US History
US History Test #4:
US Constitution Study Guide
You will have your next U.S. History test on December 9th and 10th. The test will consist of multiple choice and
short answer questions. Use this study guide and the suggested handouts. Mr. Higgins will be after school on
Wednesday (12/2 and 12/9) for anyone who needs extra help preparing for the test.
1.
Identify the 3 levels of government in the United States (Levels of Government
Notes/Vocabulary Builder Notes)
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2.
Which level of government has the power to tax today?
Which level of government has the power to declare war today?
What does the word “jurisdiction” mean?
Be Knowledgeable about the the Preamble of the Constitution (Talkin’ About an
Evolution: Examining the Preamble handout)
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3.
What are the first three words of the “preamble” of the Constitution
How has the meaning of those first three words changed over time?
Define “evolution/evolve”
Be knowledgeable about Article I of the Constitution - Legislative Branch (Examining
the Us Constitution, Article 1: The Legislature handout)
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What is the primary job of the legislative branch?
What two groups make up the legislative branch?
Who is in charge of each group of legislators?
What is a census? How does the census affect the House of Representatives?
How is representation determined in the Senate and the House of Representatives?
Who are your Senators and your representative from the 2nd congressional district in CT?
What are the term limits for each group? What is the term length for each group?
4. Be knowledgeable about Article II of the U.S. Constitution- Executive Branch (What
can the President Actually Do? Examining Article II of the Constitution handout)
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What is the primary job of the executive branch?
Who makes up the executive branch?
What are some of the president’s powers?
What is the term length for a president? How many terms in office can a president serve?
Who is eligible to be president?
What is the job of the VP?
What is the cabinet? (president’s advisors)
What is the 22nd Amendment? (term limits for president)
Who is the current president? Who is the vice-president?
5. Be knowledgeable about Article III of the U.S. Constitution - Judicial Branch (Judicial
Branch Class Notes)
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What is the primary job of this branch?
Who makes up this branch?
Define the words “unconstitutional” and “constitutional”
How many justices on the Supreme Court?
How do judges get appointed to the Supreme Court? How long is their term?
Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
ALL OF THIS MATERIAL (#6-8) WILL BE COVERED ON PART 2 OF THE TEST –
12/10
6. Be knowledgeable about Article IV of the Constitution: Power of the States (The
Powers of the State: Examining Article IV of the Constitution handout)
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Are states required to honor the laws passed in other states?
Can a state discriminate against people who resident in other states?
What does Article IV say about slavery? What does this tell us about the founding fathers views towards
slavery?
Is the national government required to turn all of the land it possesses into states?
Are states allowed to establish governments that are not democratic?
How does Article IV help to keep the country/states “united”?
Which level of government do a majority American view as the most important?
Why is it important to pay attention to state and local governments? What happens when American do
not pay attention to these levels of government?
7. Be knowledgeable about the Seven Principles of the U.S. Constitution (Seven Principles
of the Constitution handout and class notes)
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What is popular sovereignty? Identify a part of the Constitution that illustrates popular sovereignty.
What is republicanism? Identify a part of the Constitution that illustrates republicanism.
What is federalism? Identify a part of the Constitution that illustrates federalism.
What is “separation of powers”? Identify a part of the Constitution that illustrates separation of power.
What is popular sovereignty? Identify a part of the Constitution that illustrates popular sovereignty.
What are “checks and balances?” Identify a part of the Constitution that illustrates checks and balances.
What is limited government? Identify a part of the Constitution that illustrates limited government.
What are individual rights? Identify a part of the Constitution that illustrates individual rights.
8. Be knowledgeable about the U.S. Bill of Rights (Protection from Possible Tyranny handout
and A Closer Look at the Bill of Rights handout)
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Who was the primary author of the Bill of Rights?
Which political party supported the Bill of Rights the most? Why?
How many amendments make up the Bill of Rights?
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
What is a constitutional “amendment?”
What rights are given to Americans through the 1st Amendment?
What rights are given to Americans through the 4th Amendment?
What rights are given to Americans through the 8th Amendment?