Wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Constitutional Era Review

Total questions: 34

Worksheet time: 21mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The federal government had too much power over the states.

b)

There was no national judiciary to resolve disputes between states.

c)

The President had the power to veto state laws.

d)

States were not allowed to print their own money.

2.

What was the primary concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the new Constitution?

a)

It did not provide enough power to the federal government.

b)

It lacked a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

c)

It allowed states to secede from the Union.

d)

It gave too much power to the legislative branch.

3.

Explain how the Great Compromise addressed the issue of representation in Congress.

a)

It created a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states.

b)

It established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in both houses.

c)

It created a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.

d)

It allowed states to choose their own method of representation.

4.

Which principle of government is demonstrated by the division of power between the national and state governments?

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Federalism

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Separation of Powers

5.

Analyze how the system of checks and balances works to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

a)

By allowing the President to make laws without Congress.

b)

By requiring the Supreme Court to approve all executive orders.

c)

By giving each branch the ability to limit the powers of the other branches.

d)

By allowing Congress to appoint judges to the Supreme Court.

6.

Which colonial grievance was addressed by the Third Amendment in the Bill of Rights?

a)

Taxation without representation

b)

Quartering of troops in private homes

c)

Lack of a fair trial

d)

Unreasonable searches and seizures

7.

Describe the role of the Executive Branch as outlined in the Constitution.

a)

To interpret laws and ensure they are applied fairly.

b)

To create laws and establish federal policies.

c)

To enforce laws and manage the operations of the federal government.

d)

To resolve disputes between states and citizens.

8.

What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

a)

To argue against the ratification of the Constitution.

b)

To support the ratification of the Constitution and explain its principles.

c)

To propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation.

d)

To outline the weaknesses of the British monarchy.

9.

Evaluate the impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise on the political power of Southern states.

a)

It decreased their representation in Congress.

b)

It increased their representation by counting slaves as part of the population.

c)

It had no effect on their political power.

d)

It allowed them to have more senators than Northern states.

10.

Which of the following is an example of the principle of popular sovereignty?

a)

The President appoints federal judges.

b)

Citizens vote to elect their representatives.

c)

Congress passes a law to regulate commerce.

d)

The Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional.

11.

How did the Constitution address the issue of taxation that was a grievance under British rule?

a)

By allowing only the President to impose taxes.

b)

By requiring all taxes to be approved by the Supreme Court.

c)

By granting Congress the power to levy taxes with representation.

d)

By prohibiting any form of taxation.

12.

What is the main function of the Legislative Branch as defined by the Constitution?

a)

To interpret laws and ensure justice.

b)

To enforce laws and manage the military.

c)

To create laws and control government spending.

d)

To resolve disputes between states.

13.

Discuss the significance of the Bill of Rights in the American constitutional framework.

a)

It outlines the structure of the federal government.

b)

It provides a list of powers granted to the states.

c)

It protects individual liberties and limits government power.

d)

It establishes the process for amending the Constitution.

14.

Which of the following is a power reserved to the states under the Constitution?

a)

Declaring war

b)

Regulating interstate commerce

c)

Conducting elections

d)

Coining money

15.

Analyze how the principle of separation of powers is reflected in the structure of the U.S. government.

a)

By combining the legislative and executive branches into one.

b)

By dividing government responsibilities among three independent branches.

c)

By allowing the President to control both the military and the judiciary.

d)

By giving Congress the power to appoint Supreme Court justices.

16.

No Executive (President), No Army, No Courts, and No ability to Tax/Trade =

a)

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

b)

Strengths of the Constitution

c)

Weaknesses of the Mayflower Compact

17.

Shay’s Rebellion (1786) became a concern for many national leaders because it…

a)

indicated there would be future conflicts over the spread of slavery

b)

exposed fundamental weaknesses in government under the Articles of Confederation

c)

exposed the need for federal government regulation of interstate commerce

d)

showed the frontier settlements were vulnerable to raids by Native American Indians

18.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

-U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 1

Based on the excerpt, how did the Great Compromise help create this governmental structure?

a)

By settling the issues over voting rights in the North

b)

By settling the issues between Federalists and Anti-Federalists

c)

By settling the issues over taxation

d)

By settling the issues between large and small states

19.

The Articles of Confederation were...

a)

the King's plan for how to govern the newly freed colonies

b)

the first Bill of Rights

c)

the first government of the U.S.

d)

George Washington's plan for taking power as the new King

20.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787...

a)

proved the Articles of Confederation were useless

b)

drafted all the Americans in the Northwest to serve for 4 years

c)

determined that slavery would be allowed in the Northwest

d)

established a system for settlement of new land gained after the war

21.

An officer wants to come into your home to see if you have any illegal weapons. Which amendment protects you from doing this without a warrant?

a)

Fourth

b)

Third

c)

Fifth

d)

Sixth

22.

You must go on trial but cannot afford a lawyer, so one has been appointed to you. Which amendment guarantees you a lawyer?

a)

Tenth

b)

Fourth

c)

Sixth

d)

Seventh

23.

You were found not guilty of armed robbery and then put on trial for the same crime right after the verdict. Which amendment was violated?

a)

Seventh

b)

Eighth

c)

Fifth

d)

Third

24.
The Federal government is also known as?
a)
Limited government
b)
Main Governemnt
c)
National Government
d)
Official government
25.

How many Branches of Government are there?

a)

3

b)

4

c)

5

d)

6

26.
Which president was also called the Father of the Constitution?
a)
George Washington
b)
Thomas Jefferson
c)
Alexander Hamilton
d)
James Madison
27.
Which branch is divided into the House and the Senate?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
28.

elastic clause

a)

states that the Supreme Court can be flexible when interpreting the Constitution

b)

states that Congress can be flexible when considering laws it makes limiting states

c)

states that Congress can make laws limiting the powers of other branches

d)

states that Congress can make any law necessary for carrying out its duties

29.

amendment

a)

an addition to a proposed law

b)

Constitutional change that established judicial review

c)

a law passed by Congress

d)

a change to the Constitution

30.

Favored large states and representation in Congress would be based on population

a)

New Jersey plan

b)

Virginia Plan

c)

Great compromise

d)

Northwest ordinance

31.

Favored small states and each state would receive equal representation in Congress

a)

New Jersey plan

b)

Virginia Plan

c)

Great compromise

d)

Northwest ordinance

32.
The 5th Amendment provides protection for those accused of a crime.  What is "double jeopardy" which is prevented by the 5th Amendment? 
a)
The nickname for the # of senators each state gets
b)
A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime.
c)
A person cannot have their Miranda rights read to them twice.
d)
A person cannot be arrested two times in the same day.
33.

What is Due Process

a)

legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person.

b)

speedy trial

c)

right to bear arms

d)

legal requirement that the states cannot use private property w/o permission from owner.

34.

What is "eminent domain?"

a)

The government can take your property whenever it wants for any reason.

b)

The government can take your property for public use and leave you with nothing.

c)

The government can take your property for public use if it gives you fair compensation.

d)

The government cannot take your property under any circumstances.