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US Government and Constitution Quiz

Total questions: 36

Worksheet time: 18mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

After the Revolutionary War, Americans were worried that a weak national government would take away their rights.

a)

True

b)

False

2.

The US Constitution established a government with endless power over the individual states.

a)

True

b)

False

3.

The Virginia Plan was created by James Madison and called for larger states to have more representation in congress.

a)

True

b)

False

4.

Who Am I? “Father” of the Constitution Creator of the Virginia Plan I wanted a strong, central government

a)

Ben Franklin

b)

James Madison

c)

George Washington

5.

Who Am I? Oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention I influenced the writer of the Constitution with my words Anti-slavery Supporter of the Great Compromise

a)

Ben Franklin

b)

James Madison

c)

George Washington

6.

Who Am I? President of the Constitutional Convention I kept the delegates on task Delegates trusted me because I helped to lead the Continental Army during the American Revolution

a)

Ben Franklin

b)

James Madison

c)

George Washington

7.

Make Laws

a)

Federal Powers

b)

State Powers

c)

Shared Powers

8.

Decide how many days students go to school each year

a)

Federal Powers

b)

State Powers

c)

Shared Powers

9.

Declare War

a)

Federal Powers

b)

State Powers

c)

Shared Powers

10.

Issue driver's licenses

a)

Federal Powers

b)

State Powers

c)

Shared Powers

11.

Borrow Money

a)

Federal Powers

b)

State Powers

c)

Shared Powers

12.

Print and coin money

a)

Federal Powers

b)

State Powers

c)

Shared Powers

13.

Tax citizens

a)

Federal Powers

b)

State Powers

c)

Shared Powers

14.

Borrow money

a)

Federal Powers

b)

State Powers

c)

Shared Powers

15.

The US government system is based on

a)

absolute power

b)

legislation

c)

checks and balances

d)

a two-tier system

16.

Which of the following two bodies have the power to make laws?

a)

the Senate and the President

b)

the President and the Supreme Court

c)

the House of Representatives and the Senate

d)

the Supreme Court and the House of Representatives

17.

Which of the following is an example of what the separation of powers between the three branches of government prevents?

a)

It prevents Congress from making laws.

b)

It prevents the President from making laws.

c)

It prevents the Supreme Court from declaring laws unfair.

d)

It prevents state and local governments from making new laws.

18.

Which of the following BEST explains the role of the executive branch of the federal government?

a)

The executive branch is responsible for creating laws.

b)

The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws.

c)

The executive branch is responsible for eliminating laws.

d)

The executive branch is responsible for interpreting laws.

19.

Which of the following is one reason the Founding Fathers added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution?

a)

The Constitution limited federal powers over state powers.

b)

The Constitution did not give the government enough power.

c)

The Constitution did not do enough to protect individual rights.

d)

The Constitution gave more powers to the states than to the federal.

20.

Abigail wants to spread the word about how important it is to vote in elections. At home, Abigail paints a large mural showing people voting. She paints the sentence, “Everyone should vote!” across the top. She takes a picture of her painting and posts the picture to Instagram. Which first amendment right is Abigail exercising?

a)

freedom of religion

b)

freedom of speech

c)

freedom of press

d)

freedom of assembly

21.

Why did many people support adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution?

a)

They thought that the state governments were too strong under the Constitution.

b)

They thought that the national government was too weak under the Constitution.

c)

Living under the Articles of Confederation made them afraid of weak state governments.

d)

Living under the rule of the British king made them afraid of strong national governments.

22.

What power do citizens have in a representative democracy such as the United States?

a)

Citizens are able to decide which taxes to pay.

b)

Citizens vote directly on all laws for the country.

c)

Citizens elect other people to run the government.

d)

Citizens can choose which laws they want to follow.

23.

What do the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have in common?

a)

They are rights that all people are born with.

b)

They are rights that people earn by paying taxes.

c)

They are rights given to people by their government.

d)

They are rights that people earn by being good citizens.

24.

Which constitutional principle do the first three words of the Constitution, "We the people", express?

a)

federalism

b)

individual rights

c)

popular sovereignty

d)

pursuit of happiness

25.

Which of the following is a power ONLY allowed by the federal government?

a)

Tax citizens

b)

Print money

c)

Repair roads

d)

Build schools

26.

Which of the following would BEST describe the “Shared” portion of the Federal System?

a)

Declaring war

b)

Taxing citizens

c)

Printing money

d)

Fixing local roads

27.

Which person's action would be protected by the first amendment?

a)

Tina publishes an article urging people to vote against her town's mayor.

b)

Louise steals her neighbor's lawnmower because her neighbor owes her money.

c)

Rudy rides her bike without her helmet even though state law says she has to wear it.

d)

Gene spray-paints the windows of a newspaper office that printed an article she disliked.

28.

The natural rights in the Declaration of Independence include the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Life means to live freely, liberty is to live without oppression, and the pursuit of happiness is to have the freedom to go after your dreams and ambitions. The founding fathers used these ideas to help create a new government under which document?

a)

Constitution

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

Representative Democracy

d)

Legislative Branch

29.

Luna has been researching the different people running for Congress in her area. She finds out that one of the candidates wants to close down elementary schools. Luna writes an article about why this candidate should not become a senator. She publishes the article in the newspaper. Which first amendment right is Luna exercising?

a)

freedom of assembly

b)

freedom of petition

c)

freedom of press

d)

freedom of religion

30.

Which of the following statements BEST summarizes the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

a)

It was too easy to pass new laws and amend the Articles of Confederation.

b)

The national government had no way to settle disputes between states

c)

The states had too much power, and the national government did not have enough power.

d)

The national government did not have enough money to pay its debts or fund important programs.

31.

Determine if the statement about the Articles of Confederation is True or False. Each state had one vote.

a)

True

b)

False

32.

What was the initial goal of the convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in September of 1787?

a)

to write a new constitution for the United States

b)

to amend the US Constitution by adding a bill of rights

c)

to make changes to the Articles of Confederation

d)

to declare the American colonies independent of Great Britain

33.

Which statements best describe James Madison?

a)

A. Madison was the president of the Constitutional Convention

b)

B Madison is known as the 'Father of the Constitution.'

c)

C Madison was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention.

d)

D. He was good friends with the leaders of many countries.

34.
The division of powers among the 3 branches of government is called-
a)
checks and balances
b)
separation of powers
c)
limited government
d)
popular sovereignty
35.

Which branch has the power to:

declare war

a)

Legislative Branch

b)

Executive Branch

c)

Judicial Branch

36.

Why did the founders of the Constitution create a separation of powers between the three branches?

a)

So that one branch of government would not have too much power.

b)

So that everyone could be equal.

c)

So that people could vote.

d)

So that the president could have all the power