1. A
Explanation: The Constitution defines the powers, structure, and purpose of government.

2. B
Explanation: The Judicial Branch interprets laws and ensures they align with the Constitution.

3. C
Explanation: Federalism divides power between national and state governments.

4. B
Explanation: The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms.

5. C
Explanation: Checks and balances prevent any branch from becoming dominant.

6. C
Explanation: The Legislative Branch, or Congress, creates laws.

7. B
Explanation: The Legislative Branch has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8)

8. B
Explanation: The First Amendment guarantees freedoms of speech, religion, press, and assembly.

9. B
Explanation: Amendments are made through Congressional proposal and state ratification.

10. B
Explanation: The Full Faith and Credit Clause (Article IV, Section 1) ensures states honor each other’s laws and judicial proceedings.

11. C
Explanation: The Fifteenth Amendment granted African American men the right to vote.

12. B
Explanation: Judicial review allows the Supreme Court to interpret constitutional legality.

13. A
Explanation: The Electoral College formally elects the President and Vice President.

14. B
Explanation: Enumerated powers are those explicitly listed in the Constitution.

15. A
Explanation: The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments.

16. A
Explanation: The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery.

17. B
Explanation: The Treaty of Paris 1783 formally ended the Revolutionary War and laid the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution.

18. B
Explanation: The rule of law requires government officials to obey the law.

19. C
Explanation: U.S. Senators serve six-year terms.

20. B
Explanation: The President can veto legislation.

21. B
Explanation: The Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote.

22. A
Explanation: The Senate’s “advice and consent” role involves approving treaties and presidential appointments (Article II, Section 2).

23. C
Explanation: The Tenth Amendment reserves powers for states and the people.

24. C
Explanation: The Executive Branch enforces the laws.

25. B
Explanation: The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy, public trial.

26. A
Explanation: The Fifth Amendment guarantees the right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination.

27. B
Explanation: Congress has the power to declare war.

28. C
Explanation: The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

29. B
Explanation: Popular sovereignty means government derives power from the people.

30. B
Explanation: The Supremacy Clause ensures the Constitution is the highest authority.

31. A
Explanation: The Magna Carta influenced the founders’ views on limiting power.

32. C
Explanation: The Vice President presides over the Senate.

33. B
Explanation: Checks and balances enable each branch to limit others.

34. C
Explanation: The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

35. B
Explanation: The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments.

36. A
Explanation: Marbury v. Madison established judicial review.

37. B
Explanation: The Elastic Clause allows Congress to pass necessary and proper laws.

38. B
Explanation: The House initiates impeachment proceedings.

39. A
Explanation: A two-thirds majority in both houses overrides a veto.

40. C
Explanation: The Twenty-sixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18.

41. A
Explanation: A Constitutional amendment must be proposed with a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate.

42. C
Explanation: Separation of powers ensures that the government’s powers are divided among different branches to prevent any one from becoming too powerful.

43. C
Explanation: The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature with the Senate (equal representation) and the House of Representatives (proportional representation).

44. C
Explanation: The Due Process Clause (Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments) ensures that the government follows fair procedures before depriving a person of life, liberty, or property.

45. A
Explanation: The Necessary and Proper Clause (also called the Elastic Clause) allows Congress to make laws that are necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

46. A
Explanation: The President has the power to appoint federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, with the Senate’s advice and consent.