Question 1

Is the Constitution still relevant today? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The Constitution is still relevant today, even though it was written in 1787. One reason for its continued relevance is its ambiguity. Key passages in the Constitution were written in very broad language. This has allowed the document to evolve along with changing norms, values, and political contexts. Another way it is still relevant is because it can be amended. Though difficult due to the requirements needed for an amendment to be added to the Constitution, an amendment can change the Constitution dramatically. A final way that the Constitution maintains its relevance is through changing views of the document by multiple interpreters. Even though much of the text of the Constitution has not changed, its meaning varies depending upon who is interpreting the document.

Question 2

In Federalist 10, James Madison determined that the central problem for government is the need to control ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  factions 
B)  for executive tyranny 
C)  a powerful Speaker of the House 
D)  anarchy 
A)  factions 
B)  for executive tyranny 
C)  a powerful Speaker of the House 
D)  anarchy A

Question 3

The Constitution is a "living document" because

Accepted Answer

A)  there is a consensus among Americans that it should be strictly followed. 
B)  it is very explicit and clear. 
C)  there are a variety of viewpoints on how to interpret it. 
D)  Congress can change it through the amendment process. 
A)  there is a consensus among Americans that it should be strictly followed. 
B)  it is very explicit and clear. 
C)  there are a variety of viewpoints on how to interpret it. 
D)  Congress can change it through the amendment process. C

Question 4

Which one of the following is an exclusive power of the legislative branch?

Accepted Answer

A)  the ability to implement laws 
B)  the ability to create regulations 
C)  the power to declare war 
D)  the power to issue pardons 
A)  the ability to implement laws 
B)  the ability to create regulations 
C)  the power to declare war 
D)  the power to issue pardons

Question 5

Provide several concrete examples of checks and balances that are in the U.S. Constitution.

Accepted Answer

Answers will likely vary, but here are s

Question 6

Interpreting the Constitution

Accepted Answer

A)  has been fairly consistent in the past 200 years. 
B)  has been affected by public opinion and social norms. 
C)  has not promoted conflict very often in U.S. history. 
D)  is an issue of great interest to most Americans. 
A)  has been fairly consistent in the past 200 years. 
B)  has been affected by public opinion and social norms. 
C)  has not promoted conflict very often in U.S. history. 
D)  is an issue of great interest to most Americans.

Question 7

Who wanted to debate adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution during the Constitutional Convention?

Accepted Answer

A)  James Madison and George Washington 
B)  James Madison and Alexander Hamilton 
C)  Thomas Jefferson and John Adams 
D)  George Mason and Elbridge Gerry 
A)  James Madison and George Washington 
B)  James Madison and Alexander Hamilton 
C)  Thomas Jefferson and John Adams 
D)  George Mason and Elbridge Gerry

Question 8

A form of government in which the executive leader is chosen by the legislature is called a ________ system.

Accepted Answer

A)  separation of powers 
B)  presidential 
C)  parliamentary 
D)  democratic 
A)  separation of powers 
B)  presidential 
C)  parliamentary 
D)  democratic

Question 9

The Supreme Court justices gave themselves the power of judicial review.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

The framers of the Constitution perceived that most people were motivated by self-interest.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The framers of the Constitution shared three key principles. What were they? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The framers achieved broad consensus on

Question 12

While the ________ can make decisions about how to use armed forces, only the ________ can make decisions about funding such actions.

Accepted Answer

A)  president; Supreme Court 
B)  Congress; House of Representatives 
C)  president; Congress 
D)  House of Representatives; Senate 
A)  president; Supreme Court 
B)  Congress; House of Representatives 
C)  president; Congress 
D)  House of Representatives; Senate

Question 13

Which one of the following is true about the Federalists and the Antifederalists?

Accepted Answer

A)  They were the first two political parties in America. 
B)  They had similar views of how much national power was appropriate. 
C)  Americans largely supported one movement or the other following the drafting of the Constitution. 
D)  Americans generally favored the Articles of Confederation over the Constitution during the ratification debate. 
A)  They were the first two political parties in America. 
B)  They had similar views of how much national power was appropriate. 
C)  Americans largely supported one movement or the other following the drafting of the Constitution. 
D)  Americans generally favored the Articles of Confederation over the Constitution during the ratification debate.

Question 14

The main reaction to the failure of the Articles of Confederation was to

Accepted Answer

A)  focus on resolving debates between the state governments. 
B)  rein in the power of the national government. 
C)  encourage stronger state governments. 
D)  make the national government stronger. 
A)  focus on resolving debates between the state governments. 
B)  rein in the power of the national government. 
C)  encourage stronger state governments. 
D)  make the national government stronger.

Question 15

________ was the only state to boycott the Constitutional Convention.

Accepted Answer

A)  New Hampshire 
B)  South Carolina 
C)  Rhode Island 
D)  Maine 
A)  New Hampshire 
B)  South Carolina 
C)  Rhode Island 
D)  Maine

Question 16

The Antifederalists argued that the power of ________ was "a political error of the greatest magnitude."

Accepted Answer

A)  the purse 
B)  the sword 
C)  the veto 
D)  declaring war 
A)  the purse 
B)  the sword 
C)  the veto 
D)  declaring war

Question 17

The elastic clause

Accepted Answer

A)  increases the power of Congress. 
B)  decreases the power of Congress. 
C)  increases the power of the president. 
D)  decreases the power of the president. 
A)  increases the power of Congress. 
B)  decreases the power of Congress. 
C)  increases the power of the president. 
D)  decreases the power of the president.

Question 18

The Articles of Confederation served as the basis of organizing the government during the Revolutionary War.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The Virginia Plan proposed a parliamentary system of government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Why did the British pass the Stamp Act of 1765?

Accepted Answer

A)  to punish the colonists for pursuing independence 
B)  to help fund the French and Indian War 
C)  to help them colonize Africa 
D)  to allow them to cut taxes in Great Britain 
A)  to punish the colonists for pursuing independence 
B)  to help fund the French and Indian War 
C)  to help them colonize Africa 
D)  to allow them to cut taxes in Great Britain

Is the Constitution still relevant today? Explain.

In Federalist 10, James Madison determined that the central problem for government is the need to control ________.

The Constitution is a "living document" because

Which one of the following is an exclusive power of the legislative branch?

Provide several concrete examples of checks and balances that are in the U.S. Constitution.

Interpreting the Constitution

Who wanted to debate adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution during the Constitutional Convention?

A form of government in which the executive leader is chosen by the legislature is called a ________ system.

The Supreme Court justices gave themselves the power of judicial review.

The framers of the Constitution perceived that most people were motivated by self-interest.

The framers of the Constitution shared three key principles. What were they? Explain.

While the can make decisions about how to use armed forces, only the can make decisions about funding such actions.

Which one of the following is true about the Federalists and the Antifederalists?

The main reaction to the failure of the Articles of Confederation was to

________ was the only state to boycott the Constitutional Convention.

The Antifederalists argued that the power of ________ was "a political error of the greatest magnitude."

The elastic clause

The Articles of Confederation served as the basis of organizing the government during the Revolutionary War.

The Virginia Plan proposed a parliamentary system of government.

Why did the British pass the Stamp Act of 1765?

Understanding American Politics

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion and the Media

Political Parties

Elections

Interest Groups

Congress

The Presidency

The Bureaucracy

The Courts

Economic and Social Policy

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Exam 2: The Constitution and the Founding

Is the Constitution still relevant today? Explain.

In Federalist 10, James Madison determined that the central problem for government is the need to control ________.

The Constitution is a "living document" because

Which one of the following is an exclusive power of the legislative branch?

Provide several concrete examples of checks and balances that are in the U.S. Constitution.

Interpreting the Constitution

Who wanted to debate adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution during the Constitutional Convention?

A form of government in which the executive leader is chosen by the legislature is called a ________ system.

The Supreme Court justices gave themselves the power of judicial review.

The framers of the Constitution perceived that most people were motivated by self-interest.

The framers of the Constitution shared three key principles. What were they? Explain.

While the ________ can make decisions about how to use armed forces, only the ________ can make decisions about funding such actions.

Which one of the following is true about the Federalists and the Antifederalists?

The main reaction to the failure of the Articles of Confederation was to

________ was the only state to boycott the Constitutional Convention.

The Antifederalists argued that the power of ________ was "a political error of the greatest magnitude."

The elastic clause

The Articles of Confederation served as the basis of organizing the government during the Revolutionary War.

The Virginia Plan proposed a parliamentary system of government.

Why did the British pass the Stamp Act of 1765?

Understanding American Politics

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion and the Media

Political Parties

Elections

Interest Groups

Congress

The Presidency

The Bureaucracy

The Courts

Economic and Social Policy

Foreign Policy

Filters

While the can make decisions about how to use armed forces, only the can make decisions about funding such actions.