Constitution 7Th Grade

Front 1

Why is the Constitution known as a "living document"?

Back 1

Because it can be interpreted and amended to meet changing needs.

Front 2

What is the 1st part of the Preamble?

Back 2

where it describes the purpose of the document and the government it creates.

Front 3

What is the 2nd part of the Preamble?

Back 3

the articles, establishes how the government is structured and how the Constitution can be changed through amendments.

Front 4

What is the 3rd part of the Preamble?

Back 4

the amendments, includes the Bill of Rights and other changes to the Constitution.

Front 5

Why does the Constitution begin with the phrase "We the People"?

Back 5

these words announce that the Constitution's authority is based on the people themselves.

Front 6

What does tbe the phrase, "in Order to form a more perfect Union" mean?

Back 6

shows the framers' determination to improve upon the government established under the Articles of Confederation. They wanted the union of states to become stronger to that the states would work together, rather than fight among themselves.

Front 7

What does the phrase, "establish justice" mean?

Back 7

by creating a government that would establish and carry out fair laws that applied equally to all people.

Front 8

What does the phrase, "insure domestic Tranquility" mean?

Back 8

domestic refers to the internal affairs of the nation. By insuring domestic tranquility, the framers hoped to establish a country of peace and order.

Front 9

What does the phrase, "promote the general Welfare" mean?

Back 9

the framers wanted the United States to have a society and an economy in which people could thrive and prosper.

Front 10

What does posterity mean?

Back 10

future generations

Front 11

How many articles does the Constitution have?

Back 11

7 articles

Front 12

What does the system of checks and balances ensure?

Back 12

It ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Front 13

How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch?

Back 13

the President can veto a bill, but the bill can still become law if a two-thirds majority of Congress votes to override the veto.

Front 14

How does Congress check the President?

Back 14

Congress has the power to impeach and convict the President, Vice President, and civilian officials of the United States.

Front 15

What does it mean to impeach an official?

Back 15

to charge that person with an offense committed while in office.

Front 16

What ariticle defines the basic structure of Congress?

Back 16

Article 1

Front 17

How many members of the Senate are there?

Back 17

100 Senators

Front 18

How many members of the House of Representatives are there?

Back 18

435 Members

Front 19

What is the main function of Congress?

Back 19

to make laws

Front 20

What are the powers of Congress?

Back 20

Congress can coin and regulate money, collect taxes, maintain an army and navy, declare war, pay government debts, and regulate foreign trade. In addition, it may "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper" to carry out such powers.

Front 21

What is the elastic clause?

Back 21

the Constitutional Clause that gives Congress authority to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper" to carry out its power.

Front 22

Which article describes the election, powers and duties of the President?

Back 22

Article II

Front 23

Why is the President the "Chief Executive"?

Back 23

He is head of the largest branch of the federal government.

Front 24

What are the powers of the President?

Back 24

he enforces laws, oversees foreign relations, proposes legislation, including the annual federal budget, and is head of the military and has considerable authority in war.

Front 25

What is the role of the Vice President?

Back 25

helps to carry out the President's duties.

Front 26

Who does the President get his advice from?

Back 26

from the cabinet

Front 27

What is the job of the Secretary of State?

Back 27

gives advice on foreign affairs.

Front 28

What is the job of the Secretary of Labor?

Back 28

advises on policies relating to the workplace.

Front 29

What is the newest department of the Executive Branch?

Back 29

Department of Homeland Security

Front 30

List other government agencies that are a part of the Executive Branch.

Back 30

Department of Defense, Education, Agriculture, Transportation, and Energy.

Front 31

Which article establishes the Supreme Court?

Back 31

Article III

Front 32

Why is the Supreme Court known as the "guardians of the Constitution"?

Back 32

because they judge whether laws and actions conform to constitutional principles.

Front 33

How many justices are there?

Back 33

Nine

Front 34

What is the main purpose of the Supreme Courts and why is it the last stop in the judicial system?

Back 34

Its decisions are final and binding on lower federal courts and on state courts. Cases heard are usually presented because they refer to an important constitutional issue which affects the nation as a whole.

Front 35

Describe judicial review.

Back 35

the power of the Supreme Court to review an action of the Legislative or Executive Branch and declare it unconstiutional.

Front 36

What are delegated powers?

Back 36

a power that the Constitution delegates, or grants, to Congress and therefore to the national government.

Front 37

Give specific examples of delegated powers.

Back 37

to borrow money, coin money, raise and army and navy, declare war, make treaties, establish post offices, and protect patents and copyrights.

Front 38

What are reserved powers?

Back 38

any power not expressly granted to the national government would remain with the states and the people.

Front 39

Give specific examples of reserved powers.

Back 39

police and fire protection, establishing schools, and regulating businesses within a state.

Front 40

What are concurrent powers?

Back 40

a power that the Constitution delegates, or grants, to Congress but does not deny to the states.

Front 41

Give specific examples of concurrent powers.

Back 41

The federal and state governments both collect taxes. Both build roads, establish courts, borrow money, make and enforce laws, and spend money for the general welfare.

Front 42

What is the supremacy clause?

Back 42

the constitutional clause affirming that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.

Front 43

Which article sets up the procedure for amending the Constitution?

Back 43

Article V

Front 44

What are the two ways to propose amendments?

Back 44

Congress can propose an amendment with a two-thirds vote in each house. Alternatively, two-thirds of state legislatures can ask Congress to call a national convention to draft an amendment.