Test Your U.S. Constitutional Knowledge

1.

How many states took part in writing the the Constitution?

A.

13
B.

11
C.

12
D.

10

Correct Answer
C. 12

Explanation
Only 12 of the 13 original states actually took part in writing the US Constitution. Rhode Island did not attend the Constitutional Convention though they eventually were the last state to ratify the document in 1790.

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2.

Who is considered the "father of the Constitution"?

A.

George Washington
B.

Thomas Jefferson
C.

James Madision
D.

John Adams

Correct Answer
C. James Madision

3.

The first ten amendments are known as the .

Correct Answer
Bill of Rights
bill of rights
"Bill of Rights"
'bill of rights"
The Bill of Rights

4.

What fraction of both houses of Congress does it take to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

A.

3/4ths
B.

1/2
C.

2/3rds
D.

5/8ths

Correct Answer
C. 2/3rds

Explanation
To propose an amendment 1. 2/3 of both houses of Congress vote to propose and amendment or 2. 2/3 of the state legislatures ask Congress to call a national convention

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5.

In The United States, a person can be convicted of treason only if:

A.

The jury finds probable cause.
B.

There are at least two witnesses to the same act or the person confesses in court.
C.

The person has been compelled to testify against him or herself.
D.

Both A and B.

Correct Answer
B. There are at least two witnesses to the same act or the person confesses in court.

6.

What does it mean when an accused criminal "pleads the fifth"?

A.

He wants to exercise his right to an attorney.
B.

He refuses to testify against himself.
C.

He agrees to testify against someone else for immunity.
D.

He believes he is wrongfully accused.

Correct Answer
B. He refuses to testify against himself.

7.

Who was the first President of the United States under the Articles of Confederation?

A.

Benjamin Franklin
B.

George Washington
C.

John Hanson
D.

John Hancock

Correct Answer
C. John Hanson

Explanation
When we think of the President of the United States, many people do not realize that we are actually referring to presidents elected under the U.S. Constitution. Everybody knows that the first president in that sense was George Washington. But in fact the Articles of Confederation, the predecessor to the Constitution, also called for a president– albeit one with greatly diminished powers. Eight men were appointed to serve one-year terms as president under the Articles of Confederation. The first was John Hanson, in 1781. His exact title was the “President of the United States in Congress Assembled.”

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8.

Unitl the 25th Amendment was passed, what happended if the Vice President died in office?

A.

The President appointed a new Vice President.
B.

There would be a special election for a new Vice President.
C.

There would be no Vice President until the next presidential election.
D.

The Speaker of the House would become Vice President.

Correct Answer
C. There would be no Vice President until the next presidential election.

9.

To become a Senator how old do you have to be?

A.

25
B.

35
C.

30
D.

40
E.

45

Correct Answer
C. 30

10.

How many amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution?

A.

10
B.

22
C.

27
D.

25

Correct Answer
C. 27

Explanation
Michigan became the thirty-eighth state to ratify the second proposed amendment that dealt with Congressional raises on May 7, 1992. Thus, two hundred and three years after it was introduced, the proposal placing restrictions on congressional pay raises became our twenty-seventh United States amendment and most immediate change to the Constitution.

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11.

Which amendment abolished slavery?

A.

Amendment 11
B.

Amendment 16
C.

Amendment 14
D.

Amendment 13

Correct Answer
D. Amendment 13

12.

Which amendment allowed Congress to lay and collect taxes on incomes?

A.

Amendment 16
B.

Amendment 22
C.

Amendment 15
D.

Amendement 27

Correct Answer
A. Amendment 16

13.

The 22nd Amendment limits Presidents to how many terms?

A.

3
B.

4
C.

8
D.

2

Correct Answer
D. 2

14.

How many amendments have been overturned by a new amendment to the Constitution?

A.

2
B.

3
C.

1
D.

4

Correct Answer
C. 1

Explanation
Only one amendment has overturned a previous amendment. The Twenty-first Amendment (1933) repealed the prohibition of alcohol, which was established by the Eighteenth Amendment (1919).

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15.

Where did the first Congress under the Constitution convene in?

A.

Washington, DC
B.

New York City
C.

Philadelphia
D.

Boston
E.

York Town

Correct Answer
B. New York City

16.

In what year was George Washington inaugurated as President of the United States?

A.

1776
B.

1789
C.

1787
D.

1865
E.

1812

Correct Answer
B. 1789

17.

Did Thomas Jefferson sign the Constitution?

A.

Yes
B.

No

Correct Answer
B. No

Explanation
Thomas Jefferson did not sign the Constitution. He was in France during the Convention, where he served as the U.S. minister.

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18.

The first time the formal term “The United States of America” was used was in the Constitution?

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
The first time the formal term “The United States of America” was used was in the Declaration of Independence.

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19.

The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution of any major government?

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world."

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