The Constitution – Foundations & Fixes
What structural flaw in the Articles of Confederation made national defense and tax collection nearly impossible?
A. States could declare war independently
B. Congress had no power to tax or enforce laws
C. The president had too much power
D. The judiciary controlled the legislature
B. Congress had no power to tax or enforce laws
Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition?
A. First Amendment
B. Fifth Amendment
C. Tenth Amendment
D. Fourteenth Amendment
A. First Amendment
Which branch of government interprets laws and resolves constitutional conflicts?
A. Legislative
B. Judicial
C. Executive
D. Electoral
B. Judicial
A school suspends a student for writing a respectful editorial criticizing school policy. What freedom is likely violated?
A. Freedom of speech
B. Right to a jury trial
C. Right to privacy
D. Right to vote
A. Freedom of speech
Which case established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review?
A. Brown v. Board
B. Marbury v. Madison
C. Gideon v. Wainwright
D. Miranda v. Arizona
B. Marbury v. Madison
Why did the framers divide the government into three branches?
A. To make government decisions faster
B. To reflect British Parliament’s structure
C. To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
D. To reduce the influence of the people
C. To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
How does the Fourth Amendment protect individuals from government abuse?
A. It guarantees the right to vote
B. It prohibits cruel and unusual punishment
C. It protects against unreasonable searches and seizures
D. It allows for trial by jury
C. It protects against unreasonable searches and seizures
Which constitutional principle allows each branch of government to limit the power of the others?
A. Popular sovereignty
B. Federalism
C. Checks and balances
D. Separation of church and state
C. Checks and balances
A state law punishes someone for doing something that was legal when they did it. What is this called?
A. Writ of habeas corpus
B. Judicial review
C. Ex post facto law
D. Rule of law
C. Ex post facto law
Which case overturned “separate but equal” in public schools?
A. Plessy v. Ferguson
B. Miranda v. Arizona
C. Brown v. Board of Education
D. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
C. Brown v. Board of Education
How does the Constitution reflect the Enlightenment idea of a “social contract”?
A. It creates permanent rule by elite leaders
B. It establishes rule through divine authority
C. It requires the government to protect citizens’ rights in exchange for power
D. It removes all limits on the government
C. It requires the government to protect citizens’ rights in exchange for power
In Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court ruled that:
A. Police must read suspects their rights
B. All accused persons must be provided legal counsel
C. Segregation in schools was unconstitutional
D. States cannot restrict voting rights
B. All accused persons must be provided legal counsel
Who confirms Supreme Court nominees?
A. House of Representatives
B. The states
C. U.S. Senate
D. The people through vote
C. U.S. Senate
During a peaceful protest, citizens are arrested without cause. What right is being violated?
A. Freedom of assembly
B. Right to counsel
C. Right to bear arms
D. Quartering of troops
A. Freedom of assembly
Which Supreme Court case ruled students have free speech rights at school if it's not disruptive?
A. In re Gault
B. Bethel v. Fraser
C. Tinker v. Des Moines
D. Roe v. Wade
C. Tinker v. Des Moines
Which clause ensures that U.S. federal law has priority over state law?
A. Commerce Clause
B. Necessary and Proper Clause
C. Supremacy Clause
D. Reserved Powers Clause
C. Supremacy Clause
How does the rule of law support democracy?
A. By giving more power to elected officials
B. By ensuring that all citizens and leaders are accountable under the law
C. By allowing courts to create laws
D. By weakening federal authority
B. By ensuring that all citizens and leaders are accountable under the law
How does the Necessary and Proper Clause enhance congressional power?
A. It limits the president’s veto
B. It gives Congress flexibility to carry out its enumerated powers
C. It allows the courts to override laws
D. It restricts federal authority over states
B. It gives Congress flexibility to carry out its enumerated powers
A person is convicted in a trial but was never informed of the charges against them. What amendment was likely violated?
A. Sixth Amendment
B. First Amendment
C. Fourth Amendment
D. Tenth Amendment
A. Sixth Amendment
What precedent was set by Gideon v. Wainwright?
A. Right to free education
B. Right to a speedy trial
C. Right to an attorney in criminal cases
D. Right to bear arms
C. Right to an attorney in criminal cases
Why did the Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagree over the Constitution’s ratification?
A. They debated whether the president should have a veto
B. They disagreed over slavery
C. Anti-Federalists feared too much central power without a Bill of Rights
D. Federalists opposed representative democracy
C. Anti-Federalists feared too much central power without a Bill of Rights
Which amendment ensures that powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people?
A. Ninth Amendment
B. Tenth Amendment
C. Fourth Amendment
D. Fourteenth Amendment
B. Tenth Amendment
What system divides power between the national and state governments?
A. Confederation
B. Oligarchy
C. Federalism
D. Unitary system
C. Federalism
Why is serving on a jury important in a constitutional democracy?
A. It gives people power to interpret laws
B. It ensures due process and fair trials
C. It lets people punish others
D. It limits government taxes
B. It ensures due process and fair trials
How did United States v. Nixon reinforce the principle of the rule of law?
A. It limited the First Amendment
B. It ruled that even the President must follow court orders
C. It created a new branch of government
D. It expanded executive power
B. It ruled that even the President must follow court orders