Pop Quiz
There was news of a study discussed on the morning news this morning that mightily upset me. This article sums it up, but basically, Americans are more familiar with The Simpsons (Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, NOT Jessica & Nick) than they are with the U.S. Constitution.It is a travesty, nothing less. Where is the sense of civic responsibility? Where is the sense of civic curiosity? I could go on for hours about my sense of outrage over this, but instead I have decided to educate. Take the following quiz to test your knowledge. (Answers at the bottom of the post.)
1. What is "The Preamble"?
a. The end of the Declaration
b. The beginning of the Declaration
c. The beginning of the Constitution
d. The rambling end of the Constitution
2. Which of the following is not listed as a goal in The Preamble?
a. provide for the common defense
b. establish justice
c. provide a welfare system
d. secure the blessings of liberty
3. What are the first three words of the Constitution?
a. Four score and
b. In the Course
c. We the States
d. We the People
4. Article 1, Section 1 creates our legislative body. What type of legislative system is enumerated?
a. bicameral
b. tricameral
c. unicameral
d. precameral
5. Qualifications for Representatives to the House are enumerated. How old do you have to be to be a Representative?
a. 20
b. 21
c. 25
d. 30
6. Representatives are elected for what duration?
a. 2 years
b. 4 years
c. 6 years
d. each state has it's own duration, by state statute
7. Article 1, Section 3: How many Senators does each state get?
a. it is dependent on population
b. it is dependent on population, with blacks counting as 3/5 of a person (later changed)
c. it is dependent on landmass, but no less than 2 per state
d. 2
8. Senatorial requirements are also enumerated. Which of the following is required to be a Senator?
a. a law degree
b. 25 years old and a citizen of the USA for at least 7 years
c. a law degree, 25 years old, citizen for at least 7 years
d. 30 years old, a citizen for 9 years, and a resident of the state you represent
9. Which of the following is not an enumerated power of Congress?
a. to borrow money
b. to coin money
c. to punish piracy on the high seas
d. grant pardons
10. Which of the following is not a requirement to hold the office of the President?
a. 35 years old
b. a natural born citizen
c. a resident for 14 years
d. none of these
11. The President has the power to fill vacancies in posts without Senate consent if the Senate is in recess when the vacancy exists.
a. True
b. False
c. You are making this shit up!
12. Article 3 establishes which branch of the government?
a. The Fourth Estate
b. The Executive
c. The Judicial
d. State Governments
13. How many states had to ratify the Constitution in order for it to be enacted?
a. 7
b. 9
c. 11
d. All 13 original states
14. Which state was the first to ratify?
a. Delaware
b. Rhode Island
c. Virginia
d. Maryland
15. Which of the following is a right of The People, as enumerated in The Bill of Rights?
a. The right to hunt and keep bear arms as trophies
b. the right not to have to quarter soldiers in a time of peace
c. the right to sign petitions
d. the right to inflict cruel and unusual punishments on your issue
16. According to the 10th Amendment, who holds the powers not enumerated specifically to others in the Constitution?
a. God Almighty
b. The President
c. State Governors
d. The People
17. Which Amendment abolished slavery?
a. The fifth
b. The eleventh
c. The thirteenth
d. The twenty-first
18. Prohibition started with which Amendment?
a. 18
b. 19
c. 20
d. 27
19. Women gained suffrage with which Amendment?
a. 15
b. 19
c. 20
d. 21
20. Amendment 22 effectively limits any person from holding the office of the Presidency for more than how many years?
a. 8
b. 10
c. 12
d. 20
21. What does Amendment 25 say?
a. you can't be denied the vote for failing to pay taxes
b. in the event of the death or resignation of the President, the Vice President takes over
c. repeals the 19th Amendment
d. you can vote at the age of 18
22. which Amendment provides that you don't have to be a witness against yourself?
a. 5
b. 9
c. 16
d. 22
23. Where was the Constitutional Convention held?
a. New York
b. Washington, D.C.
c. Philadelphia
d. Boston
24. What is the name of the works that were written by delegates during the convention that argued points and clarified reasons for measures?
a. Democratic Mission
b. Talking Points Memos
c. Meet the Press
d. The Federalist Papers
25. What document was the precursor to The Constitution?
a. Declaration of Independence
b. Articles of Yankeedom
c. Articles of Government Invention
d. Articles of Confederation
Answers:
1. c 2. c 3. d 4. a 5. c 6. a 7. d 8. d 9. d 10. d 11. a 12. c 13. b 14. a 15. b 16. d 17. c 18. a 19. b 20. b 21. b 22. a 23. c 24. d 25. d
