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Principles of the Constitution Quiz

Total questions: 33

Worksheet time: 17mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Which of the following was not one of the characteristics of the US Constitution?
a)
Lays out the basic principles of the US government
b)
Gives framework, procedures, and limits on how government is to be conducted
c)
Declared independence from Great Britain
d)
Document is not over detailed and allows for interpretation
2.
What is the purpose of the articles of the US Constitution?
a)
To divide the country into 13 colonies
b)
To establish the function of many parts of the government
c)
To allow for an unlimited government
d)
To elect the president of the United States
3.
The power of popular sovereignty comes from which phrase of the Preamble?
a)
"Establish justice"
b)
"To promote the general welfare"
c)
"Insure domestic tranquility"
d)
"We the People"
4.
Why were the framers worried about creating a government with a strong central government?
a)
They had just gained their independence from tyrannical Britain
b)
They wanted to create a monarchy
c)
They didnt want to give all the power to the states
d)
They wanted to create 3 different branches of government
5.
The US government is divided into how many branches?
a)
2
b)
3
c)
4
d)
7
6.
The first 3 articles of the constitution outlined what?
a)
The role of the state government
b)
The role of the federal government
c)
The powers of the 3 branches
d)
How states could be admitted into the union
7.
Powers given to the federal government are called?
a)
Expressed Powers
b)
Concurrent Powers
c)
Reserved Powers
d)
Given Powers
8.
Powers given to the state governments are called?
a)
Expressed Powers
b)
Concurrent Powers
c)
Reserved Powers
d)
Given Powers
9.
Powers shared between the federal and state governments are called?
a)
Expressed Powers
b)
Concurrent Powers
c)
Reserved Powers
d)
Given Powers
10.
The president and his cabinet members represent which branch of government?
a)
Executive Branch
b)
Legislative Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
11.
The US Supreme Court and its lower courts represent which branch of government?
a)
Executive Branch
b)
Legislative Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
12.
Congress, including the Senate and the House of Representatives is which branch of government?
a)
Executive Branch
b)
Legislative Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
13.

Which principle of the US Constitution ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful?

a)

Federalism

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Popular Sovereignty

d)

Judicial Review

14.

What is the main purpose of the Bill of Rights?

a)

To establish the process of amending the Constitution

b)

To define the structure of the legislative branch

c)

To outline the powers of the federal government

d)

To protect individual liberties

15.

What principle of the US Constitution is illustrated in on this poster?

a)

A. Limited government

b)

B. Popular sovereignty

c)

C. Checks and balances

d)

D. Federalism

16.

What is the "supreme law of the land"?

a)

Declaration of independence

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

The Constitution

d)

Federalist Papers

17.

Prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. Allows each branch of government to limit powers of the other two branches.

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Federalism

c)

Checks & Balances

d)

Natural Rights

18.
Why were checks and balances necessary?
a)
Prevent any branch from becoming more powerful than the others
b)
Prevent the judicial branch from becoming more powerful than the executive
c)
Prevent the executive from being more powerful than the judicial
d)
Prevent the legislature from controlling the judical and the executive branches
19.
The Supreme Court striking down a law and the President vetoing a bill are examples of the system of ____________.
a)
checks and balances.
b)
popular sovereignty.
c)
democratic elections.
d)
federalism.
20.
When both the federal government and the state government can tax people this is an example of..
a)
Popular Sovereignty
b)
Radicalism
c)
Federalism
d)
Limited Government 
21.

What is the primary function of the judicial branch of the US government?

a)

To amend the Constitution

b)

To enforce laws

c)

To make laws

d)

To interpret laws

22.

What is the main responsibility of the Legislative Branch of the US government?

a)

To veto laws

b)

To make laws

c)

To enforce laws

d)

To interpret laws

23.

Collecting taxes, protecting public health, and establishing courts are powers of the

a)
state governments
b)

Shared between the two

c)
federal government
24.

Regulating drivers licences, schools, and conducting elections are powers given to

a)
Federal governments
b)

Shared between the two

c)
State governments
25.

Printing money, Setting up a postal system, and regulating interstate commerce are powers given to

a)
State governments
b)
Private businesses
c)

Federal government

d)
Local governments
26.

Identify the Principle - The federal government sets minimum standards for public education, but each state is allowed to create its own curriculum and graduation requirements.

a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Reserved Powers
d)
Federalism
27.

Identify the Principle - A mayor tries to shut down a local newspaper because he doesn’t like the articles they publish. A judge reminds him that the Constitution protects freedom of the press.

a)

Limited Government

b)

Popular Sovereignty

c)

Federalism

d)

Checks and Balances

28.

Identify the Principle - Congress passes a new law setting nationwide speed limits for electric scooters. The Department of Transportation begins enforcing the law, and courts are set up to handle violations.

a)
Checks and balances
b)
Separation of powers
c)
Federalism
d)

Popular Sovereignty

29.

Identify the Principle - Congress passes a new law about environmental regulations. The President disagrees and uses the veto power to reject the bill.

a)

Checks and Balances

b)
Federalism
c)

Popular Sovereignty

d)

Separation of Powers

30.

Identify the Principle - Citizens in a district vote to elect a representative who will speak for them in the state legislature and make laws on their behalf.

a)

Federalism

b)

Limited Government

c)
Judicial review
d)

Popular Sovereignty

31.

Appointing Supreme Court justices is a check given to the

a)

Executive Branch

b)

Judicial Branch

c)

Legislative Branch

32.

Determining if acts are unconstitutional are checks given to the

a)

Judicial Branch

b)

Legislative Branch

c)

Executive Branch

33.

Impeaching the President/Supreme Court Justices is a check of the

a)

Legislative Branch

b)

Judicial Branch

c)

Executive Branch