Constitutional Principles to Know

Unconstitutional means _____________

• to charge a public official with wrong doing

• the Constitution does NOT allow it

• rejecting a law and refusing to sign it

• to determine the meaning of the Constitution

A fundamental principle of a republican form of government is that

• hereditary rulers are the legitimate possessors of political power

• legislation must be passed by the elected representatives of the people

• laws should be created directly by the citizens

• governments are not responsible for protecting individual rights

Which of the following best defines the term 'amendment'?

• A change or addition to a legal document

• A formal rejection of a proposal

• A summary of a legal case

• A type of government policy

What does the term 'ratify' mean in the context of constitutional law?

• To officially approve or confirm

• To reject or dismiss

• To propose a new law

• To debate a legal issue

In the phrase 'We the People,' what does 'People' refer to?

• The government officials

• The citizens of the nation

• The military forces

• The legal experts

Which of the following is an example of a 'check and balance' in the U.S. Constitution?

• The President can veto legislation

• The Supreme Court can propose new laws

• Congress can appoint judges

• The military can enforce laws

What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

• To outline the powers of the government

• To protect individual freedoms

• To establish the structure of the government

• To define the process of amending the Constitution

Which literary device is used in the phrase 'the living Constitution'?

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

• Hyperbole

What does the term 'federalism' refer to in the context of the U.S. Constitution?

• A system where power is divided between national and state governments

• A system where all power is held by the national government

• A system where power is held by local governments

• A system where power is shared equally among all citizens

Which of the following best describes the principle of 'separation of powers'?

• Dividing government responsibilities into distinct branches

• Combining all government powers into one branch

• Allowing the military to control the government

• Giving all power to the President