Practice Constitution Test

Name:

Matching

Match each item with the correct statement below

a.	Anti-Federalists
b.	simple majority vote
c.	the Bill of Rights
d.	Three-Fifths Compromise
e.	bicameral legislature
f.	Article One
g.	presiding officer at the Constitutional Convention
h.	Federalists
i.	Served as a diplomat abroad, and so was unable to serve at the Constitutional Convention
j.	Author of most of the Federalist essays
k.	“Father of the Constitution”
l.	Second Amendment

Alexander Hamilton

a two-house lawmaking body

right to bear arms

John Adams

slaves could be counted for taxes and for representation in Congress

George Washington

first ten amendments to the Constitution

one-half plus one

group that opposed the newly-written Constitution

10.

James Madison

11.

group that supported the newly-written Constitution

12.

it created the legislative branch of government

Match each item with the correct statement below

a.	freedom of religion
b.	Unicameral legislature
c.	when Congress re-distributes representatives among the states, once each decade
d.	Abolished in 1808
e.	Constitution requires this every ten years
f.	Separation of powers between three branches of government
g.	Division of powers between states and national government
h.	Essays that generated support for Constitutional ratification
i.	Twelfth Amendment
j.	the group that actually elects our presidents
k.	they have a six-year term of office
l.	created the executive branch of government

13.

re-apportionment

14.

Federalism

15.

census

16.

Checks and balances

17.

Federalist Papers

18.

one-house lawmaking body

19.

senators

20.

First Amendment

21.

Electoral College

22.

changed the way we elect presidents

23.

Slave trade

24.

Article Two

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

25.

An amendment to the Constitution must pass by what minimum margins?

a.	Over 50% of the vote in the House and Senate, a signature by the president, and adoption by at least 3/4 of the states.
b.	Over 50% of the vote in the House and Senate and adoption by at least 3/4 of the states - a signature by the president is not required.
c.	A 2/3 majority in the House and Senate, a signature by the president, and adoption by at least 3/4 of the states.
d.	A 2/3 majority in the House and Senate and adoption by at least 3/4 of the states - a signature by the president is not required.
e.	None of the above

26.

When the Constitution was first ratified, how were U.S. Senators elected?

a.	By a vote of the state legislatures
b.	By a vote of the people
c.	By election from the House of Representatives
d.	By appointment of the president
e.	By appointment of the justices of the Supreme Court

27.

The Constitution creates what type of government?

a.	A pure democracy
b.	A republc
c.	An aristocracy
d.	An autocracy
e.	A plutocracy

28.

The Constitution requires Congress to be assembled

a.	all year long - except for short recesses - so that it may address any emergencies which might arise in the states.
b.	only once per year.
c.	twice per year.
d.	at least three times per year.
e.	None of these - the Constitution says nothing about this.

29.

The relationship - the distribution of power - between the national government and the states is called

a.	the separation of powers.
b.	the New Jersey Plan.
c.	federalism.
d.	the Virginia Plan.
e.	the Constitution.

30.

Choose the only power in the following list which the Constitution does not give to Congress.

a.	The power to borrow money
b.	The power to provide for the common defense of the United States
c.	The power to create a Social Security system
d.	The power to establish post offices
e.	The Constitution grants all of these powers to Congress.

31.

The Constitution does not allow any bills of attainder to be passed - bills of attainder are

a.	bills which would allow the Congress to attain any of the rights of the people.
b.	bills which allow the president to attain any of the rights of the people.
c.	bills which allow the judiciary to attain any of the rights of the people.
d.	bills which allow forfeiture of rights or property without trial.
e.	bills which allow human beings to be placed into slavery.

32.

The Constitution does not allow the passage of any ex post facto law - ex post facto laws are

a.	laws which take effect before they are passed.
b.	laws which take effect before the people are notified.
c.	laws which take effect in the next legislature.
d.	laws which take effect after any need for the law exists.
e.	laws which take away people’s civil rights.

33.

As designed by the Constitution,

a.	the president was elected by popular vote.
b.	senators were to serve two-year terms.
c.	the federal judiciary were appointed, not elected by the people.
d.	the congressional representatives were to be appointed by state legislatures.
e.	the Supreme Court justices were to serve ten-year terms.

34.

The Constitution allows the president to make treaties and agreements with foreign powers, provided that

a.	a 2/3 majority of the Senate concurs.
b.	over 50% of the House and Senate concur.
c.	a 2/3 majority of the House and Senate concur.
d.	a 2/3 majority of the House concurs.
e.	a simple majority of the Senate concurs.

35.

The Senate and the electoral college share a common reason for their existence, which is

a.	to make government more awkwarad and cumbersome.
b.	to make government more thoughtful and deliberate.
c.	to give a greater voice to the larger states.
d.	to give a greater voice to the smaller states.
e.	to make presidents more powerful.

36.

The Constitution has always allowed Congress to

a.	pass tariffs.
b.	coin money.
c.	regulate interstate commerce.
d.	issue patents.
e.	All of the above

37.

According to the Constitution, a trial by jury cannot be denied if the value of the lawsuit exceeds

a.	$20
b.	$200
c.	$2,000
d.	$20,000
e.	$1 million

38.

According to the Constitution, who has the right to be leader of that part of the military employed in the service of the United States?

a.	the president
b.	the Congress
c.	the Senate
d.	the House of Representatives
e.	the Joint Chiefs of Staff

39.

The head of the Supreme Court is called

a.	President.
b.	Chief Justice.
c.	Speaker.
d.	Mr. Secretary.
e.	Fred.

40.

The Bill of Rights

a.	protects people from unreasonable search and seizure by agents of the government..
b.	protects people’s freedom of speech.
c.	protects people from torture.
d.	protects people’s rights when accused of a crime.
e.	All of the above.

41.

The only duty officially outlined for the Vice President by the Constitution is

a.	Speaker Pro Tempore.
b.	Chief Diplomat.
c.	President of the Senate.
d.	Commander in Chief.
e.	none of these

42.

What is "the supreme law of the land" for the United States?

a.	Congress
b.	the president
c.	the Supreme Court
d.	the Constitution
e.	state statutes

43.

Which of the following is NOT necessary to be elected to the United States House of Representatives?

a.	must be a citizen of the United States
b.	must be at least thirty-five years old
c.	must live in the state he or she represents
d.	live in the United States at least seven years
e.	All of these are necessary to be elected to the House.

44.

How long is the term of office for a representative?

a.	2 years
b.	4 years
c.	6 years
d.	8 years
e.	for life

45.

The officer who presides over the House of Representatives is called the

a.	president.
b.	president pro tempore.
c.	Speaker.
d.	Chairman.
e.	Majority Leader.

46.

How is representation in the Senate determined?

a.	by the population of the states
b.	by two representatives from each state
c.	by the decision of state governors according to a formula established by Congress
d.	by a number determined by the legislature of each state
e.	by a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court.

47.

What is the main idea of the Preamble of the Constitution?

a.	to state the purpose of the Constitution
b.	to set limits on the authority of the federal government
c.	to establish the relationship of the branches of government
d.	to explain the reasoning behind the break with England
e.	“life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

48.

Who has the power to declare war on another country?

a.	the president
b.	the Secretary of Defense
c.	the Joint Chiefs of Staff
d.	the Supreme Court
e.	Congress

49.

How is representation in the House of Representatives determined?

a.	by the population of the states
b.	by two representatives from each state
c.	by the governors of states according to a formula established by Congress
d.	by the legislature of each state
e.	by a decision of the President

50.

Who is often called the Father of the Constitution?

a.	George Washington
b.	Benjamin Franklin
c.	Thomas Jefferson
d.	John Adams
e.	James Madison

51.

The officer who presides over the Senate when the Vice-President in not in attendance is called the

a.	President.
b.	President Pro Tempore.
c.	Speaker.
d.	Chairman.
e.	Ranking Member.

52.

Who has the sole power to impeach officials of the federal government?

a.	Senate
b.	Supreme Court
c.	House of Representatives
d.	Congress
e.	House Judiciary Committee

53.

The writ of habeas corpus prevents

a.	property being confiscated without compensation.
b.	people being declared guilty without benefit of a trial.
c.	people being punished for actions done legally in the past.
d.	people being held in prison indefinitely without being accused of a crime.
e.	All of the above

54.

The Sixteenth Amendment changed the Constitution by

a.	allowing Congress to tax imports.
b.	allowing Congress to vote themselves a raise.
c.	allowing Congress to tax income.
d.	allowing Congress to regulate trade.
e.	guaranteeing women the right to vote.

55.

The executive branch's power to refuse to sign a bill into law is called

a.	right of refusal.
b.	legislative bargaining.
c.	presidential review.
d.	presidential veto.
e.	confiscatory economics.

56.

Article II of the U.S. Constitution establishes

a.	the federal system of law enforcement, courts, and prisons.
b.	the office and powers of the executive branch.
c.	the office and powers of the judicial branch.
d.	the office and powers of the legislative branch.
e.	the rights of an individual under the law.

57.

The term meaning the President is head of all American armed forces is

a.	Speaker Pro Tempore.
b.	Commander in Chief.
c.	Lieutenant General.
d.	Attorney General.
e.	General in Chief..

58.

After the Vice-President, the next federal official in line for the presidency is

a.	the Secretary of State.
b.	the Secretary of Defense.
c.	the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
d.	the President of the Senate.
e.	the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

59.

All of the following are powers of the President except

a.	declaring war.
b.	granting pardons.
c.	proposing laws.
d.	presenting a state of the Union address each year.
e.	All of these are powers of the President.

60.

Presidential appointees must be approved by whom and by what vote?

a.	the House by a simple majority
b.	the Senate by a simple majority
c.	the Congress by a 2/3 majority
d.	the Senate by a 2/3 majority
e.	None of the above

61.

What clause in the Constitution guarantees that laws and contracts made in one state are legal in another?

a.	Elastic Clause
b.	Supremacy Clause
c.	Santa Clause
d.	Commerce Clause
e.	Full Faith and Credit Clause

62.

How long does a justice of the Supreme Court remain a member of the Court?

a.	two years
b.	four years
c.	ten years
d.	twenty-five years
e.	for life

63.

How are cabinet officers chosen?

a.	by the President alone
b.	by the President, with approval of the House
c.	by the President, with approval of the Senate
d.	by the President, with approval of the Chief Justice
e.	by a national lottery

64.

Original jurisdiction refers to

a.	the authority of the Supreme Court to be the first to hear certain cases.
b.	the geographical area covered by the first federal courts.
c.	the first case heard by the Supreme Court.
d.	the authority of state courts.
e.	freedom of speech under the First Amendment.

65.

The power of the Supreme Court to judge the constitutionality of any lower courts’ decision is called

a.	administrative review.
b.	judicial review.
c.	executive privilege.
d.	legal review.
e.	legislative review.

66.

The Fifth Amendment guarantees these rights during legal proceedings.

a.	civil rights
b.	due process
c.	civil liberties
d.	guaranteed bail
e.	amicus curiae

67.

After an officeholder is impeached, they have the sole power to try the case.

a.	Senate
b.	Supreme Court
c.	House of Representatives
d.	Electoral College
e.	federal district courts

68.

The Second Amendment provides for the right to bear arms and “a well regulated”

a.	regular army.
b.	police force.
c.	militia, or national guard.
d.	security force.
e.	coast guard.

69.

The establishment clause is located where and deals with what?

a.	2nd Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms
b.	Article VI and the Supremacy Clause
c.	1st Amendment and the prevention of a state supported religion
d.	6th Amendment and the right of due process during criminal proceedings
e.	Article Seven and the establishment of a National Bank

70.

Which of the following NOT a check on the power of a President by the Congress?

a.	impeachment
b.	veto over-ride
c.	judicial review
d.	approval of appointments
e.	None of these is a check on the power of a President by the Congress.

71.

The Congress can grant these protections of intellectual property.

a.	copyrights
b.	exclusives
c.	charters
d.	contracts
e.	all of these

72.

Printed remarks meant to ruin a persons reputation are called

a.	slander
b.	libel
c.	sedition
d.	treason
e.	affluence

73.

Government’s right to take away private property with just compensation is called

a.	eminent domain
b.	states’ rights
c.	right of way
d.	secession
e.	nullification

74.

What qualifications did the Constitution ratified in 1787 impose for voting?

a.	None; it left voting rules to the states.
b.	It allowed all white males over twenty-one to vote but expressly banned women.
c.	It allowed all white males over twenty-one to vote and said nothing about women.
d.	It imposed a property requirement.
e.	It specifically banned African-Americans from voting.

75.

A court order allowing an individual or his property to be searched or seized is called a(n)

a.	treaty of understanding.
b.	warrant.
c.	executive order.
d.	judicial review.
e.	writ of habeas corpus.

76.

Why did the founding fathers create the electoral college?

a.	They did not; it was added to the Constitution after the disputed election of 1796.
b.	Small states insisted that they had to have a chance to play a role in choosing the president, and that wouldn’t have been possible with direct elections.
c.	Alexander Hamilton wanted a king, James Madison wanted no president, and the result was this compromise so there could be a president.
d.	They did not trust ordinary voters to choose the president and vice president directly.
e.	They knew the Constitution would make them unpopular, so they wanted to create a way to avoid letting voters choose the president, thereby giving themselves a chance to be elected.

77.

What are the two basic political principles embodied in the Constitution?

a.	Monarchy and despotism
b.	Individual and collective rights
c.	Freedom and union
d.	God and mammon
e.	Federalism and checks and balances

78.

Which of the following is not a check against presidential power in the Constitution?

a.	Congress can override a president’s veto with a two-thirds vote.
b.	The House can impeach the president for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
c.	The House can remove the president from office after impeaching him.
d.	Congress has the authority to accept or reject some presidential appointments.
e.	Although the president appoints judges, they serve for life to ensure their independence.

79.

Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion?

a.	first
b.	fifth
c.	sixth
d.	ninth
e.	fourteenth

80.

The judicial branch of our national government consists of

a.	the Supreme Court and the other U.S. courts.
b.	the Senate.
c.	the Congress.
d.	the executive branch and its various departments and agencies.
e.	none of these.

81.

One third of the Senators are elected every

a.	two years.
b.	four years.
c.	six years.
d.	eight yers.
e.	three years.

82.

Rules for becoming a U.S. citizen are made by

a.	the Supreme Court.
b.	state lawmakers.
c.	Congress.
d.	the U.S. Nationalization Commission.
e.	the President.

83.

In order to do their work, the House and Senate must have a quorum present, which means

a.	three-fourths of the members.
b.	two-thirds of the members.
c.	fifty percent plus one, of the members.
d.	a plurality of the members.
e.	None of the above

84.

Bills that propose taxes or government spending must start in the

a.	Senate.
b.	House of Representatives.
c.	Treasury Department.
d.	Congress.
e.	state legislatures.

85.

The longest possible tine a person could now serve as President is

a.	four years.
b.	six years.
c.	eight years.
d.	ten years.
e.	twelve years.

86.

In order to be elected to the presidency, a person must have lived in the U.S. at least

a.	six years.
b.	eight years.
c.	twelve years.
d.	fourteen years.
e.	all of his or her life.

87.

Nobody holding a United States office shall ever have to pass a

a.	civil service test.
b.	religious test.
c.	age test.
d.	physical exam.
e.	mental examination.

88.

The courts may not take a man's life without

a.	a circuit judge's agreement.
b.	due proces of law.
c.	evidence of treason.
d.	a confession.
e.	permission from his attorney.

89.

Invoking the Fifth Amendment means that an accused man

a.	understands the need for an attorney to defend his rights in court.
b.	demands a grand jury.
c.	wants to appeal his case.
d.	refuses to be tried again.
e.	refuses to testify against himself.

True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

90.

Powers not given to the U.S. by the Constitution and not forbidden to the States are reserved to the states and the people

91.

The President's oath of office is usually administered by the Attorney-General of the United States.

92.

The major department head who is appointed by the President to deal with foreign countries is the Secretary of State.

93.

Amendment 17 of the Constitution changed the election of Senators from state legislators to the people.

94.

Congress can pass laws over the President's veto if both Houses have a majority of three-fifths.

95.

After a bill has been sent to the President, it becomes a law if he does not send it back within two days.

96.

“Separation of powers” refers to the relationship between the national government and the states.

97.

The number of presidential electors a state gets is the same as the number of its Senators and Representatives.

98.

President's term now ends at noon on December 31 after the election in November.

99.

The Constitution allows Congress to lay a tax on goods sent from one state to another.

100.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is chosen by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.