WorksheetsLesson 1: Structure and Principles Bell Ringer
Total questions: 66
Worksheet time: 33mins
According to Article V, what does the Constitution provide guidelines for?
Judicial review procedures
Amendments, or changes to the Constitution
Election of the President
Declaration of war
How many amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution?
10
12
27
35
Explain why the Constitution can remain flexible and adapt to the times.
Because Article V sets amendment guidelines and the amendment process allows changes.
Because the Constitution is rewritten every decade.
Because the Supreme Court can change the Constitution at will.
Because Congress can ignore the Constitution whenever needed.
Which idea from the Preamble is emphasized by the phrase "We the people"?
Limited government
Popular sovereignty
Judicial review
Federalism
Popular sovereignty means government authority comes from the _______.
people
president
military
courts
Which statement best captures the concept of limited government as described?
Government has unlimited power to serve the people
The Constitution creates guidelines that limit what government can do
Citizens must consent to all laws before they apply
The Supreme Court writes the laws to protect liberties
In the Venn diagram on federalism, which is listed as a power of the national government only?
Set up schools
Maintain military
Collect taxes
Establish courts
Which is identified as a shared power under federalism?
Declare war
Regulate state commerce
Borrow money
Establish local governments
Which action falls under state powers?
Protect copyrights and patents
Regulate interstate commerce
Make regulations for marriage
Set standards for weights and measures
Separation of powers divides responsibilities so that no one branch has total power. Which pairing correctly matches a branch with its role?
Legislative—enforces laws
Executive—interprets laws
Judicial—makes laws
Legislative—Congress makes laws
Checks and balances are described as each branch of government having some power over the other branches. What is the main purpose of this principle?
To allow one branch to dominate
To coordinate elections
To prevent concentration of power
To expand federal authority over states
The Bill of Rights ensures the government cannot overreach and violate the rights of citizens. Which principle does this statement reflect?
Judicial supremacy
Individual rights
Popular sovereignty
Implied powers
A state passes a law regulating marriage that conflicts with a federal law about interstate commerce. Using the federalism diagram’s categories, which level of government has the proper authority over each subject, and what does this imply about resolving the conflict?
The state has authority over marriage, the national government has authority over interstate commerce, and federal law prevails in case of conflict.
The national government has authority over both marriage and interstate commerce, so federal law always prevails.
The state has authority over both marriage and interstate commerce, so state law prevails.
Both marriage and interstate commerce are shared powers, so the Supreme Court decides the conflict.
Which constitutional principle is demonstrated when the people elect members of the House of Representatives by popular vote?
Popular sovereignty
Judicial review
Federalism
Checks and balances
The idea that government power is restricted and officials must follow the law reflects which constitutional principle?
Limited government
Popular sovereignty
Federalism
Separation of powers
Which principle allows courts to declare laws unconstitutional?
Judicial review
Checks and balances
Federalism
Individual rights
Assigning lawmaking to Congress, law-enforcement to the President, and law-interpretation to the Courts illustrates which principle?
Separation of powers
Popular sovereignty
Limited government
Individual rights
What principle is shown when Congress can impeach the President and remove officials from office?
Checks and balances
Federalism
Individual rights
Popular sovereignty
When states have equal representation in the Senate while the House is based on population, which principle of the constitutional system is reflected?
Federalism
Separation of powers
Judicial review
Checks and balances
Identify the branch established by Article I of the Constitution and divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Cabinet
Which branch can veto congressional legislation?
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
State governments
Which branch approves presidential nominations and controls the budget?
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
State legislatures
Which branch nominates federal judges?
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
State governors
Fill in the blank: The elastic clause in Article I, Section 8 allows Congress to make laws that are "________ and proper."
necessary
legal
just
fair
Analyze: How does the ability of the Court to declare laws unconstitutional function within the system of checks and balances?
It allows the Court to check the power of the legislative and executive branches by invalidating laws that violate the Constitution.
It gives the Court the power to create new laws if existing ones are unconstitutional.
It enables the Court to enforce laws passed by Congress.
It allows the Court to veto laws before they are passed.
The bases of representation in the two houses of Congress reflect constitutional principles in which of the following ways?
The House is based on population, while the Senate is based on equal representation for each state, reflecting federalism and the Great Compromise.
Both the House and Senate are based on population, reflecting the principle of popular sovereignty.
The House is based on equal representation, while the Senate is based on population, reflecting checks and balances.
Both the House and Senate are based on equal representation, reflecting the separation of powers.
Evaluate how the elastic clause supports the principle of limited government while enabling effective governance. Which of the following best explains this relationship?
It allows Congress to adapt its powers to new situations while still being checked by other branches.
It gives Congress unlimited power without any checks or balances.
It restricts Congress from making any laws beyond those explicitly listed in the Constitution.
It prevents Congress from responding to changing needs of the nation.
Based on a federalism Venn diagram showing national, state, and shared powers, which action is most clearly a power of the national government?
Issuing driver’s licenses
Establishing post offices
Running local elections
Regulating public school curricula
In a federal system illustrated by a Venn diagram, which responsibility would most likely appear in the overlapping (shared) section?
Declaring war
Coining money
Levying taxes
Issuing hunting permits
Which example best represents a state power rather than a national or shared power in the federalism diagram?
Regulating interstate commerce
Forming a navy
Conducting elections
Punishing counterfeiters
A policy proposal would require a government to coin money and punish counterfeiters. According to the federalism Venn diagram, which level of government has authority over this proposal?
State government
Local government
National government
Shared between national and state governments
According to the listed responsibilities of the President as Commander in Chief, which action requires the consent of the Senate?
Delivering the State of the Union Address
Issuing pardons
Entering into treaties
Calling Congress into special session
A President wants to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court and also recognize a new foreign envoy. Based on the responsibilities provided, which two actions are within presidential authority? Select the single best answer describing both actions.
Appointing federal judges and appointing ambassadors
Commissioning military officers and delivering the State of the Union Address
Issuing pardons and enforcing laws
Calling Congress into special session and acting as Head of State
Which article of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch?
Article I
Article II
Article III
Article IV
The Judicial Branch is divided into two systems. Which pairing correctly matches each system with its legal basis?
Federal System—state law and state constitution; State System—federal law and the U.S. Constitution
Federal System—federal law and the U.S. Constitution; State System—state law and state constitution
Federal System—international law; State System—municipal law
Federal System—common law; State System—statutory law only
According to the diagram, which landmark case established the Supreme Court’s authority of judicial review, allowing it to declare laws constitutional or unconstitutional?
McCulloch v. Maryland
Gibbons v. Ogden
Marbury v. Madison
Brown v. Board of Education
Identify the constitutional function described in the diagram: The courts can overturn laws that violate the Constitution. Write the term.
judicial review
judicial activism
judicial restraint
judicial supremacy
Which branch of government makes laws according to Article I?
Executive
Judicial
Legislative
Cabinet
What are the two chambers that compose the Legislative Branch?
Supreme Court and lower courts
President and Vice President
House of Representatives and Senate
Cabinet and President
Which branch evaluates laws and can declare them unconstitutional?
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Cabinet
Cabinet members report to whom?
Chief Justice
Speaker of the House
President
Vice President
According to the checks and balances text, which action can the President take on bills passed by Congress?
Impeach them
Veto them
Declare them unconstitutional
Rewrite them unilaterally
In the system of checks and balances, who can impeach the President or federal judges?
Supreme Court
State legislatures
Congress
Cabinet
What can the Judiciary do to laws passed by Congress that it finds unconstitutional?
Veto them
Overturn them
Rewrite them
Send them to a committee
When the Judiciary overturns a law, what can Congress do in response to clarify the meaning of the old law?
Pass a new law
Issue an executive order
Hold a referendum
Suspend the Court
Whose job is it to carry out the decisions of the Supreme Court?
Congress
Executive Branch
State governors
Federal courts
Which of the following is an example of an expressed (enumerated) power of Congress rather than an implied power?
Establish a national bank
Declare war
Create federal agencies to manage health policy
Regulate internet content
Which part of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Executive Branch?
Article I
Article II
Article III
Article IV
The Executive Branch is designed with limited powers. Which statement best explains this design principle?
To ensure the President can override Congress at will
To balance authority among branches and prevent tyranny
To allow executive departments to make laws independently
To eliminate the need for judicial review
Fill in the blank: Article II outlines the structure of the Executive Branch, including the _______ and executive departments.
President
Congress
Supreme Court
Senate
Which responsibility most directly reflects the President’s role as head of the Executive Branch?
Presiding over the Supreme Court
Introducing revenue bills in the House
Overseeing executive departments and enforcing federal laws
Amending the Constitution
Which scenario best illustrates the concept of limited executive power under Article II?
The President unilaterally passes a national law
The President appoints department heads, subject to Senate confirmation
The President declares a constitutional amendment
The President sentences individuals in federal criminal cases
The President’s extensive responsibilities can coexist with limited executive powers under Article II because:
the Constitution grants specific powers while reserving others for Congress and the states.
the President has unlimited authority over all branches of government.
Article II allows the President to override any law passed by Congress.
the President can make laws without Congressional approval.
Which of the following is most likely a responsibility of the President associated with executive departments?
Interpreting constitutional disputes
Directing national security and foreign affairs through relevant departments
Setting state education standards
Issuing judicial writs
Which constitutional requirement must a person meet to be eligible to serve as President of the United States?
Be at least 25 years old
Be a natural-born citizen
Have previously served in Congress
Hold a law degree
A President becomes incapacitated and cannot carry out the duties of the office. According to presidential succession, who assumes the presidency next?
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President pro tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Which part of the Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch of the federal government?
Article I
Article II
Article III
Article IV
In the U.S. dual court system, which two parallel systems operate simultaneously?
Federal and municipal courts
Federal and state courts
State and county courts
Military and federal courts
According to Amendment 9, rights _______.
are limited to those listed in the Bill of Rights
not spelled out in the Constitution are retained by the people
belong only to the states
are granted solely by Congress
Which statement best reflects Amendment 10?
It adds new rights for the people
It assigns all powers to the national government
Powers not given to the national government or denied to the states belong to the states or the people
It abolishes slavery
Which amendment abolished slavery?
Amendment 12
Amendment 13
Amendment 14
Amendment 15
Amendment 14 primarily does which of the following?
Separates Electoral College votes for president and vice president
Grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. and ensures equal protection
Outlaws denial of the right to vote based on race
Empowers Congress to levy income tax
Identify the amendment that outlawed denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or servitude.
Amendment 11
Amendment 12
Amendment 15
Amendment 16
Which amendment sets the voting age at 18?
Amendment 24
Amendment 25
Amendment 26
Amendment 22
The amendment that limits the President to two full terms is known as which of the following, and why does this limitation reflect the principle of checks and balances?
The 22nd Amendment; it prevents any one person from holding too much power by limiting presidential terms.
The 19th Amendment; it ensures voting rights for women, balancing power among citizens.
The 25th Amendment; it clarifies presidential succession, ensuring government stability.
The 17th Amendment; it allows for the direct election of senators, increasing public oversight.
Fill in the blank: __________ repeals the prohibition of alcohol established by Amendment XVIII and regulates the alcohol industry.
Amendment 21
Amendment 19
Amendment 20
Amendment 22
