendant pleads the Fifth Amendment rather than testifying at her trial.
• Congress suspends the right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus during wartime
• The police conduct the search of a private home without a warrant or "probable cause"

What did the rationing of goods during World War II illustrate?

• the operation of the due process of law
• a government-imposed limitation on individuals rights
• one of the checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution
• the broadening of the political process through amendment

Joe Smith was tried in state court a second time for the same crime, found guilty and sent to prison. Joe's lawyer believes Joe has been wrongly imprisoned. What could the lawyer do?

• protest against an unfair ex post facto law
• petition for a writ of habeas corpus
• demand Joe's "due process" rights
• petition for a writ of certiorari

Which statement describes an impact of the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment?

• Women were guaranteed the right to vote in all states.
• African-American freedmen were guaranteed the right to vote
• Americans were protected against abuses by state governments
• Opponents of the government no longer feared forced internment.