AP Gov. & Politics: Bill of Rights

Question 1

The First Amendment

Answer 1

• Protects the freedom of speech.
• Protects the freedom to exercise or not exercise religion.
• Prevents the government from establishing or favoring a certain denomination of religion.
• Protects the freedom of the press.
• Protects the right to assemble.
• Protects the right to announce grievances to the national government.

Question 2

The Second Amendment

Answer 2

• Protects the right to keep and bear arms.
• Framers’ intent may have specified provisions exclusively for a volunteer militia.

Question 3

The Third Amendment

Answer 3

• Prevents the government from quartering soldiers in the homes of civilians without consent.

Question 4

The Fourth Amendment

Answer 4

• Prohibits the government from conducting unwarranted and unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their property.

Question 5

The Fifth Amendment

Answer 5

• Requires severe criminal charges be started by a grand jury.
• Establishes that a person may not be tried for a specific crime more than once (double jeopardy).
• Establishes that a person may not have their property taken or utilized by the federal government without just compensation.
• Individuals have the right to avoid self-incrimination and cannot be imprisoned without due process of law.

Question 6

The Sixth Amendment

Answer 6

• Establishes the universal right to a quick trial by an impartial jury, and being fully informed of criminal charges.
• The accused are allowed testimonial of their own witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer.

Question 7

The Seventh Amendment

Answer 7

• Extends the right of trial by jury to Federal criminal cases.

Question 8

The Eighth Amendment

Answer 8

• Prohibits excessive bail and fines.
• Disallows cruel and unusual punishment, except for a loophole in which involuntary servitude may serve as discipline for convicted crime.

The existing loophole is technically unconstitutional.

Question 9

The Ninth Amendment

Answer 9

• Explains that, simply because the enumerated powers have been listed in the Bill of Rights, does not mean that other implied powers do not exist simultaneously.

Question 10

The Tenth Amendment

Answer 10

• Outlines that enumerated powers of the Constitution are reserved to the Federal government, and unlisted powers are reserved to the states and to the people.