ANSWER The Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation

							                                    2008-2009 ANSWER KEY

1. What was our country’s first constitution called?

       a.   Articles of Confederation
       b.   Declaration of Independence
       c.   Emancipation Proclimation
       d.   Mayflower compact

        ANSWER: The Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was in effect
from 1781 - 1789. It was based on the concept of a weak central government because of the
experience we had under the strong influence of Great Britain. This constitution was our first
written plan of government and was based on an opposition to a strong central government,
strong executive, taxation and the power to control trade.


2. If neither the President nor the Vice-President can serve, the position would be filled by

       a.   The Chief Justice
       b.   The Speaker of the House
       c.   The Elected President of the Senate
       d.   The Secretary of State

        ANSWER: The Speaker of the House. The importance of succession to the presidency
was initially addressed in Article 2, Section 1, Clause 6 and further clarified by the Presidential
Succession Act of 1947. The present order of succession is President, Vice-President, Speaker
of the House of Representatives, President Pro Tempore of the Senate and then the various
cabinet positions based on order of creation.


3. The President is elected if she or he

       a.   Wins most of the country’s votes
       b.   Wins a majority of the electoral votes
       c.   Wins all of the states’ votes
       d.   Wins most of the states’s votes

       ANSWER: Wins a majority of the electoral votes. Based upon the electoral process as
described in the Constitution in Article 2, Section 1, Clause 3: "The Person having the greatest
Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of
Electors appointed.


4. The right to admit new states belongs to

       a. The President
       b. The Congress
       c. The State Department
       d. The Supreme Court

        ANSWER: The Congress. Under Article 4, Section 3, Clause 1: "New States may be
admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within
the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any state be formed by the Junction of two or more States,
or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of
the Congress."

5. The constitution forbids Congress to lay a tax on

       a.   Liquour
       b.   Goods sent by ship
       c.   Goods sent by other countries
       d.   Goods sent from one state to another

       ANSWER: Goods sent from one state to another. Found in Article 1, Section 9,
Clause 5: "No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State."


6. The Constitution became the law of the land in

       a.   1776
       b.   1777
       c.   1782
       d.   1788

        ANSWER: 1788. Article 7 identified the number of states that had to ratify the
Constitution in order for it to be considered the "law of the land". "The Ratification of the
Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between
the States so ratifying the Same." Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution by a
unanimous vote on December 7, 1787. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the
Constitution on June 21, 1788 by a vote of 57-47. The vote by New Hampshire officially made
the Constitution the "law of the land."


7. What provision of the Constitution provides for how an amendment becomes part of the
constitution?

       a.   Article 4
       b.   Article 5
       c.   Article 1
       d.   Article 8
       ANSWER: Article 5: "The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it
necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the
Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing
Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this
Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States ...."


8. The Number of Articles in the Constitution is

       a.   4
       b.   5
       c.   7
       d.   6

       ANSWER: C.


9. What is the maximum number of consecutive years that the President of the United States
   may serve in office?

       a. 4
       b. 8
       c. 10
       d. There is no maximum.

       ANSWER: C. See Amendment XXII.

10. Which of the following rights is NOT explicitly mentioned in the First Amendment?

       a. Free exercise of religion
       b. Freedom of speech
       c. The right to peaceably assemble
       d. The right to privacy

       ANSWER: D. See Amendment I.


11. The President of the United States is empowered to grant a pardon except in cases of:

       a. Impeachment.
       b. Conviction of First Degree Murder.
       c. Theft involving sums exceeding $1 million dollars.
       d. Those who collect Pokemon cards.

       ANSWER: A. See Article II, sec. 2.
12. For the President of the United States to ratify a treaty, she/he must obtain the advice and
    consent of:


       a. One-half of the House of Representatives.
       b. Two-thirds of the Senate.
       c. Three-fourths of Congress.
       d. Three-fourths of Senate.

       ANSWER: B. See Article II, sec. 2, cl. 2.

13. Which Amendment prohibits “poll taxes” (charging a fee to vote)?

       a. Twenty-First Amendment
       b. Fifth Amendment
       c. Fourteenth Amendment
       d. Twenty-Fourth Amendment

      ANSWER: D. See Amendment XXIV. See also Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections,
383 U.S. 663 (1966).

14. The Constitution explicitly vests which of the following powers with the Congress?

       a. The power to raise and support armies
       b. The power to provide and maintain a Navy
       c. The power to call forth the Militia, to execute the laws of the Union, to suppress
          insurrections, and to repel invasions
       d. All of the above

       ANSWER: D. See Article I, sec. 8, cl. 12, 13, and 15.

15. Article I, Section 10, of the Constitution explicitly prohibits States from doing which of the
    following:

       a. Imposing the death penalty on persons under 14 years of age
       b. Establishing an official state religion
       c. Passing any law impairing the obligation of contracts
       d. All of the above.

       ANSWER: C. See Article I, sec. 10, cl. 1.

16. The Constitution vests the executive power in the:

       a. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
       b. Secretary of State
       c. Attorney General
       d. President

       ANSWER: D. See Art. II, sec. 2.

17. Which provision of the Constitution provides that the United States shall guarantee to every
    State in the Union a republican form of government?

       a. Article IV
       b. Article V
       c. Article VI
       d. There is no such guarantee in the Constitution.

       ANSWER: A. See Article IV, sec. 4.

18. According to the Constitution, the terms of the President and Vice President end at noon on
    what day?

       a. January 20th
       b. President's Day
       c. November 7th
       d. December 31st

       ANSWER: A. See Amendment XX, sec. 1.

19. In a criminal action, the right to confront witnesses is found in the:

       a. Sixth Amendment.
       b. Fourteenth Amendment
       c. First Amendment
       d. Fourth Amendment.

       ANSWER: A. See Amendment VI.

20. The Fourth Amendment protects persons against searches and seizures by:

       a. Private individuals.
       b. Government agents and private individuals.
       c. Government agents and private security guards.
       d. Government agents.

       ANSWER: D. See Amendment IV.

21. According to the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which persons are citizens of
    the United States?

       a. All persons born in the United States
       b. All persons naturalized in the United States
       c. All persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
       d. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction

       ANSWER: D. See Amendment XIV, sec. 1.

22. Over which of the following is the President the Commander and Chief?

       a. The United States Army
       b. The United States Navy
       c. The Militia of the several states, when they are called into the service of the United
          States
       d. All of the above

       ANSWER: D. See Article II, sec. 2.

23. Which of the following has the power to try an impeachment?

       a. The Senate
       b. The House of Representatives
       c. The United States Supreme Court
       d. The President

       ANSWER: A. See Article I, sec. 3.

24. Of the following powers, which one does NOT belong to the Congress?

       a. The power to establish Post Offices
       b. The power to grant pardons for offenses against the United States
       c. The power to borrow money on the United States’ credit
       d. The power to maintain a navy

       ANSWER: B. See Article I, sec. 8 and Article II, sec. 2.

25. How often must the Congress assemble?

       a. Once during the four year term of a presidency
       b. Once every other year
       c. Once a year
       d. Twice a year

       ANSWER: C. See Article I, sec. 4.

26. Which of the following is a power that the Constitution does NOT grant to Congress?

       a. The power to conduct elections.
       b. The power to raise armed forces.
       c. The power to tax the exports of any State.
       d. The power to declare war.

       ANSWER: C. See Article I.

27. Which provision of the Constitution provides that in times of peace no soldier shall be
    quartered in any house without the consent of the owner?

       a. Third Amendment
       b. Fifth Amendment
       c. Twelfth Amendment
       d. No provision of the Constitution protects this right

       ANSWER: A. See Amendment III.

28. Which provision of the Constitution safeguards the right to be free from excessive bail,
    excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments?

       a. Sixth Amendment
       b. Seventh Amendment
       c. Eighth Amendment
       d. None of the above

       ANSWER: C. See Amendment VIII.

29. In criminal prosecutions, the Sixth Amendment safeguards which of the following rights?

       a. The right to a speedy and public trial
       b. The accused's right to confront witnesses
       c. The accused's right to have the assistance of counsel for his/her defense
       d. All of the above

       ANSWER: D. See Amendment VI.

30. Which provision of the Constitution explicitly gives Congress the power to lay and collect
    taxes on incomes?

       a. Article I
       b. Article IV
       c. Sixteenth Amendment
       d. Twenty-First Amendment

       ANSWER: C. See Amendment XVI.
31. The Eighteenth Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of
    intoxicating liquors within the United States, was repealed by which amendment?

       a. Twentieth Amendment
       b. Twenty-First Amendment
       c. Twenty-Second Amendment
       d. The Eighteenth Amendment has not been repealed.

       ANSWER: B. See Amendment XXI.

32. Which of the following activities does the Constitution prohibit a state from doing?

       a.   Coining and printing money.
       b.   Making laws.
       c.   Conducting a census of its citizens.
       d.   Imposing a sales tax on goods and services.

       ANSWER: A. See Article I, sec. 10.

33. Which of the following is NOT a method by which a bill can become a law?
      a. Congress passes a bill and the President signs it.
      b. Congress passes a bill and the President does not sign it.
      c. Congress passes a bill, the President vetoes it, and Congress overrides the veto.
      d. The President signs a bill that Congress has not passed.

       ANSWER: D. See Article I, sec. 7.

34. A State can be punished for denying the right of any of its citizens to vote by:

       a.   Reducing the number of its Representatives.
       b.   Reducing the number of its Senators.
       c.   Imposing a fine.
       d.   Withholding funding of all federal programs.

       ANSWER: A. See Amendment XIV, sec. 2.

35. Members of the House of Representatives serve terms lasting:

       a.   Two years
       b.   Three years
       c.   Four years
       d.   Six years

       ANSWER: A. See Article I, sec. 2.
36. What is the minimum age a person must be to serve as a Member of the House of
    Representatives?

       a. 20
       b. 25
       c. 30
       d. There is no minimum age requirement.

       ANSWER: B. See Article I, sec. 2.

37. The power of impeachment is vested in the:

       a. Attorney General
       b. Senate
       c. House of Representatives
       d. Supreme Court

       ANSWER: C. See Article I, sec. 2.

38. Which provision of the Constitution provides that no person shall be elected to the office of
    the President more than twice?

       a. Article II
       b. Article V
       c. Twenty-Second Amendment
       d. Twenty-Third Amendment

       ANSWER: C. See U.S. Const. Amendment XXII.

39. How long must a person be a citizen of the United States before being able to become a
    Representative in the House of Representatives?

       a.   Four years
       b.   Seven years
       c.   Eight years
       d.   There is no citizenship requirement for being able to become a Representative.

       ANSWER: B. See Article I, sec. I.

40. Which of the following is granted by, provided for or prohibited in the Eighth Amendment?

       a. Excessive bail shall not be required.
       b. In criminal prosecutions, the accused has the right to a speedy
       trial.
       c. Persons shall not be subject to unreasonable searches and seizures.
       d. The State shall not infringe on a persons’ right to keep and bear
       arms.

       ANSWER: A. See Amendment VIII.

41. Which of the following acts would be improper for the United States Senate to perform:

       a. Sitting in joint session with the House of Representatives
       b.Creating an act in conjuncture with the House, which sets emissions standards when
       states have already created their own set of emissions limitations.
       c.Adjudicating a dispute between two state governments
       d.Defining qualifications for being a member in good standing of the United State’s
       Senate.

       ANSWER: C. See Article III.

42. Which of the following amendments abolished slavery?

       a. Sixteenth Amendment
       b. Twenty-First Amendment
       c. Eighth Amendment
       d. None of the above

       ANSWER: D. See Amendment XIII, sec. 1.

43. The president is required to give the Congress information on the state of the union

       a.   Once a year
       b.   Whenever he or she feels like it
       c.   Once a term
       d.   From time to time

       ANSWER: D. See Article II, sec. 3.

44. Each house of Congress is required to keep a journal of its proceedings. What proportion of
    the present members of a house must desire that their Yeas and Nays be recorded before they
    are entered in the journal?

       a. One-fifth
       b. One-fourth
       c. One-third
       d. Half

       ANSWER: A. See Article I, sec 5.

45. How old must a person be to be eligible to be President?
       a. 18
       b. 21
       c. 65
       d. 35

       ANSWER: D. See Article II, sec. 1.

46. Which of the following is not a power of the President enumerated in Article II?

       a. To levy and collect taxes
       b. Appoint ambassadors
       c. Grant pardons for offences of the United States
       d. Fill vacancies during the recess of the Senate

       ANSWER: A. See Article II.

47. What provision contains the Double Jeopardy clause?

       a. Fourth Amendment
       b. Fifth Amendment
       c. Article I
       d. Seventh Amendment

       ANSWER: B. See Amendment V.

48. The right of trial by jury is preserved in what Amendment?

       a. Fifth Amendment
       b. Seventh Amendment
       c. Tenth Amendment
       d. Twenty-First Amendment

       ANSWER: B. See Amendment V.

49. What Amendment gave persons of all races the right to vote?

       a. Fifteenth Amendment
       b. Fifth Amendment
       c. Tenth Amendment
       d. Article II

       ANSWER: A. See Amendment XV.

50. The right of citizens of the United States who are 18 years of age or older to vote is protected
    by which provision of the Constitution?
a. Article VI
b. Thirteenth Amendment
c. Sixteenth Amendment
d. None of the above

ANSWER: D. See Amendment XXVI.