GED Social Studies : Constitution

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Social Studies

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Constitution

The Federalist Papers were written to __________.

Possible Answers:

garner support for the Revolutionary war effort

support the Articles of Confederation

highlight the dangers of the Revolutionary war effort

highlight the deficiencies of the Constitution

support the ratification of the Constitution

Correct answer:

support the ratification of the Constitution

Explanation:

The Federalist Papers were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in 1790 and 1791 as a series of newspaper editorials. The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written to support the ratification of the Constitution and garner support for a strong and centralized national government.

Example Question #2 : Constitution

Where in the Constitution is it stated that all powers not reserved for the federal government fall to the states?

Possible Answers:

Article II

The Tenth Amendment

The Fifth Amendment

Article V

The Elastic Clause

Correct answer:

The Tenth Amendment

Explanation:

In the American system of federalism, the federal government makes the supreme law of the nation that all the states must follow; however, to prevent a tyranny of the national government (something greatly feared by the states and the Constitutional framers) the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution declares that all powers that are not explicitly reserved for the federal government fall to the state governments.

Example Question #3 : Constitution

The Establishment Clause __________.

Possible Answers:

allows Congress to establish any laws necessary for abiding by the Constitution

defines the limit of Congressional power

allows the United States’ government to establish a state religion

allows the President to act with increased power during times of war or national emergency

prohibits the United States’ government from establishing a state religion

Correct answer:

prohibits the United States’ government from establishing a state religion

Explanation:

For many Americans the freedom to practice their religion was one of the reasons why they moved to the colonies in the first place. Many colonists had been persecuted for their religion in Europe, and so when it came time to establish their own government, freedom of religion was considered extremely important. The Establishment Clause in the Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a state religion.

Example Question #4 : Constitution

The Free Exercise Clause in the Constitution is related to __________.

Possible Answers:

freedom of assembly

freedom of religion

freedom of the press

All of these answers

freedom of speech

Correct answer:

freedom of religion

Explanation:

The Free Exercise Clause is included in the part of the Constitution that features the Establishment Clause, and thus it is related to freedom of religion. The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from establishing a state religion. The Free Exercise Clause forbids the government from preventing any religious group from freely practicing their religious beliefs.

Example Question #5 : Constitution

Which two clauses of the American Constitution are related to the freedom of religion?

Possible Answers:

The Necessary and Proper Clause and the Free Exercise Clause

The Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause

The Establishment Clause and the Reserved Powers Clause

The Reserved Powers Clause and the Free Exercise Clause

The Reserved Powers Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause

Correct answer:

The Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause

Explanation:

The Establishment Clause of the Constitution states that the government can make no law establishing a state religion, and the Free Exercise Clause says that the government cannot stop any American group or individual from freely practicing their religious beliefs.

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