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Chapter 3

Matching
 
 
IDENTIFYING KEY TERMS
Match each item with the correct statement below. You will not use all the terms.
a.
amendment
b.
Bill of Rights
c.
checks and balances
d.
constitutionalism
e.
article
f.
rule of law
g.
separation of powers
 

 1. 

A(n) ____ is a way to change the Constitution.
 

 2. 

The government and its officers must obey the ____, which is another way of describing the concept of limited government.
 

 3. 

A(n) ____ is one of the seven numbered sections of the Constitution.
 

 4. 

The system of ____ helps keep one branch of government from dominating the actions of the others.
 

 5. 

The Constitution provides for the ____ by creating three distinct branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
 

Other
 
 
IDENTIFYING KEY TERMS
Use each key term in a sentence that shows the meaning of the term.
 

 6. 

unconstitutional
 

 7. 

federalism
 

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 
 
MAIN IDEAS
 

 8. 

With the words, "We the People," the Constitution establishes its authority on the basis of
a.
popular sovereignty.
b.
the rule of law.
c.
the separation of powers.
d.
limited government.
 

 9. 

Which statement about the Bill of Rights is NOT true?
a.
The amendments arose from the controversy over ratification of the Constitution.
b.
The amendments were ratified at the same time as the Constitution.
c.
The amendments guarantee such basic rights as freedom of expression and fair and equal treatment before the law.
d.
The amendments are the first ten of the Constitution.
 

 10. 

The informal amendment process
a.
involves changing the written words of the Constitution.
b.
has been used very little in the past 200 years.
c.
can occur only with the approval of the States.
d.
results from the daily experiences of government.
 

 11. 

The President's Cabinet is an example of constitutional change by
a.
unwritten custom.
b.
court decision.
c.
State action.
d.
basic legislation.
 

 12. 

In most cases involving judicial review, the courts have
a.
had their decisions overturned by Congress.
b.
found the governmental actions in question to be unconstitutional.
c.
found the governmental actions in question to be constitutional.
d.
had their decisions vetoed by the President.
 

 13. 

Which of the following best describes the concept of limited government?
a.
Powers are divided among three independent branches of government.
b.
All political power belongs to the people.
c.
Government must operate within certain bounds set by the people.
d.
The people must behave according to rules set by the government.
 

 14. 

Which of the following is a method of formal amendment?
a.
proposal by three-fourths of the House of Representatives and ratification by conventions in three-fourths of State legislatures
b.
proposal by two-thirds of the Senate and ratification by two-thirds of State legislatures
c.
proposal by two-thirds of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of State legislatures
d.
all of the above
 

 15. 

Which of the following constitutional changes was a result of party practices?
a.
the use of the electoral college as a "rubber stamp" for the popular vote
b.
the revised structure of the federal court system
c.
executive agreement
d.
the practice of senatorial courtesy
 

 16. 

The basic constitutional rights of the people were FIRST set out in the
a.
13th, 14th, and 15th amendments.
b.
10th Amendment.
c.
Bill of Rights.
d.
Equal Rights Amendment.
 

 17. 

Which of the following is NOT true of the use of executive agreement?
a.
It extends the President's power.
b.
It carries the same legal force as a treaty.
c.
It can be used to avoid the lengthy treaty-making process.
d.
It is among the executive powers listed in Article II of the Constitution.
 

 18. 

The legislative branch can check the judicial branch by its power to
a.
name federal judges.
b.
remove judges through impeachment.
c.
declare executive actions unconstitutional.
d.
override a presidential veto.
 

 19. 

Which of the following is the subject of a constitutional amendment?
a.
the prohibition of alcohol
b.
repeal of a previous amendment
c.
presidential term limits
d.
all of the above
 

 20. 

The Judiciary Act of 1789 was an example of
a.
a formal amendment to the Constitution.
b.
congressional change to the Constitution.
c.
an executive agreement.
d.
a court decision.
 

Short Answer
 
 
INTERPRETING DIAGRAMS
Use the diagram to answer the following questions.

nar003-1.jpg
 

 21. 

Which branch of government can declare an act of Congress to be unconstitutional?
 

 22. 

What powers do the President and Congress have over the appointment of Supreme Court justices?
 

 23. 

Which branch of government can override a presidential veto?
 

Essay
 
 
CRITICAL THINKING
 

 24. 

Drawing Conclusions If a proposed amendment violates the Constitution, should the Supreme Court be able to block its ratification? Explain.
 

 25. 

Determining Relevance How is the constitutional principle of federalism reflected in the formal amendment process?
 



 
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