Consitution Study Guide

11) Which of these can propose an amendment to the Constitution?
A. Congress
B. governors
C. presidents
D. Supreme Court

A. Congress

12) Which of these refers to the sharing of power between national and state governments?
A. bicameral
B. federalism
C. commerce
D. nationalism

B. federalism

13) All federal and state officers must swear an oath to
A. obey the president
B. protect and defend the Constitution
C. publish their tax returns
D. tell the truth always

B. protect and defend the Constitution

15) The U.S. population can directly participate in government in all of these ways EXCEPT through
A. passing laws.
B. joining interest groups.
C. participating in elections.
D. belonging to political parties.

A. passing laws.

16) How many terms can a person now serve as president?
A. 1 term
B. 2 terms
C. 3 terms
D. 4 terms

B. 2 terms

18) How does the Supreme Court prevent the president and Congress from abusing their power?
A. The Supreme Court cannot prevent the president from abusing power.
B. The Supreme Court can reject laws and treaties that are unconstitutional.
C. The Supreme Court gets to vote also.
D. The Supreme Court always asks Judge Judy.

B. The Supreme Court can reject laws and treaties that are unconstitutional.

20) How many amendments have been added to the Constitution?
A. 10
B. 21
C. 27
D. 41

C. 27

23) Presidential elections are held on __________.
A. the first Monday after the first Tuesday in November
B. the second Monday in November
C. the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
D. the first Tuesday in November

C. the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

24) How long is one term for Senators?
A. 4 years
B. 6 years
C. 2 years
D. 9 years

B. 6 years

26) What is the primary purpose of the Executive Branch?
A. to make laws
B. to enforce laws
C. to interpret laws

B. to enforce laws

27) How old must a person be to run for President?
A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40

C. 35

33) Which of the following is an eligibility requirement for the office of President?
A. Be at least 55 years of age
B. Have a college degree
C. Be a natural-born citizen of the United States
D. Have military leadership experience

C. Be a natural-born citizen of the United States

34) Which is a responsibility of the U.S. Supreme Court?
A. to review laws
B. to appoint justices
C. to propose new tax laws
D. to create treaties

A. to review laws

46) The right to own guns is guaranteed in which Amendment?
A. 1st
B. 2nd
C. 4th
D. 5th

B. 2nd

57) The branch of government described in Article II of the Constitution.
A. Legislative Branch
B. Executive Branch
C. Judicial Branch
D. Supreme Court

B. Executive Branch

59) The Constitution was written in the year _____________.
A. 1778
B. 1792
C. 1787
D. 1782

C. 1787

60) When a president is impeached it means he/she __________________.
A. is exonerated
B. is found not guilty
C. is removed from office
D. can be held over for a trial

D. can be held over for a trial

62) The Supreme Court has upheld the idea that free speech also includes symbolic representations of ideas like burning the American Flag.
A. true
B. false
C. only in the case of the flag
D. there have been no such cases

A. true

65) In the Loving v. Virginia case, the Supreme Court decided_________________.
A. gay marriage was legal
B. preventing interracial marriage was NOT Constitutional
C. birth parents have no rights if a child is given up for adoption
D. parent rights are granted to any midwife or nurse

B. preventing interracial marriage was NOT Constitutional

What is the Preamble to the Constitution?

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

What is the important line from the Declaration of Independence?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

66) This amendment allowed the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, and repealed the 18th amendment
A. 18th
B. 21st
C. 19th
D. 20th

B. 21st

1) How is the Constitution organized?
A. into parts called articles
B. into sentences called sections
C. into columns called delegations
D. into paragraphs called statements

A. into parts called articles

2) Why did the delegates start the Preamble to the Constitution with the words "We, the
people"?
A. to record that all the citizens wrote the Constitution
B. to state that government power comes from the people
C. to declare that the people were separating from Great Britain
D. to provide an introduction that would interest readers

B. to state that government power comes from the people

3) Why does each state have two senators?
A. to balance the rights of large and small states
B. so the Senate does not become overcrowded
C. to assure there are enough people to pass the laws
D. so that one can take over if the other is unavailable

A. to balance the rights of large and small states

4) What is the primary work of Congress?
A. to be the chief executives of the states they represent
B. to debate whether laws are constitutional
C. to determine who will be the candidate for president
D. to make laws for the country

D. to make laws for the country

5) What is the final step before a national bill becomes a law?
A. It is passed by the Supreme Court.
B. It is voted on by the citizens.
C. It is signed by the president.
D. It is approved by the state legislators

C. It is signed by the president.

6) All of these are duties of the executive branch except
A. negotiating treaties.
B. carrying out the laws.
C. proposing new taxes.
D. nominating federal judges.

C. proposing new taxes.

7) Which of these describes the responsibility of the judicial branch?
A. to put laws into effect
B. to resolve disputes under the law
C. to veto decisions of the Supreme Court
D. to propose bills needed to achieve justice

B. to resolve disputes under the law

8) What name is given to the Supreme Court's power to declare a law unconstitutional?
A. federalism
B. veto power
C. impeachment
D. judicial review

D. judicial review

9) What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances?
A. to list the responsibilities of elected officials
B. to make it difficult to amend the Constitution
C. to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
D. to share power between state and national governments

C. to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

10) An amendment to the Constitution can be ratified by three-fourths of the
A. Senate.
B. citizens.
C. state legislatures.
D. Supreme Court justices.

C. state legislatures.

14) Why does the Constitution establish the principle of majority rule?
A. so decisions are based on what the president wants
B. so decisions represent what most of the people want
C. so decisions are made only when more than half of the people vote
D. so decisions are made when most of the members of Congress are present

B. so decisions represent what most of the people want

17) How does the president balance the power of Congress?
A. The president can veto bills passed by Congress.
B. The president appoints members of Congress.
C. Congress has no power.
D. The president makes all the decisions alone.

A. The president can veto bills passed by Congress.

19) How does Congress check the power of the president?
A. The Congress approves presidential appointments.
B. Congress may override the president's veto.
C. Congress may impeach the president.
D. All of the above

D. All of the above

21) How many U.S. Senators come from each state?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

B. 2

22) What day is the President inaugurated on?
A. March 20th
B. January 20th
C. January 3rd
D. March 3rd

B. January 20th

25) How long is one term for Representatives in the House?
A. 4 years
B. 6 years
C. 2 years
D. 9 years

C. 2 years

28) How is the President elected?
A. through the Electoral College
B. through the popular vote
C. through State Legislatures
D. through every citizen in the U.S.

A. through the Electoral College

29) What is the main purpose of the Judicial Branch?
A. to make laws
B. to review laws
C. to enforce laws

B. to review laws

30) How many Supreme Court Justices are there currently?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11

C. 9

31) How long do Supreme Court Justices serve?
A. for life
B. 2 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years

A. for life

32) Who chooses Supreme Court Justices?
A. State Legislatures
B. the people
C. the President
D. Congress

C. the President

35) This branch of government makes and writes the Laws.
A. Judicial Branch
B. Executive Branch
C. Legislative Branch
D. Military Branch

C. Legislative Branch

36) The framers of the Constitution created this method of balancing power by allowing each
branch the ability to check the other branches, in an attempt to prevent any one branch from
becoming too powerful.
A. Mark and Measure
B. de facto Power
C. Check and Balances
D. Separations of legislation

C. Check and Balances

37) It is the idea that the government's authority comes from the people.
A. Separation of powers
B. Consent of the governed
C. Checks and Balances
D. ex post facto

B. Consent of the governed

38) The branch of government that makes sure the laws are carried out.
A. Legislative Branch
B. Executive Branch
C. Judicial Branch
D. Military Branch

B. Executive Branch

39) The branch of government described in Article I of the Constitution.
A. Legislative Branch
B. Executive Branch
C. Judicial Branch
D. Supreme Court

A. Legislative Branch

40) What can the Congress do regarding the military?
A. declare war against other nations
B. raise an army and a navy and provide the funds to pay for both
C. call up the militia to carry out federal laws, put down rebellions, and defend against
invasion
D. all of the above

D. all of the above

41) Which of the following is a shared power between the State and Federal Government
A. coin money
B. collect taxes
C. create schools
D. set up a postal system

B. collect taxes

42) A bill is a _____________________________________.
A. system of checks and balances
B. framework of government
C. compromise
D. proposed law

D. proposed law

43) Which word means to formally accuse an official of a crime related to official duties?
A. impeach
B. veto
C. ratify
D. checks and balances

A. impeach

44) A change to the Constitution is called a(n)
A. law
B. bill
C. amendment
D. compromise

C. amendment

45) Which word means to reject a proposed law or bill?
A. impeach
B. ratify
C. deny
D. veto

D. veto

47) The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon
probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized.
A. 1st
B. 2nd
C. 4th
D. 5th

C. 4th

48) No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime unless on a
presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or
in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be
subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in
any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property
without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just
compensation.
A. 1st
B. 2nd
C. 4th
D. 5th

D. 5th

49) Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
A. 1st
B. 2nd
C. 4th
D. 5th

A. 1st

50) If you are tried for a crime and found not guilty you cannot be tried again. This is guaranteed in which Amendment?
A. 1st
B. 2nd
C. 4th
D. 5th

D. 5th

51) This Amendment abolished slavery.
A. 13th
B. 14th
C. 18th
D. 19th

A. 13th

52) This Amendment gave women the right to vote.
A. 13th
B. 14th
C. 18th
D. 19th

D. 19th

53) This Amendment prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol in the United States.
A. 21st
B. 20th
C. 19th
D. 18th

D. 18th

54) If the president is unable to finish out the term, who takes over the job?.
A. Speaker of the House
B. Vice President
C. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
D. The press secretary

B. Vice President

55) If the president and the vice president are both unable to finish out their terms, who takes over
the job?.
A. Speaker of the House
B. Attorney General
C. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
D. The press secretary

A. Speaker of the House

56) The 14th Amendment was used to strike down "separate but equal" laws because these laws violated ________________________________.
A. the equal rights amendment
B. the equal protection clause
C. the universal access statute
D. the universal rights act

B. the equal protection clause

58) The branch of government described in Article III of the Constitution.
A. Legislative Branch
B. Executive Branch
C. Judicial Branch
D. Supreme Court

C. Judicial Branch

61) The first 10 Amendments of the Constitution are known as _____________.
A. the Preamble
B. the Magna Carta
C. the Bill of Rights
D. the Pentetuch

C. the Bill of Rights

63) In the Dred Scott case, the Supreme Court decided_________________.
A. all African slaves were citizens
B. all African slaves were free
C. all African slaves were not citizens
D. all African slaves were property

C. all African slaves were not citizens

64) In the Plessy v. Ferguson case, the Supreme Court decided_________________.
A. separate facilities for African Americans was Constitutional
B. separate facilities for African Americans was NOT Constitutional
C. separation of black and white students was Constitutional
D. separation of black and white students was NOT Constitutional

A. separate facilities for African Americans was Constitutional

67) In the Tinker v. Des Moines case, the Supreme Court decided _________________.
A. Students keep their first amendment rights in a public school, as long as their speech does not cause a substantial disruption
B. Students have first amendment rights in school, no matter what
C. Posting school newspapers with obscene language was not constitutional
D. Student's first amendment rights are protected within schools, given that they do not promote anything illegal

A. Students keep their first amendment rights in a public school, as long as their speech does not cause a substantial disruption

68) Which branch of government is the President in?
A. Legislative
B. Executive
C. Judicial

B. Executive

69) Who are in the judicial branch of government?
A. Senators
B. House of Representatives
C. The President
D. The Justices

D. The Justices

70) Who are in the legislative branch of government?
A. Justices and Juries
B. President and Vice President
C. Senate and House of Representatives
D. Speaker of the House and Vice President

C. Senate and House of Representatives

71) In the Harper v. Poway Unified case, the Supreme Court decided _________________.
A. Speech promoting a political candidate was constitutional
B. Any speech on clothing is protected by the first amendment
C. Speech that attacks a minority is not protected by the first amendment
D. Speech that protests against a school administrator is not protected by the first amendment

C. Speech that attacks a minority is not protected by the first amendment

72) What needs to happen in order for someone to bring a case?
A. A new law to be implemented
B. Any kind of damage
C. A criminal sentence
D. Nothing special is needed

B. Any kind of damage

73) In the Morse v. Frederick case, the Supreme Court decided _________________.
A. Signs promoting marijuana is not allowed at school
B. Political expression in school isn't allowed
C. Doing drugs at school is not legal
D. Preventing someone from putting up joke signs is unconstitutional

A. Signs promoting marijuana is not allowed at school

74) In the Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. case, the Supreme Court decided _________________.
A. Vulgar language on school grounds is punishable
B. Vulgar language off school grounds isn't punishable
C. Vulgar language on school grounds isn't punishable
D. Vulgar language off school grounds is punishable

B. Vulgar language off school grounds isn't punishable

75) In the United States v. O'Brien case, the Supreme Court decided _________________.
A. Governments drafting people in unconstitutional
B. Protesting war is constitutional
C. Burning government issued draft cards is illegal
D. It is within government power to declare war

C. Burning government issued draft cards is illegal

76) In the Miranda v. Arizona case, the Supreme Court decided _________________.
A. Telling people about their right to an attorney and right to remain silent was too lenient
B. Police are not required to tell suspects their right to an attorney and right to remain silent
C. Police are required to tell suspects their right to an attorney and the right to remain silent
D. Interrogations lasting for more than 2 hours is unconstitutional

C. Police are required to tell suspects their the right to an attorney and right to remain silent