WGU C963 AMERICAN POLITICS AND US CONSTITUTION Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
Q&A
, WGU C963 AMERICAN POLITICS AND US CONSTITUTION Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
Q&A
1. What is the primary purpose of the Federalist Papers?
To persuade states to ratify the Constitution
The Federalist Papers were written to support the ratification of the U.S.
Constitution by explaining its benefits.
2. Which branch of government is described in Article I of the Constitution?
Legislative Branch
Article I outlines the powers and structure of Congress, the legislative
branch.
3. What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution
These amendments protect individual liberties and rights from
government interference.
4. What was the outcome of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
Established judicial review
This case gave the Supreme Court the power to declare laws
unconstitutional.
,5. What is federalism?
Division of power between national and state governments
Federalism balances authority between different levels of government.
6. Which amendment abolished slavery?
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment officially ended slavery in the United States.
7. What does the Supremacy Clause state?
Federal law is superior to state law
This clause ensures that federal law takes precedence when conflicts
arise.
8. Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech?
1st Amendment
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, press, religion,
assembly, and petition.
9. Who has the power to declare war?
Congress
Only Congress can declare war, although the President can deploy troops.
10. How are amendments added to the Constitution?
Proposed by Congress and ratified by states
Amendments require approval by two-thirds of Congress and three-
fourths of the states.
11. What is the primary job of the executive branch?
Enforce laws
The President and executive agencies ensure that laws are implemented.
, 12. What was the significance of the Great Compromise?
Created a bicameral legislature
It balanced representation for large and small states by establishing the
House and Senate.
13. What does the 4th Amendment protect against?
Unreasonable searches and seizures
It requires warrants and probable cause for searches.
14. Which branch interprets the Constitution?
Judicial Branch
The courts, especially the Supreme Court, interpret constitutional law.
15. What does the term “checks and balances” mean?
Each branch can limit the powers of the others
This prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
16. What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
No power to tax
The national government lacked the ability to raise revenue, making it
ineffective.
17. Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the military?
President
The President leads the armed forces under the Constitution.
18. What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?
States the goals of the Constitution
It outlines the general purposes and guiding principles.
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
Q&A
, WGU C963 AMERICAN POLITICS AND US CONSTITUTION Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
Q&A
1. What is the primary purpose of the Federalist Papers?
To persuade states to ratify the Constitution
The Federalist Papers were written to support the ratification of the U.S.
Constitution by explaining its benefits.
2. Which branch of government is described in Article I of the Constitution?
Legislative Branch
Article I outlines the powers and structure of Congress, the legislative
branch.
3. What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution
These amendments protect individual liberties and rights from
government interference.
4. What was the outcome of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
Established judicial review
This case gave the Supreme Court the power to declare laws
unconstitutional.
,5. What is federalism?
Division of power between national and state governments
Federalism balances authority between different levels of government.
6. Which amendment abolished slavery?
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment officially ended slavery in the United States.
7. What does the Supremacy Clause state?
Federal law is superior to state law
This clause ensures that federal law takes precedence when conflicts
arise.
8. Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech?
1st Amendment
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, press, religion,
assembly, and petition.
9. Who has the power to declare war?
Congress
Only Congress can declare war, although the President can deploy troops.
10. How are amendments added to the Constitution?
Proposed by Congress and ratified by states
Amendments require approval by two-thirds of Congress and three-
fourths of the states.
11. What is the primary job of the executive branch?
Enforce laws
The President and executive agencies ensure that laws are implemented.
, 12. What was the significance of the Great Compromise?
Created a bicameral legislature
It balanced representation for large and small states by establishing the
House and Senate.
13. What does the 4th Amendment protect against?
Unreasonable searches and seizures
It requires warrants and probable cause for searches.
14. Which branch interprets the Constitution?
Judicial Branch
The courts, especially the Supreme Court, interpret constitutional law.
15. What does the term “checks and balances” mean?
Each branch can limit the powers of the others
This prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
16. What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
No power to tax
The national government lacked the ability to raise revenue, making it
ineffective.
17. Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the military?
President
The President leads the armed forces under the Constitution.
18. What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?
States the goals of the Constitution
It outlines the general purposes and guiding principles.
