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WorksheetsU.S. Constitution Outline — Worksheet Questions Extraction
Total questions: 121
Worksheet time: 1hrs 1mins
Development of the Constitution: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Development of the Constitution: When and where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
July 4, 1776, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 4, 1787, New York City
August 2, 1776, Boston, Massachusetts
June 21, 1788, Richmond, Virginia
Development of the Constitution: What were the Articles of Confederation?
A list of individual rights added to the Constitution
The first national constitution creating a weak central government
A treaty with Great Britain ending the Revolutionary War
The plan for dividing western territories into states
Development of the Constitution: Briefly describe some of the problems our country experienced under the Articles of Confederation.
The national government could not tax or regulate trade and was too weak to enforce laws
States were forced to share a single court system that caused delays
The presidency had too much power over Congress
The country had no ability to negotiate treaties with foreign nations
Development of the Constitution: When and where did the Constitutional Convention meet?
1789 in Washington, D.C.
1776 in Boston
1787 in Philadelphia at Independence Hall
1791 in New York City
Development of the Constitution: What major problem had to be solved during the Constitutional Convention between the large states and the small states, and what was the solution?
Slavery; the solution was immediate abolition nationwide
Executive power; the solution was a council of three presidents
Representation in Congress; the solution was the Great Compromise creating a bicameral legislature
Judicial selection; the solution was election of judges by popular vote
Development of the Constitution: How did Thomas Jefferson feel about the new Constitution?
He opposed it entirely and favored the Articles of Confederation
He supported it but insisted on a Bill of Rights
He wrote most of it while serving in Congress
He believed it should give all power to the states
Development of the Constitution: What was the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?
To list the first ten amendments
To set forth the goals and purposes of the government
To describe the powers of the courts
To explain how to amend the Constitution
Development of the Constitution: How many articles does the Constitution have?
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Development of the Constitution: Which article gives information about the president?
Article I
Article II
Article III
Article V
Development of the Constitution: Which article tells you how to amend the Constitution?
Article II
Article III
Article V
Article VII
Development of the Constitution: How many amendments have been made to the Constitution?
10
21
25
27
Legislative Branch: Explain what is meant by representative government.
Citizens vote on every law directly
Elected officials represent the people and make laws on their behalf
Judges write laws for the states
Governors appoint legislators for each state
Legislative Branch: Why are there staggered terms of office in the Senate?
To allow all senators to be replaced at the same time
To maintain continuity and experience by electing one-third of the Senate every two years
To ensure the House of Representatives controls the Senate
To shorten the length of a senator’s term
Legislative Branch: What happens if a senator cannot finish a term?
The president appoints a replacement for the remainder of the term
The state governor may appoint a temporary replacement until a special election is held
The Senate chooses a new member by majority vote
The seat remains vacant until the next regular election
Legislative Branch: Identify the president of the Senate and state how many senators there are.
The president of the Senate is the vice president of the United States
The president of the Senate is the Speaker of the House
There are 100 senators
There are 50 senators
Legislative Branch: State how many senators each state has and how long the term is.
Each state has two senators
Each state has one senator
A senator’s term is four years
A senator’s term is six years
Legislative Branch: How many times may a senator be re-elected?
Only once
Up to three times
Unlimited times
Not allowed to be re-elected
Legislative Branch: What are the qualifications for a senator and for a representative?
Senator: at least 30 years old, U.S. citizen for 9 years, resident of the state represented
Senator: at least 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident of the state
Representative: at least 25 years old, U.S. citizen for 7 years, resident of the state represented
Representative: at least 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of the state
Legislative Branch: Explain the lawmaking process.
Bills are written by the Supreme Court and become law automatically
A bill is introduced, considered in committee, passed by both houses, and sent to the president to sign or veto
Only the Senate writes bills, and the House votes to approve them
The president writes laws that the courts then enforce
Legislative Branch: Explain how sessions of Congress are numbered.
They restart numbering every decade
They are numbered sequentially for each two-year Congress beginning in 1789, with each Congress having two yearly sessions
They are numbered by the political party in control
They are numbered only when new states are added
Legislative Branch: List the powers given to Congress by the Constitution.
To declare war
To coin money
To regulate interstate and foreign commerce
To appoint Supreme Court justices
Legislative Branch: List the powers denied to Congress.
Passing ex post facto laws
Taxing exports from states
Issuing bills of attainder
Creating federal courts
Legislative Branch: What is the full faith and credit clause?
States must honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states
Congress must publish all bills 30 days before voting
The president must report annually on the nation’s finances
States must accept federal appointments
Executive Branch: What is the responsibility of the executive branch?
To make laws
To enforce laws
To interpret laws
To write the Constitution
Executive Branch: Who are the two most prominent officials in the executive branch?
Speaker of the House and Majority Leader
President and Vice President
Chief Justice and Attorney General
Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense
Executive Branch: What are the qualifications to be president and vice president?
Natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, resident in the U.S. for 14 years
Naturalized citizen, at least 30 years old, resident for 10 years
Any U.S. citizen at least 25 years old
Natural-born citizen, at least 40 years old, resident for 5 years
Executive Branch: How long is the president’s term and how many terms may he or she serve?
Four-year term
Six-year term
May serve two elected terms
May serve an unlimited number of terms
Executive Branch: Explain a pocket veto.
The president amends the bill and returns it to Congress
If Congress adjourns within ten days and the president takes no action, the bill does not become law
The president sends the bill to the Supreme Court for review
The president refuses to meet with lawmakers about the bill
Executive Branch: What military powers does the president have?
Commander in chief of the armed forces
May declare war alone without Congress
Controls state militias directly
Commands only the Navy
Executive Branch: Identify a Cabinet department.
Department of Defense
Federal Reserve Board
Library of Congress
Social Security Administration
Executive Branch: Which house of Congress must approve presidential appointments?
House of Representatives
Senate
Both houses
Neither house
Executive Branch: Which house of Congress must approve treaties?
House of Representatives
Senate
Both houses
Neither house
Executive Branch: Who may call a special session of Congress?
The Speaker of the House
The President
The Chief Justice
State governors
Executive Branch: What happens if a president is unable to serve because of illness?
The Secretary of State serves as acting president
The Vice President becomes Acting President under the Twenty-fifth Amendment
Congress appoints an acting president
The Speaker of the House becomes acting president
Executive Branch: What is the Electoral College?
A national school for future politicians
A body of electors from each state who formally elect the president and vice president
A group of judges who certify election results
A committee in Congress that sets voting rules
Executive Branch: On what date does the president take office?
January 3
January 20
March 4
July 4
Executive Branch: What are the five areas of presidential duties?
Foreign affairs
Military powers
Legislation
Appointment and administration
Judicial sentencing
Judicial Branch: Name the three highest federal courts.
Supreme Court
Courts of Appeals
District Courts
State Supreme Courts
Judicial Branch: How many Supreme Court judges are there?
Seven
Nine
Eleven
Thirteen
Judicial Branch: How are federal judges selected?
Elected by popular vote
Appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate
Chosen by the Supreme Court
Selected by state legislatures
Judicial Branch: How long do federal judges serve?
Four-year terms
Ten-year terms
Until age 70
For life during good behavior
Judicial Branch: Explain what judicial review is and how it affects the Constitution.
It allows Congress to review the president’s actions
It is the power of the courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional, shaping the meaning of the Constitution
It is the president’s authority to cancel court decisions
It is the states’ power to ignore federal laws
Judicial Branch: Which court would rule on the constitutionality of state and federal laws?
District Courts
Courts of Appeals
Supreme Court of the United States
State trial courts
Judicial Branch: What is the title of the lead official of the Supreme Court, and who is this leader?
Chief Justice; John G. Roberts, Jr.
Presiding Judge; Elena Kagan
Speaker; Clarence Thomas
Lead Justice; Sonia Sotomayor
Judicial Branch: Describe the two ways an amendment to the Constitution can be proposed.
By a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress
By a national convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures
By a majority vote of the Supreme Court
By approval of the president
Judicial Branch: Describe the two ways an amendment may be ratified.
By three-fourths of the state legislatures
By conventions in three-fourths of the states
By a simple majority vote in Congress
By the president’s signature
Checks and Balances: List the important checks and balances that have been built into our government.
The president can veto bills
Congress can override a veto
The Senate confirms presidential appointments and treaties
The courts can declare laws unconstitutional
The president can dissolve state legislatures
Vocabulary: Define ratify.
To formally approve a law or agreement
To reject a proposal
To delay action until a later date
To propose a new policy
Vocabulary: Define amend.
To enforce a law
To change or add to a law or document
To veto a bill
To interpret the Constitution
Vocabulary: Define lobby.
To hold a public protest
To attempt to influence lawmakers on a policy
To vote by secret ballot
To raise money for a campaign
Vocabulary: Define treaty.
A formal agreement between nations
A state constitution
A legislative committee
A judicial opinion
Vocabulary: Define veto.
To sign a bill into law
To reject a bill
To review a court case
To propose an amendment
Vocabulary: Define federalism.
A system dividing power between national and state governments
A policy of isolation from foreign affairs
A form of direct democracy
A single national court system
Vocabulary: Define compromise.
A dispute with no resolution
An agreement reached by mutual concessions
A ruling by a judge
An election decided by the House
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. The president may serve how many terms?
1
2
3
4
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. What is NOT a rule of the flag code?
Worn flags should be thrown in trash
Should be in the front of a parade
Should be displayed on national holidays
Exact likeness should not be used in ads
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. How many amendments have been added to the Constitution?
10
21
27
41
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. How many years is the president’s term of office?
2
4
6
9
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. What is the age requirement to become president?
18
21
35
45
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. After a bill has gone through both houses of Congress successfully, it is sent to:
the President
the States
the Speaker of the House
the Supreme Court
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Which amendment gave women who are citizens the right to vote in all elections?
17th
19th
22nd
27th
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. How many U.S. senators come from each state?
1
2
3
4
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Each state receives at least ______ representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives.
1
2
3
4
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great Compromise resolved a conflict over:
presidential power
number of free states
representation in Congress
taxes on imports
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. The president of the Senate is:
the President of the United States
the Speaker of the House
the Secretary of State
the Vice President
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Which of these rights is NOT an unalienable right from the Declaration of Independence?
liberty
education
pursuit of happiness
life
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. The Declaration of Independence was written largely by:
Hamilton
Washington
Jefferson
Adams
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. The national budget is presented annually to Congress by the:
the Vice President
the Governors
the Secretary of State
the President
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. There are how many branches of government?
1
2
3
4
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. The president takes the oath of office on:
January 4th
January 20th
November 7th
September 5th
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. In our First Amendment, which is NOT a "freedom"?
freedom of the press
freedom of employment
freedom of speech
freedom of religion
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. The vote of what group really decides who will be president?
Electoral College
popular vote by the people
United Nations
House of Representatives
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. What is described in Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution giving Congress broad powers to write laws about new situations?
war power
insight clause
elastic clause
inventional clause
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Which body has the power to borrow money?
Congress
Supreme Court
Executive Branch
State Legislatures
MATCHING: Three Branches of Government. Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Match each description to the branch of government:
Has two houses
Legislative Branch
Is the court system of our country
Judicial Branch
Makes the laws
Legislative Branch
MATCHING: Three Branches of Government. Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Match each description to the branch of government:
Enforces the laws
Executive Branch
Described in Article 1 of the Constitution
Legislative Branch
Described in Article 3 of the Constitution
Judicial Branch
MATCHING: The United States Congress. Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Match each description to the part of Congress:
Has a six-year term
Senate
Meet in the Capitol Building
Both the Senate and House
Elected every two years
House of Representatives
Has the vice president as presiding officer
Senate
MATCHING: The United States Congress. Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Match each description to the part of Congress:
Has 435 members
House of Representatives
Approves or rejects treaties
Senate
Passes bills they hope will become laws
Both the Senate and House
Has 100 members
Senate
MATCHING: Cabinet Responsibilities. Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Match each responsibility to the cabinet position:
Chief legal officer
Attorney General
Manages Social Security
Secretary of Health & Human Services
Carries out a war plan
Secretary of Defense
MATCHING: Cabinet Responsibilities. Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Match each responsibility to the cabinet position:
Settles a strike
Secretary of Labor
Foreign affairs
Secretary of State
Secret Service
Secretary of Homeland Security
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. The Virginia Plan proposed two houses of Congress based on population.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. The simple definition of democracy is government by the people, directly or through representation.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. Senators are elected by the vote of the people in their state.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. One-third of the Senate is elected every two years.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. The largest U.S. state is Texas (in terms of population) receiving the most electoral votes.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. The Constitution allows for laws to be made on subjects that did not even exist in 1787.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. The original 13 colonies included Kentucky.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. Your state legislature has the same lawmaking scope as the U.S. Congress.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty or give me death."
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. Habeas corpus gives a prisoner the right to a fair trial.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. Ben Franklin was president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. The building in which the Constitutional Convention met is called Independence Hall.
True
False
TRUE OR FALSE. Write a T or F in the space provided. The Declaration of Independence was the nation’s first Constitution.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: Our original Constitution outlawed slavery.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The Bill of Rights are the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The British held the Boston Tea Party to make friends with the colonists.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: A U.S. senator may be re-elected only once, serving a maximum of two terms.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The House of Representatives has nothing to do with the impeachment of a president.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: Under certain conditions, the House of Representatives selects the president.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: A three-fourths vote is required for Congress to pass a bill over the president's veto.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: After 10 days, a bill passed by Congress automatically becomes a law if the president doesn't act and Congress is still in session.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: Supervising the coining and printing of money is the job of the Treasury Department.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: An ex post facto law is a law that makes something illegal after the act has been committed.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: Only federal officers may have titles of nobility.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: Congress may not tax goods being exported from a state, even if the goods are going to a foreign country.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: States must treat the citizens of other states the same way it treats its own citizens.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: States can make treaties with foreign countries.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: Both federal and state governments can establish courts.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The president can call both houses of Congress into special session.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The Articles of Confederation was really our first constitution.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: Federalism is the sharing of power by the federal government and state governments.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: There are 12 Cabinet positions.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The U.S. Supreme Court justices are appointed by Congress.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The judicial branch has no checks on the other branches.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The U.S. flag should be in the rear of a parade or procession.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The 26th Amendment allows 18-year-olds to vote in federal and state elections.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: There are 15 justices on the Supreme Court.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: The Declaration of Independence came before the signing of the Constitution.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: United States senators receive a higher salary than U.S. representatives.
True
False
Decide whether the statement is true or false: Cabinet members are elected rather than appointed.
True
False
