U.S. Constitution and Federal Government Overview

Practice questions covering the U.S. Constitution, the three branches of government, constitutional clauses, and landmark Supreme Court cases.

What does Article I, Section $7$ of the Constitution explain?

The process for creating a law.

What type of powers does the Necessary and Proper Clause give Congress?

Implied powers.

What is it called when Congress declares someone guilty without a trial?

A bill of attainder.

What is considered Congress's most important power?

Creating laws.

Which is considered a power of governance?

Admitting new states.

What happens after a bill is introduced?

It is reviewed in committee.

What can happen if the president vetoes a bill?

Congress can override the veto with a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote.

How long is a senator's term?

$6$ years.

What is true about the lawmaking process?

A bill can have a second chance after a veto.

What financial power does Congress have?

Creating and collecting taxes.

How does the president usually select a Supreme Court justice?

Chooses a qualified judge likely to support the president's agenda.

Why does the Constitution limit the executive branch?

To keep the president from becoming too powerful.

What must happen after the president negotiates a treaty?

The Senate must approve it.

Who is covered by Article II of the Constitution?

The president and vice president.

How long is a presidential term?

$4$ years.

What is a major limitation on presidential power?

The possibility of impeachment.

What military role does the president hold?

Commander in chief.

What is an important duty of the president?

Addressing Congress.

Who receives the State of the Union address?

Congress.

What is the main job of the executive branch?

Carrying out laws.

How does the structure of the judicial branch affect constitutional interpretation?

Multiple federal courts and the Supreme Court provide several opportunities to interpret the Constitution.

What is jurisdiction?

The authority of a court to hear a case.

What constitutional principle is shown when the president appoints federal judges?

Checks and balances.

What is guaranteed in criminal cases?

Trial by jury.

What are officials in lower federal courts called?

Judges.

Criminal cases must be tried by a jury of how many peers?

A jury of $1$'s peers.

What is an unanswered constitutional question about the judicial branch?

What 'good behavior' means for judges' lifetime terms.

What type of case falls under the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction?

A case between $2$ states.

How is the Supreme Court best characterized?

An appellate court.

What is the difference between original and appellate cases?

Appellate cases have already been heard by a lower court; original cases have not.

What does the Privileges and Immunities Clause do?

Protects shared rights of citizens across states.

What is ratification?

The process of approving the Constitution.

Who can propose amendments?

Congress or the states.

What did the Enslaved Persons Clause require?

Escaped enslaved persons had to be returned to their home states.

Who can propose constitutional amendments besides Congress?

State legislatures.

How does the Supremacy Clause relate to federalism?

Federal law is supreme over state law.

What is a result of the amendment process?

Congress and the states must work together.

What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause require?

States must respect the laws and records of other states.

What process does Article V describe?

Amending the Constitution.

How many states must approve an amendment?

$\frac{3}{4}$ of the states.

What did George Mason believe the Constitution needed?

A Bill of Rights.

What did Federalists believe about the president?

The president should have enough power to lead.

What was an Anti-Federalist concern?

The Constitution would make states less powerful.

What did Alexander Hamilton and James Madison think of the Constitution?

They led those who supported it.

What did Federalists believe a workable government required?

Separation of powers among branches.

What is a faction?

A group that strongly disagrees with another group.

Was Alexander Hamilton a Federalist or Anti-Federalist?

Federalist.

How would Federalists respond to the idea that government must control itself?

They believed the Constitution accomplished that goal.

How were Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson alike?

Both opposed a strong federal government.

What is an implied power?

A power suggested by the Constitution but not explicitly stated.

What does supremacy mean?

Highest authority.

What did the Judiciary Act of $1789$ create?

The federal court system.

What principle came from Marbury v. Madison?

Judicial review.

What did McCulloch v. Maryland establish?

Implied powers and federal supremacy.

What did Gibbons v. Ogden involve?

Two competing steamboat company owners.

Why did James McCulloch support Congress creating a bank?

He supported federal supremacy.

What position was William Marbury appointed to?

Federal judge.