US constitution test #1

Question 1

Our system in which powers are divided between one national government and several state governments is known as what?

Answer 1

federalism

Question 2

Because of the Connecticut Compromise, which was made at the Philadelphia Convention, representation in the House of Representatives is determined by what?

Answer 2

population of each state

Question 3

The document, which was signed by the Seconf Continenatl Congress, that formally broke our political ties with Great Britain is known as what?

Answer 3

The Declaration of Independence

Question 4

When was The Declaration of Independence signed?

Answer 4

July 4, 1776

Question 5

According to Article VI, the Constitution, therefore the national government, is the “supreme law of the land.” What is this clause called?

Answer 5

Supremacy Clause

Question 6

Powers that are shared by both the national and state governments, such as the power to borrow money, establish courts, and tax, are called…

Answer 6

Concurrent Powers

Question 7

Who is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution” for his work done at the Constitutional Convention (he proposed the Virginia Plan, which laid out much of the framework of the Constitution)?

Answer 7

James Madison

Question 8

The Amendment Process is laid out and discussed in what article of the Constitution?

Answer 8

Article Five

Question 9

The Supreme Court case, McCulloch v. Maryland established/upheld two important principles in the Constitution. What were the two principles established/upheld by that case?

Answer 9

Congress has implied powers (in this case, to create a national bank).
The Constitution is supreme, and therefore, the national government cannot be taxed by states.

Question 10

What is discussed in the Preamble of the Constitution?

Answer 10

goals of the Constitution

Question 11

States must recognize the legal documents and proceedings, such as birth certificates, marriage and drivers licenses, and other legal documents, because of the…

Answer 11

Full Faith & Credit Clause

Question 12

What amendment, found in the Bill of Rights, guarantees due process of law, including protections of law, including protections of our right to remain silent and right to counsel (attorney), and protects us from the double jeopardy?

Answer 12

5th amendment

Question 13

At the Constitutional Convention, the ______ Plan argued for representation based upon population and/or wealth in Congress, and also gave Congress several important powers, including the power to choose he executive, and the power to review state laws.

Answer 13

Virginia Plan

Question 14

What powers come from the necessary and proper clause ‘aka’ the elastic clause?

Answer 14

Implied powers

Question 15

The original, stated purpose of the Philadelphia (Constitutional) Convention in 1787 was to…

Answer 15

revise the Articles of Confederation

Question 16

The ___ amendment protects the rights of citizens from state governments and contains the “equal protection clause,” which guarantees all citizens the same rights and privileges as all other citizens.

Answer 16

14th amendment

Question 17

Under the Articles of Confederation, states often did not provide the same protections and freedoms to non-residents of their state. To prevent this from happening, what clause was included in the Constitution to guarantee all citizens received fair treatment, regardless of what state they were from?

Answer 17

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Question 18

Every amendment added to our Constitution has first been proposed by Congress. What vote is needed to formally propose an amendment to the Constitution by both chambers of Congress?

Answer 18

2/3

Question 19

All but one amendment to our Constitution has been ratified by the state legislatures. What number of state legislatures must ratify an amendment for it to be added to the Constitution?

Answer 19

3/4

Question 20

Each of the branches of our national government is given some degree of oversight and power over the other two branches. This is often referred to as…

Answer 20

checks and balances

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT protected by the 1st Amendment?

Answer 21

right to bear arms

Question 22

What did the Connecticut Compromise resolve at the Philadelphia Convention?

Answer 22

resolved the issue of determining representation in Congress

Question 23

What are three goals found in the Preamble of the Constitution?

Answer 23

• form a more perfect union
• ensure domestic tranquility
• promote the general welfare

Question 24

This compromise, between free and slave states, at the Philadelphia Convention made it to where slaves could partially by counted for representation and taxation purposes. This compromise was declared null and void following the passage of the 13th Amendment.

Answer 24

3/5 compromise

Question 25

What’s one goal not found in the Preamble of the Constitution?

Answer 25

abolish slavery

Question 26

The quartering of soldiers was something the British often violated. To be sure this did not continue, what amendment in the Bill of Rights prevents this from happening today?

Answer 26

3rd Amendment

Question 27

Ex Post Facto laws are ______ powers, because it is unfair for the government to pass laws that would punish someone for committing a crime before it was defined as a crime

Answer 27

Denied

Question 28

What is the significance of the 10th Amendment?

Answer 28

Preserved the idea of reserved powers for states

Question 29

Concurrent Powers are powers that are…

Answer 29

Shared between the national and state governments

Question 30

What amendment, passed during the Progressive Era, expanded the national government’s power by giving it the power to tax an individual’s income?

Answer 30

16th Amendment

Question 31

What powers are not listed in the Constitution, but can be reasonably inferred based on the wording of other powers found in the Constitution?

Answer 31

Implied

Question 32

Who has the power to review and even overturn state and national laws?

Answer 32

Supreme court

Question 33

What is the power to review and even overturn state and national laws called?

Answer 33

Judicial review

Question 34

What is a denied power of congress?

Answer 34

levy export taxes

Question 35

The thirteenth amendment removed a reserved power from the states and instead, made it a denied power. What did the thirteenth amendment accomplish?

Answer 35

Abolished slavery

Question 36

The Constitution created a national government with three branches of government. What are the three branches?

Answer 36

executive, judicial, legislative

Question 37

Congress has created laws about minimum wage, healthcare, and climate change, yet these are not powers that are found in the Constitution. What type of power is Congress using when they make these laws?

Answer 37

implied power

Question 38

What principle of the Constitution, which is found in the first three words, “We the people,” declares the idea that it is the people who hold the political power in our country, and not a king or any one person or group?

Answer 38

Popular Sovereignty

Question 39

Powers which are specifically listed in the Constitution, including those found in Article One, Section Eight, are known as what?

Answer 39

Expressed Powers

Question 40

What are some expressed powers of Congress?

Answer 40

levy taxes, create an army and navy, set a system of weights and measures

Question 41

T/F: According to the Supremacy Clause, when a national law and a state law are in conflict with one another, the state’s laws will have supremacy over the national law.

Answer 41

false

Question 42

T/F: Under the Articles of Confederation, political power was held by the states, and the national government lacked the authority to force the states to cooperate with one another and follow laws passed by Congress.

Answer 42

true

Question 43

T/F: Following the Civil War and the passage of the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th amendments), the national government’s power over the states expanded.

Answer 43

true

Question 44

T/F: Representation in the Senate is based on the population of a state.

Answer 44

false

Question 45

T/F: Federalism is a flexible system because it allows some state laws to vary, but yet keeps us unified with national laws.

Answer 45

true

Question 46

T/F: The Articles of Confederation created a unicameral Congress, with all states having one vote.

Answer 46

true

Question 47

T/F: Conducting elections, creating local governments, and issuing licenses are all considered exclusive powers.

Answer 47

true

Question 48

T/F: Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no executive branch to enforce laws.

Answer 48

true

Question 49

T/F: There are 27 articles, and 7 amendments in the Constitution.

Answer 49

false

Question 50

T/F: The Constitution, written in 1787, created a system of government in which the powers are divided between the national government and the states. This system is called Federalism

Answer 50

true