Constitution Test STUDY GUIDE
1.
In the earliest days our governmental type was ________________________.
2.
Which branch of government does the president lead? ____________________
3.
What branch of government has the power to carry out, enforce, and administer the law?
4.
What are the three types of power a government may exercise?
5.
Under what theory will a government form because people agree to submit to the authority of a
state?
6.
Name the power that interprets the laws and settles disputes between members of a society?
7.
Why was James Madison given the title “Father of the Constitution”?
8.
The large states supported the ________________________ because it based representation on
population.
9.
While the small states favored the New Jersey Plan, they did accept the ___________________
because states would still be represented equally in the Senate?
10.
What did the 3/5 compromise state?
11.
What are each state’s electors equal to?
12.
What is another name for the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
13.
Name the two entities that may call a national convention to propose an amendment to the
Constitution?
14.
How are state legislatures able to ratify an amendment to the Constitution?
15.
What is protected under the Bill of Rights?.
16.
What action did the 16th Amendment authorize?
17.
The principle of _____________________ was established in the Supreme Court case of
Marbury v. Madison.
18.
Although not specifically stated in the Constitution, the _____________________ serves as
advisors to the President of the United States.
19.
What group actually elects the President of the United States?
20.
What is the purpose of the Preamble?
21.
What does “form a more perfect union” mean?
22.
How do checks and balances in reference to treaties?
23.
The _______ is often considered to be the executive branches most important check of the
legislative branch.
24.
What principle of the Constitution is best represented by the phrase We the People?
25.
What is the purpose of the judicial branch?
26.
In regards to the House of Representatives, what does “significant power of the purse” mean?
27.
What system divides the duties of the government into three branches?
28.
What principle is being used when the national, state, and local governments share equally in
the governing of the country?
29.
If a federal law and a state law conflict, the valid federal law will always take precedence, this is
due to the __________________________ which is located in
30.
What is ex post facto mean?
31.
What must a state do under full faith and credit?
32.
What body resolves conflicts between state and federal governments?
33.
What body makes laws that reflect the will of the people in the United States?
34.
What are the qualifications to be a member of the House of Representatives and what is the
length of their term in office?
35.
What are the qualifications to be a member of the U.S. Senate and what is the length of their
term of office?
36.
What are the qualifications to be the President of the United States and what is their term of
office?
37.
How many members are there in the House of Representatives and how is their membership
determined?
38.
How many members are there in the U.S Senate and how is their membership determined?
39.
The states have the final authority to ratify any amendments proposed by
____________________
40.
Define expressed powers and give examples.
41.
Define writ of habeas corps and give examples of when it may be suspended.
42.
Define gerrymandering.
43.
Who is the most powerful member of the House of Representative?
44.
What is the line of succession to the presidency of the United States? How long will these
people serve?
45.
The ______ amendment allowed for direct popular elections of senators.
46.
What must the president do to make a bill become a law?
47.
If the president vetoes a bill, what action may Congress take to pass the bill?
48.
What are the executive powers of the president?
49.
Describe original jurisdiction.
50.
There are currently _____ associate judges and ______ chief justice on the Supreme Court.
51.
Describe judicial restraint and judicial activism. The idea that a judge should interpret the
Constitution according to the Framers’ original intention.
52.
What was the decision in Dred Scott v Sanford?
53.
In Tinker v Ohio, the Supreme Court decided that schools could not prevent students from
protesting the United States involvement in ______________________.
54.
When is the national Election Day?
55.
What are civil liberties?
56.
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
57.
What is the free exercise clause of the Bill of Rights guarantee all citizens of the U.S.?
58.
How does the Constitution define treason?
59.
According to Texas v Johnson, why is it permissible to burn the American flag?
60.
Define double jeopardy.
61.
How may an individual participate in the political process?
62.
According to the Reapportionment Act of 1929 the ___________________ in Congress is
reapportioned every ten years.
The remainder of the test will deal with skills such as: interpreting political cartoons, diagrams, text
readings, and map skills.