Name: 
 

Unit 1 Practice Test


Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 
What is the Bill of Rights?
a.
the preamble to the U.S. Constitution
b.
the first seven articles of the U.S. Constitution
c.
the first five amendments to the U.S. Constitution
d.
the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution
 

 2. 
What is the term for a law that makes an act a crime after the act has been committed?
a.
an ex post facto law
c.
a writ of habeas corpus
b.
a bill of attainder
d.
an appropriations bill
 

 3. 
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave citizenship to all people born in the United States?
a.
First Amendment
c.
Thirteenth Amendment
b.
Fifth Amendment
d.
Fourteenth Amendment
 

 4. 
The U.S. Constitution gives the president the power to make treaties
a.
without consulting Congress.
b.
with the approval of the House of Representatives.
c.
with the approval of the Senate.
d.
with the approval of the Supreme Court.
 

 5. 
Enumerated powers are
a.
powers that belong only to the federal government.
b.
powers that belong only to state governments.
c.
powers that are shared by state and federal governments.
d.
the same as reserved powers.
 

 6. 
The U.S. Constitution currently has
a.
ten articles and ten amendments.
b.
seven articles and ten amendments.
c.
seven articles and twenty-seven amendments
d.
ten articles and twenty-seven amendments.
 

 7. 
The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that powers that are not delegated to the national government by the Constitution
a.
still belong to the national government.
b.
are reserved to the states.
c.
belong to local governments.
d.
are unimportant.
 

 8. 
All laws dealing with taxes must originate in
a.
the various state legislatures.
b.
the U.S. House of Representatives.
c.
the Senate.
d.
the judicial system.
 

 9. 
Since the passage of the Twenty-second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the only way a president can serve more than eight years is
a.
if he is elected more than once.
b.
if he is elected more than twice.
c.
if he served more than two years of another person’s term.
d.
if he served two years or less of another person’s term.
 

 10. 
To become president, a candidate must receive a majority of
a.
the popular vote.
c.
both the popular and electoral vote.
b.
the electoral vote.
d.
the congressional vote.
 

 11. 
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees all of the following EXCEPT
a.
freedom of speech.
c.
freedom of the press.
b.
freedom of assembly.
d.
the right to bear arms.
 

 12. 
How old must a person be to run for president?
a.
21
c.
30
b.
25
d.
35
 

 13. 
The Ninth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says
a.
that the only rights a person has are those listed in the Bill of Rights.
b.
that people have only ten rights.
c.
that the Bill of Rights does not list all the rights a person has.
d.
nothing about people’s rights.
 

 14. 
What are concurrent powers?
a.
Powers that are shared by the federal and state governments.
b.
Powers that are shared by state and local governments.
c.
Powers that are shared by the president and Congress.
d.
Powers that are shared by Congress and the Supreme Court.
 

 15. 
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote?
a.
the Fifteenth Amendment
c.
the Twenty-sixth Amendment
b.
the Nineteenth Amendment
d.
the Equal Rights Amendment
 

 16. 
Which amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1971, granted the right to vote to all citizens 18 years of age and older?
a.
Twenty-second Amendment
c.
Twenty-eighth Amendment
b.
Eighteenth Amendment
d.
Twenty-sixth Amendment
 
 
nar001-1.jpg
 

 17. 
mc017-1.jpg Based on the chart, which of the following powers does the president have?
a.
the power to send troops into battle
c.
both a and b
b.
the power to declare war
d.
neither a nor b
 
 
nar002-1.jpg
 

 18. 
mc018-1.jpg Based on the table, which of the following statements is true?
a.
The number of representatives from each state is the same as the number of senators.
b.
The number of representatives from each state is the same for all states.
c.
The number of representatives from each state is based on the state’s population.
d.
The number of senators from each state is based on each state’s population.
 

 19. 
mc019-1.jpg Based on the table, how many electors does Indiana have in the Electoral College?
a.
two
c.
nine
b.
four
d.
eleven
 
 
nar003-1.jpg
 

 20. 
mc020-1.jpg Based on the chart, how can the executive branch check the powers of the legislative branch?
a.
It can declare acts of legislation unconstitutional.
b.
It can veto legislation.
c.
It can refuse to approve treaties.
d.
It can appoint judges.
 
 
nar004-1.jpg
 

 21. 
mc021-1.jpg Based on the table, which of the rights that is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights was also guaranteed by the Magna Carta?
a.
right to bear arms
c.
trial by jury
b.
right to petition
d.
freedom of speech
 

 22. 
mc022-1.jpgBased on the table above, the Constitution guarantees which of the following rights and freedoms that was not protected by the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
a.
trial by jury
c.
freedom of speech
b.
freedom of religion
d.
private property
 
 
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrents shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by the Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
--Amendment IV, U.S. Constitution
 

 23. 
mc023-1.jpg According to the Fourth Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, police can search your home or car
a.
anytime.
c.
only with a warrant.
b.
if you are accused of a crime.
d.
only in time of war.
 

 24. 
mc024-1.jpg The Fourth Amendment states that a warrant must
a.
name the persons being sought with the warrant.
b.
be based on probable cause.
c.
list items to be seized.
d.
all of the above
 
 
“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
--Amendment V, U.S. Constitution
 

 25. 
mc025-1.jpg In the excerpt, what is meant by the phrase “twice put in jeopardy of life and limb?”
a.
A person cannot be compelled to serve more than once in the U.S. military.
b.
A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime.
c.
A person cannot be made to be a witness more than once in a criminal case.
d.
A person cannot be deprived of liberty twice without due process of law.
 

 26. 
The American system of limited government in which the people are the ultimate source of governmental power is called a(n)
a.
republic.
c.
executive government.
b.
preamble.
d.
concurrent government.
 

 27. 
The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
a.
outlawed slavery.
b.
barred former Confederate leaders from holding national or state office.
c.
prohibited poll taxes in federal elections.
d.
all of the above
 

 28. 
If no one candidate for president receives a majority of the electoral vote, who chooses the president?
a.
the U.S. Senate
c.
the U.S. Supreme Court
b.
the U.S. House of Representatives
d.
the Electoral College
 

 29. 
If you are accused of a crime, which of the following amendments to the U.S. Constitution guarantees you a speedy and public trial?
a.
First Amendment
c.
Fifth Amendment
b.
Second Amendment
d.
Sixth Amendment
 

 30. 
The “elastic clause” of the Constitution allows
a.
the number of Congressional representatives to grow with the population.
b.
Congress the power to act as needed to meet changing conditions.
c.
the power of the presidency to grow.
d.
the power of state governments to increase.
 

 31. 
In his role as legislative leader, the president
a.
directs foreign policy.
b.
commands the military.
c.
proposes laws to Congress.
d.
receives foreign dignitaries.
 

 32. 
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave African American men the right to vote?
a.
Thirteenth Amendment
c.
Fifteenth Amendment
b.
Fourteenth Amendment
d.
Sixteenth Amendment
 

 33. 
A court order that requires a law official to bring a prisoner to court and show just cause for holding the prisoner is known as
a.
a writ of habeas corpus.
c.
a warrant.
b.
a bill of attainder.
d.
an ex post facto law.
 

 34. 
Four years is the term of office for
a.
U.S. senators.
c.
Supreme Court justices.
b.
U.S. representatives.
d.
presidents.
 

 35. 
The 12th, 22nd, and 23rd Amendments to the U.S. Constitution are all related to
a.
the election of senators.
c.
the election of representatives.
b.
the election of presidents.
d.
all of the above
 

 36. 
How old must a person be to run for the U.S. Senate?
a.
21 years old
c.
30 years old
b.
25 years old
d.
35 years old
 

 37. 
Whose approval is required to override a presidential veto?
a.
the vice president
c.
the U.S. House of Representatives
b.
the U.S. Senate
d.
both houses of Congress
 

 38. 
What responsibility does the vice president have in the legislative branch?
a.
He serves as president if the president dies or is otherwise unable to complete his term.
b.
He serves as the speaker of the House of Representatives.
c.
He is the president of the Senate.
d.
He appoints judges to the Supreme Court.
 

 39. 
Which of the following must be a U.S. citizen by birth?
a.
a president
c.
a senator
b.
a representative
d.
all of the above
 

 40. 
Which of the following statements about amendments to the U.S. Constitution is true?
a.
The amendment process is quick and easy.
b.
Most of the amendments that have been proposed have become part of the Constitution.
c.
The amendment process has allowed the Constitution to be adapted to meet changing needs.
d.
Amendments cannot be repealed.
 

 41. 
The expression “pleading the Fifth,” means that a U.S. citizen wants
a.
to exercise the right of free speech.
b.
to exercise the right of free association.
c.
a trial by jury.
d.
to choose to remain silent to avoid self-incrimination.
 

 42. 
The number of representatives each state has in the U. S. House of Representatives is based on
a.
when the state came into the union.
c.
the state’s physical size.
b.
the state’s population.
d.
the number of senators.
 

 43. 
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are also called
a.
the Bill of Rights.
c.
the articles.
b.
the preamble.
d.
none of the above
 
 
nar007-1.jpg
 

 44. 
mc044-1.jpg Based on the chart above, which of the following principles was included in the U.S. Constitution but not in the Articles of Confederation?
a.
republicanism
c.
limited government
b.
popular sovereignty
d.
separation of powers
 

 45. 
mc045-1.jpg The compromise on slavery that John Quincy Adams discusses is found in the Constitution in
a.
Amendment I.
c.
Article VII.
b.
Amendment X.
d.
Article I.
 
 
nar008-1.jpg
 

 46. 
mc046-1.jpg Based on the chart, amendments to the U.S. Constitution can be proposed by
a.
a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress.
b.
three-fourths of state ratifying conventions.
c.
three-fourths of the state legislatures.
d.
all of the above
 
 
nar009-1.jpg
 

 47. 
mc047-1.jpg As shown in the chart, a result of the Great Compromise was that the federal government
a.
has three branches.
b.
has a two-house legislature.
c.
has equal representation in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives.
d.
all of the above
 
 
nar010-1.jpg
 

 48. 
mc048-1.jpg Based on the chart, which of the following is a power that belongs to state governments, but not to the federal government?
a.
the power to collect taxes
c.
the power to establish courts
b.
the power to raise an army
d.
the power to conduct elections
 

 49. 
mc049-1.jpg Based on the chart, powers that belong only to the state governments are called
a.
enumerated powers.
c.
concurrent powers.
b.
reserved powers.
d.
implied powers.
 

 50. 
mc050-1.jpg Based on the chart, concurrent powers are those powers
a.
held by individual citizens.
b.
shared by state and local governments.
c.
reserved to the federal government.
d.
shared by state and federal governments.
 



 
Check Your Work     Start Over