Studying for the American Government Summative

The Second Amendment protects which rights?

• free speech and press
• right to refuse housing to soldiers
• right to bear arms
• right to privacy

What is a constitution?

• A list of individual rights that cannot be taken away by the government.
• A collection of laws passed by a king or ruler to govern a nation.
• A treaty between nations that establishes trade agreements and alliances.
• A written plan that outlines the structure, powers, and principles of a government.

In 1787, delegates met in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention with the initial intention of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, they ended up creating a new constitution. A major issue they resolved was the representation of states in the new Congress. What was the solution, known as the Great Compromise?

• Each state, regardless of size, would have two representatives in Congress.
• Representation in one house of Congress would be based on state population, while in the other house, each state would have equal representation.
• All states agreed to be represented based on their economic contributions to the federal government.
• States would rotate their representation in Congress, with each state getting equal time.

What is the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?

• A list of individual rights granted to citizens.
• A section that explains the process for amending the Constitution.
• A document that established the first government of the United States before the Constitution.
• The introduction that outlines the purposes and principles of the Constitution.

The First Amendment protects which rights?

• free speech and press
• freedom of religion
• freedom to assemble and petition the government
• all of the above

How many branches of government are there at the national or federal level?

• one
• two
• three
• four

Zendaya is staying at a luxury hotel when, suddenly, the police burst into her room without warning. They start searching through her luggage and personal belongings, claiming they are looking for stolen jewelry. When she asks if they have a warrant, they say they don’t need one because she’s a public figure. They take some of her things and leave without giving any explanation. Which constitutional right has been violated?

• 9th
• 1st
• 2nd
• 3rd
• 4th

In U.S. presidential elections, states that consistently vote for Democratic candidates are called blue states, while those that consistently vote for Republican candidates are called red states. What is a swing state?

• A state that consistently votes for Democratic candidates.
• A state that consistently votes for Republican candidates.
• A state where either major party candidate has a reasonable chance of winning.
• A state that does not participate in the Electoral College.

What was the Supreme Court case Wallace v. Jaffree about, and how did the Court rule?

• A student was prohibited from praying at lunch, and the Court ruled this violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
• A public school required students to participate in religious activities, and the Court ruled this was protected under the Free Exercise Clause.
• A teacher was fired for leading a prayer in class, and the Court ruled this was a violation of the teacher’s Free Exercise rights.
• An Alabama law allowing a moment of silence for prayer in public schools was struck down because it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by promoting religion.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

• A list of complaints against the British king that justified the American Revolution.
• The official peace treaty between Britain and the United States that ended the Revolutionary War.
• The first constitution of the United States that created a weak national government with most power held by the states.
• A set of laws written by Britain to control the American colonies before independence.