A: Principles of American Democracy

Question 1

What is the supreme law of the land?

Answer 1

the Constitution

Question 2

What does the Constitution do?

Answer 2

▪ sets up the government
▪ defines the government
▪ protects basic rights of Americans

Question 3

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

Answer 3

We the People

Question 4

What is an amendment?

Answer 4

▪ a change (to the Constitution)
▪ an addition (to the Constitution)

Question 5

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

Answer 5

▪ the Bill of Rights

Question 6

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

Answer 6

▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government

(If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you
may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk.)

Question 7

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

Answer 7

▪ twenty-seven (27)

Question 8

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Answer 8

▪ announced our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

Question 9

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 9

▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness

Question 10

What is freedom of religion?

Answer 10

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

Question 11

What is the economic system in the United States?*

Answer 11

▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy

(If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you
may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk.)

Question 12

What is the “rule of law”?

Answer 12

▪ Everyone must follow the law.
▪ Leaders must obey the law.
▪ Government must obey the law.
▪ No one is above the law.