US Constitution Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. How long is one term for a member of the US House of Representatives?
One year
Four years
Two years
Six years
2. Police seek a warrant to search a particular home for evidence of a crime. What does the Fourth Amendment generally require the warrant to include?
Probable cause and a particular description of the place and items involved
Approval from the state legislature where the home is located
Proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the resident committed the crime
A promise that charges will be filed after the search
3. Congress proposes a constitutional amendment. Which sequence is one valid route for adding it to the Constitution?
A simple majority in Congress followed by approval in a nationwide referendum
A unanimous Supreme Court ruling followed by approval in both chambers
Presidential approval followed by ratification by half of the states
Two-thirds approval in each chamber followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states
4. What does Article III of the Constitution establish directly?
A separate constitutional court for every federal executive department
A Supreme Court and a fixed number of lower federal courts
Only state courts, with Congress selecting one to hear federal cases
One Supreme Court, while allowing Congress to establish lower federal courts
5. A person facing a serious criminal prosecution cannot afford an attorney and is denied legal counsel. Which amendment most directly protects the right at issue?
The Fourth Amendment
The Sixth Amendment
The Ninth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment
6. The president negotiates a treaty with another country. What constitutional step is required for the treaty to be made with the Senate’s advice and consent?
Approval by a majority of the House of Representatives
Approval by a majority vote in both chambers of Congress
Approval by the Supreme Court before ratification
Agreement by two-thirds of the senators present
7. A state adopts a law that denies a group equal legal protection based on race. Which constitutional provision most directly applies?
The First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause
The Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause
The Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause
The Twenty-Second Amendment’s presidential term limit
8. Which document establishes the framework of the US federal government and is recognized as the nation’s supreme law?
The US Constitution
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation
The Federalist Papers
9. A defendant in a criminal case is ordered to testify against themself. Which constitutional protection is most directly relevant?
The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms
The Fifth Amendment protection against compelled self-incrimination
The Tenth Amendment reservation of undelegated powers
The requirement that each state receive two senators
10. A city fines a resident solely for peacefully criticizing government policy at a public meeting. Which constitutional protection is most directly implicated?
The First Amendment protection of speech
The Seventh Amendment right to a civil jury in certain federal cases
The Third Amendment protection against quartering soldiers
The Constitution’s prohibition on titles of nobility
11. No presidential candidate wins a majority of appointed electoral votes. Under the Twelfth Amendment, how is the president then chosen?
The Senate chooses the president, with each senator casting one vote
The Supreme Court chooses between the two candidates with the most electoral votes
The House chooses from the leading candidates, with each state delegation casting one vote
A nationwide runoff election is held between the top two candidates
12. Congress is considering an ordinary federal bill. Under the usual constitutional process, what must happen before it becomes law?
The House must pass it, and the Supreme Court must approve it before the Senate votes
Both chambers must pass the same bill, and the president must sign it unless Congress overrides a veto
The Senate must pass it, and a majority of state governors must approve it
Both chambers must pass it, and then voters must approve it in a national referendum
13. A state law directly conflicts with a valid federal law made under the Constitution. Which rule generally resolves the conflict?
The state law controls because states existed before the federal government
The law enacted most recently automatically controls
The valid federal law controls under the Supremacy Clause
Both laws are suspended until the Constitution is amended
14. Congress creates a federal institution as a practical way to carry out its enumerated taxing and spending powers. Which constitutional provision most directly supports using such a means?
The Necessary and Proper Clause
The Full Faith and Credit Clause
The Establishment Clause
The Ex Post Facto Clauses
15. Which feature of Congress gives every state equal representation regardless of population?
Each state receives the same number of House seats
Each state casts one combined vote in Congress
Each state appoints the same number of committee chairs
Each state has two senators
16. How does the Constitution primarily divide power among the three branches of the federal government?
By assigning each branch authority over a separate group of states
By giving legislative, executive, and judicial functions to different branches
By allowing each branch to govern independently without checks from the others
By placing all three branches under the direct control of Congress