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Worksheets

Preamble & Bill of Rights

Total questions: 64

Worksheet time: 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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.

2.

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.

3.

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.

4.

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.

5.

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.

6.

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).

7.

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.

8.

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.

9.

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.

10.

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.

11.

Which amendment states that "powers not given to the federal government belong to the states"?

a)

10th

b)

1st

c)

2nd

d)

3rd

12.

Which amendment gives Americans the right to own a weapon?

a)

7th

b)

8th

c)

2nd

d)

4th

13.

Which amendment gives American citizens the right to a speedy trial with a jury and a lawyer if needed?

a)

6th

b)

8th

c)

1st

d)

2nd

14.

Which of the following rights and freedoms is specifically guaranteed by the first 1st amendment?

a)

right to privacy

b)

freedom of press

c)

right to vote

d)

freedom of marriage

15.

The Fifth Amendment states that a person cannot be

a)

tried for the same crime twice

b)

forced to give evidence against himself or herself

c)

deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law

d)

All the above

16.

According to the Fourth Amendment, the police can search and seize a person's property only if

a)

judge issues a warrant

b)

police ask to come in

c)

the neighbor gives permission

d)

People sign a petition

17.

Which of these is not allowed, according to the Eighth Amendment?

a)

reasonable bail

b)

reasonable fines

c)

jail terms

d)

cruel punishments

18.

What historic document is the Bill of Rights a part of?

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

British Law

d)

US Constitution

19.

How many amendments are included in the Bill of Rights?

a)

4

b)

6

c)

10

d)

8

20.

A warrant must describe the places to be searched.

a)

true

b)

false

21.

The government ordered that troops be placed in the homes of people living close to military bases. Midge lived next to an army base, and two soldiers moved into her house, even though she did not want them there. Which amendment did was violated?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

22.

Brendan is accused of armed robbery and given a trial. The jury finds Brendan not guilty. The next day the prosecutor decides that the verdict was not correct, and he orders Brendan arrested and tried for the crime again. Which amendment was violated?

a)

8

b)

7

c)

6

d)

5

23.

Brendan is accused of armed robbery and given a trial. The jury finds Brendan not guilty. The next day the prosecutor decides that the verdict was not correct, and he orders Brendan arrested and tried for the crime again. Which amendment was violated?

a)

2

b)

5

c)

6

d)

8

24.

Lin is a Buddhist. He just moved to a new town in Iowa that has banned all religions. The sheriff has threatened to arrest him if he didn’t take an oath against his religion. Which amendment has the sheriff violated? 

1st

3rd

a)

4

b)

3

c)

2

d)

1

25.

Bob wrote a letter to the editor complaining about the way the government is treating convicts in federal prisons. Because of his letter, Bob was arrested and placed in jail. Which amendment was violated?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

26.

Alyssa was arrested 12 months ago. She was accused of speeding, but wasn't given an opportunity to defend herself against the charge. The police refused to give her a lawyer or an impartial jury in court. Which amendment did the police officer violate?

a)

6

b)

5

c)

4

d)

3

27.

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to

a)

make the government stronger

b)

give the states more power

c)

ensure voting rights

d)

protect the rights of the people

28.

Insisted that the Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution

a)

Federalists

b)

Anti-Federalists

29.

Which of these types of rights is NOT included in the Bill of Rights?

a)

Individual Freedoms

b)

Voting

Rights

c)

Rights of the

Accused

d)

Limits on the

Government

30.

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, and insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posteritiy, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."


Which document does the above quote come from?

a)

Mayflower Compact

b)

Magna Carta

c)

Declaration of Independence

d)

U.S. Constitution

31.

The preamble of a document serves as a/an:

a)

introduction to a document

b)

summary of a document

c)

midpoint in a document

d)

conclusion of a document

32.

What is the meaning of "domestic tranquility?"

a)

Future generations

b)

Fair treatment under the law

c)

Peace at home

d)

Creating a better government

33.

Which phrase identifies one of the fundamental purposes of government described in the Preamble to the Constitution?

a)

to create checks and balances

b)

to enact a federalist system

c)

to insure domestic tranquility

d)

to separate the powers

34.

What is the significance of the preamble beginning with "We the people?"

a)

The people express their will through political parties

b)

The people express their will by directly creating laws

c)

Government receives taxes from the people and exists to support them

d)

Government receives its powers from the people and exists to serve them

35.

The phrase "promote the general welfare" means that it is the job of the government to:

a)

establish a fair judicial system

b)

create three separate branches of government

c)

give people the ability to vote

d)

support a person's health and well being

36.

What is the best description for the phrase "our posterity"?

a)

only the founding fathers

b)

all future generations

c)

the king

d)

the sovereign

37.

Which group would provide for the "common defense"?

a)

self defense

b)

state government

c)

military

d)

police

38.

"To form a more perfect union" is include in the preamble to show that"

a)

it is the military's job to protect people

b)

the constitution would create a better more unified country

c)

states would receive more power

d)

the United States needed to break away from England

39.

"Establish justice" means that in the United States all people should be:

a)

treated fairly under the law

b)

given the exact same things by the government

c)

guaranteed a good paying job

d)

required to vote

40.

The purpose of government according to the Preamble of the Constitution is

a)

depends on the people; serves the people

b)

depends on law; maintain the law

c)

depends on legislators; serve legislators

d)

depends on liberty; maintain those liberties

41.

What is the basic message of the Preamble to the US Constitution?

a)

This document is an improvement over the Articles of Confederation

b)

This document was written for the purpose of achieving six important goals

c)

This document outlines a framework for government

d)

This document should be ratified as quickly as possible

42.

In 1957, President Eisenhower sent the National Guard into Little Rock, Arkansas to prevent racial violence. Which goal from the Preamble is associated with this action?

a)

To form a more perfect Union

b)

To insure domestic tranquility

c)

To secure the blessings of liberty

d)

To provide for the common defense

43.

Which purpose listed in the Preamble states that the new government will treat all people fairly?

a)

"insure domestic tranquility"

b)

"do ordain and establish this Constitution"

c)

"establish justice"

44.

Which function listed in the Preamble states that the new government will protect the gifts of liberty now and for future generations?

a)

"do ordain and establish this Constitution"

b)

"secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity"

c)

"promote the general welfare"

45.

Which phrase of the Preamble states that the new government will be a better one that existed under the Articles of Confederation?

a)

"form a more perfect union"

b)

"provide for the common defense"

c)

"promote the general welfare"

46.

Which function of government listed in the Preamble states that the new government will protect everyone?

a)

"provide for the common defense"

b)

"establish justice"

c)

"we the people"

47.

Which phrase in the Preamble states that the new government will support the well being of all the people?

a)

"promote the general welfare"

b)

"form a more perfect union"

c)

"provide for the common defense"

48.

Which phrase of the Preamble means that the Constitution is the official government of the USA?

a)

"secure the blessings of liberty"

b)

"do ordain and establish this Constitution for the USA"

c)

"we the people"

49.

The power of the President to veto acts of Congress is an example of _________________________.

a)

separation of powers

b)

federalism

c)

republicanism

d)

checks and balances

50.

The Bill of Rights protects American citizens _______________________________.

a)

popular sovereignty

b)

individual rights

c)

democracy

d)

republicanism

51.

Which principle is the idea that power flows from the people?

a)

Federalism

b)

Checks and balances

c)

Republicanism

d)

Popular Sovereignty

52.

The national government has the ability to declare war, but individual states do not have that power. This is an example of _________________________.

a)

Republicanism

b)

Federalism

c)

Separation of powers

d)

Checks and balances

53.

What best describes the Constitutional principle of checks and balances?

a)

Each branch of the government can limit the power of the others

b)

The power of government is restricted by the Constitution

c)

A bill must pass both houses of Congres

d)

The power to declare war is given to the President

54.

When the U.S. Constitution established three branches of government, it was supporting which of the following principles?  

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Federalism

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Checks and Balances

55.

The U.S. Constitution established the division of governmental powers between the national and state governments.  By doing so, what basic governmental principle was established?  

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Federalism

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Checks and Balances

56.

Which of the following BEST describes the constitutional principle of representative democracy?  

a)

Government's power is divided between national and state levels.

b)

The authority of government flows from the people.

c)

Voters elect representatives to exercise power for them.

d)

Unalienable rights are guaranteed to all citizens in the Preamble and the Bill of Rights.

57.

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances?  

a)

A judge overturning a lower court's decision.

b)

A legislative bill being vetoed by the President.

c)

A governor granting a criminal a pardon.

d)

A governor declaring a tax free period.

58.

Which of the following best describes how limited government is a founding principle of the United States Constitution?  

a)

All power comes through checks and balances which keeps the government strong.

b)

All power comes from the people (voters) which keeps the government from becoming too powerful.

c)

All power comes to the government through the king which keeps the government strong.

d)

All power is given to the President which makes the government powerful.

59.

Which principle of the Constitution is guaranteed through the first ten amendments?  

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Federalism

c)

Popular Sovereignty

d)

Individual Rights

60.

Which of the following is true about state constitutions?  

a)

State Constitutions must conform to the U.S. Constitution.

b)

State Constitutions do not have to conform to the U.S. Constitution.

c)

The U.S. Constitution is the highest law in the country but the state can nullify a federal law.

d)

The U.S. Constitution is the recommended law but states can make their own rules and laws.

61.

Which of the three branches includes the President, Vice President, and cabinet members?  

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

d)

Supreme Court

62.

Democracy allows for the people to vote.  Which constitutional principle protects this?

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Individual Rights

63.

A limited government is created to-

a)

let people twist and bypass the law whenever they want to.

b)

enable the president to have less work.

c)

protect people from tyranny.

d)

give all power to the people.

64.

The personal freedoms, protections, and equality under the law guaranteed by the Bill of Rights are--

a)

Republicanism

b)

popular sovereignty

c)

checks and balances

d)

individual rights