GED Social Studies Practice Test: The Constitution and Amendments
This practice test focuses on your understanding of the United States Constitution and its Amendments. Instructions: Choose the answer that best completes the statement or question.
1
Which principle divides the government's authority into legislative, executive, and judicial branches?
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Judicial Review
Checks and Balances
2
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution. What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?
To define the rights and responsibilities of state governments
To limit the power of the federal government by protecting individual liberties
To outline the process for amending the Constitution
To establish the three branches of government
3
The United States Constitution establishes the framework for:
State governments only
The federal government
Local governments only
All of the above
4
Which amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly?
First Amendment
Second Amendment
Third Amendment
Fourth Amendment
5
The Second Amendment protects the right to:
Vote in elections
Bear arms
A fair trial
Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures
6
The right to a speedy and public trial by jury is guaranteed by which amendment?
Fifth Amendment
Sixth Amendment
Seventh Amendment
Eighth Amendment
7
The amendment that prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude is the:
Sixteenth Amendment
Thirteenth Amendment
Fourteenth Amendment
Fifteenth Amendment
8
The Fourteenth Amendment defines citizenship and guarantees equal protection under the law. What does "equal protection" mean?
The government must provide free healthcare to all citizens.
All citizens must pay the same amount of taxes.
States must have the same laws.
All citizens must be treated fairly under the law.
9
The Fifteenth Amendment prohibits states from denying the right to vote based on:
Age or gender
Race, color, or previous condition of servitude
Property ownership
Religious beliefs
10
How can the United States Constitution be amended?
By a simple majority vote of Congress
By a two-thirds vote of Congress only
By a three-fourths vote of state legislatures
By a popular vote of the American people
11
Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and making final decisions on federal laws?
Judicial Branch
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
All of the above
12
The power to veto legislation lies with the:
Supreme Court
Congress
President
State Governors
13
Which amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18?
Fourteenth Amendment
Fifteenth Amendment
Twenty-sixth Amendment
Nineteenth Amendment
14
The Tenth Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights. What does it reserve for the states or the people?
The right to bear arms
Freedom of speech and religion
Powers not specifically delegated to the federal government
The right to a jury trial
15
Which amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent (during peacetime)?
Second Amendment
Third Amendment
Fourth Amendment
Fifth Amendment
16
Federalism creates a balance of power between the federal government and state governments. Which amendment best exemplifies this concept?
Tenth Amendment (reserves powers to states)
Fifteenth Amendment (voting rights)
Fourteenth Amendment (defines citizenship)
First Amendment (protects individual liberties)
17
The concept of checks and balances ensures no branch becomes too powerful. How does the impeachment process demonstrate this concept?
Congress can propose amendments, but the Supreme Court ratifies them.
The President can veto legislation, but Congress can override it with a supermajority.
The Senate confirms presidential appointments, but the House can reject them.
The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional, but the President can ignore the ruling.
18
The Electoral College system for electing the President is outlined in the:
Constitution's main body (Article II)
Twenty-sixth Amendment
Twelfth Amendment
Fifteenth Amendment
19
The Supremacy Clause establishes the Constitution and federal laws as the "supreme Law of the Land." How does this clause impact state laws?
State laws can never contradict federal laws.
State laws always take precedence over federal laws.
Federal and state laws operate independently.
The Supreme Court decides which laws have priority.
20
The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from discriminating against individuals or groups. How did the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education (1954) demonstrate this principle?
It outlawed discrimination in voting based on race.
It established the right to bear arms for self-defense.
It ended segregation in public schools.
It allowed states to collect income taxes.
21
The Bill of Rights protects fundamental freedoms. How does the doctrine of incorporation relate to these rights?
It allows states to incorporate these rights into their own constitutions.
It grants these rights only to federal government employees.
It gradually applies these rights to the states through Supreme Court decisions.
It allows the federal government to restrict these rights during wartime.
22
Imagine a law requiring all citizens to attend a specific religious service. Which amendment would most likely be used to challenge this law?
First Amendment (protects freedom of religion)
Second Amendment (protects right to bear arms)
Fourth Amendment (protects from unreasonable searches and seizures)
Fifth Amendment (protects against self-incrimination)
23
The commerce clause grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. How has the Supreme Court interpreted this clause over time?
It has strictly limited the scope of federal commerce regulations.
It has broadly interpreted the clause to include most economic activity.
It only applies to commerce between states bordering each other.
It allows states to regulate commerce within their own borders.
24
What is the minimum age requirement to be elected President of the United States?
25 years old
30 years old
35 years old
40 years old
25
Which body has the power to impeach the President?
The Supreme Court
The Senate
The House of Representatives
The Cabinet
26
The "establishment clause" and "free exercise clause" are found in which amendment?
The 3rd Amendment
The 1st Amendment
The 5th Amendment
The 8th Amendment
27
Who presides over the Senate and can cast a tie-breaking vote?
The Speaker of the House
The Senate Majority Leader
The Vice President
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
28
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are collectively known as:
The Preamble
The Bill of Rights
The Articles of Confederation
The Federalist Papers
29
Which of the following is a power reserved to the states by the 10th Amendment?
To regulate interstate commerce
To declare war
To coin money
To establish and maintain schools
30
The right to bear arms is protected by which amendment?
The 1st Amendment
The 2nd Amendment
The 3rd Amendment
The 5th Amendment
31
Who is considered the "Father of the Constitution"?
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
James Madison
32
The U.S. Constitution requires a census to be conducted every:
5 years
10 years
15 years
20 years
33
Which amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures?
The 1st Amendment
The 4th Amendment
The 5th Amendment
The 8th Amendment
34
Which document served as the first constitution of the United States before the current Constitution was adopted?
The Articles of Confederation
The Declaration of Independence
The Federalist Papers
The Emancipation Proclamation
35
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote?
The 15th Amendment
The 19th Amendment
The 21st Amendment
The 26th Amendment
36
The principle of "judicial review" was established by which landmark Supreme Court case?
Marbury v. Madison
Brown v. Board of Education
Plessy v. Ferguson
Roe v. Wade
37
Who has the power to veto bills passed by Congress?
The Vice President
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
The Speaker of the House
The President
38
What does the "supremacy clause" in Article VI of the Constitution state?
That the President is the supreme leader of the country
That federal laws take precedence over state laws
That the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land
That all citizens must pledge allegiance to the flag
39
Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for interpreting law?
The Executive Branch
The Legislative Branch
The Judicial Branch
The State Governments
40
The right to a speedy and public trial is guaranteed by which amendment?
The 4th Amendment
The 5th Amendment
The 6th Amendment
The 8th Amendment
41
The system of checks and balances in the U.S. government is designed to:
Ensure that the President has the most power
Divide power between the federal and state governments
Prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful
Allow the judicial branch to control the legislative branch
42
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery?
The 13th Amendment
The 14th Amendment
The 15th Amendment
The 19th Amendment
43
Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution?
To coin money
To declare war
To establish post offices
To appoint Supreme Court justices
44
The "Three-Fifths Compromise" at the Constitutional Convention was an agreement regarding:
Taxation and representation of slaves
The regulation of interstate commerce
The process of amending the Constitution
The election of the President
45
Which amendment provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people?
The 15th Amendment
The 17th Amendment
The 19th Amendment
The 21st Amendment
46
How many articles are in the original U.S. Constitution?
5
7
10
12
47
Which landmark Supreme Court case established the principle of "separate but equal"?
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Brown v. Board of Education
Plessy v. Ferguson
Marbury v. Madison
48
The "elastic clause" in the Constitution is also known as:
The Necessary and Proper Clause
The Full Faith and Credit Clause
The Commerce Clause
The Supremacy Clause
49
Which branch of government has the power to make treaties with foreign nations?
The Executive Branch
The State Governments
The Judicial Branch
The Legislative Branch
50
The "Great Compromise" during the Constitutional Convention resulted in:
Equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House
A unicameral legislature
The abolition of the slave trade
The creation of the Bill of Rights
51
Which of the following is NOT a right protected by the First Amendment?
Right to bear arms
Freedom of the press
Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech
52
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was held in which city?
Philadelphia
Washington, D.C.
Boston
New York
53
Which amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18?
The 26th Amendment
The 25th Amendment
The 24th Amendment
The 23rd Amendment
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