Pre-Assessment WGU American Politics and
the US Constitution C963 //2025 –
2026//Newest Version.
Who was responsible for drafting the Bill of Rights and submitting it to Congress? -
ANSWER James Madison
Why did the colonists oppose being taxed by Great Britain? - ANSWER They did not
have elected representatives in the House of Commons
What was a major difference between the Articles of Confederation and the
Constitution? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER A two-chamber
congress
What were the results of the three-fifths compromise? - ANSWER It allowed slave
states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population for the purpose of
representation
What was a Federalist argument in support of the ratification of the Constitution? -
ANSWER 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? - ANSWER Separation of
powers and checks and balances
What is a judicial check on the executive branch? - ANSWER The Supreme Court
can declare actions by the executive branch unconstitutional
What describes dual federalism? - ANSWER 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? -
ANSWER 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? - ANSWER The smaller total
number of Senate members compared to the number of representatives
What describes the equal proportions method of congressional apportionment? -
ANSWER Congressional districts are drawn in order to maintain similar numbers of
voters in each district
, Pre-Assessment WGU American Politics and
the US Constitution C963 //2025 –
2026//Newest Version.
What describes the process of bills becoming laws in Congress? - ANSWER Bills
change significantly through House and Senate revisions
Which power does the president have under the Constitution? - ANSWER
Appointing judges
What is a protection against an elected president abusing powers for personal gain?
- ANSWER The power of Congress to impeach the president
Which constitutional amendment established term limits for the president? -
ANSWER The 22nd Ammendment
What is the purpose of executive agreements? - ANSWER To establish agreements
with foreign countries without congressional approval
What describes the importance of the Supreme Court decision in Marbury v.
Madison? - ANSWER It established the principle of judicial review
How many federal appellate courts exist in the United States? - ANSWER 13
How many sitting justices are there on the Supreme Court? - ANSWER 9
What is a power reserved for the state? - ANSWER Conducting elections
Which constitutional amendment allows states to reserve powers? - ANSWER The
10th Amendment
What did the Supreme Court's ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden establish? - ANSWER A
loose constructionist interpretation of the commerce clause
How do most states award votes in the Electoral College? - ANSWER The
candidate who wins the popular vote in the state gets all the electoral votes for the
state
Which amendment provided for the separate election of the president and vice
president? - ANSWER The 12th Amendment
What is true about campaign ads in primary elections? - ANSWER They often try to
raise the name recognition of a candidate
How are elections for the U.S. Senate conducted? - ANSWER One-third of the
Senate seats are up for election every two years
Which election cycle event allows local party members to select their delegates for a
presidential election? - ANSWER A caucus
the US Constitution C963 //2025 –
2026//Newest Version.
Who was responsible for drafting the Bill of Rights and submitting it to Congress? -
ANSWER James Madison
Why did the colonists oppose being taxed by Great Britain? - ANSWER They did not
have elected representatives in the House of Commons
What was a major difference between the Articles of Confederation and the
Constitution? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER A two-chamber
congress
What were the results of the three-fifths compromise? - ANSWER It allowed slave
states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population for the purpose of
representation
What was a Federalist argument in support of the ratification of the Constitution? -
ANSWER 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? - ANSWER Separation of
powers and checks and balances
What is a judicial check on the executive branch? - ANSWER The Supreme Court
can declare actions by the executive branch unconstitutional
What describes dual federalism? - ANSWER 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? -
ANSWER 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? - ANSWER The smaller total
number of Senate members compared to the number of representatives
What describes the equal proportions method of congressional apportionment? -
ANSWER Congressional districts are drawn in order to maintain similar numbers of
voters in each district
, Pre-Assessment WGU American Politics and
the US Constitution C963 //2025 –
2026//Newest Version.
What describes the process of bills becoming laws in Congress? - ANSWER Bills
change significantly through House and Senate revisions
Which power does the president have under the Constitution? - ANSWER
Appointing judges
What is a protection against an elected president abusing powers for personal gain?
- ANSWER The power of Congress to impeach the president
Which constitutional amendment established term limits for the president? -
ANSWER The 22nd Ammendment
What is the purpose of executive agreements? - ANSWER To establish agreements
with foreign countries without congressional approval
What describes the importance of the Supreme Court decision in Marbury v.
Madison? - ANSWER It established the principle of judicial review
How many federal appellate courts exist in the United States? - ANSWER 13
How many sitting justices are there on the Supreme Court? - ANSWER 9
What is a power reserved for the state? - ANSWER Conducting elections
Which constitutional amendment allows states to reserve powers? - ANSWER The
10th Amendment
What did the Supreme Court's ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden establish? - ANSWER A
loose constructionist interpretation of the commerce clause
How do most states award votes in the Electoral College? - ANSWER The
candidate who wins the popular vote in the state gets all the electoral votes for the
state
Which amendment provided for the separate election of the president and vice
president? - ANSWER The 12th Amendment
What is true about campaign ads in primary elections? - ANSWER They often try to
raise the name recognition of a candidate
How are elections for the U.S. Senate conducted? - ANSWER One-third of the
Senate seats are up for election every two years
Which election cycle event allows local party members to select their delegates for a
presidential election? - ANSWER A caucus
