How the Constitution is amended

Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Three amendments, from Congress to the states

   Box 13th Amendment: passed by Congress January 31, 1865; ratified December 6, 1865; ended slavery in the United States, except as punishment for a crime. Box 19th Amendment: passed by Congress June 4, 1919; ratified August 18, 1920; the right of citizens to vote cannot be denied because of sex. Box 26th Amendment: passed by Congress March 23, 1971; ratified July 1, 1971; the right to vote cannot be denied to citizens 18 or older because of age. Below the diagram: Passed means Congress proposed it; ratified means the states approved it. Article V, as printed in 1895 (A. Lovell): "The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof…"

2. 1.

   Which amendment's box says it ended slavery, Ari asks?

   • The 19th, ratified in 1920
   • The 26th, ratified in 1971
   • The 1st, ratified in 1791
   • The 13th, ratified in 1865
3. 2.

   When was the 19th Amendment ratified, Bo asks?

   • August 18, 1920
   • December 6, 1865
   • June 4, 1919
   • July 1, 1971
4. 3.

   How many years passed from the 19th Amendment's ratification to the 26th's, Esme asks?

   • 41 years
   • 51 years
   • 61 years
   • 3,891 years
5. 4.

   By its box, what does the 26th Amendment protect, Kira asks?

   • The vote for women
   • The vote for citizens 18 or older
   • Freedom from slavery
   • A two-term limit for presidents
6. 5.

   Which amendment went from Congress to ratification fastest, Luz asks?

   • The 19th, in about one week
   • The 13th, in about ten months
   • The 19th, in about fourteen months
   • The 26th, in about three months
7. 6.

   In the Article V line, what share of both Houses must propose, Milo asks?

   • A single member
   • Three fourths
   • Two thirds
   • One half
8. 7.

   By the Article V line, who ratifies an amendment, Noah asks?

   • Two thirds of both Houses of Congress
   • The Supreme Court
   • The President and the Senate
   • Legislatures or conventions in three fourths of the states
9. 8.

   Why does the 19th Amendment say the vote can't be denied because of sex, Pia asks?

   • So no government could deny women the vote
   • So that men could no longer vote
   • So that 18-year-olds could vote
   • So that slavery would end
10. 9.

    Which claim fits Ren's diagram?

    • Amendments take effect the day Congress votes
    • Congress ratifies its own amendments
    • The 26th came before the 19th
    • Ratification can take months after Congress acts
11. 10.

    A note says, 'The 26th Amendment was ratified in 1920.' What fix does Zee make?

    • Change 26th to 13th
    • Keep it; the note is right
    • Change 1920 to 1865
    • Change 1920 to 1971