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The American Constitution

Total questions: 28

Worksheet time: 17mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution? 
a)
the Preamble
b)
 the Articles of Confederation
c)
the Declaration of Independence
d)
 the Bill of Rights
2.
What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
a)
to create a bill of rights
b)
to make changes to the Articles of Confederation
c)
 to declare independence from Great Britain
d)
 to create an entirely new governing document for the new nation
3.
A word which means to change, correct or improve a law.
a)
amend
b)
propose
c)
principle
d)
compromise
4.

How does the system of checks and balances protect people?

a)

It keeps any of the branches from overpowering the other so as not to destroy the rights of people.

b)

It keeps any of the branches from fighting so the people are safe.

c)

It keeps ONE branch in power and destroys the rights of people.

d)

It keeps ALL branches in power so as to destroy the rights of people.

5.

The branch of government that suggests laws and carries out the laws made by Congress. Its leader is the president.

a)

Judicial

b)

Legislative

c)

Executive

6.

The branch of government that makes laws for the country. It is made up of the Congress.

a)

Judicial

b)

Legislative

c)

Executive

7.

This branch of government makes sure laws are constitutional. It is made up of the Supreme Court with 9 justices and many other courts.

a)

Judicial

b)

Legislative

c)

Executive

8.

Who was nicknamed the Father of the Constitution?

a)

George Washington

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

Alexander Hamilton

d)

James Madison

9.
Which group wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation and give more power to the states?
a)
Federalists
b)
Anti-Federalists
c)
Judiciary
d)
Legislature
10.
Which compromise concerned the issue of how to count slaves for representation and taxation?
a)
The Great Compromise
b)
The Commerce Compromise
c)
The 3/5 Compromise
d)
The Connecticut Compromise
11.

Which compromise, pulling elements from the Virginia and New Jersey plans, concerned how many representatives the states would have in Congress?

a)

The Great Compromise

b)

The 3/5 Compromise

c)

The Commerce Compromise

d)

The Intolerable Compromise

12.
What government existed before the Constitution? 
a)
British Monarchy
b)
state constitutions 
c)
Articles of Confederation
d)
Confederate States of America 
13.

The New Jersey Plan was supported by _____ states and the Virginia Plan was supported by _____ states

a)

new; old

b)

large; small

c)

Yankee; Confederate

d)

small; large

14.
How many states had to ratify the Constitution before it went into effect?
a)
9
b)
13
c)
27
d)
245
15.

Which of the following statements best represents the ideas Alexander Hamilton contributed during the writing of the Constitution?

a)

He argued for putting an end to the practice of enslaving people

b)

he suggested that a list of rights for citizens be added to any constitution

c)

he favored creating a strong federal government along with a national bank

d)

he proposed a compromise so that both small and large states would have representation.

16.

The Bill of Rights is an important addition to the U.S. Constitution because it---

a)

Contains ideas from Enlightenment philosophers

b)

includes specific rights to which American citizens are entitled

c)

outlines the requirements for being President of the United States

d)

list the grievances the American colonists had against the British King.

17.

George Washington served the newly formed United States as the---

a)

President

b)

Vice president

c)

Secretary of State

d)

Federalist candidate

18.

What is an amendment?

a)

A change or addition

b)

An introduction or statement of purpose

c)

A formal meeting called for a special purpose

d)

A belief or judgement of an individual group

19.

The ____ amendment is often considered the most important important. It protects freedom of religion, freedom of assembly (meeting), the right to petition, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech

a)

1st

b)

5th

c)

21st

d)

18th

20.

Why is freedom of the press important for a healthy democracy?

a)

It allows people to send letters to the government

b)

It allows TV, radio, websites, and newspapers to freely share information with the American people and monitor the government

c)

It allows people to meet in groups and discuss important matters

d)

It allows people to say anything they want

21.

In what American city was the Constitutional Convention held?

a)

Philadelphia

b)

Boston

c)

Annapolis

d)

New York

22.

Who was George Washington's "right hand man"?

a)

Thomas Jefferson

b)

Aaron Burr

c)

Alexander Hamilton

d)

John Laurens

23.

What were the set of essays defending the Constitution, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay?

a)

Common Sense

b)

The Federalist Papers

c)

The Preamble

d)

The Declaration of Independence

24.

True or False: You must house and feed soldiers during peacetime if the government asks you to.

a)

True

b)

False

25.

True or False: If someone cannot afford a lawyer, the court must appoint one for them.

a)

True

b)

False

26.

Law enforcement can enter your home at any time for any reason.

a)

True

b)

False

c)

Only if they have a warrant signed by a judge

d)

Only if they explain their reason

27.

True or False: According to the 2nd Amendment, you are allowed to own a handgun, as long as you are over 18, have a permit, and the gun is properly registered to you.

a)

True

b)

False

28.

True or False: If someone goes to trial for a crime, it is okay if there is no jury present.

a)

True

b)

False