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Constitutional Convention Vocabulary

Total questions: 12

Worksheet time: 6mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

At the Constitutional Convention (1787), the Great Compromise resolved the issue of congressional representation by

a)

limiting the terms of elected lawmakers

b)

providing for direct election of senators

c)

creating a two-house legislature

d)

including the electoral college

2.

The first ten amendments were added to the Constitution to

a)

remove portions of the original Constitution

b)

protect individual freedoms from governmental power

c)

make changes in the election process

d)

increase the power of the legislative branch

3.

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, conflicts between states with large populations and states with small populations resulted in the creation of

a)

the offices of president and vice president

b)

the three branches of government

c)

a federal court system

d)

a bicameral (two-house) legislature

4.

When census numbers show changes in a state’s total population, what is likely to be affected in the state?

a)

boundary lines

b)

number of counties

c)

representation in the United States House of Representatives

d)

number of senators in the United States Senate

5.

Which statement best illustrates the principle of federalism?

a)

The president has the power to veto bills.

b)

Congress is divided into two houses.

c)

The Supreme Court has the power to review laws.

d)

Power is divided between the states and the national government.

6.

The Constitution of the United States was considered an improvement over the Articles of Confederation because the Constitution changed the

a)

status of slavery

b)

civil rights of minorities

c)

number of Americans eligible to vote (4) balance of power between national and state governments

d)

balance of power between national and state governments

7.

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 wrote a new constitution because

a)

the Revolutionary War was over

b)

the Articles of Confederation were about to expire

c)

they wanted to increase the power of the states

d)

they believed that a stronger central government was necessary

8.

Debate over Ratification of the United States Constitution Speaker


A: “Our liberty depends on guaranteed individual rights. Citizens with these rights will be able to make decisions for the good of the whole nation.”

Speaker B: “I admire your optimism; however, only a well-educated group of elected officials should be trusted to make decisions for the good of all.”

Speaker A: “We must not allow the rule of a few privileged officials to overpower the will of average citizens.”

Speaker B: “A strong central government, composed of elected officials, will be acting in the best interests of all citizens.”

Speaker A: “I fear you are ignoring the needs of the people. There must be a guarantee that the freedoms of citizens will not be trampled over by a strong national government.


In this debate between Speaker A and Speaker B, Speaker A would most likely agree that the leaders of the nation should

a)

establish a monarchy

b)

add a bill of rights to the Constitution

c)

increase the power of the federal government

d)

limit the right to vote to property owners

9.

Delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 agreed to the Three-Fifths Compromise as a way to

a)

limit the power of the president

b)

provide legal rights for women

c)

settle differences over representation in Congress

d)

establish term lengths for senators

10.

The Preamble of the United States Constitution says that the power to govern originates with the

a)

states

b)

Supreme Court

c)

president

d)

people

11.

During the struggle over ratification of the Constitution, Federalists and Antifederalists disagreed mainly over the

a)

wisdom of maintaining friendship with England

b)

need for the continuation of slavery

c)

election of George Washington as the first president

d)

division of power between the national government and the states

12.

• Congress could not levy and collect taxes.

• Congress could not regulate interstate or foreign trade. • There was no national court system to settle disputes.

• The thirteen separate states lacked national unity.

Which document is characterized by these statements?

a)

Articles of Confederation

b)

Federalist Papers

c)

Northwest Ordinance

d)

United States Constitution