US Constitution Unit Test

What is the first paragraph of the constitution called?  

the Preamble  

For what purpose was the constitution created according to the Preamble?  

form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for common defense, promote general welfare, ensure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity  

Who, according to the preamble, is the basis for the gov't?  

We the people  

What branch of gov't is art 1 about? What does that branch do?  

The Legislative branch makes laws  

What does bicameral mean?  

two houses  

What are the two houses of congress?  

Senate, House of Representatives  

How is representation determined in the House? Senate?  

House: Population, Senate: 2 votes per state  

How many representatives does Indiana have? How many electoral college votes?  

9 and 11  

Who has the most representatives in Congress? Who has the least (name one)? How many?  

California (52), Texas (38); Delaware, Wyoming, North & South Dakota, Vermont (1)  

Art 1, sec 2: Where do all revenue/tax bills start? Who has the power of impeachment?  

House of Representatives  

What does impeachment mean?  

To bring charges against a high gov't official  

Art 1, Sec 3 : confirm presidential appointments (judges, cabinet, ambassadors), power of trial for impeachments (two thirds vote)  

Senate

term length of a Senator? term length of a Rep?  

6 for senators, 2 for reps  

what is a filibuster? what percentage must vote to end a filibuster (cloture motion)? When did cloture motions become law?  

talking for as long as you can to stall, 60%,  

The House has the power of impeachment; the senate the power to try impeachment cases. This individual presides over impeachment trials involving the President.  

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court  

In the original constitution, the only office in the national government directly voted for by the citizens was:

Representative in the U.S. House  

This is the term for the constitutionally prohibited kind of law that charges a person for an action that was not illegal when they acted.

ex post facto law  

This term describes the elevation of any citizen to a rank above other citizens based on the family they are born into, a common practice among other nations which was prohibited by the constitution.  

Nobility

The name of the group of individuals from each state which cast that states vote for the presidential candidate chosen by the state's citizens is called what?  

Electoral College  

In order to be eligible to run for president, a citizen must be born in the U.S. and at least this age.  

35 years old  

What is the primary role of the exectutive branch  

Enforce or Execute the Laws  

How many four year terms can a president serve?  

2 terms  

This term refers to the presidents power to reject laws passed by Congress, his primary check on the legislative branch.  

Veto

This member of the executive branch casts the deciding vote when a tie occurs in the Senate.  

Vice president

This member of the cabinet is 4th in the line of succession to the presidency.  

Secretary of State

How many states were there at the time of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution  

13 

9 states were required to make the constitution the official law of the land, an action also described by this term  

Ratify

What fraction of the States must vote yes to pass an amendment to the constitution  

three fourths (3/4)

This term describes the system of government that shares power between the states and the national government  

federalism

"The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states". This clause is found in which article of the constitution?  

Article 4

This group is the main body of the Judicial Branch  

Supreme Court

There are currently this many justices on the supreme court  

9

What act of congress can remove a judge from office if he fails to meet the "good behavior" standard stipulated in the constitution  

Conviction of Impeachment  

This writer considered the Judicial Branch the weakest branch of the Federal government.  

Alexander Hamilton

This Supreme Court ruling set the precedent of Judicial Review where the court has the power to nullify acts of congress it deems unconstitutional  

Marbury v Madison  

What is the term for the number of congressmen required to pass a vote through either house.  

Majority

This is the term for the minimum number of congressmen that must be present to vote on a bill.  

Quorum

This group of congressmen meet to look over a bill decide whether or not to bring it to a vote in their house.  

Commitee

All revenue bills must begin in this house of congress.  

House of Representatives  

This is the term for the president doing nothing with a Bill, but congress adjourns, and the bill does not become a law.  

Pocket veto

This is the name given to the phrase in the constitution, in section 8 of article II, which gives congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out their enumerated powers.  

Elastic Clause  

What fraction of the Senate must vote to convict in an impeachment case? ...of both houses to override presidential vetoes and propose amendments to the constitution?  

Two thirds (2/3)

What are the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution called?  

Bill of Rights

Which amendment prohibits salary increases or decreases for members of Congress to take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened?  

27th

Which amendment prohibits the government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on their race, color, or previous condition of servitude?  

15th

Which amendment prohibits any U.S. citizens from being denied the right to vote based on sex?  

19th

Which amendment, repealed by the 21st amendment, prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors?  

18th

Which amendment provides the procedures for electing the President and the Vice-President?  

12th

Which amendment protects the right of people to keep and bear arms?  

2nd

Which amendment protects religious freedom? freedom of speech? freedom of the press? freedom of petition and assembly?  

1st

Which amendment allows Congress to levy an income tax?  

16th

Which amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures?  

4th

Which amendment prohibits poll taxes?  

24th

Which amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime, without consent?  

3rd

Which amendment provides the accused a right to a public and speedy trial in criminal prosecutions?  

6th

Which amendment provides a broad definition of citizenship and guarantees all citizens due process and equal protection of the laws?  

14th

Which amendment guarantees due process and prohibits double jeopardy?  

5th

Which amendment prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments?  

8th

Which amendment abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude?  

13th

Which amendment preserves the right to a trial by jury in civil cases?  

7th

In what year were the first ten amendments passed?

1791

How many amendments have been made to the U.S. Constitution?

27