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Us Government Constitution Study Guide

Total questions: 88

Worksheet time: 1hrs 29mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Argued that states' rights should remain powerful over key issues; great desire for individual liberties; ratification of the Constitution based on the addition of a Bill of Rights.

a)

Anti-Federalists

b)

Democrats

c)

Federalists

d)

Democratic-Republicans

2.

The first attempt at a constitution, but it had too many weaknesses.

a)

US Constitution

b)

Magna Carta

c)

Articles of Confederation

d)

English Bill of Rights

3.

a formal written plan for government.

a)

law

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

Constitution

d)

preamble

4.

Support ratification of the Constitution with a focus on the need for a strong central government with separated powers and a system of checks and balances-explained how the Constitution worked & mainly written by Alexander Hamilton.

a)

Republican Papers

b)

Federalist Papers

c)

Whig Papers

d)

Anti-Federalist Papers

5.

Argued for a stronger national government because under the Articles of Confederation, the weak national government set the United States up for failure--strong ratification of the US Constitution.

a)

Whigs

b)

Anti-federalists

c)

Constitutionerettes

d)

Federalists

6.

Constitution resulted in a two-house (bicameral) legislature with House of Representatives based on state population and the Senate maintaining equal representation from all states.

a)

Great Compromise

b)

Notsogreat Compromise

c)

3/5th Compromise

d)

Bill of Rights Compromise

7.

The Founding Fathers met to write the US Constitution after ditching the Articles of Confederation.

a)

New York Assembly of 1787

b)

Washington DC Convention of 1906

c)

Philadelphia Convention of 1787

d)

Philadelphia Convention of 1607

8.

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

a)

Unpopular Power

b)

Popular Sobriety

c)

Unpopular Sovereignty

d)

Popular Sovereignty

9.

An introduction to the constitution, which defines its purpose.

a)

Preamble

b)

Postamble

c)

Conclusion

d)

Declaration

10.

To approve officially.

a)

Sovereignty

b)

Say "Yes" to the document

c)

Ratification/Ratify

d)

Vote

11.

The belief that government should be based on the consent of the people.

a)

Socialism

b)

Communism

c)

Republicanism

d)

Democratism

12.

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law.

a)

Limited Government

b)

Bicameral

c)

Congressional powers

d)

Separation of Powers

13.

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays with farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government.

a)

Shay's Constitutional Meeting

b)

Shay's House Party

c)

Shay's Rebellion

d)

Shay's Farmers.com

14.

large state plan that proposed representation based on population size.

a)

Virginia Plan

b)

New Jersey Plan

c)

Rhode Island Plan

d)

Connecticut Plan

15.

having the power to carry out and enforce laws

a)

executive

b)

legislative

c)

judicial

16.

having the power to make laws

a)

executive

b)

legislative

c)

judicial

17.

having the power to decide questions of law

a)

executive

b)

legislative

c)

judicial

18.

Articles of Confederation

a)

the first written agreement that created a loose alliance between the 13 original American states

b)

a person who opposed a strong national government

19.

Constitutional Convention

a)

a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and smaller political units like states

b)

a meeting held in 1787 to discuss and create the framework for the government of the United States

20.

Great Compromise

a)

an agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a two house legislature with different representation methods

b)

the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution

21.

Separation of Powers

a)

the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution that protect individual liberties and rights

b)

the division of government responsibilities into two distinct branches to prevent any one group from gaining too much power

22.

Bill of Rights

a)

a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and smaller political units, like states

b)

the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution that protect individual liberties and rights

23.

Federalism

a)

a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and smaller political units, like states

b)

a previous case or decision that serves as a model for future similar situation in law

24.

Federalist

a)

a supporter of a strong national government who favored the ratification of the Constitution

b)

the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one group from gaining too much power

25.

Anti-Federalist

a)

a person who opposed a strong national government and was against the ratification of the Constitution

b)

a person who was in favor of a strong national government and favored the ratification of the Constitution

26.

Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?

a)

Executive

b)

Judicial

c)

Legislative

27.

Which branch of government is responsible for carrying out laws?

a)

Executive

b)

Judicial

c)

Legislative

28.
Which branch of government hears cases about the laws and decides what the laws mean?
a)
judicial
b)
legislative
c)
executive
29.

What do we call the first 10 amendments of the Constitution?

a)

The Rights of Man

b)

The Bill of Amendments

c)

The Rights of Citizens

d)

The Bill of Rights

30.

The branch of government that makes the laws.

a)

Legislative Branch

b)

Judicial Branch

c)

Executive Branch

31.

A system in which the powers of government are separate among different branches so that each branch can limit the power of the others.

a)

Filibuster

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Judicial Review

32.

The refusal of the executive (the President) to sign a bill into law.

a)

Veto

b)

Filibuster

c)

Amendment

33.

Branch of Government that interprets the law (Tells us what it means).

a)

Executive Branch

b)

Electoral College

c)

Legislative Branch

d)

Judicial Branch

34.

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

a)

To list the guarantees to which every person in a country is entitled

b)

To fix the flaws of the Articles of Confederation

c)

To establish a new form of government

d)

To protect the rights of the people

35.

What is a constitutional amendment?

a)

A proposal for a new law

b)

A formal change to the U.S Constitution that requires the approval of, or ratification by, three-fourths of the states

c)

A presidential executive order

36.

presidential power to reject a bill that has come from Congress

a)

ratify

b)

due process

c)

impeachment

d)

veto

37.

considered the first constitution 

of the United States

a)

Articles of Confederation

b)

Constitution

c)

unconstitutional

d)

popular sovereignty

38.

a person who is authorized to act as a representative for others

a)

delegate

b)

preamble

c)

articles

d)

amendment

39.

an alteration, or written change, to a document

a)

delegate

b)

preamble

c)

articles

d)

amendment

40.

the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

bicameral

c)

separation of powers

d)

checks and balances

41.

to approve something

a)

ratify

b)

due process

c)

impeachment

d)

veto

42.

to bring formal charges against a public official with the intention of removing the official from office

a)

ratify

b)

due process

c)

impeachment

d)

veto

43.
Which of the following rights and freedoms is specifically guaranteed by the first 1st amendment?
a)
Right to an education
b)
Freedom of press
c)
Right to bear arms
d)
Right to privacy 
44.
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 of the above
45.
According to the Fourth Amendment, the police can search and seize a person's property only if
a)
the neighbors sign a petition.
b)
the chief of police gives permission.
c)
a judge issues a warrant.
d)
the have a written note from your mother. 
46.
Which of these is not allowed, according to the Eighth Amendment?
a)
reasonable bail
b)
reasonable fines
c)
jail terms
d)
cruel punishments
47.
Why was the Ninth Amendment added to the Constitution?
a)
because the framers worried they might have forgotten an important right
b)
because the framers wanted to make clear that basic rights were guaranteed even if they were not stated specifically
c)
because the Bill of Rights had to have ten parts
d)
because the English Bill of Rights listed nine rights
48.
The Tenth Amendment states that
a)
most powers belong to the national government.
b)
powers not given to the national government or prohibited from the states belong to the states or the people.
c)
the people are the source of all government powers.
d)
the states are the most important part of our government system.
49.
What historic document is the Bill of Rights a part of?
a)
Declaration of Independence
b)
The US Constitution
c)
The Articles of Confederation
d)
The English Bill of Rights
50.
Which amendment gives a "well-regulated militia...the right of the people" to bear arms.
a)
1st Amendment
b)
4th Amendment
c)
5th Amendment
d)
2nd Amendment 
51.
a)
1st Amendment
b)
2nd Amendment
c)
3rd Amendment
d)
4th Amendment
52.
a)
3rd Amendment
b)
4th Amendment
c)
5th Amendment
d)
6th Amendment
53.
a)
5th Amendment
b)
6th Amendment
c)
7th Amendment
d)
8th Amendment
54.
a)
9th Amendment
b)
10th Amendment
c)
11th Amendment
d)
12th Amendment
55.
a)
7th Amendment
b)
8th Amendment
c)
9th Amendment
d)
10th Amendment
56.
a)
1st Amendment
b)
3rd Amendment
c)
4th Amendment
d)
5th Amendment
57.
a)
1st Amendment
b)
2nd Amendment
c)
3rd Amendment
d)
4th Amendment
58.
a)
5th Amendment
b)
6th Amendment
c)
7th Amendment
d)
8th Amendment
59.
a)
5th Amendment
b)
6th Amendment
c)
7th Amendment
d)
8th Amendment
60.
a)
5th Amendment
b)
6th Amendment
c)
7th Amendment
d)
8th Amendment
61.
a)
1st Amendment
b)
2nd Amendment
c)
3rd Amendment
d)
4th Amendment
62.

What event made national leaders fear that the Articles of Confederation were too weak?

a)

Boston Tea Party

b)

Constitutional Convention

c)

Shays' Rebellion

d)

Treaty of Paris

63.

The first draft of the US government after the American Revolution was the

a)

Constitution

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

Bill of Rights

d)

Declaration of Independence

64.

George Washington and James Madison were important figures at the Constitutional Convention.

a)

True

b)

False

65.

Who is the "Father of the Constitution?"

a)

Benjamin Franklin

b)

George Washington

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

James Madison

66.

How does the Preamble start?

a)

For life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

b)

In order to form

c)

We the people

d)

The people of the United States

67.

One major problem with the Articles is that Congress could not ______ the citizens to raise money

a)

tax

b)

demand

c)

ask

d)

force

68.

James Madison is one of the Founding Fathers who also _______.

a)

served as a President of the United States

b)

Wrote the Deceleration of Independence

c)

Wrote the Articles of Confederation

d)

Served as a Senator

69.

A _________ is a government that is run by the people.

a)

The Preamble

b)

Democracy

c)

framers

d)

The Founding Fathers

70.

The ____________are those men at the Constitutional Convention who wrote the United States Constitution.

a)

democracy

b)

framers

c)

the founding fathers

d)

civic responsibility

71.

The political leaders and statesmen who signed the Declaration of Independence, took part in the Revolutionary War, and established the U.S. Constitution are known as ________________.

a)

The Founding Fathers

b)

framers

c)

the Preamble

d)

democracy

72.

The House of Representatives and the Senate make up the

a)

Executive Branch

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

Judicial Branch

d)

Legislative Branch

73.

The Executive branch of the U.S. Government is made up of the President and

a)

the Supreme Court and Senate

b)

the Cabinet and Vice President

c)

The Congress and the House

d)

the Judicial and Legislative Branch

74.

What is the key power of the Judicial branch of the U.S. Government?

a)

make laws

b)

carry out laws

c)

veto laws

d)

Interpret laws

75.

Why does the Constitution start with the words "We the people?"

a)

to show that people should follow the government's rules

b)

to show that the government gets its power from the people

c)

to explain why the country is more important than individual people

d)

to explain why the people have less power than the US government

76.

Why did the Framers of the Constitution start the document with "We the people of the United States...?"

a)

to show that the government would protect the people's rights

b)

to show that the people were able to change the document

c)

to show that the government got its power from the people

d)

to show that the government was more important than the people

77.

Why were the principles of checks and balances and separation of powers incorporated into the Constitution?

a)

to ensure that the federal government is more powerful than state governments

b)

to empower citizens by giving them a voice in matters of government

c)

to prevent any one branch of the federal government from becoming too powerful

d)

to provide the federal government with the power to protect its citizens

78.

How is the US Constitution different from the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The Constitution provides for a national government with three branches.

b)

The Constitution gives more power to each of the states.

c)

The Constitution makes it more difficult to ratify amendments.

d)

The Constitution does not let states collect taxes.

79.

Which year was the Constitutional Convention?

a)

1776

b)

1787

c)

1791

d)

1607

80.

Which Founding Father (Framer) wrote notes during the Constitutional Convention so he is now called the Father of the Constitution?

a)

Thomas Jefferson

b)

George Washington

c)

John Adams

d)

James Madison

81.
This leader was elected as the first Vice President and second President of the United States. He was a leader in the Federalist Party and wanted a strong central government.
a)
George Washington
b)
John Adams
c)
John Marshall
d)
Alexander Hamilton
82.
This leader was named the Secretary of Treasury. He proposed a series of laws that improved the financial standing of the new nation. He helped establish the capital city, Washington, DC and became the leader of the Federalist Party.
a)
Alexander Hamilton
b)
Thomas Jefferson
c)
John Marshall
d)
John Adams
83.
This leader was the major author of the Constitution. He served in the first United States Congress and wrote the amendments that became the Bill of Rights. He was a leader in the Democratic-Republican Party and became the fourth President of the United States.
a)
John Marshall
b)
John Adams
c)
Thomas Jefferson
d)
James Madison
84.
This leader was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. He became the first Secretary of State. He was the leader of the Democratic-Republican Party and became the third President of the United States. 
a)
James Madison
b)
John Marshall
c)
Thomas Jefferson
d)
John Adams
85.
Federalists wanted...
a)
A strong national government
b)
Stronger State Governments
86.
Democratic/Republican Party wanted...
a)
Stronger National Governments
b)
Stronger State Governments rather than a Stronger National Government
87.
Federalists were....
a)
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
b)
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
c)
James Madison and John Marshall
d)
Alexander Hamilton, John Marshall, and John Adams
88.
Anti-Federalists (Democratic-Republican Party) were
a)
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
b)
John Marshall and 
c)
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton
d)
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson