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Worksheets

Benchmark 3.5 and 3.6

Total questions: 43

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

How many amendments have been added over time?

a)

10

b)

27

c)

30

d)

50

2.

What is the only branch to vote on amendments?

a)

executive(President)

b)

judicial(Supreme Court)

c)

legislative(Congress)

3.

How many states must ratify(approve) an amendment?

a)

1/3= 17 states

b)

1/4= 13 states

c)

3/4= 38 states

4.

Why did the Founders make it difficult to amend the Constitution?

a)

They wanted to annoy people

b)

They wanted to maintain stability with the goals of the original Constitution

c)

They wanted to make sure only men could decide on amending

5.

What do you call a change to the Constitution?

a)

amendment

b)

introduction

c)

preamble

d)

articles

6.
What are the two steps to amending the U.S. Constitution?
a)
Proposal and Voting
b)
Introduction and Voting
c)
Proposal and Ratification
d)
Introduction and Voting
7.

Which circumstance is protected by the First Amendment? 

a)

right to have a fair trial in a reasonable amount of time

b)

right to send threatening letters to public officials         

c)

freedom to submit a petition to the government

d)

.  freedom to vote at the age of eighteen

8.

Clarence Gideon was arrested on suspicion of breaking into a business. When he went to court, he asked the judge for a lawyer. The judge refused and Gideon was found guilty. He appealed his case to the Supreme Court. Which constitutional right provided the legal basis for Gideon's appeal?

a)

to be informed of his rights

b)

to be tried by a jury of his peers

c)

to have assistance with his defense

d)

to be informed of the charges against him

9.

Which of the following is an enumerated power of the Congress?

a)

To declare war

b)

To appoint justices to the Supreme Court

c)

To serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces

d)

To negotiate treaties

10.

•Ben was prosecuted and convicted in state court for speaking out publicly against the governor. During his trial, he was denied the counsel of a lawyer. Two years later, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction, explaining that the state had not guaranteed Ben’s constitutional rights. Which amendments apply to this case?

a)

Amendment I (free speech) and Amendment VI (due process)

b)

Amendment I (free press) and Amendment IV (search and seizure)

c)

Amendment IX (unenumerated rights) and Amendment VI (due process)

d)

Amendment IX(unenumerated rights) and Amendment IV (search and seizure)

11.

Anne Tracy works as a journalist for The Daily Mouth. She wrote a story about how Senator Jones cheated on a law school exam. She interviewed witnesses who saw the senator cheating. The story ran on the front page. Senator Jones denied the charges. Then he resigned from office. He plans to sue The Daily Mouth for damages.

Under what circumstances could he sue the paper and win his lawsuit?

a)

He could sue the paper for libel and could win the case if he proved that Tracy had a grudge against him.

b)

He could sue the paper for slander and could win the case if he proved that Tracy had a grudge against him.

c)

He could sue the paper for libel and could win the case if he proved that the accusations were untrue and his reputation was hurt.

d)

He could sue the paper for slander and could win the case if he proved that the accusations were untrue and his reputation was hurt.

12.

What was the important outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Miranda v. Arizona?

a)

If someone cannot afford a lawyer, one must be provided by the state

b)

Schools can no longer separate facilities based on race

c)

People suspected of committing a crime, must be informed of their rights

d)

Students have first amendment rights to free speech

13.

The statement above was made by Thomas Jefferson in a 1786 letter to John Jay.

Why is this right so important to a democratic society?

a.) It keeps talented and creative writers employed

b.) It helps the government keep track of public opinion

c.) It provides a place for political candidates to advertise their campaigns

d.) It keeps citizens informed about the actions of the government

a)

It keeps talented and creative writers employed

b)

It helps the government keep track of public opinion

c)

It provides a place for political candidates to advertise their campaigns

d)

It keeps citizens informed about the actions of the government

14.

Which is one result of the court decisions?

a)

Potential witnesses to a crime do not have to speak during the trial

b)

Those that investigate crimes were given more power and authority

c)

Suspects are not required to speak to police without an attorney present

d)

Every citizen, whether innocent or guilty, now have access to a proper criminal trial.

15.

.  Read the following excerpt and answer the question below.

 ".... shall have the Power To lay and collect Taxes....throughout the United States..."

–Article I, U.S. Constitution

 Which person or group has this role in the United States government?

a)

the Congress

b)

the President

c)

the Supreme Court

d)

the Federal Reserve Board

16.

Look at the diagram below and answer the question that follows.

 Which step completes this diagram outlining the steps in creating a federal law?

a)

Bill is sent to the states.

b)

Bill is sent to the Senate.

c)

Bill is sent to a committee.

d)

Bill is sent to the President

17.

Which step is missing from the law-making process at the local, state, and federal levels?

a)

vote by the citizens

b)

review by the courts

c)

revision by the executive

d)

approval by the legislature

18.

Which level of government can declare war on foreign nations?

a)

City

b)

State

c)

County

d)

Federal

19.

The chart lists some powers of the executive branch.

Which of the following is also a power of the executive branch?

a)

Appoints federal judges

b)

Declares acts of Congress unconstitutional

c)

Ratifies treaties

d)

Impeaches and removes judges

20.

Which branch of government is column 1 describing?

a)

Executive

b)

Judicial

c)

Federal

d)

Legislative

21.

Which action formally accuses a government official of "wrongdoing"?

a)

Filibuster

b)

Impeach

c)

Override

d)

Pardon

22.

What powers do the Florida Governor ad the U.S President have in common?

a)

deliver State of the Union address, four-year term, commander-in-chief, grant pardons

b)

six-year term, grant pardons, make treaties, commander-in-chief

c)

grant pardons, veto, deliver State of the Union address, six-year term

d)

veto, grant pardons, chief executive, four-year term

23.

Identify the following “forms” of government:

a)

a: socialism, b: communism

b)

a: direct democracy, b: representative democracy

c)

a: constitutional monarchy, b: representative democracy

d)

a: oligarchy, b: autocracy

24.

Which Enlightenment philosopher influenced the following passage?

a)

Baron de Montesquieu

b)

John Locke

c)

Thomas Paine

d)

Thomas Jefferson

25.

Which Enlightenment philosopher influenced the following chart:

a)

John Locke

b)

Montesquieu

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

Thomas Paine

26.

-  According to John Locke, which agreements did individuals enter to form their own society?

a)

Constitution

b)

Mayflower Compact

c)

English Bill of Rights

d)

Social contract

27.

Which phrase completes the diagram?

A. separation of powers

B. economic freedom

C. self-government

D. individual rights

a)

separation of powers

b)

economic freedom

c)

self-government

d)

individual rights

28.

In which of the following documents is the principle of limitation of governmental power first stated?

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

English Bill of Rights

c)

French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

d)

Magna Carta

29.

Throughout most of his life, Thomas Paine’s writings inspired passion. He expressed his ideas to farmers and scholars with ease. He stirred the hearts of the citizens of the thirteen American colonies, appealing to their moral beliefs.

Why did Thomas Paine write Common Sense?

a)

To end slavery

b)

To motivate people to move West

c)

To encourage independence from Britain

d)

To make more money

30.

What does "We the People..." mean?

a)

The people create the government and give the government its power

b)

The government has to keep laws fair and protect rights

c)

The government has to help make the country better and stronger

d)

The government has to keep peace in the country

31.

What does "...insure domestic tranquility..." mean?

a)

The people create the government and give the government its power

b)

The government has to keep laws fair and protect rights

c)

The government has to help make the country better and stronger

d)

The government has to keep peace in the country

32.

What does "...establish justice..." mean?

a)

The people create the government and give the government its power

b)

The government has to keep laws fair and protect rights

c)

The government has to help make the country better and stronger

d)

The government has to keep peace in the country

33.

What does "...promote the general welfare..." mean?

a)

The government has to protect people and keep them safe

b)

The government has to help people to be happy and healthy

c)

The government has to make sure people are free now and in the future

d)

The people approve of the Constitution and the government it creates

34.

The 1st amendment protects which of the following?

a)

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

b)

Freedom of religion, speech, press assembly and petition.

c)

Right to trial by jury.

d)

No quartering of soldiers.

35.

The 2nd amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Right to keep and bear arms.

b)

Rights of accused persons (speedy and public trial).

c)

Powers reserved to the states.

d)

Other rights of the people.

36.

The 3rd amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Right of a trial by jury.

b)

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

c)

No quartering of soldiers.

d)

Right to keep and bear arms.

37.

The 4th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Powers reserved to the states.

b)

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

c)

Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.

d)

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

38.

The 5th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

b)

Rights of accused persons (speedy and public trial).

c)

Other rights of the people.

d)

Right to keep and bear arms.

39.

The 6th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

No quartering of soldiers.

b)

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

c)

Powers reserved to the states.

d)

Rights of accused persons (speedy and public trial).

40.

The 7th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Right of trial by jury.

b)

No quartering of soldiers.

c)

Rights of accused person (speedy and public trial).

d)

No quartering of soldiers.

41.

The 8th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

No quartering of soldiers.

b)

Powers reserved to the states.

c)

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

d)

Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.

42.

The 9th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Right of trial by jury.

b)

No quartering of soldiers.

c)

Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.

d)

Other rights of the people.

43.

The 10th amendment protracts which of the following rights?

a)

Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.

b)

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

c)

Powers reserved to the states.

d)

Right of trial by jury.