Question 1

Which of the following best explains why slavery was allowed when the Constitution was written?

Accepted Answer

A)  Many feared that slavery would splinter the convention and doom the Union. 
B)  No slaves or free blacks were selected to serve as delegates to the convention. 
C)  The delegates did not believe people of African descent were their equals. 
D)  There was little public outcry at this time against the institution of slavery. 
E)  The wealthy elites at the convention could not see beyond their own self-interest. 
A)  Many feared that slavery would splinter the convention and doom the Union. 
B)  No slaves or free blacks were selected to serve as delegates to the convention. 
C)  The delegates did not believe people of African descent were their equals. 
D)  There was little public outcry at this time against the institution of slavery. 
E)  The wealthy elites at the convention could not see beyond their own self-interest. A

Question 2

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution contains which powers of Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  enumerated 
B)  executive 
C)  implied 
D)  military 
E)  restrictive 
A)  enumerated 
B)  executive 
C)  implied 
D)  military 
E)  restrictive A

Question 3

Explain the process for amending the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Identify the two processes for proposing an amendment-two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the states.
2. Identify the two processes for ratifying an amendment-by legislatures in three-fourths of the states or by ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states.

Question 4

A constitution is a written document establishing the structure, functions, and limitations of a government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Describe the Virginia Plan.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Explain that

Question 6

Refer to the "Can Government Do Anything Well?" box. The government's proper role in the U.S. economy has been the focus of bitter debate. With which of the following would liberals agree?

Accepted Answer

A)  Government action on the economy interferes with the free market. 
B)  Heavy taxation of the wealthy discourages business creation. 
C)  Real economic growth comes only from the private sector. 
D)  Tax breaks have helped increase income and wealth inequality. 
E)  When government tries to help, it often makes things worse. 
A)  Government action on the economy interferes with the free market. 
B)  Heavy taxation of the wealthy discourages business creation. 
C)  Real economic growth comes only from the private sector. 
D)  Tax breaks have helped increase income and wealth inequality. 
E)  When government tries to help, it often makes things worse.

Question 7

Which of the following is a branch of the U.S. government?

Accepted Answer

A)  Congress 
B)  legislative 
C)  presidency 
D)  Senate 
E)  Supreme Court 
A)  Congress 
B)  legislative 
C)  presidency 
D)  Senate 
E)  Supreme Court

Question 8

What was the subject of the Great Compromise?

Accepted Answer

A)  the form of the executive branch 
B)  the form of the legislative branch 
C)  the legality of slavery 
D)  the number of states in the Union 
E)  the number of Supreme Court justices 
A)  the form of the executive branch 
B)  the form of the legislative branch 
C)  the legality of slavery 
D)  the number of states in the Union 
E)  the number of Supreme Court justices

Question 9

The Twenty-First Amendment was the only amendment to be ratified through special __________ conventions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Twenty-First Amendment was the only amendment...

Question 10

The __________ Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The __________ Continental Congress signed the Declaration...

Question 11

The colonists rebelled against the unilateral imposition by the British government of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  a military draft 
B)  curfews 
C)  health care 
D)  religious laws 
E)  taxes 
A)  a military draft 
B)  curfews 
C)  health care 
D)  religious laws 
E)  taxes

Question 12

President Obama's platform in his 2012 campaign included investment in education and innovation, and a balanced approach to tax reform and deficit reduction. Mitt Romney backed cutting taxes on the wealthy and government austerity in all except defense. Starting with the arguments in the "Can Government Do Anything Well?" box, explain what role for government you see as best to encourage American economic development. Do you agree with President Obama's approach? Or do you prefer Mitt Romney's ideas? Why?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Explain that

Question 13

At the Constitutional Convention, the delegates agreed that slaves would be counted as __________ of a person for determining population for representation in the House of Representatives.

Accepted Answer

A)  four-fifths 
B)  one-fourth 
C)  one-third 
D)  three-fifths 
E)  two-thirds 
A)  four-fifths 
B)  one-fourth 
C)  one-third 
D)  three-fifths 
E)  two-thirds

Question 14

Article II of the Constitution addresses the powers of the __________ branch.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Article II of the Constitution addresses the...

Question 15

In what year was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  1776 
B)  1788 
C)  1789 
D)  1791 
E)  1798 
A)  1776 
B)  1788 
C)  1789 
D)  1791 
E)  1798

Question 16

Which plan called for a one-house legislature and multi-person executive?

Accepted Answer

A)  Connecticut 
B)  Maryland 
C)  New Jersey 
D)  Ohio 
E)  Virginia 
A)  Connecticut 
B)  Maryland 
C)  New Jersey 
D)  Ohio 
E)  Virginia

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the Constitutional Convention?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Convention lasted only one week. 
B)  The Convention was free of significant disagreement. 
C)  The Convention was inclusive of all types of citizens. 
D)  The Convention was secretive. 
E)  The Convention was transparent. 
A)  The Convention lasted only one week. 
B)  The Convention was free of significant disagreement. 
C)  The Convention was inclusive of all types of citizens. 
D)  The Convention was secretive. 
E)  The Convention was transparent.

Question 18

Which of the following is a reason for the separation of powers?

Accepted Answer

A)  to ensure the power of the executive 
B)  to promote justice 
C)  to prevent tyranny by any one branch 
D)  to create gridlock in government 
E)  to improve international relations 
A)  to ensure the power of the executive 
B)  to promote justice 
C)  to prevent tyranny by any one branch 
D)  to create gridlock in government 
E)  to improve international relations

Question 19

What was the greatest fear of the Anti-Federalists during the Constitutional Convention and subsequent debate?

Accepted Answer

A)  that a weak national government would undermine the survival of the United States 
B)  that a strong national government would infringe on the essential liberties of the people 
C)  that a powerful judiciary would restrict freedom of religion 
D)  that powerful state governments would never assent to the new Constitution 
E)  that a weak judiciary would be unable to enforce the new Constitution 
A)  that a weak national government would undermine the survival of the United States 
B)  that a strong national government would infringe on the essential liberties of the people 
C)  that a powerful judiciary would restrict freedom of religion 
D)  that powerful state governments would never assent to the new Constitution 
E)  that a weak judiciary would be unable to enforce the new Constitution

Question 20

The Great Compromise ended an impasse over the makeup of the legislative branch of government. Under which plan would California and Wyoming have had the same number of representatives in Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  Connecticut Plan 
B)  New Jersey Plan 
C)  New York Plan 
D)  Virginia Plan 
E)  West Virginia Plan 
A)  Connecticut Plan 
B)  New Jersey Plan 
C)  New York Plan 
D)  Virginia Plan 
E)  West Virginia Plan

Which of the following best explains why slavery was allowed when the Constitution was written?

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution contains which powers of Congress?

Explain the process for amending the Constitution.

A constitution is a written document establishing the structure, functions, and limitations of a government.

Describe the Virginia Plan.

Refer to the "Can Government Do Anything Well?" box. The government's proper role in the U.S. economy has been the focus of bitter debate. With which of the following would liberals agree?

Which of the following is a branch of the U.S. government?

What was the subject of the Great Compromise?

The Twenty-First Amendment was the only amendment to be ratified through special __________ conventions.

The __________ Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

The colonists rebelled against the unilateral imposition by the British government of which of the following?

At the Constitutional Convention, the delegates agreed that slaves would be counted as __________ of a person for determining population for representation in the House of Representatives.

Article II of the Constitution addresses the powers of the __________ branch.

In what year was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

Which plan called for a one-house legislature and multi-person executive?

Which of the following best describes the Constitutional Convention?

Which of the following is a reason for the separation of powers?

What was the greatest fear of the Anti-Federalists during the Constitutional Convention and subsequent debate?

The Great Compromise ended an impasse over the makeup of the legislative branch of government. Under which plan would California and Wyoming have had the same number of representatives in Congress?

Democracy and American Politics

Federalism: States and Nation

The Structural Foundations of American Government and Politics

Public Opinion

The News Media

Interest Groups and Business Organizations

Social Movements

Political Parties

Voting, Campaigns, and Elections

Congress

The Presidency

The Executive Branch

The Courts

Civil Liberties: the Struggle for Freedom

Civil Rights: the Struggle for Political Equality

Domestic Policies

Foreign Policy and National Defense

Filters

Exam 2: The Constitution

Which of the following best explains why slavery was allowed when the Constitution was written?

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution contains which powers of Congress?

Explain the process for amending the Constitution.

A constitution is a written document establishing the structure, functions, and limitations of a government.

Describe the Virginia Plan.

Refer to the "Can Government Do Anything Well?" box. The government's proper role in the U.S. economy has been the focus of bitter debate. With which of the following would liberals agree?

Which of the following is a branch of the U.S. government?

What was the subject of the Great Compromise?

The Twenty-First Amendment was the only amendment to be ratified through special __________ conventions.

The __________ Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

The colonists rebelled against the unilateral imposition by the British government of which of the following?

At the Constitutional Convention, the delegates agreed that slaves would be counted as __________ of a person for determining population for representation in the House of Representatives.

Article II of the Constitution addresses the powers of the __________ branch.

In what year was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

Which plan called for a one-house legislature and multi-person executive?

Which of the following best describes the Constitutional Convention?

Which of the following is a reason for the separation of powers?

What was the greatest fear of the Anti-Federalists during the Constitutional Convention and subsequent debate?

The Great Compromise ended an impasse over the makeup of the legislative branch of government. Under which plan would California and Wyoming have had the same number of representatives in Congress?

Democracy and American Politics

Federalism: States and Nation

The Structural Foundations of American Government and Politics

Public Opinion

The News Media

Interest Groups and Business Organizations

Social Movements

Political Parties

Voting, Campaigns, and Elections

Congress

The Presidency

The Executive Branch

The Courts

Civil Liberties: the Struggle for Freedom

Civil Rights: the Struggle for Political Equality

Domestic Policies

Foreign Policy and National Defense

Filters