Preamble & Constitution Basics
What three words begin the Preamble to the Constitution?
A. We the Citizens
B. We the People
C. We the States
D. We the Government
Answer: B. We the People
Which branch of government makes laws?
A. Judicial
B. Executive
C. Legislative
D. State
C. Legislative
Who leads the executive branch?
A. Speaker of the House
B. Chief Justice
C. President
D. Senate Majority Leader
C. President
What is the highest court in the United States?
A. Federal Court
B. Senate Court
C. Supreme Court
D. Constitutional Court
C. Supreme Court
What principle means that the power of government comes from the people?
A. Federalism
B. Popular sovereignty
C. Checks and balances
D. Separation of powers
Answer: B — Popular Sovereignty
Which phrase from the Preamble means to create a fair system of laws?
A. Provide for the common defense
B. Promote the general welfare
C. Establish justice
D. Secure the blessings of liberty
Answer: C. Establish justice
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
A. 100
B. 435
C. 535
D. 50
B. 435
How long is one presidential term?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. Life
B. 4 years
How many justices serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?
A. 7
B. 9
C. 10
D. 12
B. 9
What principle means that government power is divided between the federal government and state governments?
A. Majority rule
B. Separation of powers
C. Federalism
D. Popular sovereignty
Answer: C — Federalism
Which phrase from the Preamble refers to protecting the country from outside threats?
A. Provide for the common defense
B. Establish justice
C. Form a more perfect Union
D. Insure domestic tranquility
Answer: A. Provide for the common defense
How long is the term of a U.S. senator?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. Life
C. 6 years
What is the minimum age required to become president?
A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40
C. 35
How long can a Supreme Court justice serve?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 6 years
D. For life, unless they leave office
D. For life, unless they leave office
What is a group of people who work together to influence government decisions about issues they care about?
A. Interest group
B. Judicial branch
C. Federal government
D. Majority rule
Answer: A — Interest Group
What does popular sovereignty mean?
A. Judges have the final say in government
B. State governments have more power than the federal government
C. Congress controls all government power
D. Government receives its power from the people
D. Government receives its power from the people
What is the minimum age to serve in the U.S. Senate?
A. 25
B. 30
C. 35
D. 40
B. 30
Which citizenship requirement applies to the president?
A. Must have been a citizen for 7 years
B. Must have been a citizen for 9 years
C. Must be a natural-born citizen
D. There is no citizenship requirement
C. Must be a natural-born citizen
Supreme Court justices are:
A. Elected by citizens
B. Elected by Congress
C. Appointed
D. Chosen by state governors
C. Appointed
Congress passes a bill, but the president vetoes it. Congress then has the ability to override that veto with enough votes.
Which constitutional principle is being demonstrated?
A. Popular sovereignty
B. Federalism
C. Majority rule
D. Checks and balances
Answer: D — Checks and Balances
Which principle divides the responsibilities of government among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches?
A. Federalism
B. Separation of powers
C. Majority rule
D. Popular sovereignty
B. Separation of powers
Which of the following is a power of Congress?
A. Nominate Supreme Court justices
B. Grant presidential pardons
C. Declare war
D. Rule that a law violates the Constitution
C. Declare war
Which is a power of the president?
A. Declare war
B. Serve as commander in chief of the military
C. Decide whether laws are constitutional
D. Decide how tax money is spent without Congress
B. Serve as commander in chief of the military
Congress passes a law, but the Supreme Court decides that the law conflicts with the Constitution. What principle is being demonstrated?
A. Federalism
B. Popular sovereignty
C. Judicial review
D. Majority rule
C. Judicial review
A class votes between two choices. 18 scholars vote for Option A and 10 scholars vote for Option B. Option A is selected because it received more votes.
Which principle does this best represent?
A. Majority rule
B. Popular sovereignty
C. Federalism
D. Separation of powers
Answer: A — Majority Rule