Discover the Constitution Activity
Directions: For each question below, use the Constitution located on pages 111-125 to answer the
questions. Then write the article and section of the Constitution where the answer is found.
Question
Article
Section
1
1
2
2
1
2
3
1
7
4
1
3
5
1
3
6
1
8
7
1
8
8
1
7
What can the legislative branch do if the president vetoes a bill?
Override; reconsider and pass the bill
9
1
3
Who holds impeachment trials and who presides over them?
Senate; Chief Justice
10
2
1
11
2
1
12
2
3
What is the length of a term of office for the President of the United States?
4 years
How old must one be to be elected as U.S. President?
35
One of the Presidential duties is to inform Congress in what message?
State of the Union Address
13
2
1
14
2
2
15
2
2
The president is the head of U.S. military forces. In this role, what is the title
given to him?
Commander in Chief
16
3
1
17
3
2
What is the length of term of office for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court?
life
Who has the power to review all laws and treaties of the United States?
Judicial Power
Question and Answer space
What is the length of a term of office for members of the U.S. House of
Representatives?
2 years
How old must one be to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives?
25
Who has the power to propose a law to raise revenue (a tax law)?
House of Representatives
What is the length of a term of office for members of the U.S. Senate?
6 years
How old must one be to be elected to the U.S. Senate?
30
Who has the power to declare war?
Congress
Congress can do anything necessary and proper for carrying out the
government. This is also known as what clause?
The Elastic Clause
Who would take over for the president if they were removed from office or
unable to finish their term?
Vice President
The president has the power to make treaties with other countries and make
appointments of important officials but these must be approved by whom?
Senate
18
3
2
Name two types of cases that the Supreme Court has the authority to hear.
- Cases between 2 or more states
-
Cases affecting ambassadors
19
4
1
States must honor the laws, records, and court decisions made by whom?
Other states
20
4
3
Who can admit new states to the Union?
Congress
21
5
22
----
Who can propose an amendment and what fraction is needed?
Congress
2/3
----
Who must ratify an amendment and what fraction is needed?
State legislatures or state conventions
3/4
5
23
6
----
24
7
----
25
7
----
If there is a conflict between a nation and state law, which one is followed?
Why?
National – supreme law of the land
How many states had to ratify the Constitution before it became official?
9
When was the Constitution completed?
September
Next, use pages 126-137 to answer the following questions about the amendments to the U.S.
Constitution.
1. How many amendments have been made to the Constitution?
27
2. What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
Bill of Rights
3. What is the only amendment that has been repealed (changed back)? What is the new
amendment?
18th Amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment
4. What amendment set a term limit for the President? What is that limit?
22nd Amendment – 2 terms or up to 10 years
Finally, use the glossary in the back of the study guide to help define the following words. Put the
definition into your own words!

federalism – system of government in which power is divided between national and state
governments

separation of powers – each branch of government has its own specific functions and
duties; no one branch can control the other branches

amend – to change

ratification – process by which the states accepted the Constitution; to approve