U.S. Constitution — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The Preamble lists four goals for the new government of the United States.
Corrected: The Preamble lists six goals for the new government of the United States.
The corrected sentence is: "The Preamble lists six goals for the new government of the United States." The error was wrong number of goals: the original sentence "The Preamble lists four goals for the new government of the United States." needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
One goal of the Preamble is to establish chaos and promote the general welfare.
Corrected: One goal of the Preamble is to establish justice and promote the general welfare.
The corrected sentence is: "One goal of the Preamble is to establish justice and promote the general welfare." The error was wrong word — chaos instead of justice: the original sentence "One goal of the Preamble is to establish chaos and promote the general welfare." needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
The Constitution was signed by 55 delegates on September 17, 1789.
Corrected: The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787.
The corrected sentence is: "The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787." The error was wrong number of signers and wrong year: the original sentence "The Constitution was signed by 55 delegates on September 17, 1789." needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. "Insure domestic tranquility" means the government will keep peace within the country.
"Tranquility" means peace and calm, so "insure domestic tranquility" is the Preamble's promise that the government will maintain order and safety within the country.
2. "Provide for the common defense" means the government will protect the nation with a military.
"Defense" fits because the Preamble uses "provide for the common defense" to describe the government's duty to protect the entire nation from outside threats through a military.
3. The Preamble says the Constitution will "secure the blessings of liberty" for future generations.
"Liberty" means freedom, and the Founders wanted the Constitution to protect those freedoms not just for people alive then, but for all future generations of Americans.
4. "Form a more perfect union" means creating a stronger national government.
The word "union" refers to the states joining together, and "more perfect" signals that the new Constitution aimed to fix the weaknesses of the earlier Articles of Confederation.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. What does "promote the general welfare" mean in the Preamble?
Sample answer: It means the government should work to improve the well-being and quality of life for all citizens, not just a few.
A good answer includes: It means the government should work to improve the well-being and quality of life for all citizens, not just a few.
2. Why does the Preamble begin with "We the People" instead of "We the States"?
Sample answer: It begins with "We the People" to show that the government's power comes from all the citizens, not just from the state governments.
A good answer includes: It begins with "We the People" to show that the government's power comes from all the citizens, not just from the state governments.