CIVICS BSA REVIEW PREP

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, several methods for selecting the President were debated, including direct popular vote, selection by Congress, or by state legislatures. Which method was ultimately adopted in the U.S. Constitution?

• Direct popular vote by citizens

• Letting the state legislatures choose.

• Selection by the members of congress.

• Creation of a separate group of electors

How did the 12th Amendment change the Electoral college?

• Electors were required to follow the voters in their state.

• Each state had to give all its electoral votes to a single candidate.

• The elections of the President and the Vice President were separated.

• In the event of a tie, the election would to the House of Representatives.

3. The diagram below shows the steps for amending the U.S. Constitution. Which of the following is the correct first step in the amendment process?

• Proposal by Congress or a national convention

• Ratification by state legislatures

• Approval by the President

• Review by the Supreme Court

Which step completes the diagram?

• The President signs the amendment.

• The Supreme Court approves the amendment.

• Three-fourths of state legislatures ratify the amendment.

• Three-fourths of voters in a majority of states ratify the amendment.

Why did the authors of the Constitution make it more difficult to amend the Constitution than to pass an ordinary law?

• A. They believed the system of government should only be changed with overwhelming support.

• B. They wanted to make the system of government more responsive to popular needs.

• C. They did not want any one branch of the government to become too powerful.

• D. They borrowed this practice from the historical traditions of Great Britain.

The chart below lists several possible government actions. Which of these government actions would violate the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment?

• I and II

• I and IV

• II and III

The passage below is from the Bill of Rights. 4th Amendment The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated. Which example would be a violation of this amendment?

• Police enter a quiet home without a search warrant.

• Police search an individual who is stopped while breaking a store window.

• Police search the home of a suspected drug dealer after obtaining a warrant.

• Police search the car of an individual who has been speeding at more than 100 miles per hour to avoid being stopped.

What is the meaning of “due process of law” in this passage?

• A. State officials can do as they please so long as they follow state laws.

• B. State officials can take emergency measures against dangerous suspects.

• C. State governments can use secret proceedings so long as they give everyone the same treatment.

• D. State governments cannot penalize a person except after using fair and public procedures, such as a trial by jury.

The chart below identifies several amendments to the Constitution. Which phrase completes the chart?

• Gave women the right to vote in all federal elections.

• Gave women full social and economic equality with men.

• Ensured that men would continue to control the Presidency.

• Ensured that some members of Congress would always be women.

How does the Constitution limit our individual rights?

• Citizens cannot criticize government officials.

• Citizens cannot defend their personal freedom.

• Citizens cannot assemble for peaceful purposes.

• Citizens cannot exercise rights to the harm of others.