TEST NAME: Unit 3 Test ­ The Constitution
TEST ID: 651039
GRADE: 10
SUBJECT: Social Sciences and History
TEST CATEGORY: Shared Classroom Assessments
Unit 3 Test - The Constitution
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Student: Class:
Date:
1. What document protects the freedoms of American citizens?
A.
Mayflower Compact
B.
Declaration of Independence
C.
Missouri Compromise
D.
Constitution
2. Which principle of U.S. government consists of supreme authority belonging to the people?
A.
rule of law
B.
federalism
C.
limited government
D.
popular sovereignty
3. Use the excerpt below to answer the question.
No State shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
and no money raised by taxation in any State for the support of public schools, or derived from any public fund
therefore, nor any public lands devoted thereto, shall ever be under the control of any religious sect; nor shall
any money so raised or lands so devoted be divided between religious sects and denominations.
—Constitutional Amendment proposed by James Blaine, 1875
Which factor explains why this amendment was proposed?
A.
The Bill of Rights was seen as hostile to the idea of federalism.
B.
The Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government.
C.
The federal government sought to maintain the separation of religion and state.
D.
The federal government could only enforce religious freedoms for individuals.
Unit 3 Test - The Constitution
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4. The following cartoon BEST demonstrates which principle of the Constitution?
A.
popular sovereignty
B.
federalism
C.
checks and balances
D.
separation of powers
5. What is the purpose of the U.S. system of checks and balances?
A.
to increase voter participation
B.
to limit authority of government branches
C.
to improve procedures for the legislature
D.
to limit state powers
6. Use the excerpt below to answer the question.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people
thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote . . . the legislature of any State may empower the
executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the
legislature may direct.
—17th Amendment, U.S. Constitution
How did the adoption of the 17th Amendment increase democratization in the United States?
A.
by increasing the power of state constitutions
B.
by decreasing the power of the executive branch
C.
by allowing for the direct election of senators
D.
by implementing term limits for state senators
Unit 3 Test - The Constitution
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7. Use the excerpt below to answer the question.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall
be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re­examined in any Court of the United States, than
according to the rules of the common law.
—7th Amendment, U.S. Constitution
The right guaranteed in this amendment applies to
A.
civil disputes.
B.
criminal prosecutions.
C.
administrative hearings.
D.
police investigations.
8. Use the information in the table to answer the question that follows.
Features of Three States’ Governments
Executive
Nebraska
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Governor elected to four­
year term, limited to two
consecutive terms
Governor elected to four­
year term, limited to two
consecutive terms
Governor elected to four­
year term, limited to two
consecutive terms
Legislative A single assembly of 49
elected members
A Senate and a House of
Representatives
A Senate and a House of
Representatives
Supreme Court of seven
judges, each serving six­
year terms, chosen by
statewide election
Supreme Court of seven
judges chosen by
statewide election to ten­
year terms, renewable
once
Judicial
Supreme Court of seven
judges appointed by the
governor upon
recommendation by a
commission
What do the governments of these three states all have in common with the federal government?
A.
bicameral legislatures
B.
parliamentary structures
C.
judges who are appointed
D.
power separated among branches
9. Use the excerpt below to answer the question.
. . . on one hand . . . the Constitution is to be founded on the assent and ratification of the people of America,
given by deputies elected for the special purpose; but, on the other, that this assent and ratification is to be
given by the people, not as individuals composing one entire nation, but as composing the distinct and
independent States to which they respectively belong. —Federalist 39, James Madison, 1788
Which characteristic of the U.S. government shows the influence of this idea?
A.
the development of a federal system
B.
the application of checks and balances
C.
the power of the judicial branch to review laws
D.
the creation of a bicameral legislative branch
Unit 3 Test - The Constitution
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10. Which concern prompted the addition of the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States?
A.
the lack of protection of individual rights
B.
the risk of increased amounts of military spending by the government
C.
the inability of states to regulate trade
D.
the risk of more populous states dominating the government
11. Which of the following is not a First Amendment right?
A.
to attend church
B.
to have a free press
C.
to peaceably assemble
D.
to vote in elections
12. The House of Representatives approved the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1971, followed by the Senate
in 1972. By 1982, 35 of the 50 states had voted to adopt the amendment. However, the ERA never became
part of the Constitution. What best explains why the ERA has never become part of the Constitution?
A.
The Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.
B.
It failed to be ratified by three­quarters of the states.
C.
The president vetoed the amendment after the states passed it.
D.
It had to be approved by the Congress and the states in the same year.
13. What is the best title for this diagram?
A.
Amending the U.S. Constitution
B.
Signing a Bill Into a Law
C.
Confirming Executive Appointments
D.
Nominating U.S. Supreme Court Justices
14. Which statement best represents support for the 2nd Amendment?
A.
It ensures religious freedom.
B.
It is necessary to avoid double jeopardy.
C.
It is a critical component of personal security.
D.
It supports an economically important industry.
15. Which of the following is not a purpose of the federal government?
A.
declare war and make peace
B.
organize a court system
C.
coin money
D.
establish schools
Unit 3 Test - The Constitution
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16. Based on the U.S. Constitution, which action is a reserved power?
A.
establishing immigration policy and the naturalization process
B.
printing currency and regulating the circulation of money
C.
deploying military troops during times of war
D.
establishing requirements for acquiring a driver’s license
17. Use the excerpt below to answer the question.
Section 14. Public School System The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of
public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.
—Article III, Section 14, Pennsylvania State Constitution
This excerpt refers to an example of which constitutional principle?
A.
veto
B.
judicial review
C.
reserved powers
D.
checks and balances
18. Use the table below to answer the question.
Delegated to the National Government
Concurrent Powers Reserved to the States Power to declare war ? Run elections
Which phrase best completes the table?
A.
Establish driving laws
B.
Regulate foreign commerce
C.
Raise and support armies
D.
Borrow money
19. Use the excerpt below to answer the question.
The enumeration [list] in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed [interpreted] to deny or
disparage others retained by the people.
—9th Amendment, U.S. Constitution How does this amendment affect the power of the federal government?
A.
The federal government has the power to control state legislatures.
B.
The federal government is prevented from limiting other individuals’ rights.
C.
The federal government has the ability to expand judicial powers.
D.
The federal government is prevented from limiting legislative powers.
Unit 3 Test - The Constitution
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20. Why did the Founding Fathers create a government based on federalism? Federalism in the United States:
• Enumerated Powers (those assigned to the national government) • Reserved Powers (those assigned to the states) • Concurrent Powers (those shared by national and state governments)
A.
to prevent policy disputes between levels of government
B.
to allow state control over national issues
C.
to limit the power of the national government
D.
to write a document that was difficult to change
21. According to the U.S. Constitution, which statement best explains the limit of federal power in relation to the
states?
A.
The federal government has unlimited authority over the states.
B.
States have the authority to nullify federal laws.
C.
The federal government has enumerated and implied powers.
D.
State authority is derived from the citizens of that state.
22. Since 9/11, the federal government has increased security at major airports, large venues, and federal
buildings. Of the six purposes stated in the Preamble of the United States Constitution, which of the
following is most closely related to this example?
A.
“insure domestic Tranquility”
B.
“to establish Justice”
C.
“to secure the Blessings of Liberty”
D.
“promote the general Welfare”
23. Use the information below to answer the question.
The local council of New London, Connecticut, used the power of eminent domain to acquire land to sell to
private developers. The city claimed that by developing the property there would be an increase in both jobs and
tax revenue. The landowners sued the city because they claimed that the actions of the city violated the 5th
Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled that the actions of the city were constitutional.
Why did the Supreme Court rule these actions were constitutional under the 5th Amendment?
A.
The development of the land would serve a public purpose.
B.
The development of the property was zoned for commercial use.
C.
The local council had approved the program to use the land.
D.
The landowners were leasing the property to renters.
Read the passage ­ 'Excerpt from NC Constitution Article I' ­ and answer the question below:
Excerpt from NC Constitution Article I
ARTICLE I
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
That the great, general, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, and
that the relations of this State to the Union and government of the United States and those of the people of this State to
the rest of the American people may be defined and affirmed, we do declare that:
Section 1. The equality and rights of persons.
Unit 3 Test - The Constitution
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We hold it to be self­evident that all persons are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, the enjoyment of the fruits of their own labor, and the pursuit of
happiness.
Sec. 2. Sovereignty of the people.
All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government of right originates from the people, is
founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.
24. Based on the sections provided from Article I of the North Carolina Constitution this article is most like which
part of the Constitution of the United States?
A.
Preamble
B.
Bill of Rights
C.
Article I
D.
Article IV
25. Generally, compared to the United States Constitution the North Carolina Constitution is considered A.
Less specific
B.
More powerful
C.
More religious D.
Shorter
Unit 3 Test - The Constitution
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