U.S. History and Government Worksheet Questions (Grade 8)

Why did many delegates to the Constitutional Convention think the Constitution needed a Bill of Rights?

• To place limits on individual freedom

• To place limits on government power

• To provide a system of checks on each branch of government

• To outline a list of responsibilities for each branch of government

How is the Bill of Rights important to the US Constitution?

• It limits states' rights.

• It allows for the creation of two parties.

• It guarantees individuals' rights.

• It sets the powers of the three government branches.

The legislative branch ______ laws.

• makes

• investigates

• enforces

• interprets

Why did the Founding Fathers create a system of checks and balances in the Constitution?

• To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

• To create the most limited government system in the world

• To make sure that the people have more power than the government

• To guarantee that the President always has the most power

One responsibility of the Executive Branch of the United States government is to see that laws are —

• written quickly.

• followed by citizens.

• interpreted correctly.

• taught in public schools.

Which of the following best describes shared powers for the overlapped part of the diagram?

• Issues licenses, prints money, sets up courts

• Sets up courts, passes tax laws, collects taxes

• Collects taxes, sets up courts, prints currency

• Passes tax laws, sets up military, collects taxes

What was the 26th Amendment of the Constitution that was passed in 1971?

• The right of citizens to vote cannot be denied because of race.

• If the president leaves office for any reason, the Vice President becomes President.

• Citizens 18 years of age or older may vote.

• Freedom of Religion

Why was the Louisiana Purchase such an important addition to the U.S.?

• It gave room for America to grow.

• It connected the U.S. with the Pacific.

• It was already settled.

• It was an area where settlers would not interfere with American Indian life.

In 1803, which of the following doubled the size of the United States?

• Oregon Settlement

• Louisiana Purchase

• Gadsden Purchase

• Texas Annexation

What was an important scientific mission for the Lewis and Clark expedition?

• To prevent Great Britain from gaining more influence in North America

• To identify new plants and animals in the Louisiana Territory

• To find rich farmland for settlers who now lived in the East

• To determine which American Indian tribes were friendly