Lesson 1 Quiz

Question 1

What has been the most common method used to amend the U.S. Constitution?

Answer 1

two-thirds vote of both chambers of Congress, then ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures

Question 2

At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the Federalists ____________.

Answer 2

were in favor of a strong central government and for ratification of the new constitution

Question 3

In opposition to the recommendations of the Virginia delegates during the Constitutional Convention, the New Jersey Plan advocated a single-chamber legislature with ___________________.

Answer 3

equal representation among the states regardless of population

Question 4

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances​. This document ______.

Answer 4

acknowledged colonial allegiance to the Crown

Question 5

Until the mid-1700s, the 13 colonies often had diverse histories and economies, which provided ___________.

Answer 5

little incentive for them to join together to meet shared goals

Question 6

With the original Constitution completed on September 17, 1787, how many states were needed to ratify the new governmental structure in order for it to become operative?

Answer 6

Nine

Question 7

Which of the following is a check by the legislative branch on the powers of the executive branch?

Answer 7

The senate must consent to all presidential appointees to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Question 8

The Sugar Act and the Stamp Act were passed by Parliament for the specific purpose of raising money in the colonies for the Crown. However, their political significance was that they _________________.

Answer 8

opened the debate by the colonists on the issue of taxation without representation

Question 9

Hamilton argues that the executive must be a single person to achieve “energy,” which is a “leading character in the definition of good government” in ______________.

Answer 9

Federalist No. 70

Question 10

Which of the following was not a weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 10

the ability to create a nationwide postal service

Question 11

In the U.S. Constitution, powers that are not delegated to Congress but are retained by the state governments are called ______________ powers.

Answer 11

reserved

Question 12

“Marble Cake Federalism” is a system ________________________.

Answer 12

in which state and federal authority is intertwined in an inseparable mixture

Question 13

Throughout history which of following has been true regarding American federalism?

Answer 13

Through several eras the pendulum has tended to swing between preferences for state versus federal powers and prerogatives.

Question 14

In the case, South Dakota v. Dole, the Supreme Court maintained that ___________________.

Answer 14

Congress may withhold federal funds from states that did not comply with the federal legal drinking age

Question 15

Powers explicitly delegated to the Congress under Article I of the U.S. Constitution are referred to as _____ powers.

Answer 15

enumerated

Question 16

In response to the National Supremacy period in the early nineteenth century, South Carolina adopted a series of resolutions that _____________________.

Answer 16

adopted the theory of “nullification”

Question 17

Under the Articles of Confederation, relations between the national government and the states were based on what system of government?

Answer 17

confederal

Question 18

James Madison referred to the system of federalism as the “middle ground” of government types. What did he mean by this statement?

Answer 18

Unitary systems and confederation systems are opposing ends of the continuum. Federalism has elements of both systems but is the best attempt to balance the powers and needs of the state versus federal governments.

Question 19

Which of the following terms best describes Hobbes’s image of society without government?

Answer 19

Brutish

Question 20

A government is viewed as legitimate when ___________.

Answer 20

the affected people recognize the government and allow it to exercise control over them

Question 21

That “the will of people” ought to guide public policy is a concept that is defined as ___________.

Answer 21

majority rule

Question 22

The formal Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in _______.

Answer 22

1791

Question 23

Democracy is ____________________.

Answer 23

government in which the people, either directly or through elected representatives, hold power and authority

Question 24

Which of the following is not an example of the domination of elections in the United States by individuals with immense power and influence?

Answer 24

Carnagie Hall in NYC

Question 25

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution contains the supremacy clause. What is the importance of this clause?

Answer 25

It creates the standard that no other law, state constitution, or government action may override the U.S. Constitution.