Government Chapter 3 Test

Which of the following best defines constitutional amendment?

• changes to the original Constitution
• descriptions of the structure of government
• outline of the limits of government
• statement of individual rights and freedoms

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances in the United States?

• Congress passes laws by unanimous vote.
• Congress vetoes a law passed by the president.
• The president appoints judges to the Supreme Court.
• The president passes a law in Congress.

Which branch of government interprets the law and includes the Supreme Court?

• the executive branch
• the judicial branch
• the legislative branch
• the presidential branch

How does representation in the U.S. Senate differ from representation in the House?

• The House of Representatives includes two representatives from each state.
• The House of Representatives is made up of appointed officials.
• The number of representatives in the House is based on state population.
• The representatives in the House are elected by Congress.

Which of the following best describes the formal process of amending the Constitution?

• Propose an amendment, then have citizens vote on it.
• Propose an amendment, then have state legislatures ratify it.
• Ratify an amendment, then propose it be voted on by Congress.
• Vote on an amendment, then have Congress ratify it

Which amendment was created to protect the rights of freed slaves and their descendants?

• First Amendment
• Seventh Amendment
• Fourteenth Amendment
• Ninth Amendment

Which group can influence the meaning of the Constitution through judicial review?

• Congress
• the Supreme Court
• the president
• state lawmakers

A written constitution is important because it

• allows government to control its citizens.
• cannot be changed, or amended.
• prevents citizens from breaking laws.
• provides a rule book for government.

In what way is the structure of state governments like that of the federal government?

• Both have a governor as head of the executive branch.
• Both have a judicial branch to pass laws.
• Both have legislative representatives to pass laws.
• Both have two branches of government.

States cannot violate due process laws because

• due process is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
• state legislators passed laws ruling against this violation.
• states will be found guilty of constitutional crimes in federal court.
• the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against due process laws.