Constitution Test (8th Grade)

1. What was the first written plan of government for the United States?

• a. The Bill of Rights
• b. The Articles of Confederation
• c. The Virginia Plan
• d. The Constitution

2. Why did the Articles of Confederation prove problematic?

• a. It gave too much power to the central government
• b. It prevented states from having any authority
• c. It gave most power to the states, creating a weak central government
• d. It didn't address international relations

3. The Virginia Plan proposed:

• a. Equal representation for all states
• b. A weak national government
• c. A single-house legislature
• d. Representation based on population

4. Which compromise resolved the conflict between large and small states?

• a. The Three-Fifths Compromise
• b. The Bill of Rights
• c. The New Jersey Plan
• d. The Great Compromise

5. Under the system of checks and balances:

• a. The Executive Branch has complete control
• b. Each branch can limit the powers of others
• c. States have more power than the federal government
• d. The Supreme Court makes all final decisions

6. The Legislative Branch is responsible for:

• a. Interpreting laws
• b. Enforcing laws
• c. Making laws
• d. Amending the Constitution independently

7. How many amendments make up the Bill of Rights?

• a. Twelve
• b. Eight
• c. Five
• d. Ten

8. The New Jersey Plan advocated for:

• a. Population-based representation
• b. A strong national government
• c. Equal representation for each state
• d. Multiple houses of Congress

9. The House of Representatives bases its representation on:

• a. State population
• b. Geographic size
• c. State wealth
• d. Equal numbers per state

10. The Senate provides:

• a. Representation based on state size
• b. Equal representation for each state
• c. Representation based on population
• d. Variable representation