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Challenges of a New Nation 2B

Total questions: 19

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Read the text from the Preamble to the US Constitution. Then answer the question that follows.


"We the people of the United States..."


Why was this phrase included at the beginning of the US Constitution?

a)

to show that people should follow the government's rules

b)

to show that the government gets its power from the people

c)

to explain why the country is more important than individual people

d)

to explain why the people have less power than the US government

2.

Why was the Bill of Rights included in the US Constitution?

a)

to protect the rights of people and states under a strong federal government

b)

to fix many of the problems experienced under the Articles of Confederation

c)

to make sure the Constitution was easy to amend if the government became too strong

d)

to strengthen the federal government and prevent the problems of the Articles of Confederation

3.

What is one way the people are in charge of the US government?

a)

by paying their taxes on time

b)

by respecting the president's power

c)

by obeying the laws that are passed

d)

by deciding who to elect to represent them

4.

Which of the following BEST describes the government of the United States?

a)

rule by the people

b)

rule by a few

c)

rule by one

d)

rule by force

5.

Is the United States a direct democracy or a representative democracy? Why or why not?

a)

It is a direct democracy because every citizen has to follow the government's laws

b)

It is a direct democracy because citizens vote on which laws they want to be made

c)

It is a representative democracy because only adult citizens are allowed to vote in elections

d)

It is a representative democracy because citizens elect others to serve in government for them

6.

The Constitution put into place a separation of powers that means that

a)

every branch has the right to govern the other branches

b)

every branch has specific responsibilities not given to the other branches

c)

the legislative branch is the strongest branch

d)

all branches interpret the Constitution

7.

The Separation of Powers under the US Constitution

Article I.

Legislative Branch: The legislative branch makes the laws

Article II.

Executive Branch: The executive branch enforces the laws.

Article III.

Judicial Branch: The judicial branch interprets the law.


Why did the Framers of the Constitution separate the powers of government in this way?

a)

to allow the government to pass laws quickly

b)

to allow citizens to participate in government

c)

to make sure the central government was strong

d)

to make sure no one branch had too much power

8.

Why did the Framers of the Constitution divide government powers between different branches and levels of government?

a)

to provide checks and balances

b)

to limit the political power or citizens

c)

to create a strong federal government

d)

to help the president control the government

9.

Look at the picture of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Which right is being exercised by the people in the picture?

a)

right to a public trial

b)

right to assemble

c)

freedom of religion

d)

freedom of the press

10.

Read the following:

"Jackson is downtown at a public park. While there, he sees a man speaking loudly about the government. As Jackson listens, he becomes angry because he believes the man is wrong about the government and should have more respect for it. He thinks that he should tell the man to leave the park."


Which of the following BEST explains why Jackson should or should not tell the man to leave?

a)

Jackson is wrong because he should call the police to deal with the man

b)

Jackson is right because people are not allowed to say things others dislike

c)

Jackson is right because someone else might try to hurt the man

d)

Jackson is wrong because the man has a right to say whatever he believes

11.

Read the following:

"Faith is speaking at a rally outside the governor's office. She is angry about the bills the governor has recently signed into law. She thinks the laws have hurt the people of her state. Faith tells the people in the crowd they should attack the governor as soon as he leaves his office."


Which answer choice BEST explains whether or not the First Amendment will protect Faith in this situation?

a)

It will protect Faith because she has the right to say whatever she feels

b)

It will not protect Faith because she is being critical of a member of government

c)

It will not protect Faith because she threatened the governor during her speech

d)

It will protect Faith because she is trying to change something she thinks is wrong

12.

The Bill of Rights is the name given to the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Why were they added?

a)

to explain the powers of the state governments

b)

to limit the influence of Great Britain

c)

to extend the right to vote to all Americans

d)

to guarantee basic freedoms to all Americans

13.

The right of people to say what they believe is protected in the Bill of Rights. Which of the following is an example of freedom of speech?

a)

the government decides which church people can attend

b)

people can travel freely from one state to another

c)

the government decides when people can gather to protest

d)

people can state their views on candidates for elected office

14.

What does the Bill of Rights do?

a)

it limits the rights of citizens

b)

it makes passing laws easier

c)

it gives the president more power

d)

it limits what the government can do

15.

Why is there a separation of powers between branches and levels of government in the United States?

a)

to make it easier to pass new laws

b)

to help the president run the country

c)

to protect citizens from the government

d)

to make sure state governments are strong

16.

Look at the outline.


I.?

-Making traffic laws

-Running elections

-Creating public schools

-Creating local governments


What is the BEST title for this outline?

a)

Powers Reserved for the States

b)

Shared State and Federal Powers

c)

Denied State and Federal Powers

d)

Powers of the Federal Government

17.

Which of these is a power of the national governments in the United States?

a)

coin money

b)

establish courts

c)

make marriage laws

d)

control local governments

18.

Look at the outline.


I.?

-Printing US dollars

-Declaring war on other countries

-Making treaties with other governments

-Regulating trade between states


What is the BEST title for this outline?

a)

Powers Reserved for the States

b)

Shared State and Federal Powers

c)

Denied State and Federal Powers

d)

Powers of the Federal Government

19.

Which of the following correctly completes the blank?


Congress passes laws-->The ______ vetoes the law-->Congress can re-pass the law with a 2/3 vote

a)

Senate

b)

President

c)

Supreme Court

d)

Vice President