United States Constitution Study Guide

Cabinet Responsibilities

• Secretary of the Treasury: Responsible for the printing of money.
• Attorney General: Chief legal officer.
• Secretary of State: Engages in affairs with foreign countries.
• Secretary of Labor: Enacts legislation for worker safety.
• Secretary of Homeland Security: Helps prevent terrorist attacks.
• Secretary of Agriculture: Promotes legislation to help farmers.
• Secretary of the Interior: Manages the natural resources of our country.

Senate-House Comparison

1. Legislation: Both pass bills hoping they will become laws. (c)
2. Elections: House members are elected every two years. (b)
3. Membership Appointments: Supreme Court appoints members of the judicial branch. (d)
4. House Composition: House has 435 members. (b)
5. Treaty Approval: The Senate approves or rejects treaties. (a)
6. Terms of Service: Senators serve six-year terms, House members serve two years. (a, b)
7. Membership Quotas: Both must live in the state they represent. (c)
8. Presiding Officer: The Vice President is the presiding officer of the Senate. (a)
9. Revenue Bills: Must start in the House of Representatives. (b)

Branch of Government Responsibilities

• Legislative Branch: Makes the country's laws. (b)
• Executive Branch: Enforces the laws. (a)
• Judicial Branch: Interprets the laws and administers justice. (c)
• Checks and Balances: Can declare laws unconstitutional. (a)
• Cabinet: Operates under the Executive Branch. (a)
• Jury Rights: Guarantees a trial by jury. (b)

Amendment Matches

1. 2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms. (a)
2. 22nd Amendment: Limits presidential terms to two. (e)
3. 26th Amendment: Establishes the voting age of 18. (f)
4. 13th Amendment: Abolished slavery. (c)
5. 15th Amendment: States cannot prevent someone from voting based on race. (d)

Multiple Choice Questions

• Presidential Succession: If the president dies, the Vice President assumes office. (a)
• Preamble: "We the People of the United States in order to form a more perfect union…" is part of the Preamble. (b)
• Money Powers: Congress has the power to raise, borrow, and coin money. (a)
• Elastic Clause: Allows Congress to make laws about new situations. (b)
• Presidential Election Votes: The electoral vote elects the President. (c)
• National Budget Presentation: The President presents the budget. (d)
• Declaration of Independence Author: Written by Thomas Jefferson. (c)
• Unalienable Rights: Education is NOT an unalienable right. (c)
• First Amendment Freedom: Freedom of employment is NOT included. (a)
• Veto Power: The President has veto power. (b)
• Minimum Representatives: A state may have at least one representative. (a)
• Senators per State: Each state has two senators. (b)
• Post-Congress Bill Process: Sent to the President after passing both houses. (d)

True or False Questions

1. Census Purpose: T
2. Declaration before Constitution: T
3. Executive Checks Judicial: F
4. Declaration signed in 1776: T
5. Continental Congress and Articles: F
6. President's Legislative Role: F
7. Flag Position in Parade: T
8. Supreme Court Appointments: F
9. Budget Definition: T
10. Popular Sovereignty: T
11. President's Special Session Power: T
12. Court Establishment by State and Federal: T
13. State Treaties: F
14. State Citizen Treatment: T
15. Federal Judges Tenure: T
16. Ex Post Facto Law: T
17. Anti-Federalists and Constitution: T
18. Bill Action after Ten Days: T
19. Vote to Override Veto: F
20. Representative Salaries: F
21. Impeachment Involvement of House: F
22. Supreme Court Justices Even Number: F
23. Senators Re-election: F
24. Boston Tea Party Purpose: F
25. Bill of Rights: T
26. Slavery Outlawed: F
27. Popular Vote: T
28. Constitutional Convention President: T
29. Preamble Goals Explanation: T
30. Next Presidential Election: T
31. U.S. Capital Location: T
32. Electoral College Votes Required: T
33. Constitution Subject Clause: T
34. Senate Election Frequency: T
35. State Senator Election Authority: T
36. Natural-born Citizen Requirement: T
37. Father of the Constitution: T
38. 28th Amendment Approval: F
39. Number of Cabinet Positions: T
40. Laws for All States by Congress: T
41. Last Amendment Adoption Year: T
42. Famous Quote by Patrick Henry: T
43. Great Compromise Importance: T
44. Marbury v. Madison: T
45. Articles of Confederation as First Constitution: T

Fill in the Blanks

• Current Speaker of the House: Mike Johnson
• Current Vice President: Kamala Harris
• Plan Submitted by James Madison: Virginia Plan, which proposed two houses of Congress based on population.
• Total votes in the Electoral College: 530
• Judicial Branch Responsibility: Interpret laws and settle disputes.