U.S. Government Structure and Constitution
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Questions and Answers

What is the minimum age requirement to be a senator?

  • 25 years old
  • 30 years old (correct)
  • 35 years old
  • 40 years old

How often must Congress meet as a group?

  • Every year (correct)
  • Every month
  • Every two years
  • Every season

Which house of Congress has the exclusive authority to start bills that raise money?

  • The House of Representatives (correct)
  • A joint committee
  • The Senate
  • The President

What is the total number of senators in Congress?

<p>100 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

For how long does a member of the House of Representatives serve per term?

<p>2 years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one purpose mentioned in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?

<p>To establish Justice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the amendment process as inferred from the lesson plan?

<p>Voting on the amendment in Congress (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What activity involves students demonstrating understanding of the branches of government?

<p>Projecting the Whose Job Is It? Active Review (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'domestic Tranquility' in the Preamble suggest about the U.S. government's responsibilities?

<p>Ensuring internal peace and order (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should a teacher do if students show confusion during the lesson?

<p>Stop and clarify as needed (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What year did the Constitution become the law of the land?

<p>1789 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many amendments have been successfully added to the Constitution?

<p>27 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum approval required from state legislatures to ratify an amendment proposed by Congress?

<p>Three-fourths (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method of proposing an amendment to the Constitution?

<p>Majority vote in the House of Representatives (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was included in the Bill of Rights?

<p>Specific rights not mentioned in the Constitution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many amendment proposals have received enough votes to be proposed?

<p>33 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which body of government primarily proposes amendments to the Constitution?

<p>Congress (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which power is NOT granted to Congress?

<p>Authorize all aspects of education (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Article II of the Constitution?

<p>Describe the executive branch and its powers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a duty of the president according to Article II?

<p>Execute the laws of the government (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action can Congress NOT take based on the list of powers?

<p>Create new states (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process does Article II explain regarding the presidency?

<p>The Electoral College for selecting the president (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What authority does Congress have regarding taxation?

<p>Collect taxes without limitations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the powers granted to Congress in relation to controlling counterfeit money?

<p>Punish counterfeiters (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of the executive branch?

<p>To enforce laws (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<h1>=</h1> <h1>=</h1> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Amendment Process

The process of adding amendments to the US Constitution, involving two stages: proposal and ratification.

Proposal

The introduction of a new amendment to the Constitution, which can be done by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or a national convention called by two-thirds of the states.

Ratification

The formal approval of a proposed amendment, which requires a three-fourths vote of the states.

Preamble

The introduction to the United States Constitution listing its main goals and purposes.

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Insure Domestic Tranquility

One of the six main goals of the US government as stated in the Preamble: to ensure peace and order within the country.

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What is Congress?

The legislative branch of the U.S. government, consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

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What is the Senate?

Each state has two senators, regardless of population, serving six-year terms.

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What is the House of Representatives?

The number of representatives from each state is based on its population, with each representative serving a two-year term.

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What is a bill?

A proposed law that must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before being sent to the President for final approval.

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What are Congressional powers?

The power of Congress to make laws for the United States.

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Regulate Commerce

The power of Congress to regulate trade between states, with other countries, and with Native American tribes.

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Necessary and Proper Clause

The power of Congress to make laws that are necessary to carry out the powers listed in the Constitution.

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Executive Branch

The branch of government that carries out the laws made by Congress. It is headed by the president.

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Electoral College

The president is selected by the Electoral College, which is a group of electors chosen by each state based on its population.

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Electoral Process

The system by which the president and vice president are elected. It involves electors chosen by each state.

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Collect Taxes

The power of Congress to collect funds from citizens and businesses.

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Create Lower Federal Courts

The power of Congress to create lower federal courts, such as district courts and courts of appeals.

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Constitutional Amendment

A change or addition to the Constitution, requiring both proposal and ratification.

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Proposing an Amendment

The first step in amending the Constitution, involving a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress or a national convention called by two-thirds of the states.

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Ratifying an Amendment

The second step in amending the Constitution, requiring three-fourths of the states to approve the amendment.

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Constitutional Convention

A group of states called together to discuss and vote on a specific issue, such as constitutional amendments.

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State Legislature Ratification

The method where three-fourths of the state legislatures must approve the amendment.

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State Convention Ratification

The method where three-fourths of the states must approve the amendment by holding conventions to vote on it.

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Amending the Constitution

The process of adding an amendment to the Constitution.

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Study Notes

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to explain the structure, function, and powers of the U.S. government as established in the Constitution
  • Identify the roles of the three branches of government
  • Describe the constitutional amendment process
  • Interpret the intentions of the Preamble of the Constitution

Steps of the Constitution

  • Anticipate: Students discuss where government gets instructions.
  • Distribute: Reading packet provided to each student.
  • Read: First two paragraphs on page one, read aloud with class.
  • Display: Transparency on the Preamble, explain each phrase. Note differences in 1700s capitalization.
  • Read rest of Page One and through Page Three. Explain amendment process.
  • Distribute: Foldable activity page on amendments, demonstrated how to fold correctly.
  • Project: Transparency to show proper branch matches.
  • Ask/Assign: Show correct branch and clarify any confusion, do review pages.
  • Close: Students silently recall a purpose, then name until all are identified.

Anatomy of the Constitution

  • The U.S. Constitution establishes the government, outlines the roles of all three branches.
  • It is the oldest written Constitution in the world still in use (220 years old).
  • The Preamble introduces the Constitution, explains its purpose and what it intends to do, describing the new government's purpose.
  • Article I creates the legislative branch (law-making body).
  • Article II describes the executive branch, led by the President.
  • The Executive Branch's job is to enforce laws. Specific duties include commander-in-chief of the armed forces, maintenance of advisors (Cabinet), granting pardons, negotiating treaties with other countries, the State of the Union address, and executing laws.
  • Article III creates the judicial branch, which interprets laws. It includes the Supreme Court and lower courts.
  • Article IV discusses state interactions, laws, and court decisions, extradition. It also covers new states being added.
  • Article V explains the amendment process, how to change the Constitution.
  • Article VI establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
  • Article VII explains the ratification process(getting states to agree to the Constitution)

Amendment Process

  • Amendments can arise from Congress or states proposing them, followed by a vote and then ratification by the States.
  • The amendment process can take years.
  • There are two steps: proposing an amendment and then ratification.
  • Two options for proposing amendments: a vote from two-thirds of both houses of Congress, or having two-thirds of the states' legislatures call for a Constitutional Convention.
  • Two options for ratification: three-fourths of the state's legislatures, or three-fourths of the state conventions.
  • The 21st Amendment is the only amendment ratified by state conventions.

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Anatomy of the Constitution Teacher Copy PDF

Description

This quiz covers the structure and functions of the U.S. government as outlined in the Constitution. Understand the roles of the three branches, the amendment process, and the significance of the Preamble. Prepare to explain the foundational elements of American governance.

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