Constitutional Principles and Amendments Prompts

Which of the following lists correctly identifies the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights?

• Freedom of speech, right to bear arms, protection from quartering of soldiers, protection from unreasonable searches, right to due process, right to a speedy trial, right to trial by jury, protection from cruel punishment, rights not listed, powers reserved to states

• Freedom of religion, right to vote, protection from slavery, right to privacy, right to education, right to travel, right to assemble, right to petition, right to work, right to own property

• Freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to vote, right to privacy, right to education, right to assemble, right to petition, right to work, right to own property, right to travel

Match each principle of the United States Constitution to its correct definition.

• Each branch can limit the powers of the others

• Popular Sovereignty

• Government powers are restricted by law

• Federalism

• The people hold the ultimate power in government

• Separation of Power

• Government is divided into different branches

• Limited Government

• Power is divided between national and state governments

• Checks and Balances

Which three unalienable rights are listed in the Declaration of Independence?

• Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

• Freedom, Justice, and Equality

• Speech, Religion, and Assembly

• Life, Property, and Security

Describe how the system of checks and balances works in the United States government. Include an example of how each branch can check another branch.

Explain the concept of Federalism in the United States. What are some responsibilities of the federal government and some responsibilities of state governments?

Which statement best describes the difference between Federalists and Anti-federalists during the ratification of the Constitution?

• Federalists supported a strong central government, while Anti-federalists wanted more power for the states.

• Federalists wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation, while Anti-federalists wanted a new Constitution.

• Federalists opposed the Bill of Rights, while Anti-federalists supported it.

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights protects the freedoms of religion, assembly, press, petition, and speech?

• First Amendment

• Second Amendment, which allows citizens to bear arms and also protects speech

• Fourth Amendment, which prevents unlawful search and seizure

• Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel or unusual punishment

Which principle of the US Constitution means that power is shared between the national government and state governments?

• Federalism

• Popular Sovereignty, which gives power to the people through voting

• Limited Government, which restricts government power by the Constitution

• Republicanism, which means representatives are elected

Match each amendment from the Bill of Rights to its main protection.

• No quartering of soldiers

• Eighth Amendment

• Right to bear arms

• Second Amendment

• No cruel or unusual punishment

• Third Amendment

Match each principle of the US Constitution to its definition.

• How branches of government check each other to prevent too much power

• Checks and Balances

• Three branches of government divide power

• Separation of Power

• Power to the people through voting

• Popular Sovereignty