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US Constitution

Total questions: 30

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Under the articles of Confederation, each state's power in Congress was based on:

a)

One vote per state.

b)

The state's size.

c)

The state's total population.

d)

The state's voting population.

2.

Why did our founding fathers originally not want a strong government?

a)

They wanted a government similar to that of Britain.

b)

They were Federalists.

c)

They were Anarchists.

d)

They were afraid of creating another king-like government.

3.

The articles of Confederation included all of the following weakness EXCEPT...

a)

The lack of an executive or president.

b)

The inability to tax the states.

c)

The power to regulate commerce.

d)

The provision for unanimous consent to amend the Articles of Confederation.

4.

What did Shay's Rebellion show America about its government under the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The U.S Government is too strong.

b)

State had too much power.

c)

The US government is too weak.

d)

State are too weak.

5.

The Federalist papers which appeared in the New York newspapers from 1787 to 1788 were aimed to

a)

Challenge the Constitution.

b)

Defend the Constitution.

c)

Defend the British government.

d)

Challenge the British government.

6.

The twenty-seven changes/additions to the Constitution are known as:

a)

Articles.

b)

Sections.

c)

Clauses.

d)

Amendments.

7.

The introductory paragraph to the US Constitution, listing the goals is known as the:

a)

Bill of Rights.

b)

Ratification.

c)

Elastic Clause.

d)

Preamble.

8.

Three fourths, or _________ of the thirteen states were needed for ratification (Approval).

a)

3

b)

6

c)

9

d)

12

9.

Agreement on legislative representation, made up of Senate and the House of Representative is called:

a)

Virginia Plan.

b)

Great Compromise.

c)

New Jersey Plan.

d)

Constitutional Congress.

10.

Support for strengthening the national government increased after...

a)

Shay's Rebellion.

b)

James Madison.

c)

Northwest Ordinance.

d)

Great Compromise.

11.

How many branches of the national government did the Articles of Confederation allow for?

a)

One

b)

Two

c)

Three

d)

Four

12.

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could do all of the following EXCEPT...

a)

Run a postal service.

b)

Coin or borrow money.

c)

Create and collect taxes.

d)

Pass laws.

13.

Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts supported the "Virginia Plan" because ...

a)

They were big states and would gain the most seats

b)

Other plans might limit individual freedoms

c)

They wanted states to have equal representation in Congress

d)

The plan called for a one-house legislature

14.

Delegates to the Convention from smaller states favored which plan for government?

a)

New Jersey Plan

b)

New York Plan

c)

Virginia Plan

d)

Maryland Plan

15.

Which region benefited most from the Three-Fifths Compromise?

a)

The western territories

b)

The New England states

c)

The southern states

d)

The coastal states

16.

One reason some Antifederalists did not want to ratify the Constitution is that it ...

a)

Gave bigger states more Senate seats

b)

Did not contain a bill of rights

c)

Gave Congress too much power

d)

Was too much like the Articles of Confederation

17.

Who argued that the Constitution must spell out ways to protect the basic rights of citizens?

a)

Veterans of the war

b)

Federalists

c)

Members of Congress

d)

Antifederalists

18.

The Federalists favored:

a)

loose, strong government, and national bank

b)

government run by the states

c)

strong, weak government, no banks

d)

no banks

19.

A change or addition to the Constitution is known as ...

a)

Bill

b)

Amendment

c)

Law

d)

Article

20.

What are the basic freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

a)

Civil rights

b)

The 14th Amendment

c)

Bill of Rights

d)

Civil Liberties

21.

What is NOT a right guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

a)

To assemble.

b)

To vote

c)

To be given a fair trial.

d)

Civil Liberties.

22.

In order to allow the Constitution to be FLEXIBLE, the framers provided a way to ...

a)

Replace the Preamble

b)

Check judicial power

c)

Restore the Articles of Confederation

d)

Amend the Constitution

23.

Which of the following refers to the idea that state and national government share power?

a)

Checks & balances

b)

Popular sovereignty

c)

Federalism

d)

Separation of powers

24.

Which of these statements best describes the ratification of the Constitution?

a)

Each state quickly ratified the Constitution

b)

Some states slowly turned in favor of ratification

c)

Most states were against ratification at first

d)

Only Rhode Island refused to ratify the Constitution

25.

Senators serve

a)

4 year terms

b)

6 year terms

c)

3 year terms

d)

2 year terms

26.

What does the First Amendment state?

a)

The right for states to have militias, and right to bear arms

b)

The right for people above 18 to vote

c)

Protects citizens from cruel and unusual punishment

d)

Freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly

27.

What does the 3rd Amendment state?

a)

Freedom of speech, religion, press, etc.

b)

The right to remain silent when arrested

c)

The right to a speedy trial

d)

No American citizen has to house soilders against their will

28.

What does the 8th amendment state?

a)

Protects citizens from unusual punishment&excessive bail

b)

Protects citizens from unlawful search and seizure

c)

Protects citizens from being forced to testify

d)

States a president can only be elected by voting

29.

What does the 6th amendment state?

a)

The right to prohibit sales only when needed

b)

Right for a speedy trial

c)

Powers not given to the US are held by the states

d)

Right to trial by jury

30.

What does the 9th amendment state?

a)

Guarantees individuals that rights not listed

b)

Protects citizens from dictatorship

c)

Protects citizens from unlawful search and seizure

d)

Freedom of speech, religion, press, etc.