US Constitution — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. The Preamble starts with "We the People." What principle does this phrase represent?
A) Federalism — power shared between state and national governments
B) Popular sovereignty — government power comes from the citizens
C) Judicial review — courts interpret the Constitution
D) Separation of powers — dividing government into branches
'We the People' means that the government's authority comes from the consent of the governed — popular sovereignty.
2. Why is the Bill of Rights important even when most citizens agree with a law?
A) It makes sure every law is voted on twice before passing
B) It protects individual rights even when the majority disagrees
C) It allows the President to pass laws without Congress
D) It gives states the power to ignore federal laws they dislike
The Bill of Rights protects minority rights from majority rule. Even if 90% want a law, the 10% still have constitutional protections.
3. The amendment process requires two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of states. Why is it so difficult?
A) The Founders wanted to prevent hasty changes to the nation's highest law
B) Congress did not want citizens to have any say in changing the law
C) The states refused to allow any amendments after the Bill of Rights
D) Making amendments difficult saves the government money on printing
A high threshold for amendments ensures broad support before the nation's highest law is changed, preventing hasty or poorly supported revisions.
4. Which problem with the Articles of Confederation was MOST important in creating the Constitution?
A) The Articles allowed too many people to vote in elections
B) The national government was too weak to collect taxes or raise an army
C) The Articles gave the President too much power over the states
D) State governments had no power under the Articles of Confederation
The critical weakness was that Congress under the Articles had no power to tax or raise a military — it couldn't fund or defend the nation.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The Preamble lists six goals for the new government.
The Preamble's six goals: form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for defense, promote general welfare, secure liberty.
2. The principle that government gets its power from the people is called popular sovereignty.
Popular sovereignty means the people are the ultimate source of political authority in a democracy.
3. George Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
George Washington was elected president of the Constitutional Convention. His prestige lent credibility to the process.
4. The Constitution was ratified by the states in 1788 and took effect in 1789.
Nine of thirteen states needed to ratify for the Constitution to take effect. New Hampshire became the ninth in 1788.
5. The Constitutional Convention took place in the city of Philadelphia.
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May to September 1787.