Trivia Quiz On Amending The Constitution!
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What would it take to get an equal rights amendment added to the U.S. Constitution?
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Welcome to the quiz that tests just how much you know when it comes to amending the constitution legally. As a law student, you need to know about some of the amendments in the parts and the process through which they were achieved. Take up this quiz to see if might need to do some more research on the topic.
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- 2.
Which political institution can most easily bring about informal change to the Constitution?
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The Senate
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The House
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The Supreme Court
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State governors
Correct Answer
A. The Supreme CourtExplanation
The Supreme Court can most easily bring about informal change to the Constitution because it has the power of judicial review. This means that the Court can interpret the Constitution and make decisions that shape its meaning and application. Through its rulings, the Supreme Court can effectively change the interpretation of the Constitution and establish new precedents. This informal change can have a significant impact on the way the Constitution is understood and applied, without the need for formal amendments.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following is an example of cultural altering the Constitution?
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Adding an amendment to provide for an income tac
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Federal courts interpreting the Constitution to prohibit many forms of discrimination
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A law providing for a national role in environmental policy
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Creating a Federal Communications Commission to monitor the airwaves
Correct Answer
A. Federal courts interpreting the Constitution to prohibit many forms of discriminationExplanation
The correct answer is federal courts interpreting the Constitution to prohibit many forms of discrimination. This is an example of cultural altering the Constitution because the interpretation by the federal courts reflects the changing cultural values and societal norms regarding discrimination. As society evolves and becomes more inclusive, the courts interpret the Constitution in a way that prohibits discrimination, even if the original text may not have explicitly addressed it. This interpretation shapes and alters the understanding and application of the Constitution in relation to discrimination.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of the following is a hypothetical example of the amendment process as laid out in Article V of the Constitution?
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The president and the Supreme Court work together to create an amendment on war powers
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The Senate and House pass a resolution condemning government wiretapping, which becomes an amendment after it is signed by the president
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State legislature, both houses of Congress, and a majority of voters approve a national health care system in a nationwide referendum
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A proposed amendment to balance federal budgets is accepted by 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress and the by legislatures in 3/4 of the states
Correct Answer
A. A proposed amendment to balance federal budgets is accepted by 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress and the by legislatures in 3/4 of the states -
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To raise money to pay for the French and Indian War and the expenses of administering the colonies, what did Parliament enact?
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The Sugar act
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An export tax
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The Slave Act
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The Stamp Act
Correct Answer
A. The Sugar actExplanation
Parliament enacted the Sugar Act to raise money for the French and Indian War and the expenses of administering the colonies. The Sugar Act, passed in 1764, imposed taxes on sugar and other goods imported into the colonies. This act aimed to generate revenue for the British government and tighten control over colonial trade. The act was met with resistance from the colonists, who saw it as an infringement on their rights and a form of taxation without representation. This eventually led to increased tensions between the colonies and the British government, contributing to the American Revolution.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress?
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To iron out the difference between the colonists and the king
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To express solidarity with the people of Boston
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To declare independence from Great Britain
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To express support for the Coercive Acts
Correct Answer
A. To iron out the difference between the colonists and the kingExplanation
The purpose of the First Continental Congress was to iron out the differences between the colonists and the king. This congress was convened in response to the Coercive Acts imposed by the British government on the colonies. The delegates from the colonies came together to discuss their grievances and find a peaceful resolution to the conflicts with the king. They aimed to negotiate and seek a compromise that would address the concerns of the colonists and preserve their rights and liberties within the British Empire.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
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It set out the reasons for separation of the colonies from Great Britain
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It established a government for the newly independent colonies
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It declared war with Great Britain
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It created a union between the newly independent states
Correct Answer
A. It set out the reasons for separation of the colonies from Great BritainExplanation
The Declaration of Independence set out the reasons for the separation of the colonies from Great Britain. It outlined the grievances and grievances of the colonists against the British government and explained why they believed it was necessary to break away and form their own independent nation. The document served as a justification for the American Revolution and laid the foundation for the principles of liberty and equality that would shape the newly formed United States of America.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following did the Articles of Confederation contain?
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A legislative branch
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A simple majority requirement for enacting laws
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State governments that are subservient to the national government
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A judicial branch
Correct Answer
A. A legislative branchExplanation
The Articles of Confederation contained a legislative branch. This means that there was a body of government responsible for making laws. The legislative branch is an essential component of any government system as it ensures the representation of the people and the creation of laws that govern the nation.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What was the greatest weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
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Its failure to provide for a strong central government
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The national government's unchecked power to tax
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The ease with which it could be amended
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The inability to out an end to the Revolutionary War
Correct Answer
A. Its failure to provide for a strong central governmentExplanation
The greatest weakness of the Articles of Confederation was its failure to provide for a strong central government. The Articles created a weak central government that had limited powers and lacked the authority to enforce laws or regulate commerce. This led to numerous problems, such as the inability to collect taxes, regulate trade, or maintain a standing army. The lack of a strong central government also made it difficult to coordinate and unify the states, leading to conflicts and inefficiencies. Ultimately, these weaknesses prompted the need for a new constitution and the creation of a stronger federal government under the United States Constitution.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which of these events provided a dramatic example of the weakness inherent in the Articles of Confederation?
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Shay's Rebellion
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Battles at Lexington and Concord
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French and Indian War
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Philadelphia Convention
Correct Answer
A. Shay's RebellionExplanation
Shay's Rebellion provided a dramatic example of the weakness inherent in the Articles of Confederation. This rebellion, led by farmers in Massachusetts, highlighted the inability of the national government under the Articles to effectively respond to domestic unrest. The rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the central government, such as its inability to raise an army or levy taxes, which ultimately led to the realization that a stronger federal government was needed.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Why do some consider the supremacy clause to be the linchpin of the entire federal system?
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The supremacy clause is what gives the national government enforceable power over the states
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The supremacy clause prevents the national government from expanding its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution
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The supremacy clause ensures that the federal government does not infringe on the powers of the states
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The supremacy clause gives the president the authority to interpret laws so as to maintain the supremacy of the federal system
Correct Answer
A. The supremacy clause is what gives the national government enforceable power over the statesExplanation
The supremacy clause is considered to be the linchpin of the entire federal system because it grants the national government the authority to exercise its power over the states. This clause ensures that federal laws and treaties take precedence over state laws and that the states cannot act in a way that conflicts with the Constitution or federal laws. It establishes a clear hierarchy and prevents any potential conflicts or inconsistencies between state and federal laws, thereby maintaining the balance and integrity of the federal system.Rate this question:
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- 12.
By which method can an amendment to the Constitution be ratified?
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A vote in specially called conventions in 3/4 of the states
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Popular vote
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A vote of 2/3 of the members in both houses of Congress
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Approval of a majority of the Supreme Court
Correct Answer
A. A vote in specially called conventions in 3/4 of the statesExplanation
An amendment to the Constitution can be ratified through a vote in specially called conventions in 3/4 of the states. This means that if 3/4 of the states hold conventions and vote in favor of the amendment, it will be ratified and become part of the Constitution. This method allows for direct participation from the states and ensures that a significant majority of the states support the amendment before it is ratified.Rate this question:
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- 13.
An amendment to the Constitution can be proposed by _______.
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A vote of 2/3 of the members of both houses of Congress
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Citizens, through the initiative process
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Special conventions in 3/4 of the states
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The president of the United States
Correct Answer
A. A vote of 2/3 of the members of both houses of CongressExplanation
An amendment to the Constitution can be proposed by a vote of 2/3 of the members of both houses of Congress. This means that in order to propose an amendment, a significant majority of the members in both the House of Representatives and the Senate must agree to it. This process ensures that any proposed amendments have substantial support from the legislative branch of the government, which helps to maintain a checks and balances system and prevent hasty or frivolous changes to the Constitution.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The fact that an adoption that takes place in Nevada is also recognized in Florida is an example of _______.
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The full faith and credit clause
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Checks and balances
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The supremacy clause
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Federalism
Correct Answer
A. The full faith and credit clauseExplanation
The full faith and credit clause is a constitutional provision that requires states to recognize and respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states. This means that if an adoption is legally recognized in Nevada, it must also be recognized in Florida due to the full faith and credit clause. This clause promotes unity and consistency among states and ensures that legal decisions made in one state are respected and enforced in other states.Rate this question:
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- 15.
When the Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation as the country's first system of government, it did not create an executive branch to administer national laws because at that time the Framers feared that _________.
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A president could become a tyrant
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The office of the president would be too expensive
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The president would pursue an agenda different from the pursued by Congress
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The bureaucracy for such a branch would be unmanageable
Correct Answer
A. A president could become a tyrantExplanation
The correct answer is that the Continental Congress did not create an executive branch because at that time the Framers feared that a president could become a tyrant. This fear stemmed from their experiences under British rule and their desire to prevent any one person from having too much power. They believed that a strong executive could potentially abuse their authority and oppress the people, so they opted for a system of government without a centralized executive branch.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Which of the following best summarizes the Southern position in the debate that resulted in the Three-Fifths Compromise?
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Slaves could not vote, but the South wanted them included in the population count
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The South preferred that saves not be counted for purposes of representation because slaves were considered to be property
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The South preferred that only 3/5 of all slaves should be allowed to vote in elections for the House of Representatives
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The South preferred that slaves not count as people for purposes of representation in the House and that the vote of each slave only count as 3/5 of a vote
Correct Answer
A. Slaves could not vote, but the South wanted them included in the population countExplanation
The Southern position in the debate that resulted in the Three-Fifths Compromise was that slaves could not vote, but the South wanted them included in the population count. This means that the South wanted to count slaves as part of the population in order to have more representation in the House of Representatives, even though slaves themselves did not have the right to vote.Rate this question:
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- 17.
How did the Framers design the Constitution so that it could adapt over time?
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The language in the Constitution was left intentionally vague so that it could remain flexible
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The legislative branch is permitted to disregard outdated amendments
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The Supreme Court was given the power to change the text of the Constitution in order to protect individual liberty
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The president was given extensive emergency powers to help the United States successfully navigate through times of crisis
Correct Answer
A. The language in the Constitution was left intentionally vague so that it could remain flexibleExplanation
The Framers designed the Constitution to be adaptable over time by intentionally using vague language. This allowed for interpretation and flexibility in applying the Constitution to changing circumstances. By not explicitly outlining specific details, the Constitution could be interpreted and applied differently as society evolved. This ensured that the Constitution could remain relevant and effective in addressing the needs and challenges of future generations.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Why did the anti-Federalists push for the inclusion of a bill of rights in the Constitution?
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They felt that the Constitution lacked sufficient protections against the possibility that the new government could abuse power
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They felt that an explicit guarantee of basic rights would allow the new government to operate more efficiently
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They felt that an explicit guarantee of basic rights was essential to attract new settlers to the republic
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They felt that the new government would be unable to provide for the general welfare without the inclusion of a bill of rights
Correct Answer
A. They felt that the Constitution lacked sufficient protections against the possibility that the new government could abuse powerExplanation
The anti-Federalists pushed for the inclusion of a bill of rights in the Constitution because they believed that the Constitution did not have enough safeguards to prevent the new government from potentially abusing its power. They wanted explicit guarantees of basic rights to ensure that the government would not infringe upon individual liberties.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Which of the following is an example of how the legislative branch checks the executive branch?
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The presidential impeachment process
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The ability to rule federal laws unconstitutional
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The power to appoint federal judges
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The ability to veto legislation
Correct Answer
A. The presidential impeachment processExplanation
The presidential impeachment process is an example of how the legislative branch checks the executive branch because it allows Congress to hold the President accountable for any wrongdoing or abuse of power. Impeachment is a constitutional power given to the legislative branch to investigate and potentially remove a President from office if they are found guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors. This process ensures that the executive branch is not above the law and can be held accountable for their actions.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Which of the following is an informal process for amending the Constitution?
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Changes in judicial interpretation of the Constitution
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Laws passed by state legislatures
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Calling a national constitutional convention
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Repeal of previous amendments to the Constitution
Correct Answer
A. Changes in judicial interpretation of the ConstitutionExplanation
The process of making changes in the Constitution through judicial interpretation is considered informal because it does not involve a formal amendment process outlined in the Constitution. This refers to the power of the courts to interpret the Constitution and apply it to specific cases, which can lead to changes in the understanding and application of constitutional principles over time. Unlike the other options listed, such as laws passed by state legislatures, calling a national constitutional convention, or repealing previous amendments, changes in judicial interpretation do not require a specific procedure or approval from other branches of government.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Which of the following phrases best describes the Articles of Confederation?
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A loose league of friendship between independent states
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A unitary system of states
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A federation of dependent colonies
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A union of intertwined states
Correct Answer
A. A loose league of friendship between independent statesExplanation
The Articles of Confederation can be best described as a loose league of friendship between independent states. This is because the Articles established a weak central government that had limited powers, with most authority residing in the individual states. The states were considered independent entities that voluntarily joined together for common defense and economic cooperation, but they retained their sovereignty and autonomy. The Articles did not create a strong central authority or a unitary system of states, nor did they establish a federation of dependent colonies or a union of intertwined states.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Feb 09, 2016Quiz Created by
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