Amendments Quiz

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

• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom from self-incrimination
• Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
• Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment

What is usually the first step in amending the US 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 US 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?

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

In the most common method of amending the US Constitution, what happens next: Two-thirds of each house of Congress approve a proposed amendment.

• Two-thirds 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 helps people accused of crimes? Multiple answers.

• the right to bear arms for self-defense
• the right to have the assistance of a lawyer

• the right not to have troops quartered in one's home
• the right against unreasonable searches and seizures in the Fourth Amendment

While Alex was at school, police officers broke into his home and took his computer. They did not have a warrant and there was not reason to believe 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 equal protection of the laws in the Fourteenth Amendment
• the right against unreasonable searches and seizures in the Fourth Amendment

This is a quote by Benjamin Franklin. "Freedom of speech is the pillar of a free government. When this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved and tyranny is erected." What makes this freedom so essential to a successful democracy?

• It helps the government to enforce the law
• It provides new ideas to government leaders
• It promotes patriotic activities in times of war
• It permits citizens to criticize government actions

Which statement best defines "due process" of law?

• Decisions affecting individuals are made by a jury of peers
• Procedures used to enforce the law are fair, reasonable, and just
• People have guaranteed rights that can only be taken away in emergencies
• Government decisions affecting individuals are made in secret to avoid publicity.

What was the main purpose for the Bill of Rights?

• to establish a republican government in America
• to guarantee individual freedoms against abuses of power
• to announce the reasons for separating from Great Britain
• to establish a stronger central government in the United States

Why is freedom of the press so important to democratic government?

• It keeps talented and creative writers employed
• It helps government officials keep tracks of public opinion
• It keeps citizens informed about the acts of their government leaders
• It provides a place where candidates can advertise in election campaigns