3.5, 2.3 Practice

Which of the following accurately describes the constitutional amendment process?

• Ratifying an amendment requires action by all three branches of government.

• Proposing an amendment requires action by state legislatures.

• It provides two options for proposing an amendment and two options for ratifying an amendment.

• It provides one option for proposing an amendment and two options for ratifying an amendment.

What is the role of state governments in amending the US Constitution?

• Two-thirds of the state governors must approve of an amendment for it to be ratified.

• Three-fourths of state legislatures must approve of an amendment for it to be ratified.

• Potential amendments must be proposed by a state governor in order for it to be considered.

• Potential amendments must be proposed by a state legislature in order for it to be considered.

From 1870 to 1913, one amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution. Based on this information, what can be inferred about the amendment process?

• Proposing an amendment is difficult, but ratification tends to be quick and easy.

• Constitutional amendments are only successful when the president proposes them.

• Amending the US Constitution requires approval from all fifty states.

• Amending the US Constitution is a slow and difficult process.

What are amendments?

• Changes to the Constitution

• Laws proposed by Congress

• Decisions made by the Supreme Court

• Rights protected by the Bill of Rights

What are the first ten amendments to the US Constitution called?

• The Bill of Rights

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Constitutional Amendments

• The Declaration of Independence

How many total amendments are there to the US Constitution?

• 10

• 17

• 27

• 50

Who is responsible for proposing amendments to the US Constitution?

• Congress

• The President

• The Supreme Court

• The State Legislatures

Who is responsible for ratifying amendments to the US Constitution?

• The President

• Congress

• The State Legislatures

• The Supreme Court

What protects a citizen from being punished for an act that only became a crime after the act was committed?

• the right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus

• the Constitution’s prohibition of ex post facto laws

• the unenumerated rights of the Ninth Amendment

• the powers reserved to citizens by the Tenth Amendment

Why did the authors of the Constitution prohibit ex post facto laws?

• A. Legislative bodies should not condemn individuals without a trial.

• B. It is unfair to penalize someone for behavior that was not illegal at the time.

• C. Judges with lifetime tenure might be tempted to use their power oppressively.

• D. Individuals should have the right to apply to a federal court against unjust imprisonment.