Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Think You Know the U.S. Constitution? Take Our Quiz
Inside-Sources
By InsideSources.com
Published 7 years ago on
September 12, 2017

Share

By Jason W. Stevens

InsideSources.com 

 

“The Constitution,” George Washington once said, “is the guide which I will never abandon.” Americans have continued to uphold that sentiment ever since.  

 

The Constitution of the United States has existed as “the supreme law of the land” for more than two centuries, making it the oldest written constitution in the world. During that time, the American people have remained mostly loyal to its original precepts, while also accounting for various changes through the introduction of 27 amendments. 

 

The quiz below, from the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio, provides an opportunity for you to test your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution as we celebrate Constitution Day and the 230th anniversary of its signing on Sunday. Sept. 17, 1787.  

 

1. Under the original Constitution, the president was elected by:

A. Direct vote of the people of the United States

B. Electors chosen by the Congress of the United States

C. Electors chosen in each state by a means specified by the state legislature

D. He was not elected, but appointed by members of the House and Senate voting together

 

2. According to the Constitution, the number of representatives in the House of Representatives is:

A. A number to be determined by Congress, based on population

B. Between one and 11 from each state, depending on population

C. Two from each state

D. 435

 

3. In the original Constitution, the number of justices on the Supreme Court is:

A. Seven

B. Nine

C. No less than seven, and no more than 17

D. The Constitution does not specify the number of justices

  

4. The minimum age for a member of the U.S. Senate is:

A. 25

B. 30

C. 35

D. The Constitution does not specify a minimum age

 

5. Which state was the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution?

A. Maryland

B. Delaware

C. New Jersey

D. Connecticut 

 

6. In the original Constitution, how many references are there to “slaves” or “slavery”?

A. Zero

B. One

C. Two

D. Three

 

7. The Declaration of Independence includes four references to God. How many are there in the original U.S. Constitution?

A. Zero

B. One

C. Two

D. Three 

 

8. What is the only part of the U.S. Constitution that cannot be amended?

A. The requirement that the president must be a natural born citizen

B. The provision forbidding state governments from passing laws impairing the obligation of contracts

C. The requirement that each state has equal representation in the Senate

D. Everything can be amended 

 

9. Only one delegate from the state of New York ended up signing the Constitution. Who was it?

A. George Clinton

B. Alexander Hamilton

C. John Jay

D. John Hancock

 

10. According to the Constitution, the vice president serves as president of:

A.The House

B. The Senate

C. The Congress

D. The Cabinet

 

ANSWERS:  1-C, 2-A, 3-D, 4-B, 5-B, 6-A, 7-A, 8-C, 9-B, 10-B

 

ABOUT THE WRITER

Jason W. Stevens is visiting assistant professor of political science and history at Ashland University and co-director of the Ashbrook Center’s Ashbrook Scholar Program. He wrote this for InsideSources.com

 

 

DON'T MISS

Abduction Survivor Elizabeth Smart Featured at Breaking the Chains Luncheon

DON'T MISS

Fact Check: No Evidence Chelsea Clinton Took $84 Million From USAID

DON'T MISS

I Miss the Old Kanye, Not This Antisemitic Crashout

DON'T MISS

Heavy Rains From Atmospheric River Poised to Saturate Fresno

DON'T MISS

Private Jets Collide at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, Killing at Least 1 Person, Authorities Say

DON'T MISS

Farmers Caught in Limbo as Trump’s USDA Suspends Program Funding

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Ceasefire Deal Should Be Canceled if Hamas Doesn’t Release All Hostages by Saturday

DON'T MISS

Chavez Defends His Record After Political Attacks by Council Candidates

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Man Convicted in Shooting Spree, Faces Life in Prison

DON'T MISS

Meet Madera County’s New Director of Behavioral Health Services

UP NEXT

I Miss the Old Kanye, Not This Antisemitic Crashout

UP NEXT

Heavy Rains From Atmospheric River Poised to Saturate Fresno

UP NEXT

Private Jets Collide at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, Killing at Least 1 Person, Authorities Say

UP NEXT

Farmers Caught in Limbo as Trump’s USDA Suspends Program Funding

UP NEXT

Trump Says Ceasefire Deal Should Be Canceled if Hamas Doesn’t Release All Hostages by Saturday

UP NEXT

Chavez Defends His Record After Political Attacks by Council Candidates

UP NEXT

Tulare County Man Convicted in Shooting Spree, Faces Life in Prison

UP NEXT

Meet Madera County’s New Director of Behavioral Health Services

UP NEXT

Visalia Man Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

UP NEXT

53% Approve of Trump’s Job Performance Amid Economic Concerns

Heavy Rains From Atmospheric River Poised to Saturate Fresno

15 hours ago

Private Jets Collide at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, Killing at Least 1 Person, Authorities Say

15 hours ago

Farmers Caught in Limbo as Trump’s USDA Suspends Program Funding

16 hours ago

Trump Says Ceasefire Deal Should Be Canceled if Hamas Doesn’t Release All Hostages by Saturday

16 hours ago

Chavez Defends His Record After Political Attacks by Council Candidates

16 hours ago

Tulare County Man Convicted in Shooting Spree, Faces Life in Prison

17 hours ago

Meet Madera County’s New Director of Behavioral Health Services

18 hours ago

Visalia Man Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

18 hours ago

53% Approve of Trump’s Job Performance Amid Economic Concerns

18 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Darius Savuth Chhun

19 hours ago

Abduction Survivor Elizabeth Smart Featured at Breaking the Chains Luncheon

New York Times bestselling author and abduction survivor Elizabeth Smart will share her harrowing experience of abuse and the story of her r...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

Abduction Survivor Elizabeth Smart Featured at Breaking the Chains Luncheon

There is no evidence that Chelsea Clinton (left) took home $84 million from USAID, as financial records and fact-checking sources refute the claim. (Shutterstock)
2 hours ago

Fact Check: No Evidence Chelsea Clinton Took $84 Million From USAID

15 hours ago

I Miss the Old Kanye, Not This Antisemitic Crashout

15 hours ago

Heavy Rains From Atmospheric River Poised to Saturate Fresno

At least one person was killed and others were injured when private jets collided Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Shutterstock)
15 hours ago

Private Jets Collide at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, Killing at Least 1 Person, Authorities Say

16 hours ago

Farmers Caught in Limbo as Trump’s USDA Suspends Program Funding

President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)
16 hours ago

Trump Says Ceasefire Deal Should Be Canceled if Hamas Doesn’t Release All Hostages by Saturday

16 hours ago

Chavez Defends His Record After Political Attacks by Council Candidates

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend