The Preamble & Principles
What is the main purpose of the Preamble?
A) To introduce the Constitution and state its goals
B) To establish the Bill of Rights
C) To create the three branches of government
D) To list the amendments
A) To introduce the Constitution and state its goals.
What branch of government does Article I establish?
A) Executive
B) Legislative
C) Judicial
D) Military
B) Legislative
Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition?
A) 1st Amendment
B) 2nd Amendment
C) 3rd Amendment
D) 4th Amendment
A) 1st Amendment
Which amendment abolished slavery?
A) 12th Amendment
B) 13th Amendment
C) 14th Amendment
D) 15th Amendment
B) 13th Amendment
What did Brown v. Board of Education (1954) decide?
A) Upheld segregation laws
B) Declared school segregation unconstitutional
C) Expanded presidential power
D) Limited free speech rights
B) Declared school segregation unconstitutional.
Which constitutional principle ensures that power is divided among three branches?
A) Federalism
B) Popular sovereignty
C) Separation of powers
D) Rule of law
C) Separation of powers.
Which article explains how the Constitution can be amended?
A) Article III
B) Article IV
C) Article V
D) Article VI
C) Article V.
The 2nd Amendment protects which right?
A) Freedom of speech
B) Right to bear arms
C) Protection from unreasonable searches
D) Right to a jury trial
B) Right to bear arms.
What did the 19th Amendment achieve?
A) Granted Black men the right to vote
B) Gave women the right to vote
C) Lowered the voting age to 18
D) Ended segregation in schools
B) Gave women the right to vote.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) established which judicial principle?
A) Popular sovereignty
B) Judicial review
C) Checks and balances
D) Separation of powers
B) Judicial review.
What is the term for the system that allows each branch to limit the powers of the others?
A) Checks and balances
B) Federalism
C) Popular sovereignty
D) Limited government
A) Checks and balances.
What does Article VI say about the Constitution’s authority?
A) The Supreme Court can ignore it if needed
B) It is the supreme law of the land
C) States can overrule federal laws
D) It only applies to the federal government
B) It is the supreme law of the land.
The 5th Amendment protects individuals from what?
A) Cruel and unusual punishment
B) Self-incrimination and double jeopardy
C) Being forced to quarter soldiers
D) Excessive bail
B) Self-incrimination and double jeopardy (get it? Double Jeopardy)
What did the 26th Amendment change?
A) Allowed non-citizens to vote
B) Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
C) Abolished poll taxes
D) Guaranteed equal protection under the law
B) Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
What was the significance of Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?
A) Guaranteed a right to vote
B) Required police to read suspects their rights
C) Established judicial review
D) Allowed school prayer
B) Required police to read suspects their rights.
The principle of popular sovereignty is best demonstrated by:
A) The Supreme Court's power of judicial review
B) The President’s role as Commander-in-Chief
C) Citizens voting in elections
D) Congress declaring war
C) Citizens voting in elections.
Which of the following powers is granted to Congress under Article I?
A) Enforcing federal laws
B) Declaring war
C) Interpreting laws
D) Appointing judges
B) Declaring war.
Which of the following is a violation of the 8th Amendment?
A) Denying a lawyer to a suspect
B) Sentencing a minor to life in prison without parole for shoplifting
C) Arresting a journalist for publishing government secrets
D) Requiring a permit for gun ownership
B) Sentencing a minor to life in prison without parole for shoplifting.
The 14th Amendment is important because it:
A) Guarantees due process and equal protection under the law
B) Reserves powers to the states
C) Protects against unlawful searches
D) Gives Congress the power to tax income
A) Guarantees due process and equal protection under the law
In Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), the Supreme Court ruled that:
A) Schools can ban any student protest
B) Students have First Amendment rights at school
C) The government can restrict the press
D) Schools can search students without warrants
B) Students have First Amendment rights at school.
Which phrase from the Preamble best represents the goal of ensuring fairness in the legal system?
A) "Provide for the common defense"
B) "Establish justice"
C) "Promote the general welfare"
D) "Secure the blessings of liberty"
B) "Establish justice."
According to Article II, the President has the power to:
A) Declare war
B) Make treaties with foreign nations
C) Override Supreme Court decisions
D) Create new laws
B) Make treaties with foreign nations (with Senate approval).
Which amendment in the Bill of Rights states that rights not specifically listed still belong to the people?
A) 4th Amendment
B) 7th Amendment
C) 9th Amendment
D) 10th Amendment
C) 9th Amendment.
Which amendment most directly influenced the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
A) 1st Amendment
B) 13th Amendment
C) 14th Amendment
D) 21st Amendment
C) 14th Amendment.
Schenck v. United States upheld the government's power to:
A) Ban all protests
B) Limit speech if it presents a “clear and present danger”
C) Force citizens to testify against themselves
D) Restrict freedom of the press
B) Limit speech if it presents a “clear and present danger”