The US Constitution

Question 1

Which is the supreme law of the land?

Answer 1

US Constitution

Question 2

How many amendments does the US Constitution have?

Answer 2

27 amendments

Question 3

What are the first ten amendments called?

Answer 3

Bill of Rights

Question 4

First Amendment

Answer 4

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition

Question 5

Second amendment

Answer 5

The right to bear arms

Question 6

Third Amendment

Answer 6

Places restrictions on the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner’s consent

Question 7

Fourth Amendment

Answer 7

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures

Question 8

Fifth Amendment

Answer 8

The right to a grand jury

Forbids “double jeopardy”

Protects against self-incrimination

Question 9

Sixth Amendment

Answer 9

Right to a public and speedy trial

Right to a lawyer

Right to an impartial jury

Question 10

Seventh Amendment

Answer 10

The right to a trial by jury of his peers in a civil court case involving claims valued more at $20

Question 11

Eight Amendment

Answer 11

Protects against excessive bail and fines

Protects against cruel and unusual punishments

Question 12

Ninth Amendment

Answer 12

States that the federal government does not own the rights that are not listed in the Constitution, instead the belong to the citizens

Question 13

10th Amendment

Answer 13

Reserves powers not stated in the Constitution to the states

Question 14

Thirteenth Amendment (significance)

Answer 14

First amendment during Reconstruction

Formally abolished slavery

Question 15

Fourteenth Amendment (significance, protections)

Answer 15

All people born or naturalized in the United States are citizens

Question 16

Fifteenth Amendment

Answer 16

Prohibits the federal government from denying a citizen’s right to vote based on race

Question 17

Nineteenth Amendment

Answer 17

Granted women the right to vote

Question 18

Twenty-sixth Amendment

Answer 18

Lowered the legal voting age from 21 to 18

Question 19

How can the Constitution be changed?

Answer 19

In Congress, two thirds of the Senate and two thirds of the House of Representatives must vote to propose an amendment

Two thirds of the states can petition the Congress to open a convention for proposing amendments

Any proposed amendment must be approved by three fourths of the states within a reasonable time

Question 20

Which amendment has been repealed?

Answer 20

The 21st Amendment repealed the 18 Amendment

The 18th Amendment banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol

Question 21

What is the purpose of the Preamble of the US Constitution?

Answer 21

A statement of the goals of the government:

1. To form a more perfect union
2. To establish justice
3. To insure domestic tranquility
4. To provide for the common defense
5. To promote the general welfare
6. To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

Question 22

What does “full faith and credit” mean?

Answer 22

The obligation of each state to recognize and accept the judicial proceedings, public records, and legislative acts of every other state

Ensures that court decisions made in one state will be recognized and honored in every other state

Prevents someone from moving to another state to avoid a court judgement

Question 23

Where was the Constitution signed?

Answer 23

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Question 24

What is the “elastic clause”?

Answer 24

Grants Congress the power to pass whatever laws are deemed “necessary and proper” to help Congress to carry out the enumerated powers