Constitution Test

Question 1

Name parts of the constitution

Answer 1

preamble, articles, amendments

Question 2

Preamble:
-why it was written
-what were its goals

Answer 2

:introduction to the constitution
- to form a more perfect union
- Establish justice

Question 3

Aritcles I, II, II create the branches of government and establish…

Answer 3

Article I (legislative branch)
Article II (executive branch)
Article III (judicial branch)

Question 4

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 4

people are the source of government power

Question 5

Separation of Power

Answer 5

each branch has their OWN responsibilities

Question 6

Federalism

Answer 6

how gov’t SHARES responsibility (national AND state gov’t)

Question 7

Checks and Balances

Answer 7

each of the branches has power over another (ex:Congress can make laws, but the President can veto those laws)

Question 8

Judicial Review

Answer 8

the power of courts to declare laws/act of the president unconstitutional

Question 9

Limited government

Answer 9

limits the power of gov’t by explicit grants of authority (ex: safe from abuse of power)

Question 10

Intro to the constitution…

Answer 10

written in Philadelphia, intent to revise articles, James Madison (father of the constit.), 1787

Question 11

Article I
-Section 1 : Congress

Answer 11

(Legislative Branch)
…congress is bicameral (2 houses, senate & representatives)

Question 12

Article I
-Section 2 : House of Reps

Answer 12

(Legis. Branch)
-Clause 1: representative serves 2 yrs
-Clause 2: must be 25 yrs old, 7 yr citizen, resident of state one is selected in
-Clause 3: Reapportionment ; determines how many reps each state will have)

Question 13

Article I
-Section 3 : The Senate

Answer 13

-Clause 1: Senator is chosen by state legislatures, 2 senators per state, 1 vote p/senator
-Clause 3: Qualifications (30 yrs old, 9yr citizen, resident of state elected in)
-Clause 4: Vice President ; president of the senate (v little power + barely seen on the floor)
-Clause 5: …

Question 14

Reapportionment :

Answer 14

creates new districts to adjust for pop. changes. (take census every 10 yrs, congress totals # of reps. p/state, state legislature determines new district boundries)

Question 15

House Officers:
-Speaker of the house
-Majority Leader
-Minority Leader

Answer 15

• Nancy Pelosi (3rd in line for presidency, controls discussion of the floor)
  -Steny Hoyer (helps speaker & lead his party)
  -Kevin McCarthy (serves as watchdog)

Question 16

Article I
Section 3 : The Senate (CLAUSE 5 : House of Officers)
-President Pro Tempore
-Majority Leader
-Minority Leader

Answer 16

-Patrick Leahy (when VP is unavailable, 4th in line)
-Chuck Schumer (controls agenda of majority leader)
-Mitch McConnell (observer opposion)

Question 17

Sunshine Law :

Answer 17

all meetings must be open to the public and all records (except for classified info such as details regarding a person)

Question 18

Article I
Section 6 : Privileges and Restrictions

Answer 18

-Clause 1: Salary & benefits for members of congress (150k salary, congressional immunity [can NOT be arrested for minor crimes when traveling to/from congress], slander [say something that is NOT true –> free speech…], franking [free mail service].

Question 19

Article I
Section 7 : Method of Passing Bills
-Clause 1: where do tax bills start

Answer 19

• ALL tax bills start at the house

Question 20

Article 1
Section 8 : Powers Delegated to Congress

Answer 20

-Clause 1 (Why can congress collect taxes?): to pay off debts, provide defense, and provide for the common welfare

Question 21

Article 1, is what branch?

Answer 21

Legislative Branch

Question 22

Article 2, is what branch?

Answer 22

Executive Branch

Question 23

Article 3, is what branch?

Answer 23

Judicial Branch

Question 24

Article II
Section 1: President & Vice President

Answer 24

-Clause 1: president in office is 4yrs
-Clause 2: qualifications (35yrs old, 14yr president, natural born citizen) 1st 7 president were NOT natural born

Question 25

Article II
Section 2 : Powers of the President

Answer 25

-Clause 1 (military powers): president is commander in chief, can grant pardons to criminals (federal crimes only)

Question 26

Article II
Section 3 : Duties of President

Answer 26

~State of the Union: the president explains the condition of the country, usually in January
~MAIN JOB to see that laws are being passed faithfully

Question 27

Article III
Section 1 : Federal Courts

Answer 27

-Clause 1 (who interprets the law); Judicial branch. (Federal judges appointed by the President and approved by the Senate)

Question 28

Article III
Section 2 : Case –> SC

Answer 28

-Ways a case reaches the Supreme Court (original; first heard by the SC, or appellate; appealed by a lower court + most common)

Question 29

Article III
Section 3 : Treason

Answer 29

-Clause 1 (What is treason): helping a nations enemy to carry war against your country, only crime defined in the constitution
-Clause 2 (Penalty for Tr): treason can ONLY happen during war, max penalty death, charge with espionage/sabotage/ or conspiracy during times of peacee

Question 30

Article V (4) : Methods of Amendments

Answer 30

1st) need 2/3 of congress to PROPOSE amendment
2nd) 2/3 state legislatures ASK congress for national convention
*3/4 need to APPROVE an amendment, done by the state legis. OR a special ratifying convention

Question 31

How many senators ?

Answer 31

100

Question 32

How many representatives ?

Answer 32

435

Question 33

How many electors ?

Answer 33

538 (sen+reps+3)