A founding document says people have “unalienable Rights,” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” What founding document is this?

A ruler claims authority because citizens have agreed to be governed and can hold government accountable. What principle best fits that claim?

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could request money from states but could not directly tax them. What problem did this reveal?

Federalist No. 10 warned that majority factions could sacrifice the public good. Madison’s remedy was mainly what design?

Federalist No. 51 says, “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” What constitutional design does that support?

A 1620 agreement aboard ship said settlers would “combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick” and obey laws they made. What document was it?

Anti-Federalists argued the proposed Constitution created a strong national government and lacked what explicit protection?

A theory says people create government by agreement to protect rights and may withdraw consent if it violates that purpose. What theory is this?

The Constitution opens with “We the People of the United States.” What principle does that phrase express?

Article I vests the federal government’s legislative powers in what institution?

A state law conflicts with a valid federal law regulating interstate commerce. Under Article VI, what happens?

A state licenses drivers and a city runs trash collection; the Constitution does not assign those tasks to Congress. What principle explains this?

Both chambers of Congress propose an amendment by two-thirds votes. What must happen for it to become part of the Constitution?

Small states wanted equal representation, while large states wanted representation by population; the final plan used both chambers. What compromise was this?

A president orders an agency to spend money that Congress has not provided by law. Which constitutional rule blocks that spending?

The same official writes criminal laws, prosecutes suspects, and decides guilt. What constitutional principle is most threatened?

A constitution divides authority between a national government and state governments. What system is being described?

A 34-year-old natural-born U.S. citizen who has lived in the country for 20 years wants to run for president. What requirement is not met?

A state gains population after the census and may gain seats in the chamber with 435 voting members elected for two-year terms. What chamber is this?

Every state elects two members to a chamber where terms last six years. What chamber is this?

Forty-one senators keep debate open on a bill, preventing the 60 votes usually needed to end debate. What Senate device are they using?

A President vetoes a bill, but Congress still wants it to become law. What vote is needed to override the veto?

The House approves articles accusing a federal judge of misconduct. What happens next in the impeachment process?

A bill passes the House and Senate in different versions. Which kind of committee, with members from both chambers, is formed to agree on a single version?

A proposal would change the number of seats on the Supreme Court. Which institution has power to set that number by law?

After losing in a federal court of appeals, a party asks the Supreme Court to review the case. What filing usually makes that request?

The President directs military operations as head of the armed forces. What constitutional role is being exercised?

A President nominates an ambassador. What check must occur before the appointment is completed?

Congress passes an environmental law, and the EPA writes rules to implement and enforce it. What part of government is doing that work?

A federal court refuses to apply a statute because it conflicts with the Constitution. What power is the court using?

A city denies a parade permit because officials dislike the protesters’ message. Which First Amendment freedom is directly at issue?

Police search a student’s backpack without a warrant or probable cause in a criminal investigation. Which amendment is most directly involved?

At a criminal trial, the prosecutor tries to force the defendant to testify against himself. Which protection applies?

A poor defendant is tried for a felony in state court after the judge refuses to appoint a lawyer. Which case says the state owed him counsel?

Students wear black armbands at school to protest a war, and officials punish them without evidence of disruption. Which case protects the expression?

Police enter a home without a valid warrant and seize evidence; a state prosecutor wants to use it. Which case applies the exclusionary rule to states?

Detectives question a suspect in custody without warning about silence and counsel, then use the confession at trial. Which case governs?

A state requires racially separate public schools, claiming the buildings are equal. Which case rejected that system under equal protection?

A state cuts off a person’s benefits without notice or a hearing. The person sues, saying the benefits are property the state took unfairly. What right is invoked?

A law requires one racial group to use separate public facilities. Is the challenge mainly about a civil liberty or a civil right?

One presidential candidate wins more votes nationwide, but another wins states totaling at least 270 electors. What count decides the presidency?

Voters in primaries and caucuses help award delegates who attend a national convention. What is the party mainly choosing?

Only voters registered with a party may vote in that party’s primary. What kind of primary is this?

A teachers’ association meets legislators to support a school funding bill. What political activity is the group doing?

A state ballot asks voters to approve or reject a law directly. What democratic device is being used?

At a national convention, a party adopts a written statement of its policy positions and goals. What is that document called?

An 18-year-old citizen argues a state cannot deny her the vote because of age. Which amendment supports that claim?

Inflation rises, and the Federal Open Market Committee raises the target federal funds rate. What kind of policy is this?

Congress passes a tax increase and a spending bill to influence the economy. What kind of policy is this?

A proposed response to an attack says the United States is formally in a state of war. Which institution has constitutional power to make that declaration?