Response to the following multiple choice questions:
Question.1 You see a show on television where police officers search a house for evidence in a crime. The suspects claim that the officers had no right to enter their home, based on the
First Amendment
Fourth Amendment
Fifth Amendment
Seventh Amendment
Question. 2 "(The power to regulate commerce is) the power to regulate; that is, to prescribe the rule by which commerce is to be governed. This power, like all others vested in Congress, is complete in itself, may be exercised to its utmost extent, and acknowledges no limitations, other than are prescribed in the Constitution."-Supreme Court
The Supreme Court defined the meaning of the power to "regulate commerce" in the case of
District of Columbia v. Heller
McCulloch v. Maryland
United States v. Nixon
Gibbons v. Ogden
Question. 3 The structure of the Articles of Confederation
neglected the principle "separation of powers" because it did not create a separate judicial branch
reflected the principle "separation of powers" through its three separate branches of government
made a legislative branch and a strong executive in line with the principle "separation of powers"
created a single strong legislative branch in line with the principle "separation of powers"
Question. 4 Republicanism is similar to the idea of representative democracy because both
describe forms of government where people vote on all choices
refer to people electing leaders to make government decisions
mean a form of government where the executive is supreme
explain why people choose not to participate in government
Question. 5. In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself.-Madison, Number 51
Based on the quote, which of the following statements would Madison have likely supported?
Development of political parties is necessary to ensure the security and stability of a democratic government.
A government must have enough power to govern however, its power must also be limited by creating multiple branches within it.
One government can not carry out the will of the people alone, therefore the establishment of two separate governments is necessary.
A government must sometimes limit civil liberties of individuals to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
Question. 6. "All men having power ought to be mistrusted."-James Madison
Imagine you are a representative to a state legislature meeting, debating the proposed Constitution. You have just read this quote in a newspaper essay. Which of the following is the best description of how you would respond?
If you were a Federalist, you would use the quote to support your argument that a single, centralized government is the best form of government.
If you were an Anti-federalist, you would use the quote to support your argument that a confederation of sovereign states is the best form of government.
If you were a Federalist, you would use the quote to support your argument that the existing Constitution is not enough of a safeguard against abuse of power.
If you were an Anti-federalist, you would use the quote to support your argument that only a pure democracy of local governments is the best government.
Question. 7 The U.S. Constitution reflects the principle of individual rights because
the framers added a Bill of Rights through the amendment process
the framers gave people the right to abolish the executive branch
it lists the natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
it lists the powers of government that belong to the people
Question. 8 Which of the following parts of the U.S. Constitution best reveals the principle of federalism?
Oath of the president
Amendment process
Branches' structure
Supremacy clause
Question. 9 Which of the following amendments to the U.S. Constitution reflects the principle of federalism?
The 1st Amendment prevents states from taking away any of the people's rights to free speech.
The 4th Amendment prevents states from ordering searches and confiscating private property.
The 8th Amendment reserves states the right to decide appropriate punishment for criminals.
The 10th Amendment reserves rights to the states not assigned to the national government.
Question. 10 The rights of individuals
depend in part on their income, age, gender, race, and level of education
have limits in order to protect the rights of others and the common good
are superior to the rights of groups, organizations, or the common good
bear no relationship to the common good or the rights of other people
Question. 11 Which of the following situations exhibits a reasonable limit placed on the First Amendment in the interest of the common good?
Television shows are canceled when criminals claim they learned how to commit crimes by watching.
Groups of three or more people must obtain a license from the city before meeting in any local parks.
News reporters traveling with troops overseas must not reveal their location or the soldier's identities.
A confessed criminal is forced to speak in court and describe his or her crimes in detail for public record.
Question. 12 An example of how the Constitution safeguards individual rights is
separating the powers into branches
listing citizens' rights in the articles
requiring presidents to be at least 35
denying power to state governments
Question. 13 One way the Constitution safeguards individual rights is through
the first 10 amendments, also known as the Bill of Rights
all 27 of the amendments, also known as the Bill of Rights
the first article of the document, which lists states' rights
the fifth article of the document, which lists states' rights
Question. 14 Under the Constitution, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches
share power and responsibility
give authority to the president
must answer to the president
divide powers of the states
Question. 15 The principle that the central and state governments will share power and responsibility is known as
separation of powers
popular sovereignty
republicanism
federalism
Question. 16 A person who strongly believes in the principle of federalism would favor a government where
the federal government has the majority of government powers and responsibility
power is as equally divided as possible between the state and central governments
state and local governments share the bulk of government responsibility and power
a president enforces all decisions made by a majority vote of the state governments
Question. 17 The principle of limited government advocates that the powers of government should be limited by the rights and liberties of the people. Which of the following grievances from the Declaration of Independence best reflects the principle of limited government?
"He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands."
"He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power."
"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people."
"He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures."
Question. 18 Anti-federalists believed that a bill of rights was
unnecessary because the Declaration of Independence listed many individual rights
unnecessary due to the structure of government and rights under the Constitution
necessary because the Constitution did not specify protection for individual rights
necessary because laws would not follow rights in the Declaration of Independence
Question. 19 "If mankind were to resolve to agree in no institution of government, until every part of it had been adjusted to the most exact standard of perfection, society would soon become a general scene of anarchy, and the world a desert."-Alexander Hamilton
Which of the following makes a true statement about the quote?
Hamilton is an Anti-federalist making a case for changes to the Constitution before the states vote on ratification.
Hamilton is an Anti-federalist making a case for immediate ratification of the Constitution without any changes.
Hamilton is a Federalist making a case for changes to the Constitution before the states vote on ratification.
Hamilton is a Federalist making a case for immediate ratification of the Constitution without any changes.
Question. 20 Ratifying amendments is an example of a
concurrent power that is exclusive to the state governments
concurrent power that is exclusive to national government
reserved power that is exclusive to the state governments
reserved power that is exclusive to national government
Question. 21 Which of the following is an example of a reserved power?
granting professional licenses
creating the post offices
establishing an air force
borrowing money
Question. 22 "To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."-U.S. Constitution
This statement, sometimes called the "elastic clause," gives Congress
expressed powers
reserved powers
implied powers
shared powers
Question. 23 Which of the following describes "reserved powers?"
They are determined only by the president.
They are shared by the states and nation.
They belong to the national government.
They belong only to state governments.
Question. 24 According to the American colonists, a government is only legitimate if it has
direct or pure democracy
consent of the governed
declared independence
contracts with citizens
Question. 25 Which of the following is an example of a check on the power of the legislative branch?
The Supreme Court rules a law unconstitutional.
The House of Representatives fails to pass a bill.
The president signs a new spending bill into law.
The Senate approves a foreign treaty agreement.
Question.26 Which of the following is an example of a limit to executive power under the Constitution?
The president signs a bill into law.
The Supreme Court makes a ruling.
The Congress fails to override a veto.
The Senate rejects a justice nominee.
Question. 27 Which of the following quotes best reflects the principle of social contract in the Declaration of Independence?
"He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures."
"...a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
"...it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security..."
"He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries."
Question. 28 The Declaration of Independence reflected the idea of social contract because it
was a collective act of representatives from all the colonies
listed specific grievances and complaints against colonial rule
named life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness as granted to all
said a new government must form due to the king's actions
Question. 29 In at least two paragraphs, discuss which of the following principles you think is most important to the American system of government - limited government, individual rights, or federalism. Be sure to provide support for your answer, including at least one example of how the principle is currently reflected in U.S. society.