Constitution Test

Question 1

What is the Preamble? What does it say?

Answer 1

Introduction or opening statement to the Constitution.
Lists the six goals
Starts with “We the People”

Question 2

Explain the six goals of the Constitution.

Answer 2

Form a more perfect Union: to make a better country (ex: having one currency for the entire nation instead of each state having its own money)

Establish justice: create fairness (ex: having a court system)

Ensure domestic tranquility: have peace within the country (ex: National Guard)

Provide for the common defense: protecting the nation from outside threats (ex: military)

Promote the general welfare: providing services to meet people’s needs (ex: food stamps, health care, education)

Secure the blessings of liberty: protect people’s freedoms now and in the future

Question 3

What section of the Constitution sets up the Legislative Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?

Answer 3

Article I
Congress represents citizens, makes laws, declares war
House of Representatives: tax bills must begin in this branch, can call for impeachment inquiry of President or Supreme Court Justice
Senate: approves Presidential appointments, approves treaties, holds impeachment proceedings and votes on guilt or innocence

Question 4

What does it mean to Impeach? Who has that power?

Answer 4

to bring up on formal charges of wrongdoing. Congress

Question 5

How is the Legislative Branch set up?

Answer 5

Bicameral- 2 houses/chambers
Senate- Equal Representatives
House of Representatives- proportional representatives based on population

Question 6

How many Senators does each state have?

Answer 6

2 per state
a total of 100

Question 7

How long is the term for a Senator? Who does a Senator represent?

Answer 7

Six year term
Their entire state

Question 8

What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for Senator?

Answer 8

At least 30 years old
A citizen for 9 years

Question 9

How do they determine the number of Representatives for each state in the House of Representatives?

Answer 9

Proportional- based on population.
1 per 30K

Question 10

How many Representatives are in the House of Representatives?

Answer 10

435

Question 11

How long is the term for a Representative? Who does a Representative for the House represent?

Answer 11

Two years
The citizens of their district only

Question 12

What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for Representative?

Answer 12

At least 25 years old
A citizen for at least 7 years

Question 13

What is a Bill? What does it mean if it becomes ratified?

Answer 13

a proposed/ rough draft of a law
Ratify - to approve (as in when the President signs a bill and it becomes law)

Question 14

How do the Elastic Clause and Amendments help the Constitution adapt to changing times?

Answer 14

Allows the Constitution to adapt to changing times with Amendment process
It stretches the power of Congress

Question 15

What section of the Constitution sets up the Executive Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?

Answer 15

Article II
Enforce laws
President:Commander in Chief of military, vetoes or ratifies laws, negotiates treaties, pardons criminals, updates Congress on the country
Vice President: President of the Senate, advises and helps President, first in line of succession
Cabinet: run executive departments, advise and report to the President

Question 16

What does it mean to Veto something?

Answer 16

to reject (as in the President rejecting a proposed law)

Question 17

What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for President?

Answer 17

Born a citizen of the US
At least 35 years old

Question 18

How long is a Presidential term? How many terms can a President serve?

Answer 18

Four year term
Maximum of two terms

Question 19

Who makes up the Executive branch? (it’s not just one person!) What does the term Cabinet mean?

Answer 19

President
Vice President
Cabinet. Cabinet: the heads of the different executive departments

Question 20

What section of the Constitution sets up the Judicial Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?

Answer 20

Article III
Settles disputes between state governments, settles disputes between citizens in different states, settles disputes between the federal government and citizens or states
Judicial Review (see definitions)

Question 21

What is Judicial Review?

Answer 21

the most important power of the Supreme Court: the power to declare laws unconstitutional (to strike them down)

Question 22

How many justices are in the Supreme Court? How long is their term?

Answer 22

Nine justices
Serve life terms (until the retire or pass away)

Question 23

What is a Federalist?

Answer 23

a person who supported ratifying the Constitution - wrote the Federalist Papers to explain why it should be ratified

Question 24

What is an Anti-Federalist?

Answer 24

a person who did not support ratifying the Constitution without adding a list of protected individual rights (Bill of Rights)

Question 25

What is the Bill of Rights?

Answer 25

The first ten Amendments to the Constitution

Question 26

What does the Bill of Rights give us?

Answer 26

A list of freedoms and rights that the government must protect and cannot take away
Ex: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to a trial by a jury of your peers

Question 27

Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

Answer 27

Anti-Federalists argued against ratifying the Constitution because they believed the government was still too strong
They wanted a list of individual freedoms and rights added.