3.1 and 3.2 Practice MCQs

Front

To which level of government did the Bill of Rights originally apply?

Back

Federal government only

Answer explanation

The Bill of Rights originally applied only to the federal government, limiting its powers and protecting individual liberties. It was not until later that the 14th Amendment began to extend these protections to state governments.

Front

Which of the following would most likely be protected by the First Amendment?
A reporter knowingly publishes a false story that injures the subject’s reputation.
A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war.
An individual issues a threat against another individual on social media.
An individual spray paints graffiti on a public building to protest a government action.

Back

A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war.

Answer explanation

The First Amendment protects symbolic speech, such as a student wearing a black armband to protest. This form of expression is recognized as a legitimate form of political protest, unlike the other options which involve illegal actions.

Front

Which of the following scenarios illustrates an action that would be protected by the free exercise clause in the First Amendment? A student wears a T-shirt to public school portraying an illegal substance. A person legally purchases a firearm for the purpose of self-defense. A person wears a necklace bearing a Christian cross to work. A state mandates the reading of a prayer at the beginning of the school day.

Back

A person wears a necklace bearing a Christian cross to work.

Answer explanation

The free exercise clause protects individuals' rights to express their religious beliefs. Wearing a necklace with a Christian cross is a personal expression of faith, making it protected under the First Amendment.

Front

Which of the following scenarios, related to the First Amendment, best illustrates the “right . . . to petition the Government . . .”? A newspaper prints an editorial supporting executive action by the president. A student sues a public school that institutes a mandatory prayer ceremony. A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill. A religious group practices a religious ritual that is in conflict with a local law.

Back

A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill.

Answer explanation

The scenario where a citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill best illustrates the right to petition the government, as it involves directly seeking government action.

Front

Which case decided whether a state could compel children to attend school beyond eighth grade even if it violated the students’ sincerely held religious beliefs?

Back

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Answer explanation

The case Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) ruled that states could not compel Amish children to attend school beyond eighth grade if it conflicted with their religious beliefs, making it the correct choice for this question.

Front

Which case examined a state law requiring all children to attend school through the twelfth grade to promote the general welfare? Options: Engel v. Vitale (1962), Marbury v. Madison (1803), Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Back

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Answer explanation

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) examined a state law mandating school attendance through twelfth grade, focusing on the balance between state interests in education and the rights of parents to direct their children's upbringing.

Front

In Engel v. Vitale (1962), which of the following provides the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s ruling? Options: It ruled that the state had an overarching right to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding such action permissible under the Tenth Amendment.; It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation.; It balanced the school’s interest in providing for an open and peaceful frame of mind for the school day with the interest of the students in not being subjected to the prayer, ultimately ruling for the state.; It rejected the student complaint, as public school students have no free exercise rights in school.

Back

It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation.

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court ruled that the state had no justifiable interest in compelling students to listen to a nondenominational prayer, as it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.