Class: Date: US Government Review 3.1 True/False Indicate whether the statement is true or false. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish thisconstitution for the United States of America. U.S. Constitution 1. The Preamble states that the U.S. Constitution was established in part to provide for the common defense. 2. Only the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Bill of Rights granted freedom of speech, the press, and religion. Multiple Choice Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 3. This section of the Constitution states why it was written. a. the Amendments c. the Preamble b. the Bill of Rights d. the Articles 2
4. The U.S. Constitution is divided into three parts. Choose the answer that best completes the chart, identifying the three parts. a. Bill of Rights c. Essays b. Articles d. Sections 5. Which document granted all of the rights and freedoms listed in the chart? a. the Magna Carta c. the Bill of Rights b. the English Bill of Rights d. the Virginia Declaration of Rights 2
6. The Magna Carta granted the following rights: trial by jury, private property, and a. freedom of speech. c. freedom of the press. b. due process. d. freedom of religion. 7. Which document granted citizens the fewest personal liberties? a. the Magna Carta c. the Virginia Declaration of Rights b. the English Bill of Rights d. the Bill of Rights 8. Popular sovereignty refers to rule by a. the elite. c. the people. b. populists. d. sovereigns. 9. The Framers provided this section of the Constitution so that it will grow with a changing nation. a. the Bill of Rights c. the Preamble b. the Articles d. the Amendments 10. The Framers created a Constitution that could be adapted for the future through a. prior restraint. c. constitutional ratification. b. constitutional amendment. d. judicial restraint. 3
Major Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty People are the source of government power. Federalism In this governmental system, power is divided between national and state governments. Separation of Powers Each of the three branches of government has its own responsibilities. Checks and Balances Each branch of government holds some control over the other two branches. Judicial Review Courts have power to declare laws and actions of Congress and the president unconstitutional. Limited Government The Constitution limits the powers of government by making explicit grants of authority. 11. Which constitutional principle divides power between national and state governments? a. separation of powers c. checks and balances b. limited government d. federalism 12. Which principle grants the president the authority to appoint federal judges? a. judicial review c. Federalism b. separation of powers d. checks and balances 13. If the Supreme Court rules a law unconstitutional, under which principle would the Court be exercising its authority? a. judicial review c. separation of powers b. checks and balances d. Federalism 14. This action is required to override a presidential veto. a. a judicial review c. a Constitutional convention b. a Supreme Court ruling d. a two-thirds vote of each house 4
Systems of Checks and Balances 15. To whom does the system of checks and balances give the authority to confirm judges? a. President c. Congress b. Courts d. Senate 16. The system of checks and balances gives this the power to enforce court orders. a. President c. Congress b. Senate d. Courts 17. Under the system of checks and balances, the Courts have the power to a. create lower federal courts. b. pass laws creating executive agencies. c. declare presidential actions unconstitutional. d. all of the above. 5
Congress cannot delegate legislative power to the President to exercise an unfettered discretion to make whatever laws he thinks may be needed or advisable for the rehabilitation and expansion of trade or industry. Charles Evans Hughes, 1935 18. Which principle of the Constitution enables the Supreme Court to strike down legislation? a. judicial review c. separation of powers b. Federalism d. popular sovereignty Completion Complete each statement. 19. The of the Constitution lists six goals for the American government. 20. Article II of the Constitution states, "The power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America." Matching Match each item with the correct statement below. a. elastic clause f. impeach b. appeal g. describes the judicial branch c. bankruptcy h. ratification d. describes the legislative branch i. first 10 amendments e. protects free speech j. describes the executive branch 21. Article I of the Constitution 22. Article II of the Constitution 23. Article III of the Constitution Match each item with the correct statement below. a. Chief Justice Earl Warren f. elastic clause b. poll tax g. Bill of Rights c. treaty h. Supreme Court d. jurisdiction i. wheelchair accessibility law e. executive agreement j. veto 24. final interpreter of the Constitution 25. presidential check of Congress 6
Short Answer My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works. Our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. Gerald Ford, 1974 26. What did President Gerald Ford mean when he said our Constitution works? How did the U.S. Constitution effectively resolve the crisis caused by President Nixon? 7