Name ____Teacher Key____________________
Constitution Scavenger Hunt
The rules are simple. You are to use the U.S. Constitution to find the answers for all of the following
questions. All questions with regular type can be directly answered by using the document. Please
properly cite these answers to show where its location in the document (i.e. Art. I, Section 8, Cl.
18). The bold questions may take some research or at least a look at a different part of the
Constitution. Questions in italics at the end of each section are interpretive or based on application of
what you know. Good luck!
Key :
Regular type = answers in the Constitution text or implied by the text
Italics = your evaluation
Bold = Look it up
Preamble
1. The Preamble says that the Constitution is established by we the people__.
(Write this answer in CAPITAL letters so they can read it in South Carolina.)
2. The Preamble lists six reasons for writing the Constitution. They are:
a. to form a more perfect union
b. establish justice
c. ensure domestic tranquility
d. provide for the common defense
e. promote general welfare
f. secure the blessings of liberty
3. What is the purpose of the Preamble?
To state why they are writing this document.
4. Pick two of the above reasons and explain what each means to you?
Article I
1. Article I deals with the Legislative branch of government. (citation ______________)
2. The power to make national laws is given to Congress which is divided into two houses (bicameral)
known as the House of Representatives and the Congress. (citation _______________)
3-14. Complete the chart.
Length of Term
House of Representatives
(citation _______________)
2 Years
Senate
(citation _______________)
6 years
Minimum Age to Serve
25 Years Old
30 years
Citizenship
7 Years
9 years
Where do they have to live?
State which elected
State which elected
How is representation (the
number) determined for each
state?
Total number today
Based on population
2 per state
435
100
Find out: Who represents you Leonard Lance – R or
in each of these areas?
Rodney Frelinghuysen - R
List their name and political
party.
Cory Booker - D
Bob Menendez - D
15. Article I says that Representatives have always been elected by __The people___. Senators used
to be elected by State Legislature
; (citation _Art 1 Sec 1______________)
however the 17th____ Amendment changed that and _citizens______ were given the right to
elect Senators directly. When did this happen? _5-13-1913__________________
16. The leader of the House of Representatives is called the _Speaker_ of the House.
(citation _Art 1 Sec 2______________)
Who currently holds this position? List his name, state, and political party.
John Boehner - R. Ohio
18. The president of the Senate (who only votes in cases of a tie) is the _Vice President__. His name
is_Joe Biden___. (citation __Art 1 Sec 3_____________)
Powers of the Legislative Branch
19. Article I, Section 2 gives __House of Reps_____ the power to impeach a government official.
(citation _______________)
Define impeach. To charge a holder of public office with misconduct
20. An impeached official must be tried in front of the __Senate____. If convicted, he or she is
_Removed_____ from office. If a President of the United States is impeached, the _Chief Justice__
presides as judge in the trial. (citation __ Art 1 Sec 3_____________)
The Chief Justice is __John Roberts_.
Find out: Which two U.S. presidents were impeached? When? What was the result of their
trials? – Johnson and Clinton
The Legislative process (citation _______________)
28. To become a law, a bill must be approved by both the House of Representatives and
Senate. It is then sent to the _President.
If the president signs__ the bill, it becomes law.
If the president vetoes___ the bill it does not become law unless both houses of Congress reconsider
the bill and pass it again by a __2/3__ majority. This is called an _over ride_________ of a veto.
If the president does not sign or veto the bill within 10 days it __becomes a law____________.
If Congress adjourns before the 10 days is up and the President does not sign the bill, it does
not become law. This is called a _ Pocket Veto _________________.
29. Why did the Founders include all of these steps? Why do you think the Constitution gives veto
power to the President? How does it limit that veto power?
Veto power to the President – Congress may override by 2/3 majority vote
Checks and Balances
To make it hard to pass a law
Powers Granted to Congress (Article 1, Section 8)
21. What do the first six powers of Congress have in common? Give specific examples to defend your
answer.
All work together – all involve the economy – taxation and regulation (coining money, borrow $)
22. What can Congress do according to clause 7 and 8?
Help with the efficient running of commerce, economic activity and innovation/science - Create and
establish roads and post offices, promote the sciences and art
23. Is clause 9 a Separation of Power or a Check and Balance?
Check and Balance – Congress makes lesser courts within the judicial branch
24. What do clauses 10-16 give Congress the power to do?
Dealing with / fighting/ national threats
Declaring war – foreign affairs
25. What important national landmark(s) was created by Congress according to clause 17?
Forts, Arsenals, docks, yards, and other useful buildings.
Washington DC
26. One of the most important clauses in the Constitution is the elastic clause (Article I, Section 8,
Clause 18). Explain why this is so important. This gives Congress the Power to make any law that is
‘necessary and proper’ Allows the powers of Congress to “expand” to fulfill the previous 17 delegated
powers.
27. List 3 specific powers not given under the Articles of Confederation were given to Congress?
Raise money, print money, military
Powers denied to Congress and the States (Sections 9 and 10)
28. Define Habeas Corpus (Art. 9, sec. 2) , Bill of Attainder and ex post facto laws (Art. 9, sec. 3).
Why might Congress be limited in these areas?
-Habeas Corpus – Cannot be held without being charged
-Bill of Attainder – legislative act finding a person or group of persons guilty without a jury trial
Ex post facto law – a law that retroactively changes the penalty for a law before the passage of a
law (i.e. Driving blue cars was legal. A law is passed making blue cars illegal. Anybody driving a
blue car prior to the passage of the law cannot be punished)
29. States are not allowed to print money, make treaties or have their own army/navy to fight a war.
Why not?
Section 8 explicitly states that these powers are reserved for Congress – Should a state be able
to make separate peace treaty with a foreign country?
Scenarios
30. Lois Deevers, a Texan for 2 years, is 26 years old and has been a U.S. citizen for 10 years. Can
she serve as a Congresswoman from Texas? Can she serve in the Senate?
Yes to serving in the House
No to serving in the Senate
31. The Senate votes 50 to 50 on a bill, what happens next?
The Vice President casts the tie-breaking vote
32. A Congressman is caught taking bribes to support legislation to allow logging in national parks.
Can he be removed from office? How?
Yes – 2/3 of voting members must elect to expel her from Congress
33. Can NJ put a tariff on goods coming into our state from NY?
No – it is explicitly stated that no taxes or duties may be passed on items exported between
states
34. Can a President declare war on another country? Explain.
No – only Congress may declare war on another country
Article II
1. Article II deals with the Executive branch branch. (citation _______________)
2. This branch of government is responsible for enforcement of the law.
(citation _A:2 S:1 ______________)
Presidential Chart 3-6. (citation __ A:2 S:1 C:5_____________)
Length of each term
Minimum Age to Serve
Residency
4 years
35
14
Citizenship
Natural born citizen
7. Many Americans think the president is elected directly by the people, but this is not true. The
president is actually chosen by the Electoral College. (This ain’t no party school!)
(citation _ A:2 S:1 C:3______________)
The total number of electors for each state equals its number of Representatives plus its number of
Senators.
What was the total number of electors in 2012? 538
8. If no candidate secures a majority of electoral votes (which has happened a few times and almost
happened in 2000), the House determines the presidential winner.
(citation _ A:2 S:1 C:3______________)
During this process, each state gets 1 vote(s).
Why do you think this body gets to choose? More proposed amendments to the Constitution have been
focused on this body than any other topic. Why?
Because the HOR is based on population and are directly voted on by the people.
9. Before the 12th Amendment, how was the vice-president chosen? (citation A:2 S:1 C:3_)
-The person that received the second most Electoral Votes
10. According to Article II, the presidential inauguration is on March 4. This is no longer the case.
(citation _ A:2 S:2_____) When is the inauguration held today? Why this change?
January 20 – limited the potential for a lame duck legislative and executive sessions, and dealt with the
potential problem of having no President-Elect
11. Read the presidential oath. (citation A:2 S:1 C:8__) Congratulations!
Presidential Powers/Duties
11. What does the word pardon mean? (citation _______________)
The forgiveness of a crime and exemption from punishment or penalty
What principle of the Constitution is represented by the power to pardon? What limitation is placed on
this Presidential power?
-Cannot use the pardon power to end impeachment
12. List three powers the president can use with 2/3 approval of the Senate. (citation _____________)
a. Create treaties
b. appoint diplomats and ministers
c. Supreme Court Justices
13. The president speaks to a joint session of Congress (both houses together) every January. Does
he have to speak to them and does he have to do it once a year? (citation _ A:2 S:3 C:1__)
He has to speak to them, but only must speak with them or convene both houses “from time to time”
What is the name of this speech? State of the Union
14. The three things that can lead to the removal of a president or vice-president are Treason, bribery,
high crimes and misdemeanors.
(citation A:1 S:4 C:1_____)
What does each of these things mean?
-Treason – attempting to overthrow the government
-Bribery – accepting some form of payment for political favors/illegal activity
-high crimes and misdemeanors – anything else(?)
15. The president is the “commander and chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the
militia of the several states.” (citation _ A:1 S:2 C:1___) What does that mean?
He exerts ultimate authority over the armed forces
Given this power, why might it be important that the president be a civilian, rather than an acting
general or admiral, while serving? What power does he have over U.S. troops?
-Presidential orders must be followed
-The founding fathers were suspicious of standing armies, and it was important that no one executive
or legislative body have supreme control of the military
16. Who becomes the president if the president dies? Vice President (citation _______________)
Who was the first president to die in office?
William Henry Harrison
17 What is the presidential cabinet? How does Article II, Section 2, clause 3 create this?
Not clearly defined in the Constitution – First 4 created are – Treasury, War, State and Justice)
Currently the President has 15
A group of advisors and appointments that oversee various actions for the president. This portion of the
Constitution states that the president may make these appointments, but that they may be vetted by
Congress.
Article III
1. Article III deals with the __Judiciary_____________________ branch of government.
(citation A:3 S:1 C:1)
2. What is the primary function of this branch? Interpretation of the law (citation A:3 S:1 C:1)
3. Federal judges’ terms last until they _resign_ or __die_______. (citation A:3 S:1 C:1)
How is this a check and balance? Checks to make sure that the laws are being followed – allows for
the judges to be completely independent and not influenced by money or job.
4. The Supreme Court is basically an appeals court, but there are a few instances in which the
Supreme Court has original jurisdiction. (citation _A:3 S:3 C:1______________)
Examples include:
Between 2 or more states
Judicial Review
5. Define treason according to the Constitution. (citation _______________) What conditions must
exist to get a conviction for treason? Why did the Founders make it so tough to get a conviction?
Levying war or not adhering to enemies. – Because they wanted to make sure that Treason laws were
not abused (such as may have been done by England to them)
6. How many justices does Article III state the Court will have? (citation _______________)
How many are there today? Name them.
The Constitution does not say how many. Currently there are 9. –Ginsburg, -Scalia, -Alito, Roberts, -Beyer, -Thomas, -Kennedy, -Sotomayor, -Kagan
7. Why do you think Article III so short? What are some potential problems with this?
The judicial branch was the least powerful of the three branches, but this left their powers and abilities
open to interpretation based on necessity.
Article IV – Relations Between the States
1. If you get married in NJ, it is recognized in NY. How does this show “full faith and credit?” Would it
be “constitutional” for NY to not recognize your marriage?
According to the idea of “Full Faith and Credit” your marriage in NJ would be recognized in NY. It
would be unconstitutional for NY NOT to recognize your marriage.
2. If you commit a crime in NJ, could you flee to Alaska to escape arrest? Cite the Constitution to
support your answer.
No - A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another
State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State
having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
3. Visualize the colonial map. Maine was part of Massachusetts. What conditions had to be met
before Maine could be admitted as a state?
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any
other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of
the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property
belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or
of any particular State.
4. What two responsibilities does the federal government have to the states? (citation ____________)
To ensure a Republican form of government to each state, and protect each state from invasion or acts
of domestic violence
5. What is the purpose and meaning of Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3?
If you’re in debt, in prison, or enslaved in one state your debt, sentence, slavery holds up in other states
6. How might Shays Rebellion have influenced Art. 4, section 4?
It sought to prevent another Shays Rebellion by guaranteeing protection for each state at the federal
level.
Article V – Amending the Constitution
1. What is an Amendment?
A change made to the United States Constitution
2. Create a visual representation that shows two ways an amendment can be added to the
Constitution.
3. How many total amendments have been adopted and added to the Constitution? Would
you call the amendment process is easy or hard? Explain.
27 – The amendment process was made difficult on purpose to prevent radical changes to the
document, and each branch’s powers
Article VI – National Supremacy
1. According to Article VI, who’s going to pay for the revolutionary debt?
The federal government
4. Cite the passage that makes the Constitution and the national government more powerful than the
states. BTW this is called the “supremacy clause”
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be
made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound
thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
5. How does Art. VI, Clause 3 grant religious freedom? And to whom?
No religious test shall be required for anybody holding public office. It only guarantees religious
freedom for those running for office
Article VII – Ratification
1. How many states need to ratify the Constitution for it to become law?
9
2. How many states needed to agree to amend the Articles of Confederation?
13