Constitution Exam

Which of the following best describes the main purpose of the U.S. Constitution?

• To establish the framework of the U.S. government and outline the rights of citizens

• To serve as a peace treaty between the United States and Great Britain

• To create a temporary set of laws until the Articles of Confederation were revised

• To give all power to the President and eliminate state governments

Which of the following statements best explains federalism?

• It is a system of government in which the authority to govern is divided between federal and state governments

• It is a system in which the federal government has powers beyond those granted to it by the Constitution

• It is a political system in which all the powers in governing a nation lie with the federal government

• It is a political system that consists of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, which together have unlimited power

Which of the following politicians is NOT part of the U.S. federal government?

• President Donald Trump

• Governor Kathy Hochul

• Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

• Representative (Congresswoman) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Who held most of the power in the U.S. government under the Articles of Confederation?

• The President

• Congress

• The Supreme Court

• The individual U.S. States

What was a major problem with the Articles of Confederation (that the U.S. Constitution later solved)?

• It did not allow the central government to collect taxes

• It did not allow laws to be changed

• It did not allow states to elect representatives

• It did not allow new states to join the original thirteen states

What did Shays' Rebellion help Americans realize they needed?

• A strong national government

• A stronger militia

• A common currency

• The ability to sign peace treaties

The people who helped create the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention (1787) are sometimes called…

• The Original Thirteen

• The Framers (or the Founding Fathers)

The Constitution that was created at the Constitutional Convention went into effect in 1788 and lasted until…

• 1789

• 1865 (the end of the Civil War)

• 1945 (the end of World War 2)

• We still use it today

What is the purpose of the “separation of powers” within a government?

• make sure no branch is too powerful

• to make sure the branches are well-informed

• to make sure each branch is doing their job

• to make sure each branch eats a balanced meal

The President of the U.S. nominates cabinet members but these nominations must be approved by the Senate. This is an example of the Constitutional principle called…

• Popular sovereignty

• Republicanism

• Checks and balances

• Federalism