Constitution Test Study Guide ANSWER KEY
1. What is the name of America’s First Constitution?
The Articles of Confederation
2. What is a republic?
A government in which citizens rule through elected representatives.
3. List 3 similarities and 3 differences between the Articles of Confederation and the
Constitution
(Use your textbook - there are multiple examples)
4. What did the failure of the Articles of Confederation show?
That the new government needed to be more powerful
5. What is a depression?
A period when economic activity slows and unemployment increases.
6. Where did the Constitutional Convention occur? What was discussed during the
convention?
Philadelphia, Pa. Delegates had to compromise over representation and slavery. The
original purpose was to revise (change) the Articles of Confederation.
7. Describe the features of the Virginia Plan.
Proportional representation, three branches of government, bicameral legislature.
8. Who were the Federalists?
Supporters of the new Constitution
9. What were The Federalist Papers?
A book of essays explaining and supporting the Constitution.
10. Describe how the President (Executive Branch) can check Congress (Legislative
Branch)
President checks congress through vetoing.
11. Describe how the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch) can check Congress (Legislative
Branch) and the President (Executive Branch)
Supreme Court can check Congress and the President by declaring laws to be
unconstitutional.
12. Describe the most important ideas of the Three-Fifths Compromise.
- It was an agreement between northern and southern states.
- It stated that only 3/5ths of the slave population would be counted for taxes and
representation in the House.
13. Why were some people scared of the Constitution?
They were scared that it would make the national government too powerful, and in
turn, the national government would take rights away from the people.
14. Why was the Constitution created?
To provide peace and safety for the people, to establish justice, to provide a more
perfect union, to secure the blessings of liberty, and to ensure popular sovereignty.
15. Name the five principles of the Constitution and briefly describe what each one
means.
Separation of powers – each branch has their own responsibilities to fulfill to make
sure no one branch would have too much power
Checks and balances – each branch of government can check the other in multiple
ways to prevent any one branch from having too much power.
Popular sovereignty – The people have powers reserved to them
Federalism – dividing power between state governments and national government.
Limited government - the government only has powers reserved to it by the
people.
16. What formula is used to figure out how many electors each individual state
receives?
Two senators + # of their representatives
17. Which role of the President can be associated with the goal to provide for the
common defense?
Commander in Chief
18. Which roles of the President can be associated with the goal to form a more perfect
union?
ALL of them! Chief executive, chief diplomat, chief of state, commander in chief
19. How many representatives are there in the House?
435
20. How long can a Supreme Court Justice stay in office?
For life, as long as they demonstrate good behavior
21. What is the difference between a RIGHT and a RESPONSIBILITY of a citizen?
A RIGHT is something that a citizen can do, and a RESPONSIBILITY is something that
a citizen has to do. Ex: Obey Laws is an example responsibility that all citizens
have. Practice religion is an example right that all citizens have.
22. What powers do the people of the U.S. have?
Example: Elect representatives to make laws. Other examples in your textbook
and/or notes.
23. What powers do states have?
Example: establish schools. Other examples in your textbook and/or notes.
24. Are the minimum ages and term lengths for Senators and Representatives the SAME
or DIFFERENT?
Minimum ages (how old you have to be in order to be able to become a
senator/representative) and term lengths (how long they’re allowed to stay in
office) are different for the House and the Senate.
25. What is the purpose of the checks and balances system?
To make sure that no one branch of the national government gains too much power.
26. What is the main role of the Judicial Branch?
To interpret the laws.
27. Which of the goals in the Preamble to the Constitution has to do with keeping the
peace at home or within the country?
Ensuring domestic tranquility
28. Which of the goals in the Preamble to the Constitution has to do with the principle
of limited powers of government?
Secure the blessings of liberty (freedom)
29. Know and understand the following about the amendments listed below:
a. 5th Amendment – has to do with “due process of law”
b. 4th Amendment – relates to the protection of people’s rights
c. 12th Amendment – changed the way the Electoral College voted
d. 19th Amendment – relates to suffrage (voting)