U.S. Constitution Test Study Guide Flashcards

Flashcards based on the U.S. Constitution Test Study Guide to help you prepare for the exam.

What was the first plan of government for the United States?

The Articles of Confederation

What were those who opposed the new constitution because it lacked a Bill of Rights called?

Anti-Federalists

What is the term that means dividing government power between the national government and the state governments?

Federalism

What is the term that means dividing powers between the branches of government so each branch has a power only it can use?

Separation of Powers

Which branch of government makes the laws?

Legislative Branch

Which branch of government enforces the laws?

Executive Branch

Which branch of government interprets the laws?

Judicial Branch

What is the term that means that each branch of government has powers that allow it to stop the other branches from doing something that normally they have the power to do?

Checks and Balances

What is the term that means that the people are the source of all government power?

Popular Sovereignty

What is the term that means a law-making body with two houses?

Bicameral Legislature

What do we call the organization made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate?

Congress

How many people serve in the House of Representatives?

435

What is the title of the presiding officer of the House?

Speaker of the House

How long is the term of office of a member of the House?

2 years

How is the number of representatives from a state determined?

By the population of the state

What is the name for the official count of the U.S. population take every ten years?

Census

How many people serve in the Senate?

100

Who serves as the President of the Senate? When does he get to vote?

Vice President, only to break a tie vote

How long is the term of a Senator?

6 years

How many people from each state serve in the Senate?

2

Which House of Congress has the power to impeach the President and federal judges?

House of Representatives

Which House of Congress has the power to approve appointments made by the President?

Senate

What must have happened to a bill before it can be sent to the President for his signature?

It must be passed in the same form by a majority vote in the House and the Senate

What is the term that means unlimited debate in the Senate used to kill a bill?

Filibuster

Which branch of government has the power to declare war?

Legislative

Who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces?

President of the United States

Who can introduce a bill in Congress?

Only Members of Congress or U.S. Representatives and Senators

What is the name given to the people who cast the official votes that determine who is President?

Electors or Electoral College

What is the term of office for President?

4 years

How many terms may a President serve?

2 full terms

What is the term that means the heads of the Executive Departments who aid and advise the President?

Cabinet

Who becomes President if the President dies?

Vice President

What are the names of the three levels of federal courts that make up the judicial branch?

U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeal, U.S. District Court

How do all federal judges get their job?

Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate

What is the 'court of last resort' in the United States?

U.S. Supreme Court

How many people serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?

9

What is the name of the Supreme Court decision that gave the Court the power of judicial review?

Marbury v. Maryland

What does the term 'judicial review' mean?

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional

Which federal court has only original jurisdiction?

U.S. District Courts

Which federal court has only appellate jurisdiction?

U.S. Courts of Appeal

Which federal court has both appellate and original jurisdiction?

U.S. Supreme Court

What is the name given to a change of the Constitution?

Amendment

What name is given to the first ten amendments?

Bill of Rights

What are the five rights protected by the First Amendment?

Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition

What are three types of speech that are not protected by the First Amendment?

Slander, threats, conspiracy to commit a crime, speaking to encourage others to commit violent acts

What must government officials obtain from a judge before they may search your home?

Search warrant

What landmark case guaranteed the right to a lawyer when you are accused of a crime?

Gideon v. Wainwright

What landmark case required the police to inform you of your rights when arrested?

Miranda v. Arizona

In what two ways can a person be a U.S. citizen?

Born a citizen, Naturalized

At what age is a person allowed to vote in the U.S.?

18

When may a person be deprived of life, liberty, or property?

Only after due process of law (a fair trial)

What is the term that means to be put on trial more than once for the same offense?

Double jeopardy