WorksheetsUnderstanding the U.S. Constitution
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
The first three words of the Preamble to the United States Constitution are (a) .
How many branches of government are established by the U.S. Constitution?
One
Two
Three
Four
Which document contains the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution?
The Federalist Papers
The Bill of Rights
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation
Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?
Executive
Judicial
Legislative
Military
What is the main purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. government?
To create new laws
To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
To elect the President
To declare war
Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech?
First Amendment
Second Amendment
Fifth Amendment
Tenth Amendment
Who has the power to veto bills passed by Congress?
The Chief Justice
The President
The Speaker of the House
The Vice President
What is required for an amendment to be added to the U.S. Constitution?
Approval by the President only
A majority vote in the Supreme Court
Approval by two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states
A national referendum
Which level of government has the power to print money?
State governments
Local governments
Federal government
County governments
Match each branch of government with its primary function.
Executive
Enforces the laws
Judicial
Interprets the laws
Legislative
Makes the laws
State
Refers to regional government
Which phrase from the Preamble best shows the idea of creating fairness in the country?
"provide for the common defence"
"establish Justice"
"promote the general Welfare"
"secure the Blessings of Liberty"
If Congress passes a law that the President disagrees with, what can the President do as a check on Congress?
Declare the law unconstitutional
Veto the law
Rewrite the law
Ignore the law
Which of the following is an example of a right protected by the Bill of Rights?
The right to vote at age 18
The right to a trial by jury
The right to free college education
The right to drive a car
Why is the amendment process important to the Constitution?
It allows the President to change laws easily
It lets the Constitution be updated as society changes
It makes the Constitution harder to understand
It gives more power to the states
Which of the following is a power reserved for state governments?
Declaring war
Printing money
Establishing schools
Regulating international trade
If a law is challenged in court, the branch of government that decides if the law is constitutional is (a) .
A new amendment is proposed in Congress. What steps must happen for it to become part of the Constitution?
It must be signed by the President and approved by the Supreme Court.
It must be approved by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the states.
It must be approved by a national vote.
It must be approved by the Vice President and the Speaker of the House.
According to the Constitution, if a state passes a law that conflicts with a federal law, the (a) is supreme.
Match each scenario involving a law passed by Congress with the most likely outcome based on the Bill of Rights.
The law would automatically go into effect.
Congress passes a law that does not conflict with the Constitution.
The Supreme Court could declare the law unconstitutional.
Congress passes a law that limits freedom of speech, violating the Bill of Rights.
The President could ignore the law.
Congress passes a law, but the President disagrees with it after it is enacted.
The law would only apply to federal employees.
Congress passes a law specifically targeting federal employees.
Imagine the President wants to make a treaty with another country. What must happen for the treaty to become official, and why is this an example of checks and balances?
The President can make the treaty official alone, showing executive power.
The Senate must approve the treaty, showing that the legislative branch checks the executive branch.
The Supreme Court must approve the treaty, showing judicial review.
The House of Representatives must approve the treaty, showing legislative power.
