Question 1

Why is the formal amendment process so long and difficult?

Accepted Answer

A)  to protect the Constitution from being changed with every whim of the people 
B)  to ensure that the Constitution would remain essentially unchanged 
C)  to prevent the government from infringing upon the rights of the people 
D)  to encourage the people to consider other methods of change first

Question 2

In order for the Constitution to have any chance at being ratified to replace the Articles of Confederation, how many states were required to approve it?

Accepted Answer

A)  seven 
B)  nine 
C)  ten 
D)  thirteen

Question 3

What role do the states play in the formal amendment process?

Accepted Answer

A)  State legislatures have the power to repeal an amendment with a unanimous vote. 
B)  State legislatures are the only institutions that are involved in both the proposal and ratification process. 
C)  The state legislatures are able to propose an amendment with a simple majority vote. 
D)  Since Congress was granted lawmaking authority, state legislatures are responsible for passing amendments.

Question 4

In the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, the majority opinion stated that a woman had a right to seek and obtain an abortion as protected by the implied right to privacy in the Constitution. The Constitution does not explicitly state anywhere that a woman has a right to obtain an abortion, nor does it explicitly state that people have a right to privacy. This decision would therefore be an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  strict constructionism 
B)  narrow interpretation 
C)  loose constructionism 
D)  rigid constitutionalism

Question 5

Ratification of an amendment to the Constitution is the most common way to change the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which feature of the New Jersey Plan made it more appealing and beneficial to smaller, less-populous states?

Accepted Answer

A)  the unicameral legislature 
B)  a strong single executive 
C)  separation of powers 
D)  equal representation in Congress

Question 7

Imagine a new amendment lowering the voting age to 16 has been proposed and has secured the necessary votes in the House of Representatives. How many votes must be secured in the Senate for the amendment to proceed to the ratification stage?

Accepted Answer

A)  33 
B)  50 
C)  67 
D)  100

Question 8

The argument that a bill of rights would be incomplete and therefore invite the government to infringe upon any rights not listed in it was central to which of the Federalist Papers?

Accepted Answer

A)  Federalist No. 10 
B)  Federalist No. 46 
C)  Federalist No. 51 
D)  Federalist No 84

Question 9

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been known for his narrow interpretations of the Constitution's language. Specifically, Thomas has consistently interpreted the Commerce Clause of the Constitution in a way that limits the scope of what can be classified as "commerce." Given this information, to which judicial ideology does Justice Clarence Thomas most likely subscribe?

Accepted Answer

A)  strict construction 
B)  judicial activism 
C)  loose construction 
D)  open interpretation

Question 10

Why were the theories of John Locke so important during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence?

Accepted Answer

A)  Locke's theories were based on the need for war to obtain true liberty and independence. 
B)  The delegates knew the king and Parliament were admirers of Locke's theories. 
C)  Locke's theories justified the colonists' decision to separate from Britain. 
D)  His writing was plain and simple, which made it easier for the average colonist to understand.

Question 11

The ability of states to handle concerns that are local to that state, while the federal government handles national concerns that affect society as a whole, is the basis for which system of the American government?

Accepted Answer

A)  separation of powers 
B)  enumerated powers 
C)  checks and balances 
D)  federalism

Question 12

What was the main argument against the Constitution that the Anti-Federalists made during the ratification debates?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Constitution would not be as effective as the Articles of Confederation. 
B)  The Articles of Confederation were a sufficient structure of government. 
C)  The new government would not have enough power to carry out the authorities listed. 
D)  The government would infringe upon citizens' rights since it lacked a bill of rights.

Question 13

Suppose you are a delegate at the Constitutional Convention as part of Virginia's representation. You have just proposed a plan to change the American system of government that includes ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  a bicameral legislature 
B)  equal representation of states 
C)  a strong single executive 
D)  a single branch of government

Question 14

Why were Northerners opposed to the Southern states counting slaves as free people in their population?

Accepted Answer

A)  They did not want slaves to feel as though they were free persons in any way. 
B)  Doing so would boost the Southern representation in the legislature. 
C)  It would mean the North would be taxed at a higher rate than the South. 
D)  Doing so would signal the end of slavery and a likely economic collapse.

Question 15

How did the structure of government under the new Constitution differ from the structure of government in Great Britain at the time?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Constitution separated the powers of the government, while Parliament combined them. 
B)  The powers under Parliament were clearly defined, while those under the Constitution were not. 
C)  The Constitution granted the federal government more power than Parliament had. 
D)  It did not, many of the structures of government were either nearly identical or very similar. Please confirm whether this reads fine.

Question 16

A bicameral legislature in which one house would be based on proportional representation and the other house would feature equal representation was a feature of the ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  New Jersey Plan 
B)  Annapolis Compromise 
C)  Connecticut Compromise 
D)  Virginia Plan

Question 17

Who is responsible for spearheading the loose construction ideology during the United States' early years?

Accepted Answer

A)  John Adams 
B)  Thomas Jefferson 
C)  George Washington 
D)  John Marshall

Question 18

Suppose the federal government has grown significantly large and has stripped the states of most of their power due to a loose interpretation of the scope of Congress's powers in the Constitution. As a result, many American citizens feel that their basic rights have been infringed upon and do not believe that the federal government is upholding its end of the social contract. Which document can the American citizens use to justify the removal of the current government?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Declaration of Independence 
B)  Common Sense 
C)  the Federalist Papers 
D)  the Articles of Confederation

Question 19

One of the biggest weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was the inability of Congress to levy taxes.

Accepted Answer