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WorksheetsNew Government Unit Vocabulary-The U.S. Constitution
Total questions: 99
Worksheet time: 1hrs 4mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which document was the first to limit the power of the king and by extension the government?
a)
Magna Carta
b)
Mayflower Compact
c)
Petition of Rights
d)
Great Compromise
2.
______ is the belief that the government gets its power from the people.
a)
Rule of Law
b)
Popular Sovereignity
c)
Checks and balances
d)
Federalism
3.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
a)
The first system of government after the Revolution
b)
Written by James Madison about the Constitutional Convention
c)
Used to declare Independence from England
4.
The problem with having no court system under the Articles of Confederation was that...
a)
No one would go to jail
b)
Disputes between states or citizens of different states could not be settled fairly
c)
There was no system to license lawyers
5.
One weakness of the Articles of the Confederation was ____________.
a)
The ability of Congress to tax.
b)
The inability of Congress to tax.
c)
The ability of Congress to declare war.
6.
The Articles of Confederation created a _________________ type of government.
a)
strong
b)
average
c)
weak
d)
federal
7.
One major problem with the Articles is that Congress could not ____ the citizens to raise money unless all 13 states agreed.
a)
tax
b)
ask
c)
demand
d)
force
8.
In 1787 the United States was at a crossroads. Farmers in western Massachusetts had rebelled the year before over property taxes. The state struggled to end the rebellion. Events such as this one contributed to the decision to --
a)
sign the Treaty of Paris
b)
repeal the Intolerable Acts
c)
declare an embargo on imported goods
d)
restructure the federal government
9.
The Constitution replaced the ______ as the governing document of the country.
a)
Declaration of Independence
b)
Bill of Rights
c)
Emancipation Proclamation
d)
Articles of Confederation
10.
In 1790, how did Americans feel about the future of their new government?
a)
Their expectations were high because they trusted their leaders to protect their economic and security interests.
b)
They were uncertain about whether the democratic experiment would succeed.
c)
Their expectations were low because they questioned the president’s honesty and disliked the First Lady.
d)
They worried because they knew the nation was deep in debt from the Revolutionary War.
11.
Where was the Constitutional Convention held?
a)
Washington D.C.
b)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
c)
Boston, Massachussettes
d)
New York, New York
12.
9 of 13 states had to vote to approve the Constitution in order for it to be___________________.
a)
Denied
b)
Closed
c)
Ratified
d)
Considered
13.
Who was the President of the Constitutional Convention?
a)
Roger Sherman
b)
James Madison
c)
George Washington
d)
Barack Obama
14.
The people who met at the the Constitutional Convention to discuss the Articles of Confederation were called ________.
a)
Federalists
b)
Anti-Federalists
c)
Delegates
15.
Pierce Butler; Charles Pinckney; Charles Cotesworth Pinckney; and John Rutledge were South Carolina's delegates to:
a)
Declaration of Independence Convention
b)
Constitutional Convention
c)
Articles of Confederation Convention
16.
A written plan of government.
a)
Check and Balances
b)
Veto
c)
Constitution
17.
The U. S. Constitution separated power into how many Branches?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
18.
What type of government's power does a constitution create?
a)
Limited
b)
Unlimited
19.
The key to the constitution is that it allows the federal and state governments to _________.
a)
have a civil war
b)
share power
c)
make new laws
d)
create new jobs
20.
Which is the BEST description of federalism?
a)
a government in which a Supreme Court is the highest level of the judicial branch
b)
a government with rules and laws that are spelled out by a constitution
c)
a system in which power is shared between a central government and state governments
d)
a type of government in which there are two legislative bodies of different sizes
21.
What are the Bill of Rights?
a)
The first Amendment
b)
The first five Amendments
c)
The first ten Amendments
d)
All of the Amendments
22.
The term separation of powers in the U.S. government refers to separate powers given to
a)
the president and the Cabinet.
b)
the Senate and the House of Representatives
c)
the federal, state, and local levels.
d)
the executive, legislative, and judicial branches
23.
Who was the author of the constitution?
a)
Billy Madison
b)
James Madison
c)
Benjamin Franklin
d)
Roger Sherman
24.
People who supported the constitution were called ________________
a)
right
b)
wrong
c)
Anti-federalist
d)
Federalist
25.
Which of the Enlightenment philosophers influenced James Madison when creating the U.S. Constitution?
a)
John Locke
b)
Voltaire
c)
Baron de Montesquieu
26.
Preamble
a)
conclusion
b)
introduction
c)
approve
d)
Bill of Rights
27.
Which of the following BEST illustrates the Constitutional principle of federalism?
a)
division of powers between the national and state governments
b)
separation of powers between the Senate and the House of Representatives
c)
existence of a strong Executive branch
d)
appointment of federal judges by the President
28.
The ___ rule was the compromise about if slaves were to be counted toward the population.
a)
3/5
b)
2/5
c)
1/3
d)
6/10
29.
The Virginia Plan said that the government would be split into ____ parts.
a)
3
b)
4
c)
2
d)
186
30.
The Great Compromise combined the two plans. Who suggested the Great Compromise?
a)
Dr. Zachry
b)
Roger Sherman
c)
James Madision
d)
George Washington
31.
Which terms means 'carry out a law'?
a)
republican
b)
federalism
c)
execute
d)
ratify
32.
Which branch of government makes sure the laws are carried out and enforced?
a)
judicial
b)
legislative
c)
executive
33.
The Senate would have equal amount of representatives.
a)
true
b)
false
34.
The name of the United States Legislative branch is ....
a)
Parliament
b)
General Assembly
c)
Congress
d)
House of Representatives
35.
The House of Representatives number would depend on the number of cow's in the state.
a)
true
b)
false
36.
Who was a delegate from Pennsylvania that helped develop the constitution?
a)
Ben Franklin
b)
Roger Sherman
c)
James Madision
d)
Odell Beckham, Jr.
37.
Checks and Balances ensures that one branch of government does not become more powerful than another branch.
a)
True
b)
False
38.
The Bill of Rights is a list of ___________________ for each person in the United States.
a)
Individual rights
b)
group rights
c)
individual goals
d)
chores
39.
Ratify
a)
approve
b)
veto
c)
ammendment
d)
preamble
40.
What is a veto?
a)
taxes
b)
Preamble
c)
approve
d)
refusal to sign a law
41.
Why couldn't the new nation pay its war debts?
a)
It had no debts.
b)
The government couldn't collect taxes to repay the debts.
c)
Americans refused to pay the debts.
d)
The government did not believe in paying debts.
42.
What meeting was called because we needed a stronger national government?
a)
Common Sense
b)
Bill of Rights
c)
Constitutional Convention
d)
Preamble
43.
Why did smaller states favor the New Jersey Plan?
a)
It gave all states the same number of representatives.
b)
It made a government with three branches.
c)
It gave the president the power to veto laws.
d)
It gave all males the right to vote.
44.
Why did some states hesitate to ratify the Constitution?
a)
They wanted to abolish slavery.
b)
They felt it needed a Bill of Rights.
c)
They wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation.
d)
They did not want to be part of the new country.
45.
From whose notes do we get most of our information about this 4 month long meeting?
a)
George Washington
b)
John Adams
c)
John Hancock
d)
James Madison
46.
One of the plans proposed by the LARGER states called for representation based on population. This plan was called the
a)
Virginia Plan
b)
Connecticut Compromise
c)
3/5 Compromise
d)
New Jersey Plan
47.
At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great Compromise resolved which of these issues?
a)
policies about slave trade
b)
the representation of large and small states in Congress
48.
An agreement was finally reached with _____________________, which allowed for 2 parts of Congress.
a)
Virginia Plan
b)
New Jersey Plan
c)
Compromise Plan(Great Compromise)
d)
3/5 Compromise
49.
The 3/5 Compromise
a)
allowed slavery to continue, but owners had to pay taxes on 5 slaves
b)
said that 3 out of 5 slaves could count toward representation, but also for taxes
c)
meant 3/5 of Congress had to agree to pass a law
d)
made slavery illegal for 20 years
50.
The Three-Fifths Compromise help settle the debate over whether to count slaves in the population or not.
a)
True
b)
False
51.
What is the main difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
a)
One wanted Washington to be president and the other didn't
b)
Different views on the 3/5 Compromise
c)
Federalists supported the Constitution and Anti-Federalists did not
d)
Federalists wanted to go back to Britain
52.
What are the first three words of the Constitution?
a)
People of America...
b)
Give me liberty...
c)
We the People...
d)
God bless America...
53.
What are the first 10 amendments called?
a)
American Rights
b)
Bill of Rights
c)
We are Americans
d)
The Special 10
54.
Amendment that allows for freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
a)
first amendment
b)
fifth amendment
c)
sixth amendment
d)
tenth amendment
55.
Amendment that provides the right to trial by a jury
a)
first amendment
b)
fifth amendment
c)
sixth amendment
d)
tenth amendment
56.
Amendment that says citizens have the right to remain silent
a)
first amendment
b)
second amendment
c)
fifth amendment
d)
seventh amendment
57.
Part of Congress in which states get equal representation is called the
a)
House of Representatives
b)
Senate
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Executive branch
58.
part of Congress in which states get representation based on population is the
a)
House of Representatives
b)
Senate
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Executive branch
59.
Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion are rights that are guaranteed by which of these?
a)
the First Amendment of the Constitution
b)
the president
c)
the Articles of Confederation
60.
According to the Constitution, how were slaves to be counted for the purpose of calculating a state's representation in Congress and taxes?
a)
all slaves counted
b)
no slaves counted
c)
three out of every 5 enslaved people would be counted
61.
A change to the Constitution is called ______.
a)
veto
b)
amendment
c)
appointment
62.
In which part of the US Constitution are the goals explained?
a)
Article I
b)
Preamble
c)
Article II
d)
Article III
63.
What does Article I (1) discuss in the Constitution?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Amendments
64.
What does Article II (2) discuss in the Constitution?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Amendments
65.
What does Article III (3) discuss in the Constitution?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Amendments
66.
What does Article V (5) discuss in the Constitution?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Amendments
67.
Why were southern delegates to the Constitutional Convention willing to accept the three-fifths compromise?
a)
it increased the political influence of the South.
b)
it allowed indentured servants in the South to become citizens
c)
it decreased the federal tax on property in the South
d)
it allowed the South to expand its industrial
68.
Which of the following should replace the question mark in this diagram?
a)
Direct democracy
b)
Great Comrpomise
c)
Checks and balances
d)
Missouri Compromise
69.
Which argument would a Federalist make to support ratification of the Constitution?
a)
the Constitution will enable states to nullify laws that are harmful to citizens
b)
a strong federal government will be more stable than a loose confederation of states
c)
the Constitution will allow states to establish banks to stabilize the national economy
d)
a republic system of government will better represent large states
70.
Checks and Balances: Who can override the President's veto with 2/3rds vote in both Houses?
a)
Vice President
b)
Congress
c)
Supreme Court
d)
President's Cabinet
71.
A proposed law is called a _______________
a)
veto
b)
congress
c)
bill
d)
unconstitutional
72.
When the President rejects a bill, refuses to sign it, and sends it back to Congress it is called a/an _______________.
a)
veto
b)
congress
c)
bill
d)
unconstitutional
73.
The system of dividing powers and duties of government into different branches is called...
a)
Checks and balances
b)
Separation of powers
c)
Third amendment
d)
Constitutional rights
74.
What does the Supreme Court use as a guide to interpret the laws?
a)
The Capitol Primer
b)
The President's Guidebook
c)
The Bill of Rights
d)
The US Constitution
75.
Which branch is responsible for defending the country with the help of the military?
a)
Executive
b)
Legislative
c)
Judicial
76.
What kind of system best names the way the USA government is organized - into both branches AND levels?
a)
unitary system
b)
federal system
c)
confederal system
77.
What is the highest court of the United States?
a)
State Court
b)
District Court
c)
Supreme Court
d)
Circuit Court
78.
Which branch executes the laws?
a)
Executive
b)
Judicial
c)
Appellate
d)
Legislative
79.
Which branch interprets the laws?
a)
Executive
b)
Judicial
c)
Appellate
d)
Legislative
80.
Which branch makes the laws?
a)
Executive
b)
Judicial
c)
Appellate
d)
Legislative
81.
What is the name for a change or addition to the Constitution?
a)
Federalism
b)
Amendment
c)
Ratification
d)
Veto
82.
What amendment protects freedom of speech?
a)
1st
b)
2nd
c)
3rd
d)
4th
83.
What amendment protects people's right to own guns?
a)
1st
b)
2nd
c)
3rd
d)
4th
84.
What amendment protects people from unreasonable searches without a warrant?
a)
1st
b)
2nd
c)
3rd
d)
4th
85.
What amendment protects people from having to testify against themselves in court?
a)
5th
b)
6th
c)
8th
d)
9th
86.
What amendment guarentees people's right to a fair trial and representation by a lawyer?
a)
5th
b)
6th
c)
8th
d)
9th
87.
Which of the following powers are shared by the National and the State governments?
a)
Maintain law and order
b)
Establish post office
c)
establish local governments
d)
declare war
88.
Which of the following powers are shared by the national and the state governments?
a)
Levy Taxes
b)
Declare War
c)
Establish schools
d)
Admit new states
89.
Which European movement had the greatest influence on the Framers of the Constitution.
a)
Reformation
b)
The Enlightenment
c)
The Renaissance
d)
McCarthyism
90.
What is the supreme law of the land?
a)
The Constitution
b)
Bill of Rights
c)
Articles of Confederation
d)
Declaration of Independence
91.
In what case was judicial review established?
a)
McCullough v. Maryland
b)
Miranda v. Arizona
c)
Marbury v. Madison
d)
Mapp v. Ohio
92.
Name of the executive group who advises the president
a)
Senate
b)
House
c)
Cabinet
d)
Military
93.
when a president vetoes a bill he is applying what principle?
a)
federalism
b)
checks and balances
c)
popular sovereignty
d)
customs and traditions
94.
What does it mean that the House as the "power of the purse"
a)
house interprets laws
b)
laws that fund the government begin in the house
c)
house members run for reelection every 2 years
d)
house has sole responsibility for passing laws
95.
If the president dies in office
a)
the VP temporarily takes over
b)
the VP becomes president and serves remainder of term
c)
VP holds a special election
d)
speaker of the house becomes president
96.
What amendment gives people the right to NOT quarter soldiers in their homes?
a)
4th Amendment
b)
3rd Amendment
c)
6th Amendment
d)
8th Amendment
97.
After both houses of Congress pass a bill, what must happen before it becomes a law?
a)
The Supreme Court must approve the bill.
b)
The President must sign the bill.
c)
The Secretary of State has to approve the bill
d)
Public hearings must be held to consider the bill.
98.
Which newspaper headline BEST illustrates the concept of checks and balances?
a)
“Congress Overrides President’s Veto”
b)
“Governors Look for Help in New Federal Budget”
c)
“Secretary of State Addresses United Nations”
d)
“Local Man to Be Tried in State and Federal Courts”
99.
What was the main purpose of the Federalist papers?
a)
to encourage the federal government to grant rights to the people
b)
to persuade people to support a strong federal government
c)
to describe the roles of different branches of the federal government
d)
to defend the federal government against accusations of corruption
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