Week 2- U.S. Constitution

1. Which of the following documents represents the first adopted Constitution for the United States

Declaration of Independence

Bill of Rights

Articles of Confederation

Virginia Plan

Connecticut Plan

The Articles of Confederation represents the first adopted Constitution for the United States. It was ratified in 1781 and served as the governing document for the newly formed nation until the Constitution was adopted in 1789. The Articles established a weak central government with limited powers, giving more authority to the individual states. However, it proved to be ineffective in addressing the nation's problems, leading to the need for a stronger federal government, which was achieved through the adoption of the Constitution.

Explanation

The Articles of Confederation represents the first adopted Constitution for the United States. It was ratified in 1781 and served as the governing document for the newly formed nation until the Constitution was adopted in 1789. The Articles established a weak central government with limited powers, giving more authority to the individual states. However, it proved to be ineffective in addressing the nation's problems, leading to the need for a stronger federal government, which was achieved through the adoption of the Constitution.

2.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." This text is from which Amendment?

A. 5th Amendment

B. 4th Amendment

C. 10th Amendment

D. 2nd Amendment

E. 6th Amendment

The given text is from the 2nd Amendment. It states that the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. This amendment is often interpreted as protecting the individual right to own firearms.

Explanation

The given text is from the 2nd Amendment. It states that the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. This amendment is often interpreted as protecting the individual right to own firearms.

3. Every ten years, the House must

A. Select a new speaker

B. Reorganize the committees

C. Set the national budget priorities

D. Redistribute the numbers of representatives the states have

E. Redistribute the power of subcommittee and committee chairpersons

due to the constitutionally mandated census and reapportionment of the House

Explanation

due to the constitutionally mandated census and reapportionment of the House

4. When the Articles of Confederation were adopted, the nation's major concern was dominated by

Slavery

Religious freedom

Equality for Women

Political dominance by the central government

Economic issues

Remember colonists feared how strong the central government was under the British Monarchy

Explanation

Remember colonists feared how strong the central government was under the British Monarchy

5. Which power was NOT included in the U.S. Constitution

The vice president's position in two federal branches

The president is the commander in chief

Congress's power to filibuster bills to death

Congress's power to suspend writs of habeas corpus

Congress's ability to tax

The Senate's power to filibuster (talk a bill to death) is a power granted to them through tradition. It is NOT written in the U.S. Constitution

Explanation

The Senate's power to filibuster (talk a bill to death) is a power granted to them through tradition. It is NOT written in the U.S. Constitution

6. Which of the following was viewed by the framers of the Constitution as the center of policy making in the U.S.?

A. President’s Cabinet

B. Secretary of State

C. President

D. Congress

E. Supreme Court

legislative branch is law making body

Explanation

legislative branch is law making body

7. Today the Constitution calls for these officials to be directly elected by registered voters

A. Justices of the Supreme Court

B. President and vice president

C. Cabinet secretaries in the Presidential Cabinet

D. House and Senate Members

E. Members of the electoral college

the officials directly elected by the people are House and Senate members. How members were always chosen by the people; the 17th Amendment changed the election of United States senators from state legislatures to the people of the various states.

Explanation

the officials directly elected by the people are House and Senate members. How members were always chosen by the people; the 17th Amendment changed the election of United States senators from state legislatures to the people of the various states.

8.

Which of the following has the responsibility for creating additional federal courts and assigning the number of judges who will preside in them?

A. The secretary of the treasury

B. The attorney general

C. The secretary of the Department of Justice

D. The president

E. The Congress

the Constitution grants Congress the power to create federal courts and to assign the number of judges who preside in them

Explanation

the Constitution grants Congress the power to create federal courts and to assign the number of judges who preside in them

9.

Which of the following concepts are mentioned in the Preamble to the Constitution

I. Establish justice II. Provide for the common defense III. Secure the blessings of education IV. Promote the general welfare

I, II, III, and IV

III only

I and II only

I, II, III only

I, II and IV

The Preamble to the Constitution mentions the concepts of establishing justice, providing for the common defense, and promoting the general welfare. These concepts reflect the goals and intentions of the Constitution, which include ensuring a fair and just society, protecting the nation, and improving the well-being of the people. The concept of securing the blessings of education is not mentioned in the Preamble. Therefore, the correct answer is I, II, and IV.

Explanation

The Preamble to the Constitution mentions the concepts of establishing justice, providing for the common defense, and promoting the general welfare. These concepts reflect the goals and intentions of the Constitution, which include ensuring a fair and just society, protecting the nation, and improving the well-being of the people. The concept of securing the blessings of education is not mentioned in the Preamble. Therefore, the correct answer is I, II, and IV.

10. Which of the following statements describe the Articles of Confederation? I. Domination of the government by the states II. A national congress with one house and no executive III. No national court system IV. No ability of the central government to enforce the collection of taxes

I only

I and II only

I, II, and III only

I and IV only

I, II, III, and IV

all of the statements describe the Articles of Confederation

Explanation

all of the statements describe the Articles of Confederation

11. The Senate became a more democratic institution because

A. Filibuster and cloture rules were clarified

B. More nonwealthy citizens were being elected

C. More states were added to the union, thus more senators

D. The seniority system was weakened

E. Elections were taken from states and given to the public

the 17th Amendment gives people the power to elect their senators directly

Explanation

the 17th Amendment gives people the power to elect their senators directly

12. The 22^nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution establishes which of the following?

A. It repealed the policy of prohibition established earlier

B. It limited U.S. presidents to two terms

C. It established a system for presidential succession and presidential disability

D. It lowered the voting age in the United States to 18 years of age

E. It changed the method by which Congress can raise its salaries

following Franklin Roosevelt having been elected to four terms as president

Explanation

following Franklin Roosevelt having been elected to four terms as president

13. Which of the following plans created a compromise that led to the formation of a bicameral legislation

The Great Compromise

New Jersey Plan

Virginia Plan

Three-Fifth Compromise

The federalist and anti federalist compromise

The Great Compromise created a compromise that led to the formation of a bicameral legislation. This plan, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was proposed during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It resolved the conflict between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan by suggesting a bicameral legislature, with representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation for all states in the Senate. This compromise successfully balanced the interests of both large and small states, ultimately leading to the formation of the United States Congress as we know it today.

Explanation

The Great Compromise created a compromise that led to the formation of a bicameral legislation. This plan, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was proposed during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It resolved the conflict between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan by suggesting a bicameral legislature, with representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation for all states in the Senate. This compromise successfully balanced the interests of both large and small states, ultimately leading to the formation of the United States Congress as we know it today.

14. Which of the following powers is NOT given to the president by the U.S. Constitution

The president has the power to grant pardons for federal crimes

The president can create new Cabinet

The president has the power to veto bills sent to him by Congress

The president commissions officers in the various branches of the military

D. The president has the power to appoint ambassadors with the advice and consent of the United States Senate

the president does not have the power to create Cabinet-level departments as he feels necessary. Only Congress can create new Cabinet-level positions. The president may request them but it is Congress that creates them

Explanation

the president does not have the power to create Cabinet-level departments as he feels necessary. Only Congress can create new Cabinet-level positions. The president may request them but it is Congress that creates them

15. One power the president holds without congressional check is

A. Selecting the leaders of the executive branch

B. Creating the federal budget

C. Guiding the year’s agenda through the State of the Union message

D. The ability to request that certain committees hear his priorities

E. The ability to forgive the crimes of some citizens

one power that presidents hold without Congressional checks is the power of the pardon.

Explanation

one power that presidents hold without Congressional checks is the power of the pardon.

16.

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of "reserved powers" of the states?

A. These are powers given to the states through the implied powers concept

B. These are powers not specifically granted to the national government or denied to states

C. These are powers given only to Congress and are not available to the executive branch

D. These are powers given only to the Supreme Court

E. These are powers such as foreign trade agreements over which states maintain only a small amount of control

reserved powers are discussed in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. Essentially, reserved powers are any powers not given to the national government or prohibited to the states by the Constitution; these powers are reserved for the state

Explanation

reserved powers are discussed in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. Essentially, reserved powers are any powers not given to the national government or prohibited to the states by the Constitution; these powers are reserved for the state

17. All of the following are considered enumerated or expressed powers of the Congress except

Coining U.S. currency after the Constitution was ratified

Establishing inferior courts in addition to the Supreme Court

Setting up the first National Bank of the United States

Establishing uniform immigration laws

Regulating commerce among the several states

enumerated powers are implied powers of Congress--- usually based on the elastic clause

Explanation

enumerated powers are implied powers of Congress--- usually based on the elastic clause

18. Congress has all of the following powers EXCEPT

The right to set salaries for its members

The right to remove members of Congress

The right to create huge national debt

The power to serve temporarily as members of the Electoral College

The right not to pay the military

Congress does not have the right to serve temporarily as members of the Electoral College. All of the other rights listed are granted by the Constitution except this dual role. Members of the Electoral College may not hold elected office

Explanation

Congress does not have the right to serve temporarily as members of the Electoral College. All of the other rights listed are granted by the Constitution except this dual role. Members of the Electoral College may not hold elected office

19. John Locke's Second Treatise of Civil Government advocates

Social contract

Rights for the minority

Natural rights

Democratic rule

Life, liberty and property

John Locke talks about natural rights and social contract between government and the people. He had a major influence on Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence

Explanation

John Locke talks about natural rights and social contract between government and the people. He had a major influence on Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence

20. Each of the following was true of the founders' goals for the legislature EXCEPT

A. The public could directly select only some members

B. The legislature should have controls placed on its powers

C. The legislature should defer to the executive in foreign matters

D. The legislature could set its own salary level

E. The legislature should be the clear leader of the national government

it is not true that the legislature should defer to the executive in foreign matters. The fact that the legislature must approve treaties is an example of its involvement in foreign affairs.

Explanation

it is not true that the legislature should defer to the executive in foreign matters. The fact that the legislature must approve treaties is an example of its involvement in foreign affairs.

21. All of the following are evidence of the original dominance of Congress EXCEPT

Presidential veto powers

The length and detail of Article I

Checks on presidential appointments

The legislative branch is the first Article of the Consitution

All are examples of Congressional dominance

Congress can override vetos, the length shows the powers the founders wanted to give to the body directly elected by the people, Senate has to approve presidential appointments, recess appointments have to be reviewed after one year. So all are ways that Congress is more powerful than the president

Explanation

Congress can override vetos, the length shows the powers the founders wanted to give to the body directly elected by the people, Senate has to approve presidential appointments, recess appointments have to be reviewed after one year. So all are ways that Congress is more powerful than the president

22. Which of the following governmental bodies is most directly responsible to the electorate

The House of Representatives

The Senate

The executive branch

The Supreme Court

The bureaucracy

The House of Representatives is the body closest to the people

Explanation

The House of Representatives is the body closest to the people

23. The constitution's writers carefully drafted a document that would create

Strong states and a weak central government

Weakened power in the state and national government

The ability to adapt to changing times

A dominant national government with no active participation from the states

An equal distribution of power between the states and national government

Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent to changing the constitution, the new constitution allows for more adaptations because it only requires 2/3 of congress and 3/4 of the states

Explanation

Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent to changing the constitution, the new constitution allows for more adaptations because it only requires 2/3 of congress and 3/4 of the states

24. The founders wanted to limit the legislative powers over citizens by

A. Denying them the power to remover certain rights in peace times

B. Having only the House create tax legislation

C. Having the Supreme Court decide the constitutional status of laws

D. Giving the executive power to increase or decrease taxes

E. Giving the executive the power to create independent agencies

the founders wanted to limit legislative powers by not letting them remove certain rights in normal times. These limitations are contained in Article 1, Section 9

Explanation

the founders wanted to limit legislative powers by not letting them remove certain rights in normal times. These limitations are contained in Article 1, Section 9

25. The implied power clause in the Constitution has been described as the ability of Congress to take which of the following actions

Pass an assault weapons ban

Withdraw funds allocated to troops in Haiti

Pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution

Raise the price of stamps to 34 cents

Pass a law setting quotas for immigration

implied means its not expressedly written into the constitution- Troop funding, passing an amendment, postal service and immigration policy are all expressed powers to congress

Explanation

implied means its not expressedly written into the constitution- Troop funding, passing an amendment, postal service and immigration policy are all expressed powers to congress