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United States Constitution multiple choice questions

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1. Our system of checks and balances is designed to

a. maintain proper fiscal policy by controlling expenditures and following proper accounting
practices
b. promote affirmative action policy within our branches of government
c. prevent any branch of government from encroaching on the power of another branch
d. none of the above

2. Our system of government is based on the concept of

a. might makes right
b. federalism
c. one person - one vote
d. none of the above

3. The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution were primarily designed to protect which of
the following?

a. Individual rights
b. Interstate commerce
c. The judicial branch
d. Equal protection

4. The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution states which of the following?

a. That the President is the supreme head of the Executive Branch
b. That any Treaty, to be effective, must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Senate
c. That any state or local law that directly conflicts with a valid federal law is void
d. That the freedoms of speech, press, and religion are the primary freedoms cherished by all Americans

5. The doctrine of separation of powers calls for which of the following?

a. Separation of church and state
b. Separation of civilian and military authority
c. Separation of campaign finances from legislative appropriation decisions
d. Separation of the functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

6. Which of the following correctly states one of the conclusions expressed by Justice Stevens in the case of William Jefferson Clinton v. Paula Corbin Jones?

a. The President of the United States is immune from legal proceedings during his term in office
b. The separation-of-powers doctrine does not bar every exercise of jurisdiction by the judicial branch over the President of the United States
c. The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the United States
d. The Executive Branch takes precedence over the Legislative Branch in matters of legislative interpretation

7. Which of the following BEST explains why cases raising separation of powers as an issue are rare?

a. The separation-of-powers doctrine has been ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court
b. Matters of church and state are best left to their individual spheres
c. It is difficult to determine where one branch's authority ends and another's begins
d. Litigants prefer to raise these sorts of issues under the Bill of Rights rather than argue separation-of-powers

8. The primary powers of Congress as our legislative branch of government are listed in which article of the Constitution?

a. Article I
b. Article II
c. Article III
d. The Bill of Rights

9. The primary powers of the Federal Judiciary, including the U.S. Supreme Court, as our judicial branch of government are listed in which article of the Constitution?

a. Article I
b. Article II
c. Article III
d. The Bill of Rights

10. The primary powers of the president and the executive branch function of our government are listed in which article of the Constitution?

a. Article I
b. Article II
c. Article III
d. The Bill of Rights

11. Which of the following statements is true about the power of Congress?

a. Congress has unlimited power to legislate
b. Congress can legislate, interpret, and enforce the law
c. Congress possesses only that limited legislative power granted to it by the Constitution
d. Congress can legislate and execute, but must leave interpretation up to the judicial branch

12. Federal court judges are selected according to which of the following methods?

a. Appointed by the governor of the state in which the courthouse is located
b. Appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate
c. Elected by the voters residing in the judicial district or circuit in which the judicial vacancy has
occurred
d. Elected by the House of Representatives and Senate, and confirmed by the President

13. Which of the following best describes a judicial activist?

a. A judicial activist believes in following precedent
b. A judicial activist tends to focus on the facts without questioning whether the law needs to be
changed
c. A judicial activist believes that the judiciary should refrain from determining the constitutionality
of an act of Congress unless absolutely necessary
d. A judicial activist is results-oriented and is interested in reaching the result that is
best for society

14. This case gave the Court the opportunity to state the federal government is supreme in relation to the state governments. It also was the start of something remarkable regarding Congress' ability to legislate based on its powers under the commerce clause. Using this power, Congress has been able to bring about much social change in this country - including working conditions, safety, and the meltdown of segregation in institutions, to name just a few. In addition, many historians find that the ruling in this case was instrumental in turning New York into what it is today - simply by opening up the trade in and out of the area.

a. Marbury v. Madison - (5 U.S. 137)
b. McCulloch v. Maryland - (17 U.S. 316)
c. Gibbons v. Ogden - (22 U.S 1)
d. Barron v. Baltimore - (32 U.S. 243)

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