Constitutional Scavenger Hunt: Answer Key

Constitutional Scavenger Hunt ANSWER KEY 1. How often are Representatives to be elected? 2 years 2. How old must a Representative be to be elected? 25 (and 7 years a citizen) 3. How long is a term for a Senator? How often are elections held? 6 years; every 2 years 1/3 of the Senate elections 4. How were Senators originally chosen? Which amendment changed that? -chosen by the state legislatures; Amendment 17th: elected by the people thereof 5. How old does someone have to be to be a Senator? 30 years old (9 years a U.S. citizen) 6. Who is the president of the Senate and when can that person vote? Vice President - when there is a tie vote in the Senate 7. Which legislative body has the power of impeachment and which body has the power to try the impeached official? House of Representative, Senate 8. Who shall officiate when a president is tried for impeachment? Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 9. What is the required vote that is necessary to convict someone who has been impeached? 2/3 (two thirds) of the members present 10. What is the only penalty that can be imposed on someone who has been impeached? removal from office; no future federal positions 11. Who decides the time, places, manner for holding elections for the legislature of each state, but congress may alter the places of Congress? choosing senators 12. In what federal body do all bills concerning taxes originate? House of Representatives 14. What happens when a president doesn't return a bill in 10 days? it becomes law UNLESS Congress is not in session by the end of the 10 days, then it doesn't not become law (pocket veto) 13. what fraction of both houses must vote to override a veto? 2/3 of both houses shall agree to pass the bill 15. In Article I, Section 8, the Constitution lists or enumerates the taxes, borrow money, regulate interstate commerce, naturalization powers of congress. List six of them. (citizenship) process, coin money, create post offices, declare war 16. In Article I, Section 9, there are three limits on the power of Congress to deny peoples rights. What are they? writ of habeas corpus cannot be suspended, no bill of attainder, or ex post facto laws 17. When may the writ of habeas corpus be suspended? in cases of rebellion or invasion; the public safety may require it 18. Name THREE limits on the powers of the states. states CANNOT enter into treaties, coin money, tax U.S. imports/exports, keep a standing army in times of peace 19. How old does someone have to be to be elected president? 35 years old (natural-born citizen & 14 years a resident within the U.S) 20. How is it determined how many electors a state has? add the number of Senators and Representatives in a state 21. Name THREE powers of the President. commander in chief, pardon power, make treaties, nominate federal judges, fill Senate vacancies in times of recess, execute (carry out) U.S. laws 22. Name the body of Congress that must approve a treaty that the president has negotiated. What fraction of the vote must approve it? Senate 2/3 of the Senators present 23. Which body of Congress approves nominations? Senate 25. What is the term of office for Supreme Court justices? When may they be removed? during good behavior (life) unless they retire/resign removed when committed an impeachment 26. Who gets to decide how many federal courts we have? Congress 27. In which cases does the Supreme Court have original juris- cases that involve the Constitution, conflicts between states, mardiction? itime cases, controversies in which the U.S. is a party 28. What must be necessary to convict someone of treason? testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or one confession in open court. 29. What is the topic of Article IV? legal issues between states AND new states - Full Faith & Credit, Privileges and Immunities, Fugitive Slave Act, admitting new states 30. What does the constitution say about how one state must regard the laws of another state? Full Faith and Credit shall be given to state public records and judicial proceedings of other states 1/3 31. What limitation is put on admitting new states to the Union? states cannot be formed from within a single state or the joining of two states without the consent of each state legislature 32. What fraction of the houses of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed amendment? 2/3 of both houses must approve 33. What fraction of the states must approve a proposed amendment for ti to be ratified? 3/4 of state legislatures 34. What fraction of the states can ask for a convention to propose new amendments? 2/3 of states must call a convention 35. What is the only limitation in the Constitution as to what can no state without its consent shall be deprived of its equal suffrage be the basis of an amendment? (vote) in the Senate 36. What does the Constitution say about which law shall predominate if there is any conflict between laws? federal law wins - Supremacy Clause 37. What qualification for holding any public office is forbidden? no religion test shall ever be required 38. How many states had ratify the Constitution? nine states 39. Name the FIVE basic civil liberties guaranteed in the 1st amendment. freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition 40. Which amendment extended the vote to 18-year-olds? 26th amendment 41. Which amendment outlaws "cruel and unusual punishment?" 8th amendment 42. Which amendment ended slavery? 13th amendment 43. Put the 9th Amendment in your own words. more rights exist beyond what is contained in the Bill of Rights 44. Put the 10th amendment in your own words. powers not specifically given to the federal government are given to the states (reserved) 45. Which amendment prevents a citizen of North Carolina suing the state of Georgia? 11th amendment 46. Which amendment said that states couldn't prevent people from voting based on their race? 15th amendment 47. Which amendment said that a person couldn't be tried twice for the same crime? 5th amendment (double jeopardy) 48. When can the government take private property and what must the government give the owners? Amendment? for public use and fair compensation; 5th amendment 49. What phrase is repeated in both the 5th and 14th Amendments? ".....deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law." 50. Which amendment defined citizenship? 14th amendment speedy trial, impartial jury in state of the crime, informed of crimes 51. List the FIVE rights that the accused has when suspected of charged, confront witnesses (compel witnesses to testify), attora crime (6th Amendment) ney for defense against charges 52. Which amendment prohibited alcohol? Which amendment repealed the prohibition on alcohol? 18th amendment, 21st amendment 53. Which amendment gave women the right to vote and in what year was it passed? 19th amendment; 1920 54. Which amendment decided that a person could be president for only two terms? 22nd amendment 55. On what day does the Constitution state that a new president shall be inaugurated? at noon on the 20th day of January (20th Amendment) 55. On what day must the new Congress meet? by noon on the 3rd day of January (20th Amendment) 56. Which amendment prevents the president and vice president from being inhabitants of the same state? 12th Amendment 56. Who should choose the president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College? (12th Amendment) House of Representatives (each state gets one vote) Senate 2/3 56. Who should choose the vice president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College? (12th Amendment) 57. Which amendment requires a warrant to search someone's property? 4th amendment 58. Which amendment gave government the power to impose an income tax? 16th amendment 59. Which amendment establishes what to do if the president is incapacitated and can't perform his duties? 25th amendment 60. Put the 2nd Amendment in your own words. the federal government cannot infringe on gun rights OR the federal government cannot infringe on gun rights if guns are necessary for state security BONUS: What can a president or other officers be impeached for? treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors BONUS: In Article I, Section 8, which clause gives Congress the most general, non-specific powers? Necessary and Proper Clause 3/3