Source Review: U.S. Constitution

"We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

What is this part of the U.S. Constitution called?

• Article 1

• The Preamble

• The Bill of Rights

• The First Amendment

Answer explanation

The Preamble is the first sentence of the Constitution, beginning with "WE THE PEOPLE" It states all of the purposes of the Constitution/government

The Constitution begins with the line "We the People of the United States…"

What principle does this represent?

• Consent of the governed

• Republicanism

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

Answer explanation

Consent of the governed (Popular Sovereignty) is the idea that government's power comes from the people. The Constitution begins with the line "We The People" to make it clear that the Constitutions power comes from the people of the United States

What is this an example of?

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Individual Rights

Answer explanation

This shows how the executive branch can check the power of the legislative by vetoing laws passed by Congress and also that Congress can check the presidents power by overeiding a veto

"No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of ________; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

The qualifications of which position in government are described above?

• President

• Senator

• Representative

• Supreme Court Justice

Answer explanation

It says that you must be a natural born citizen, 35 years old and a resident of the U.S. for 14 years which are three qualifications to become president. These are not qualifications for any other position

"Article 1, Section 1. All Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."

Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution is about which branch of government?

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

Answer explanation

Congress (senate and house of representatives) are in the Legislative branch

"Attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen."

This excerpt from the U.S. Constitution above represents the qualifications of which position in the federal government?

• Senator

• Representative

• President

• Supreme Court Justice

Answer explanation

"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, [chosen by the Legislature thereof,] for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote."

Based on the excerpt above, how many total senators are there in the United States?

• 2

• 50

• 100

• 435

Answer explanation

Each state gets 2 senators.

There are 50 states

50 X 2= 100 senators

"Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows"

The above description explains which branch?

• Executive

• Judicial

• Legislative

Answer explanation

The President and Vice President are in the Executive Branch

"The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present."

According to the excerpt above, which branch handles impeachment?

• Executive

• Judicial

• Legislative

Answer explanation

The Senate is in the legislative branch

The legislative branch has the power to impeach

The Chief Justice "presides" when the President is being impeached but the job of impeaching is legislative!

"Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approves he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated... If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law.:

The excerpt from the U.S. Constitution listed above represents which of the following TWO processes in our government?

• The process for a bill to become a law

• The process for amending the U.S. Constitution

• The process for ratifying the U.S. Constitution

• Checks and balances in the law making process

Answer explanation

A bill is a proposed law.

A bill is made in Congress (legislative branch)

If approved by the President (executive) it becomes a law

If vetoed by the President, Congress can try to override it and pass it over the veto