Constitution - Test

Question 1

Nation’s Fundamental law
- “supreme law of the land”

Answer 1

the Constitution

Question 2

3 parts of the constitution

Answer 2

1) Introduction - The Preamble
2) 7 Articles
3) 27 Formal Amendments

Question 3

each of the 7 articles contents

Answer 3

1) Creates the Legislative branch
2) Creates the Executive branch
3) Creates the Judicial branch
4) Relationship among state and federal gov.
5) Amending the Constitution
6) Supremacy Clause
7) Ratifying the Constitution

Question 4

6 basic principles of the constitution

Answer 4

1) Popular Sovereignty - people are the source of power
2) Limited Gov. - government is not all powerful
3) Separation of Powers

Question 5

how long has the US Constitution been in effect

Answer 5

235 years!

Question 6

change in the written wording of the Constitution - permanent

Answer 6

Formal Amendment

Question 7

majority of the national and state gov. needed to ratify a change to the constitution

Answer 7

national (proposed) - 2/3 majority
state (ratified) - 3/4 majority

Question 8

immunity of states to certain law suits

Answer 8

11th Amendment

Question 9

12th Amdendment

Answer 9

changes in how the president/vice pres. is chosen

Question 10

Abolished Slavery

Answer 10

13th Amendment

Question 11

14th Amendment

Answer 11

states every person born in the US is a US Citizen with equal protection under the law (to incorporate former slaves)

Question 12

no denial of the right to vote - gave rights to vote to the African Americans

Answer 12

15th Amendment

Question 13

the Civil War Amendments

Answer 13

13th, 14th, and 15th

Question 14

16th Amendment

Answer 14

federal income tax (started to pay for the civil war)

Question 15

popular election of senators (voted in by the people)

Answer 15

17th Amendment

Question 16

18th Amendment

Answer 16

prohibition of alcohol - “noble experiment”

Question 17

women’s suffrage - right to vote

Answer 17

19th Amendment

Question 18

20th Amendment

Answer 18

date changes in congressional + presidential terms (from March to January) - elected in Nov. and sworn in in January

Question 19

repeal of prohibition of alcohol (18th amendment)

Answer 19

21st Amendment

Question 20

22nd Amendment

Answer 20

presidential term limit (2)

Question 21

D.C gets vote in electoral college - they previously couldn’t vote for president

Answer 21

23rd Amendment

Question 22

24th Amendment

Answer 22

Ban on poll taxes

Question 23

set up presidential succession and disability (not fit)

Answer 23

25th Amendment

Question 24

26th Amendment

Answer 24

18 year olds get voting rights (was 21)

Question 25

congressional pay changes
prevents congressmen from setting their pay too high
- one of the original Bill of Rights proposed by Madison in 1789!

Answer 25

27th Amendment

Question 26

day to day changes made over time (not written in Constitution) - mostly temporary

Answer 26

Informal Amendments

Question 27

“flesh and bones” of the Constitution

Answer 27

Informal Amendment

Question 28

called the “soul of the Constitution”

Answer 28

Bill of Rights

Question 29

five basic ways to bring about Informal Amendments

Answer 29

1) Basic Legislation: laws passed by Congress
2) Executive Action: powers granted the president (executive’s agreement)
3) Courts Decisions: the nation’s courts determine the constitutionality of cases
4) Party Practice: ideas brought forth by the political parties
5) Custom: unwritten traditions (ex: Presidential Cabinet)