PRE-ASSESSMENT WGU AMERICAN
POLITICS AND THE US CONSTITUTION
C963 EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Who was responsible for drafting the Bill of Rights and submitting it to Congress? -
ANS James Madison
Why did the colonists oppose being taxed by Great Britain? - ANS They did not have elected
representatives in the House of Commons
What was a major difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution? -
ANS The Articles of Confederation did not provide for a national judiciary
Why did the framers design the government under the Articles of Confederation with a
Congress? - ANS They wanted a government based on the representation of the population
What did the Great Compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan that was
finalized in the Constitution establish? - ANS A two-chamber congress
What were the results of the three-fifths compromise? - ANS It allowed slave states to count
three-fifths of their enslaved population for the purpose of representation
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, What was a Federalist argument in support of the ratification of the Constitution? - ANS A
strong national government is better for national defense and economic growth
Which concept was James Madison referencing when he stated, "Ambition must be made to
counteract ambition" in Federalist, no. 51? - ANS Separation of powers and checks and
balances
What is a judicial check on the executive branch? - ANS The Supreme Court can declare
actions by the executive branch unconstitutional
What describes dual federalism? - ANS State government and national government have
exclusive authority in clearly defined jurisdictions
Which congressional action would be the result of the implied powers of Congress? -
ANS Congress passes a law raising the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour
What best explains why individual members of the Senate have more power than individual
members of the House of Representatives? - ANS The smaller total number of Senate
members compared to the number of representatives
What describes the equal proportions method of congressional apportionment? -
ANS Congressional districts are drawn in order to maintain similar numbers of voters in each
district
What describes the process of bills becoming laws in Congress? - ANS Bills change
significantly through House and Senate revisions
Which power does the president have under the Constitution? - ANS Appointing judges
What is a protection against an elected president abusing powers for personal gain? -
ANS The power of Congress to impeach the president
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Page
@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
POLITICS AND THE US CONSTITUTION
C963 EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Who was responsible for drafting the Bill of Rights and submitting it to Congress? -
ANS James Madison
Why did the colonists oppose being taxed by Great Britain? - ANS They did not have elected
representatives in the House of Commons
What was a major difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution? -
ANS The Articles of Confederation did not provide for a national judiciary
Why did the framers design the government under the Articles of Confederation with a
Congress? - ANS They wanted a government based on the representation of the population
What did the Great Compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan that was
finalized in the Constitution establish? - ANS A two-chamber congress
What were the results of the three-fifths compromise? - ANS It allowed slave states to count
three-fifths of their enslaved population for the purpose of representation
1Page
@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
, What was a Federalist argument in support of the ratification of the Constitution? - ANS A
strong national government is better for national defense and economic growth
Which concept was James Madison referencing when he stated, "Ambition must be made to
counteract ambition" in Federalist, no. 51? - ANS Separation of powers and checks and
balances
What is a judicial check on the executive branch? - ANS The Supreme Court can declare
actions by the executive branch unconstitutional
What describes dual federalism? - ANS State government and national government have
exclusive authority in clearly defined jurisdictions
Which congressional action would be the result of the implied powers of Congress? -
ANS Congress passes a law raising the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour
What best explains why individual members of the Senate have more power than individual
members of the House of Representatives? - ANS The smaller total number of Senate
members compared to the number of representatives
What describes the equal proportions method of congressional apportionment? -
ANS Congressional districts are drawn in order to maintain similar numbers of voters in each
district
What describes the process of bills becoming laws in Congress? - ANS Bills change
significantly through House and Senate revisions
Which power does the president have under the Constitution? - ANS Appointing judges
What is a protection against an elected president abusing powers for personal gain? -
ANS The power of Congress to impeach the president
2
Page
@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
