Constitution and Federalism Test
1. Use the following quotations from the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution of the United States, respectively, to answer question #1
“Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of
the governed…”
“We the People of the United States…”
Which basic principal of United States government do these quotes emphasize?
A. Separation of Powers
B. Liberty and Justice for All
C. Popular Sovereignty
D. Direct Democracy
2. Use the following quote from the United States Constitution to answer question #2
“Every Bill which shall have passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate,
shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he
approve, he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it …”
This quote gives an example of which principle of U.S. government?
A. Equal Protection
B. Imminent Domain
C. Federalism
D. Checks and Balances
3. In the U.S. Constitution, power is divided between the national and state government.
Which of the following principals of U.S. government does this fact illustrate?
A. Federalism
B. Judicial Review
C. Checks and Balances
D. Popular Sovereignty
4. The United States Constitution breaks the national government into three branches,
each with specific powers and duties. This fact is an example of which principal of U.S.
government?
A. Separation of Powers
B. Liberty and Justice for All
C. Popular Sovereignty
D. Direct Democracy
5. Federalists made which of the following arguments?
A. The Articles of Confederation needed slight adjustment, but would be retained as
much as possible.
B. The United States should be governed almost entirely by state and local governments,
and the national government should be very weak.
C. The Articles of Confederation had so many weaknesses that it was ineffective, and
needed to be replaced by a new governmental framework.
D. The United States should abandon the Articles of Confederation and commit to a
Constitutional Monarchy.
6. Which of the following were arguments made against the U.S. Constitution by the
Anti-Federalists?
A. The Constitution was written by the wealthy for their own benefit, which would
create an aristocracy.
B. The Constitution originally lacked a bill of rights.
C. States would be wholly subordinate to the national government, and would therefore
cease to be sovereign themselves.
D. The powers given to the new government were so extensive that tyranny would be
inevitable.
E. All of these
7. One way the Constitution has changed over time, has been through formal amendment.
Which of the following best describes the method of formal amendment used for 26 out
of the 27 amendments?
A. The amendment was proposed by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress, and is
ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures.
B. The amendment was proposed by 2/3 in the House of Representatives, and is ratified
by 3/4 of the Senators.
C. The amendment was proposed in a national convention called by congress at the
request of 2/3 state legislatures, and is then ratified by 3/4 state legislatures.
D. The amendment was proposed by 2/3 vote in each house of Congress, and then
ratified by conventions, called for that purpose in 3/4 of the states.
8. The 21st Amendment was the only amendment passed by which process?
A. The amendment was proposed by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress, and is
ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures.
B. The amendment was proposed by 2/3 in the House of Representatives, and is ratified
by 3/4 of the Senators.
C. The amendment was proposed in a national convention called by congress at the
request of 2/3 state legislatures, and is then ratified by 3/4 state legislatures.
D. The amendment was proposed by 2/3 vote in each house of Congress, and then
ratified by conventions, called for that purpose in 3/4 of the states.
9. The famous case, Marbury v. Madison is an example of which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by legislation.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by executive action.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by court decision.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by party practices.
10. The nomination of presidential candidates by national convention is an example of
which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by legislation.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by executive action.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by court decision.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by party practices.
11. When President Harry S. Truman sent thousands of U.S. troops to defend South
Korea in 1950, without a formal declaration of war, this was an example of which of the
following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by legislation.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by executive action.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by court decision.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by party practices.
12. The creation of the many departments, agencies, and offices in the executive branch
by acts of Congress is an example of which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by legislation.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by executive action.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by court decision.
The informal amendment of the Constitution by party practices.
13. Which of the following are guaranteed in the 1st Amendment (Choose all that apply)?
A. Freedom of Religion
B. Right to Maintain a Militia
C. Freedom of Speech
D. Right to Bare Arms
14. Which of the following are guaranteed in the 2nd Amendment (Choose all that apply)?
A. Freedom of Religion
B. Right to Maintain a Militia
C. Freedom of Speech
D. Right to Bare Arms
15. The 4th Amendment protects citizens from
A. Forced quartering of troops
B. Unreasonable search and seizure
C. Dangerous speech
D. Cruel and unusual punishment
16. The 5th Amendment does which of the following (choose all that apply)?
A. Guarantees that a citizen cannot be tried for a capital crime without being indicted by
a grand jury.
B. Protects citizens from being tried for the same crime twice, i.e. double jeopardy.
C. Protects citizens from self-incrimination.
D. Prohibits the government from confiscating property without just compensation, i.e.
eminent domain.
E. All of these
17. The 6th Amendment does which of the following?
A. Assures a timely trial by an impartial jury.
B. Assures that a defendant will be informed of the charges against him.
C. Guarantees the right of a witness to have council, produce witnesses in his favor, and
to cross-examine witnesses against him.
D. All of these
18. The 7th Amendment maintains which right?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Trial by jury in a criminal case.
Trial by jury in a civil case unless both parties agree to a bench trial.
The right to appeal a conviction.
All of thsese
19. The 8th Amendment protects citizens from
A. Forced quartering of troops
B. Unreasonable search and seizure
C. Dangerous speech
D. Cruel and unusual punishment
20. The 9th Amendment holds that
A. While the Constitution protects certain specific rights, does not mean individual
states cannot change those rights as needed in their locality.
B. Though the Constitution protects certain specific rights, this does not mean that
citizens do not have other, unenumerated rights, not specifically mentioned
C. All citizens of foreign states that enter the United States must become naturalized
citizens or be deported to their state of origin.
D. Suspected criminals have the right to remain silent, i.e. to refuse to make statements
that may incriminate them.
21. The 10th Amendment holds that
A. All powers not delegated to the states or the people by the Constitution, are held by
the national government.
B. All powers not delegated to the national government by the Constitution, are held by
the states or the people.
C. The national government is subordinate to the states or people, i.e. states rights.
D. The state governments are to be controlled by the national government
22. Which of the following Amendment DID NOT extend the right to vote to Americans
that had previously been disenfranchised?
A. 5th Amendment
B. 15th Amendment
C. 19h Amendment
D. 26th Amendment
23. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were established in which historical context and
for which of the following purposes?
A. At the nations founding: To establish freedom of religion, speech, and the press.
B. During the Progressive Era: To establish a progressive income tax, set up the popular
election of senators and extend the right to vote to women.
C. During Reconstruction: To end slavery, protect all citizens due process rights, and to
extend the right to vote to all male citizens regardless of race.
D. During World War II: providing all Japanese Americans with the rights to life,
liberty, and property, despite widespread social discrimination.
24. The 16th, 17th, and 19th Amendments were established in which historical context and
for which of the following purposes?
A. At the nations founding: To establish freedom of religion, speech, and the press.
B. During the Progressive Era: To establish a progressive income tax, set up the popular
election of senators and extend the right to vote to women.
C. During Reconstruction: To end slavery, protect all citizens due process rights, and to
extend the right to vote to all male citizens regardless of race.
D. During World War II: providing all Japanese Americans with the rights to life,
liberty, and property, despite widespread social discrimination.
25. One amendment prohibited the production, transportation and sale of alcoholic
beverages. Later and amendment was passed to repeal prohibition. Which two
amendments were these?
A. The 18th prohibited and 19th repealed
B. The 18th prohibited and 21st repealed
C. The 17th prohibited and the 21st repealed.
D. The 17th prohibited and 19th repealed.
26. Which of the following are expressed powers given only to the National
Government?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The power to coin and print money.
The power to declare war.
The power to regulate foreign trade and interstate commerce.
The power to raise and maintain armed forces.
All of these
27. Congress has received its implied powers from what part of the Constitution?
A. The “Leftover Clause” which states that the national government can “create what is
deemed important” at that time
B. The “Just Cause” of Article VI of the Constitution which gives Congress the ability to
explain needed actions through “just cause”.
C. The “Necessary and Proper Clause” or “Elastic Clause, which lets Congress deem
certain needs as necessary and proper for the function of the U.S.
D. All of these
28. Inherent powers include which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The power to regulate immigration and deport undocumented aliens.
The power to acquire territory.
The power to grant diplomatic recognition to foreign states.
The power to protect the nation against rebellion.
All of these
29. Reserved powers of the states include which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The power to regulate trade within the state.
The power to establish public schools.
The power to pass license requirements for professionals.
The power to conduct elections.
All of these
30. Concurrent powers include which of the following EXCEPT?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The power to coin money.
The power to levy and collect taxes.
The power to borrow money.
The power to define crimes and punishments.
31. According to the Supremacy Clause, a hierarchy of laws is created in the system of
federalism. Which of the following best exemplifies this hierarchy (moving from
most powerful to least powerful)?
A. Acts of Congress and Treaties, The U.S. Constitution, the State Constitutions,
State laws, and finally local laws.
B. Local laws, State laws, State Constitutions, Acts of Congress and Treaties, and
finally the U.S. Constitution.
C. The U.S. Constitution, State Constitutions, Acts of Congress and Treaties, State
laws, and finally local laws.
D. The U.S. Constitution, Acts of Congress and Treaties, State Constitutions, State
laws, and finally local laws.
32. The National Government has several obligations to the states. Which of the
following are obligations of the National Government to the states
A. To ensure that each state has a republican form of government.
B. To protect states in the case of invasion, internal disorder, or natural disaster.
C. To respect and recognize the territorial integrity of the states and to ensure that
each state is represented in Congress and has equal representation in the Senate.
D. All of these
33. Federal grants-in-aid are designed to give money from the national government to the
states to help the states carry out their government functions. Critics of grants-in-aid
make which of the following arguments?
A. Grants-in-aid do not provide enough assistance to the states.
B. Grants-in-aid are too specific in the conditions.
C. Grants-in-aid blur the line of division of powers in the federal system, giving too
much say to the National government in making public policy at state and local
levels.
D. Grants-in-aid are so expensive that they weaken the National Government and
give too much money to the states, making the National Government beholden
to the states.
E. All of these
34. According to the Full Faith and Credit Clause, all states must recognize and respect
A. The court rulings of other states, like awards for damage in a civil suit, divorce
decrees, court rulings on wills, etc. from other states.
B. The birth certificates, marriage licenses, deeds to property, car registrations, etc.
of other states.
C. The speed limits of other states, thereby creating a national speed limit on
interstate highways.
D. A and B
E. A and C
35. No state can draw unreasonable distinction between its own residents and the citizens
of other states under the Privileges and Immunities Act. Which of the following are
reasonable distinctions states can draw between its own residents and residents of
another state?
A. Requiring a set amount of time a person must live in a state before vote or hold
public office.
B. Requiring a set amount of time a person must reside in a state before they can be
licensed to practice medicine, law, dentistry, etc.
C. Charging higher fees to hunters and fishermen from out of state.
D. Charging higher tuition for out of state students.
E. All of these
36. According to the U.S. Constitution, a person charged with a crime in one state, who
has fled to another state, on demand of the executive of the state from which he fled,
be returned to that state. This process is known as
A. Exile
B. Imminent Domain
C. Extraterritoriality
D. Extradition
E. All of these
Matching
___ 37. The principle of distributing the powers of
government into different branches.
___ 38. The principle that holds that all of the power
in the government comes from the people.
A. Federalism
B. Separation of Powers
C. Checks and Balances
D. Judicial Review
E. Limited Government
AB. Popular Sovereignty
___ 39. The principle that gives each branch of government
the ability to restrain the powers of the other branches,
so as not to allow one branch to gain too much power.
___ 40. The principle that the judicial branch can decide
whether what government does, is Constitutional.
___ 41. The principle that government only has the power
granted to it by the Constitution.
___ 42. The principle that establishes a national government
and several regional governments under one written
Constitution, with each government given it’s own
set of powers, operating with it’s own officials and
it’s own set of laws.
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___ 43. The powers given to the National Government
through the Constitution.
___ 44. Specifically written out powers given to the
National Government by the Constitution.
___ 45. Powers not specifically written out by the
Constitution but that are reasonably suggested
under the Necessary and Proper Clause.
___ 46. Powers held by the National Government
that were not specified by the Constitution,
but that the Framers clearly intended the
National government to have, because all
nation-states have them.
___ 47. The powers that the Constitution does not
grant to the National Government, but does
not deny to the states, and are thus, held by
the states.
___ 48. Powers held by both the National Government
and the states, exercised separately and
simultaneously.
___ 49. An agreement made between states and other
states.
A. Delegated Powers
B. Reserved Powers
C. Expressed Powers
D. Inherent Powers
E. Concurrent Powers
AB. Interstate Compact
AC. Implied Powers
Extended Response
50. Describe the process of admitting a new state to the union.