US Constitution Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

What is the main purpose of the Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

To protect our basic freedoms, such as freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial

Answer

To outline the structure of the government

Answer

To ensure equal treatment under the law

Answer

To grant the government complete authority to create laws

Question 2

How has the Constitution influenced the story of the United States?

Accepted Answer

It has protected basic rights and freedoms for all Americans.

Accepted Answer

It has created a fair and just legal system.

Accepted Answer

It has limited the powers of the government.

Answer

It has not had a significant impact on American history.

Question 3

Which of these is NOT a core principle of the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Majority rule

Answer

Limited government

Answer

Separation of powers

Answer

Popular sovereignty

Question 4

How are the different parts of the Constitution organized?

Accepted Answer

The articles are like chapters in a book, and the clauses are like sections in each chapter.

Answer

The articles and clauses are all separate and don't relate to each other.

Answer

The clauses are more important than the articles.

Answer

The articles are all about the same thing.

Question 5

How does the Constitution ensure that the government and the people must obey the same laws?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution requires the government to create laws that apply to everyone, including itself.

Answer

The Constitution allows the government to create any laws it chooses.

Answer

The Constitution prohibits the people from creating any laws.

Answer

The Constitution does not specify who must follow the laws.

Question 6

In the United States, who helps make laws?

Accepted Answer

The federal government and the state governments

Answer

Only the President

Answer

Only the state governments

Answer

The President and the Supreme Court

Question 7

Why was the Constitution created in the late 18th century?

Accepted Answer

To fix problems with the Articles of Confederation

Answer

To make the central government weaker

Answer

To give more power to the states

Answer

To create a monarchy

Question 8

Who created the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The people

Answer

The government

Answer

The President

Answer

The Supreme Court

Question 9

If you believe a new law is unfair, how can you use the Constitution to challenge it?

Accepted Answer

File a lawsuit in court, arguing that the law violates your rights under the Constitution.

Answer

Write a letter to your local newspaper explaining why you think the law is unfair.

Answer

Organize a protest and march in the streets.

Answer

Talk to your friends and family about the law and try to convince them to agree with you.

Question 10

Where does the government get its power from, according to the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The people

Answer

The President

Answer

The army

Answer

Foreign countries

Question 11

What idea limits the government's power?

Accepted Answer

Limited Government

Answer

Unlimited Power

Answer

Shared Power

Question 12

Which of these is NOT a way to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A proposal from the President of the United States

Answer

A proposal from two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate

Answer

A proposal from three-fourths of the state legislatures

Answer

A proposal from a national convention called by Congress

Question 13

Why were amendments added to the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

To improve the Constitution based on new ideas and changing needs

Answer

To change the number of states in the United States

Answer

To make the Constitution shorter and easier to understand

Answer

To give the President more power

Question 14

The Constitution shares power between the national government and the states. How does it do this?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution divides power between the national government and the states, giving them different responsibilities.

Answer

The national government has all the power, while the states have none.

Answer

The states have all the power, while the national government has none.

Question 15

The Constitution starts with a special introduction called the Preamble. What is the main reason we have the Preamble?

Accepted Answer

To explain why the Constitution was written

Answer

To show the different parts of the government

Answer

To list the rights of the people

Question 16

What is the name of the very important document that has the rules for how the American government should work?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution

Answer

The Declaration of Independence

Answer

The Bill of Rights

Answer

The Articles of Agreement

Question 17

Who is known as the 'Father of the Constitution'?

Accepted Answer

James Madison

Answer

Thomas Jefferson

Answer

George Washington

Answer

Benjamin Franklin

Question 18

Who do the people choose to represent them in our government?

Accepted Answer

Leaders

Answer

Kings

Answer

Judges

Answer

Teachers

Question 19

Which branch of government is responsible for creating laws?

Accepted Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial

Question 20

What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances?

Accepted Answer

To make sure no part of the government has too much power

Answer

To give each part of the government the same amount of power

Answer

To allow the President to stop any decision made by Congress

Answer

To protect the rights of every person

Question 21

Which is the most important set of rules for our country?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution

Answer

The Declaration of Independence

Answer

The Articles of Confederation

Answer

The Bill of Rights

Question 22

What is the most important rulebook in our country?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution

Answer

The Story of America

Answer

Encyclopedia Britannica

Answer

TV Guide

Question 23

What does popular sovereignty mean?

Accepted Answer

We choose who leads us.

Answer

The government has all the power.

Answer

We have to do whatever the king says.

Answer

Only rich people can vote.

Question 24

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

To tell us what our rights are.

Answer

To keep us safe from bad guys.

Answer

To help us find lost pets.

Answer

To teach us how to play baseball.

Question 25

Who makes the laws in our country?

Accepted Answer

Congress

Answer

The President

Answer

The Police

Answer

The Firefighters

Question 26

How does the Constitution make sure no one part of the government gets too powerful?

Accepted Answer

Different parts of the government can check on each other.

Answer

The President can fire anyone in the government.

Answer

The people can vote out anyone in the government.

Answer

The military protects the government from the people.

Question 27

Which amendment to the Constitution ended slavery?

Accepted Answer

13th Amendment

Answer

1st Amendment

Answer

15th Amendment

Answer

19th Amendment

Question 28

Who has the final say on what the Constitution means?

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court

Answer

The President

Answer

Congress

Answer

The People

Question 29

Who, according to the Constitution, has the power to make laws?

Accepted Answer

The people through their elected representatives

Answer

The President

Answer

The Supreme Court

Answer

The states

Question 30

Which famous American is known as the "Father of the Constitution"?

Accepted Answer

James Madison

Answer

George Washington

Answer

Thomas Jefferson

Answer

Abraham Lincoln

Question 31

What is the main idea behind the principle of "We the People"?

Accepted Answer

The government is created by the people and derives its power from them.

Answer

The government has absolute power over the people.

Answer

The people have no say in how they are governed.

Answer

Only adults have the right to participate in government.

Question 32

How many branches of government are established by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Three

Answer

Two

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

Question 33

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

To protect our basic freedoms, like freedom of speech and religion.

Answer

To outline the powers of the government.

Answer

To establish the rules for elections.

Answer

To define the responsibilities of citizens.

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a power granted to the federal government by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

To provide healthcare for all Americans

Answer

To declare war

Answer

To regulate trade between states

Answer

To set up a national bank

Question 35

What is the goal of separating governmental powers?

Accepted Answer

To prevent any one branch of government from gaining too much control.

Answer

To give the government more power over the people.

Answer

To make it easier for different branches to work together.

Answer

To protect the rights of minorities.

Question 36

Which amendment to the Constitution ended slavery?

Accepted Answer

Thirteenth Amendment

Answer

First Amendment

Answer

Fifth Amendment

Answer

Nineteenth Amendment

Question 37

What is the role of checks and balances in our government system?

Accepted Answer

To make sure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Answer

To ensure that all citizens have equal rights.

Answer

To protect the government from foreign threats.

Answer

To promote cooperation between the different branches of government.

Question 38

Which branch of government interprets the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court

Answer

The President

Answer

Congress

Answer

The states

Question 39

What is the main idea of the Preamble to the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

It lists the goals and principles of the Constitution.

Answer

It explains why the Constitution was written.

Answer

It establishes the different branches of government.

Answer

It guarantees certain rights to citizens.

Question 40

Why did people create the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

To stop arguments between states

Answer

To choose the president

Answer

To give everyone the right to vote

Question 41

How can we help keep the Constitution strong?

Accepted Answer

By learning about the Constitution and sharing what we know.

Answer

By ignoring the Constitution.

Answer

By changing the Constitution whenever we want.

Answer

By not voting in elections.

Question 42

What does it mean when we say the US government is 'limited'?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution sets limits on what the government can do.

Answer

The government can't make any rules.

Answer

The government has no limits on its power.

Answer

The government can do whatever it wants.

Question 43

Who holds the ultimate authority in our government?

Accepted Answer

The citizens

Answer

The President

Answer

Congress

Question 44

Who can make new laws for our country?

Accepted Answer

Congress

Answer

The President

Answer

The Supreme Court

Answer

The Department of Justice

Question 45

How does the First Amendment protect our right to speak our minds?

Accepted Answer

It lets us say what we want without being punished.

Answer

It only protects our speech if we're talking to the government.

Answer

It doesn't protect our speech if it hurts or offends others.

Answer

It only protects our speech if we're grown-ups.

Question 46

How can citizens help protect the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

By following the rules it outlines

Answer

By ignoring the branches of government it establishes

Answer

By changing it whenever they wish

Answer

By staying silent when they witness wrongdoing

Question 47

Why did the people of the United States decide to create a new government with the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The old government couldn't keep the states together.

Answer

The old government was too strong.

Answer

The old government didn't have a president.

Answer

The old government let states have their own armies.

Question 48

Which right in the Constitution protects your ability to express your thoughts and ideas?

Accepted Answer

Freedom of speech

Answer

Right to own guns

Answer

Right to choose leaders

Question 49

Who is responsible for creating laws in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Congress

Answer

The President

Answer

The Supreme Court

Question 50

How do newspapers and TV news help ensure that the rules of our country, called the Constitution, are followed?

Accepted Answer

They tell people what the government is doing.

Answer

They make laws for the government.

Answer

They choose our country's leader.

Answer

They have no part in the government.

Question 51

Read the following sentence: 'We the people of the United States.' Who is 'we the people' referring to?

Accepted Answer

All the citizens of the United States

Answer

Only the adults in the United States

Answer

Only the men in the United States

Answer

Only the rich people in the United States

Question 52

Why is it important to have different branches of government?

Accepted Answer

To prevent any one branch from having too much power

Answer

To make it easier to pass laws

Answer

To give the President more authority

Answer

To confuse the people

Question 53

Who leads the meeting where laws are made?

Accepted Answer

The Speaker of the House

Answer

The President

Answer

The Supreme Court

Answer

The Chief Justice

Question 54

What is the most important law in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution

Answer

The Declaration of Independence

Answer

The Articles of Confederation

Answer

The Bill of Rights

Question 55

What is the purpose of checks and balances in government?

Accepted Answer

To make sure no one part of the government has too much power

Answer

To give the people more say in how they are governed

Answer

To protect the rights of the President

Answer

To make it easier to pass laws

Question 56

Which branch of government makes sure the laws are fair?

Accepted Answer

The judicial branch

Answer

The executive branch

Answer

The legislative branch

Answer

The military

Question 57

What is the first part of the Constitution called?

Accepted Answer

The Preamble

Answer

The Bill of Rights

Answer

The Articles of Confederation

Answer

The Declaration of Independence

Question 58

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence, the document that declared that the American colonies were free from British rule?

Accepted Answer

Thomas Jefferson

Answer

George Washington

Answer

Benjamin Franklin

Answer

James Madison

Question 59

How does the Constitution prevent any one person or group from having too much power in the United States?

Accepted Answer

By dividing the government into different branches

Answer

By giving the President the power to make all the laws

Answer

By requiring all laws to be approved by the Supreme Court

Answer

By allowing citizens to vote for their leaders

Question 60

Which part of the Constitution says people have the right to own guns?

Accepted Answer

Second Amendment

Answer

First Amendment

Answer

Tenth Amendment

Answer

Fourteenth Amendment

Question 61

Which power gives the Supreme Court the authority to check if laws match the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Judicial Review

Answer

Presidential Power

Answer

Congressional Power

Answer

Amendment Power

Question 62

Why was the Constitution created?

Accepted Answer

To strengthen the central government.

Answer

To give more power to the states.

Answer

To end slavery.

Answer

To establish a national religion.

Question 63

What happened to the Constitution after it was ratified?

Accepted Answer

The Bill of Rights was added.

Answer

The Electoral College was removed.

Answer

The President's power was increased.

Answer

The Constitution became a 'living' document.

Question 64

How does the Constitution protect our basic freedoms from being taken away by the government?

Accepted Answer

By listing specific rights and freedoms that the government cannot remove.

Answer

By requiring the government to make new laws every year.