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U.S. Constitution Test Review Guide
7 Principles of the U.S. Constitution
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What is popular sovereignty? The people have the control over the govt.
What is republicanism? People elect representatives to run the govt.
What is limited government? Govt. only has power that the Constitution gives to it
What is federalism? Power is divided between the federal and state govts.
What is the separation of powers? Power is divided between the 3 Branches of govt.
What are checks and balances? Ways each branch can limit the power of the others
What are individual rights? Rights given to the people by the Constitution
What does it mean to amend the Constitution? To add to or change it
Preamble
1. Memorize The Preamble.
We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
2. What are the 6 reasons for the Constitution listed in the Preamble and what do they mean?
 In order to form a more perfect union-Make a better country
 Establish justice-Make a country based on fairness and laws
 Insure domestic tranquility-Keep our country peaceful
 Provide for the common defense-Keep our country safe from enemies outside the country
 Promote the general welfare-Do what is good for the people
 Secure the Blessings of liberty-Keep our individual rights and freedoms
Branches of Government
1. What is the difference between a confederacy and a federal type of government? Skip
2. How many representatives are there in the House of Representatives? 435
3. Representatives are elected according to a state’s population.
4. What is the smallest number of representatives a state can have? 1
5. How many senators are there in the Senate? 100 (each state gets 2)
6. How many justices (judges) are there on the Supreme Court? 9
7. How long are the terms for representatives in the House of Representatives? 2 years
8. How long are the terms for senators in the Senate? 6 years
9. How long is the term for the president? 4 years
10. What are the qualifications to become:
a. President-35 yrs. old, natural-born citizen, resident of U.S. for 14 years
b. A representative-25 yrs. old, citizen for 7 years, resident of the state elected to represent
c. A senator-30 yrs. old, citizen for 9 years, resident of the state elected to represent
d. A Supreme Court justice-none listed
11. How many terms can the president serve? 2 terms What is the maximum number of years he/she can serve?
10 years
12. What is a presidential pardon? The President can overturn a conviction and forgive a criminal
13. Who appoints federal judges? President Who confirms (approves) them? Senate
14. How long is the term for a Supreme Court justice? Lifetime
15. Who makes up the legislative branch? Congress-House of Representatives and the Senate
16. Who makes up the executive branch? President, Vice President and Cabinet Advisors
17. Who makes up the judicial branch? Supreme Court and Lower Courts
18. What are the main responsibilities of the legislative branch? Makes the laws
19. What are the main responsibilities of the executive branch? Enforces the laws
20. What are the main responsibilities of the judicial branch? Interprets the laws
21. What are some of the most important checks and balances for:
a. Legislative Branch-Impeach, override President’s veto, approve President’s selection of advisors and
federal judges
b. Executive Branch-Veto, Appoints federal judges, Pardon
c. Judicial Branch-Judicial Review (decide what is and isn’t constitutional in the other branches)
22. What is the Electoral College and why did our Founding Fathers insist we have it? Group of people who
actually select the President; A safety measure in case the people make a poor choice for a leader
23. How many Electoral College votes does a president need to be elected president? 270
24. How many Electoral College votes does Illinois get in the next presidential election? 20;
(Illinois = 18 Representatives + 2 Senators = 20 Electoral College Votes)
25. How is the number of Electoral College votes determined? Number of Representatives and Senators for
each state
26. What is impeachment and who gets to do it? When Congress puts govt. officials on trial for wrongdoing
27. Briefly describe the amendment process. Watch YouTube “How to Amend the Constitution” and choose
Howcast video.
28. Briefly describe how a bill becomes a law. Review handout/graphic organizer.Watch YouTube “I’m Just a
Bill.” Must study!
29. What is a veto and who can do it? To say no or refuse to sign a bill; President
30. What is a veto override and how does it work? When Congress passes a bill anyway without the President’s
signature; Each house must pass the bill with a 2/3 majority
31. If the president dies, who becomes president? Vice President
32. If that person dies, who becomes president? Speaker of the House of Representatives
33. What is judicial review? When the Supreme Court reviews the actions of another branch of government and
rule it constitutional/unconstitutional
34. Explain what legal precedent means. When the Supreme Court makes a ruling and that determines how the
law will be interpreted; All other courts have to follow their ruling
35. What types of cases does the Supreme Court usually select? Cases between states, between states and the
federal government, cases dealing with the meaning of the Constitution, cases involving the individual rights
of citizens
Bill of Rights
1. Be able to briefly describe each of the 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights (Skip 3, 7, 9).
1st-Freedom of Speech, Religion and Press
2nd-Right to own guns
4th-Protecton from unfair search or seizure (taking of property)-must have warrant
5th-Right to a fair trial-can remain silent
6th-Right to have a speedy, jury trial
8th-Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment-torture
10th-The federal government only has the powers given to it in the Constitution-remaining powers belong to the
states and the people
2. Be able to apply the first 10 amendments to real-life situations (Skip 3, 7, 9).