Download U. S. Constitution Questions w/ answer key

U.S. Constitution
1/18
th
8 GRADE
8th
2003 L2
Obj. 4
The U.S. Constitution maintains a republican system of government through the —
A
B
C
D
president’s power to veto acts of Congress
appointment of federal judges to life terms
election of representatives who make laws
creation of a presidential cabinet
8th
2003 L4
Obj. 4
Use the information in the box and your knowledge of social studies skills to answer the following
question.
One Principle of the U.S. Constitution
Checks and Balances
A system by which each branch of government limits the power of the other branches
Which of these is an example of the system of checks and balances?
A
B
C
D
8th
Congress can regulate industry.
Governors can pardon federal prisoners.
The president can veto bills passed by Congress.
The Supreme Court can impeach members of Congress.
2003 L2
Obj. 1
In 1787 many of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution because of its
failure to —
A
B
C
D
8th
include a bill of rights
reduce states’ rights
eliminate slavery
establish a foreign-trade policy
2003 L4
Obj 4
30 The first three words of the U.S. Constitution, “We the people,” express the idea of popular sovereignty. Popular
sovereignty is the belief that the people hold the —
A
B
C
D
final authority in government
power to elect judges to the U.S. Supreme Court
authority to break laws established for the common good
power to elect the president directly
8th
2003 L2
Obj. 5
Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
2/18
Which of these would complete the diagram?
A
B
C
D
8th
Alien and Sedition Acts
U.S. Constitution
Magna Carta
Declaration of Independence
2004 L2
Obj 4
In 1787 James Madison and other Federalists supported a written plan for a new government. This plan A
B
C
D
8th
made changing laws virtually impossible
created a parliamentary government
called for a stronger national government
called for stricter interpretation of the law
2004 L4
Obj 1
The different political views in the diagram above represent the A
B
C
D
Loyalists and Patriots
Democratic-Republicans and Federalists
Know-Nothings and Abolitionists
Whigs and Loyalists
3/18
8th
2004 L1
Obj 4
The primary purpose of the 14th Amendment (1868) was to –
A
B
C
D
guarantee a minimum income for African Americans
grant citizenship to African Americans
ensure equal congressional representation for African Americans
justify the denial of liberties to African Americans
8th
2004 L1
Obj 4
In Marbury v. Madison (1803), the U.S. Supreme Court established the —
A
B
C
D
legality of slavery
principle of judicial reviews
right of the accused to remain silent
requirement of providing legal aid to the poor
8th
2004 L2
Obj 1
Use the cartoon and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
This political cartoon illustrates an issue discussed during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The issue
was over A state boundaries
B immigration
C branches of government
D representation in Congress
4/18
8th
2004 L1
Obj 4
Use the information in the box and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Which of the following is the best title for the information above?
A
B
C
D
8th
Constitutional Amendment Process
Procedures for Impeaching the President
Procedures for Appointing Federal Judges
President’s Role in the Legislative Process
2006
L1
Obj 4
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution —
8th
A
brought immediate equality to Native Americans
B
established a process for the admission of western states into the Union
C
created new congressional districts
D
granted civil rights primarily to African Americans
2006 L4
Obj 5
Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
What would be the best title for the diagram above?
A
The Policy of Mercantilism
B
The Importance of the Divine Right of Kings
C
Constitutional Monarchy in the United States
D
A Plan for Representative Government
5/18
8th
2006 L2
Obj 1
Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
How did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention settle the issue described above?
8th
A
Three-Fifths Compromise
B
New Jersey Plan
C
Virginia Plan
D
Mason-Dixon Line
2006 L1
Obj 4
Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Which of the following best completes the diagram?
A
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
B
Jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court
C
Regulation of interstate commerce
D
Election of the president
6/18
8th
2006 L4
Obj 1
Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
The diagram above shows the compromise that helped guarantee the ratification of the U.S.
Constitution by —
8th
A
providing a plan for representation of both large and small states
B
taking power away from the national government
C
creating new boundaries for both large and small states
D
allowing local governments to determine matters of representation
2006 Ll
Obj 1
The Great Compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 dealt with the issue of—
A
representation of the states in Congress
B
limitation of the president to two consecutive terms
C
appointing judges for a term of good behavior
D
creating a system in which power is shared by national and state governments
10th GRADE
10th
2003 L1
7/18
Obj 4
The term “Bill of Rights” refers to —
A
B
C
D
10th
the document that specifies separation of church and state
a revision of the Articles of Confederation
the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution
rights given to the colonists by King George III
2003 L2
Obj 4
The principle of checks and balances in the U.S. government is reflected in the —
A
B
C
D
10th
election of Supreme Court justices
creation of separate state and federal court systems
appointment of cabinet-level officers by the legislative branch
ability of Congress to override a presidential veto
2003 L4
Obj 4
Use the chart and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Which principle of government does the chart illustrate?
A
B
C
D
Federalism
Popular sovereignty
Republicanism
Separation of powers
8/18
10th
2003 L4
Obj 4
The principle of federalism in the U.S. Constitution is reflected in —
A
B
C
D
10th
the right of states to negotiate foreign trade agreements
the right of the national government to remove a state from the Union
the separation of power among the three branches of the national government
the division of power between the national and state governments
2003
L3
Obj 4
Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Which of the following best completes the diagram?
A
B
C
D
Principles of a theocracy
Principles of a democratic republic
Principles of an autocracy
Principles of an absolute monarchy
10th
2003 L4
Obj 4
9/18
Use the excerpt and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of
citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law. . . .
— 14th Amendment, 1868
According to the 14th Amendment, state governments must —
A
B
C
D
10th
obtain the approval of Congress to pass laws
protect the individual rights of all citizens
ensure that every citizen has a job
conduct a judicial review of Supreme Court decisions
2004 L4
Obj 1
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure [length] of their
offices, and amount and payment of their salaries.
--Declaration of Independence, 1776
The grievance above was directly addressed by which of the following statements from the U.S.
Constitution?
A
B
C
D
10th
“The Congress shall have the power to declare the punishment of treason . . .”
“The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme court. . . “
“The judicial power shall extend to all cases . . . arising under this Constitution the laws of the
United States, and treaties made . . .”
“The judges. . . shall. . . receive for their services, a compensation [salary], which shall not be
diminished during their continuance in office.”
2004 L2
Obj 3
Which of the following types of government allows individuals elected by popular vote to exercise
power?
A
Theocratic government
B
Totalitarian government
C
Monarchical government
D
Representative government
10/18
10th
2004 L2
Obj 4
The U.S. Constitution
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Branch
Branch
Branch
President
Supreme Court
Executes and
Interprets laws
Senate / House of Representatives
Makes Laws
enforces laws
The diagram above best represents which constitutional principle?
A
Republicanism
B
Popular Sovereignty
C
Separation of Powers
D
Individual Rights
10th
2004 L4
Obj 4
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted in 1865. This amendment brought the United
States closer to its goal of safeguarding the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
by —
A
B
C
D
10th
pardoning Confederate soldiers
giving women the right to vote
outlawing the institution of slavery
eliminating immigration quotas
2004 L4
Obj 4
In 1965 Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed literacy tests as a requirement for
voting. In effect, this law helped enforce the 15th Amendment (1870), which —
A
prohibited slavery in the United States
B
eliminated voting restrictions based on race
C
D
outlawed the use of exit polls in federal elections
gave women the right to vote in all elections
10th
2004 L4
Obj 4
11/18
• Guarantee of a speedy trial
• Freedom from illegal searches and seizures
• Protection from self-incrimination during trial
• Freedom of speech and religious worship
All of the principles listed in the box are
included in which of the following historical documents?
A The Federalist Papers
B Articles of Confederation
C Declaration of Independence
D Bill of Rights
10th
2004 L2
Obj 4
General Characteristics of Two Government Systems
Democracy
Multiparty system
?
Civilian control of police
Dictatorship
Single-party system
Censorship
Police controlled by the dictator
Which of the following best completes the table above?
A Freedom of movement
B Military tribunals
C Cult of personality
D Freedom of the press
12/18
10th
2004 L1
Obj 1
__________________________________
United States Drafts New Constitution
__________________________________
In which year would this headline have appeared in newspapers?
A
1607
B
1776
C
1787
D
1803
10th
2006 L2
Obj 1
Use the excerpt and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Which of the following provisions in the U.S. Constitution addresses the colonial grievance above?
A
B
C
D
The vice president may be impeached.
The president is the commander in chief.
U.S. Supreme Court justices serve for life.
Congress may establish tax laws.
10th 2006
L1
Obj 4
Under the constitutional principle of popular sovereignty, the authority of government is derived from —
A
B
C
D
state legislatures
the U.S. Supreme Court
acts of the U.S. Congress
the will of the people
13/18
10th
2006 L4
Obj 4
Use the information in the box and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Which of the following is best described by the characteristics listed above?
A
Magna Carta
B
The Federalist Papers
C
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
D
Mayflower Compact
10th 2006 L2 Obj 4
Which of the following is a common characteristic of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments?
A
B
C
D
They aim to protect the civil rights of African Americans.
They guarantee a high standard of living for workers.
They offer economic concessions to southern landowners.
They strengthen the authority of state governments.
10th 2006
L1
Obj 4
Which type of government best safeguards the individual rights of its citizens?
A
B
C
D
Modern autocracy
Theocratic state
Modern democracy
Totalitarian state
14/18
10th
2006 L2
Obj 6
Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
The sequence of events shown above best illustrates what constitutional principle?
A
B
C
D
Checks and balances
Individual rights
Limited government
Popular sovereignty
15/18
th
11 GRADE
11th 2003 L4
Obj 4
Use the excerpt and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . . .
— First Amendment to the
US Constitution
This excerpt reflects the principle of —
A
B
C
D
11th
individual rights
executive power
popular sovereignty
checks and balances
2003 L2
Obj 4
Which of the following is an example of the constitutional principle of governmental checks and balances?
Direct election of senators
Presidential veto power
Congressional term limits
Appeal of court decisions
A
B
C
D
11th
2003
L2
Obj 4
The 15th Amendment to the US Constitution gave citizens the right to vote regardless of race, color, or former status as a
slave. Later methods of depriving citizens of their 15th Amendment rights included —
A
B
C
D
poll taxes and literacy tests
requiring landownership
church membership requirement
requiring a high school
education
16/18
11th
2004 L4
Obj 4
Excerpt from Federalist No. 51
[I]t is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so
constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the
members of the others.
— James Madison, 1788
According to the excerpt above, Madison favored the basic constitutional principle of—
A separation of powers
B republicanism
C federalism
D popular sovereignty
11th
2004 L1
Obj 4
The purpose of the system of checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution is to—
A
B
C
D
11th
grant most legislative power to the House of Representatives
establish judicial guidelines a the state and local levels
balance the interests of large and small states
prevent one branch of the federal government from becoming too powerful
2004 retest
Obj 4
The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 was a victory in the long struggle for women’s equality
because the amendment—
A
B
C
D
gave women the right to vote
allowed women to hold political office
guaranteed women the right to attend state universities
made it illegal to discriminate against female job applicants
17/18
11th
2005 retest
Obj 1
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 met to correct the defects of the—
A Bill of Rights
B Northwest Ordinance
C Articles of Confederation
D Declaration of Independence
11th 2005 retest
Obj 4
In 1215 the Magna Carta required the king to govern by an established rule of law. In the same tradition, the
president of the United States is limited by the supreme law of the land, known as —
A the Monroe Doctrine
B legislative statutes
C the U.S. Constitution
D judicial review
11th
2005 retest
Obj 4
As a result of the 19th Amendment, states can no longer determine voter eligibility based on—
A
Gender
B
Race
C
Age
D
Residency
11th
2005 retest
Obj 4
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried
for pretended offenses…
As a response to the above grievance, the U.S. constitution guarantees—
A
B
C
D
freedom from self-incrimination
the right to bear arms
a trial in the state where the crime was committed
freedom from excessive bail
18/18
11th
2006 retest Obj 4
________________________________________________________________________
Article I, Section 1
Article II, Section1
Article III, Section 1
All legislative powers
The executive power
The judicial power
Herein granted shall
shall be vested in a
of the United States
Be vested in a Congress
president of the United
shall be vested in one
...
States of America.
Supreme court.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Which of the following principle does the chart above best represent?
A
Popular sovereignty
B
Individual rights
C
Federalism
D
Separation of powers
U.S. Constitution Answer Key
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C
B
B
A
A
A
C
D
B
D
D
C
A
A
A
A
C
D
C
C
B
D
A
A
D
B
D
C
D
B
A
A
B
D
D
B
D
C
A
A
A
Quick Analysis
A
D
D
B
D
C
C
(# of released TAKS questions over 8th grade TEKS per topic)
8th
10th
Republicanism
Checks and Balances
Popular Sovereignty
Federalism
Individual Rights
Separation of Powers
Limited Government (none)
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
Federalist/Madison
Judicial Review
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
Civil War Amendments (13-15)
Amendment Process
Constitutional Compromises
Magna Carta
1787
19th Amendment
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
11th
2
1
2
1
1
1
2