US Constitution

Question 1

U.S. Const. art. I

Answer 1

Legislative Branch: the U.S. Congress makes the laws for the United States. Congress has two parts, called “Houses,” the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Question 2

U.S. Const. art. II

Answer 2

Executive Branch: the President, Vice-President, Cabinet, and Departments under the
Cabinet Secretaries carry out the laws made by Congress.

Question 3

U.S. Const. art. III

Answer 3

Judicial Branch: the Supreme Court decides court cases according to US Constitution. The courts under the Supreme Court decide criminal and civil court cases according to the correct federal, state, and local laws.

Question 4

U.S. Const. art. IV

Answer 4

States’ powers: States have the power to make and carry out their own laws. State laws that are related to the people and problems of their area.

Question 5

U.S. Const. art. V

Answer 5

Amendments: The Constitution can be changed. New amendments can be added with the approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress (67, 281) and three-fourth vote by the states (38).

Question 6

U.S. Const. art. VI

Answer 6

Federal powers: The Constitution and federal laws are higher than state and local laws. All laws must agree with the US Constitution.

Question 7

U.S. Const. art. VI

Answer 7

Ratification: The Constitution was presented to George Washington and the men at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, Representatives from twelve out of the thirteen original states signed the Constitution.

Question 8

U.S. Const. amend. I (Bill of Rights)

Answer 8

Freedom of religion, speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the Government. 1791.

Question 9

U.S. Const. amend. II (Bill of Rights)

Answer 9

People have the right to have a weapon to protect themselves. 1791.

“2 Bear Arms”

Question 10

U.S. Const. amend. III (Bill of Rights)

Answer 10

Soldiers cannot take or live in a person’s house. 1791.

“3 Soldiers”

Question 11

U.S. Const. amend. IV (Bill of Rights)

Answer 11

The government cannot arrest a person or search their property unless there is “probable cause.” 1791.

Question 12

U.S. Const. amend. V (Bill of Rights)

Answer 12

The government must follow the law (due process) before punishing a person. 1791

Question 13

U.S. Const. amend. VI (Bill of Rights)

Answer 13

A person has the right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury. 1791

Question 14

U.S. Const. amend. VII (Bill of Rights)

Answer 14

A person has the right to a jury trial for civil cases. 1791.

Question 15

U.S. Const. amend. VIII (Bill of Rights)

Answer 15

The government cannot demand excessive bail or fines, or any cruel and unusual punishment. 1791.

Question 16

U.S. Const. amend. IX (Bill of Rights)

Answer 16

The Constitution does not include all of the rights of the people and the states. 1791.

“Constitution is not end all be all on human rights”

Question 17

U.S. Const. amend. X (Bill of Rights)

Answer 17

Any powers that the Constitution does not give to the federal government belong to the states. 1791.

“Leftover Rights” - belong to the states

Question 18

U.S. Const. amend. XI

Answer 18

Citizens cannot sue states in federal courts. (There are some exceptions). 1795.

“People can and cannot sue their state in federal court”

Question 19

U.S. Const. amend. XII

Answer 19

The President and Vice President are elected on a party ticket. 1804

Question 20

U.S. Const. amend. XIII

Answer 20

Slavery is illegal in the United States. 1865.

Question 21

U.S. Const. amend. XIV

Answer 21

Every person born in the USA is a citizen. An immigrant can become a naturalized citizen. 1868

Question 22

U.S. Const. amend. XV

Answer 22

All US male citizens have the right to vote. 1870.

Question 23

U.S. Const. amend. XVI

Answer 23

Congress can tax income. 1913.

Question 24

U.S. Const. amend. XVII

Answer 24

The people can elect US Senators. 1913.

Question 25

U.S. Const. amend. XVIII

Answer 25

Alcohol is illegal. (Prohibition). 1919.

Question 26

U.S. Const. amend. XIX

Answer 26

All US female citizens have the right to vote. 1920.

Question 27

U.S. Const. amend. XX

Answer 27

The President is inaugurated in January. Congress begins to meet in January. 1933

Question 28

U.S. Const. amend. XXI

Answer 28

Alcohol is legal. Each state can make laws about making, selling, and drinking alcohol. 1933.

Question 29

U.S. Const. amend. XXII

Answer 29

The President cannot serve for more than two terms. 1951.

Question 30

U.S. Const. amend. XXIII

Answer 30

The US Citizens in the District of Columbia have the right to vote for President. 1961

Question 31

U.S. Const. amend. XXIV

Answer 31

It is illegal to make a citizen pay a voting fee or take a reading test to vote. 1964.

Question 32

U.S. Const. amend. XXV

Answer 32

If the president dies or cannot serve, the vice-president becomes president. If both die, the Speaker of the House becomes president. 1967.

Question 33

U.S. Const. amend. XVI

Answer 33

US citizens who are 18 years old or older have the right to vote. 1971.

Question 34

U.S. Const. amend. XXVII

Answer 34

Congress must limit when and how much its members are paid. 1992