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Worksheets

Wednesday Quiz

Total questions: 42

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which document was replaced by the U.S. Constitution due to its weaknesses?

a)

The Magna Carta

b)

The Articles of Confederation

c)

The Bill of Rights

d)

The Declaration of Independence

2.

What is the main purpose of the separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution?

a)

To allow the President to make all laws

b)

To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

c)

To give Congress unlimited authority

d)

To eliminate the judicial branch

3.

Who argued for a strong central government and supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

a)

Anti-Federalists

b)

Federalists

c)

Loyalists

d)

Patriots

4.

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

a)

The federal government could easily collect taxes

b)

There was no executive branch to enforce laws

c)

States had no power

d)

The President had too much power

5.

Which principle ensures that government officials must follow the law?

a)

Rule of law

b)

Federalism

c)

Popular sovereignty

d)

Judicial review

6.

Which group was concerned that the Constitution did not protect individual rights?

a)

Federalists

b)

Anti-Federalists

c)

Loyalists

d)

Patriots

7.

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

a)

Congress passes a law, and the President vetoes it

b)

The President appoints a Senator

c)

The Supreme Court writes new laws

d)

States declare war on other countries

8.

Explain how the lack of a national court system under the Articles of Confederation was a weakness.

a)

It made it easier to enforce laws

b)

Disputes between states could not be settled fairly

c)

It allowed Congress to control the courts

d)

It gave the President more power

9.

Which right is protected by the Bill of Rights that the Anti-Federalists wanted included in the Constitution?

a)

The right to vote at age 16

b)

Freedom of speech

c)

The right to own property without taxes

d)

The right to a royal title

10.

How does the Constitution limit the power of the government through due process of law?

a)

By allowing the government to punish anyone without trial

b)

By requiring fair treatment through the judicial system

c)

By giving Congress all the power

d)

By letting the President make all decisions

11.

Which of the following best describes the Federalists’ viewpoint on the Bill of Rights?

a)

They believed it was unnecessary because the Constitution already limited government power

b)

They demanded it be included before ratification

c)

They wanted to abolish all rights

d)

They thought it should only apply to the President

12.

Why did the Articles of Confederation make it difficult for the national government to raise money?

a)

It allowed only the President to collect taxes

b)

It did not give Congress the power to tax

c)

It required states to pay taxes directly to the President

d)

It banned all forms of taxation

13.

A law is passed by Congress, but the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional. Which principle is being demonstrated?

a)

Checks and balances

b)

Federalism

c)

Popular sovereignty

d)

Rule of law

14.

Which of the following was a direct result of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The creation of the U.S. Constitution

b)

The end of the Revolutionary War

c)

The writing of the Magna Carta

d)

The election of George Washington

15.

Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?

a)

Executive

b)

Legislative

c)

Judicial

d)

State

16.

Which of the following best describes the Anti-Federalists’ main concern about the Constitution?

a)

It gave too much power to the states

b)

It did not protect individual rights

c)

It was too similar to the Articles of Confederation

d)

It created a monarchy

17.

Which of the following is an example of the rule of law?

a)

The President is above the law

b)

All citizens, including leaders, must follow the law

c)

Only Congress must obey the law

d)

Laws apply only to the Supreme Court

18.

Which event showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger government?

a)

The Boston Tea Party

b)

Shays’ Rebellion

c)

The signing of the Magna Carta

d)

The War of 1812

19.

How does the Constitution protect individual rights?

a)

By including the Bill of Rights

b)

By giving all power to the President

c)

By eliminating the judicial branch

d)

By allowing Congress to ignore the law

20.

Which of the following was a belief held by the Federalists?

a)

The Constitution should not be ratified

b)

A strong central government was necessary

c)

States should have all the power

d)

The Articles of Confederation were perfect

21.

Which branch of government has the power to veto laws?

a)

Executive

b)

Legislative

c)

Judicial

d)

State

22.

Why did the Founders include checks and balances in the Constitution?

a)

To allow one branch to control the others

b)

To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

c)

To give the President more power

d)

To eliminate the legislative branch

23.

Which of the following was NOT a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

a)

No power to tax

b)

No national court system

c)

Strong executive branch

d)

No power to regulate trade

24.

Which group wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

a)

Federalists

b)

Anti-Federalists

c)

Loyalists

d)

Patriots

25.

How did the Constitution address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation regarding taxation?

a)

It gave Congress the power to tax

b)

It banned all taxes

c)

It allowed only states to tax

d)

It required the President to collect taxes

26.

Which of the following is an example of due process of law?

a)

Being arrested without a reason

b)

Having a fair trial before being punished

c)

Being punished without evidence

d)

Being denied a lawyer

27.

Which of the following best describes the main difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

a)

Federalists wanted a weak central government; Anti-Federalists wanted a strong one

b)

Federalists supported the Constitution; Anti-Federalists wanted more protections for individual rights

c)

Federalists wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation; Anti-Federalists wanted to abolish them

d)

Federalists supported the King; Anti-Federalists supported independence

28.

Which of the following was a problem under the Articles of Confederation that the Constitution fixed?

a)

The President had too much power

b)

Congress could not regulate trade between states

c)

The Supreme Court could veto laws

d)

States could not make their own laws

29.

Which principle is demonstrated when Congress makes laws, the President enforces them, and the Supreme Court interprets them?

a)

Separation of powers

b)

Federalism

c)

Rule of law

d)

Popular sovereignty

30.

Which of the following statements would most likely be made by an Anti-Federalist?

a)

“The Constitution gives too much power to the national government.”

b)

“A strong central government is necessary for order.”

c)

“The Bill of Rights is not needed.”

d)

“The Articles of Confederation should be kept.”

31.

Which government principle is illustrated in this diagram?

a)

Federalism

b)

Popular sovereignty

c)

Republicanism

d)

Separation of powers

32.

Divides the powers of the Constitution between the federal government and the state governments

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Federalism

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Limited Government

33.
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 
34.

The Articles of Confederation was important because it –

a)

created a means for establishing the executive branch

b)

provided every citizen in America the right to vote

c)

enabled each of the 13 states to make separate treaties with foreign nations

d)

was the first form of government for America

35.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
a)
newspaper articles discussing a new governement
b)
another term for the Constitution
c)
America's first attempt at a national government
d)
the Bill of Rights
36.
Under the Articles of Confederation Congress could only pass a law if ____________ out 13 states agreed. 
a)
13
b)
8
c)
9
d)
10
37.
What are the first 10 Amendments called?
a)
The Constitution
b)
Bill of Rights
c)
Magna Carta
d)
Petition of Rights
38.
Which amendment gives you the right to keep weapons or arms?
a)
First Amendment
b)
Second Amendment
c)
Third Amendment
d)
Fourth Amendment
39.

Jake is accused of stealing the car of his ex-girlfriend, Taylor. Jake says he didn't steal Taylor's car. The judge doesn't believe Jake and puts him in jail immediately. What amendment protects Jake from going straight to jail?

a)

3rd

b)

4th

c)

5th

d)

10th

40.

Jay and Bob make posters and put them on a bulletin board. One poster criticizes the government. Jay and Bob are protected by which amendment?

a)

1st

b)

3rd

c)

5th

d)

6th

41.

Based on this passage, which constitutional principle does Madison describe? 

(one branch stopping another branch)

a)

Checks and Balances 

b)

 Popular Sovereignty

c)

Seperation of powers 

d)

 Judicial Review

42.

This excerpt provides one example of which constitutional principle?

a)

Federalism

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Popular Sovereignty

d)

Individual Rights