The Preamble and the Constitution's big principles

Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Federalism, limited government and rights

   Box National government: has the powers the Constitution delegates to it; its laws are the supreme law of the land. Box States, or the people: keep the powers not delegated to the nation nor denied to the states. Box Individual rights: listed in the Bill of Rights (1791), which limits what government may do. Arrows: from National government to States, or the people: shares power with; from Individual rights to National government: limits. Line 1 (Constitution (1787), Article VI; as printed in 1820, p. 30): "This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land…" Line 2 (Constitution, Tenth Amendment (1791); as printed in 1820, p. 33): "The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

2. 1.

   By line 1, what is the supreme law of the land, Noah asks?

   • The Articles of Confederation of 1781
   • The Preamble alone
   • Each state's own laws
   • The Constitution, laws and treaties
3. 2.

   By line 2, who keeps the powers not delegated to the nation, Pia asks?

   • The Supreme Court
   • The president and the cabinet alone
   • Congress
   • The states, or the people
4. 3.

   What limits the national government, by the arrow, Ren asks?

   • The states' supreme law
   • Treaties with France
   • The Preamble's goals
   • Individual rights
5. 4.

   Which principle does line 2 show best, Tala asks?

   • Popular sovereignty
   • Federalism
   • Checks and balances
   • Separation of powers
6. 5.

   Which principle does the Bill of Rights box show best, Zee asks?

   • A strong king
   • Supremacy of each state's laws over the nation's
   • Individual rights, limited government
   • Separation of powers
7. 6.

   A state law conflicts with a national law made under the Constitution. Which wins, Bo asks?

   • The national law
   • Neither law, until a vote
   • Whichever law is older
   • The state law, since states are older
8. 7.

   The Constitution says nothing about running schools. Who holds that power, by line 2, Esme asks?

   • The Supreme Court in Washington
   • The president
   • The states, or the people
   • No one
9. 8.

   Why is the government called limited, Jun asks?

   • Its powers are listed and limited
   • It has unlimited power over the states
   • It has a short term
   • It has few workers
10. 9.

    Luz's note says, "The Bill of Rights gives the government more power." Which fix is right?

    • Change Rights to Wrongs
    • Leave it: rights are powers
    • Change government to states
    • Change gives more power to limits
11. 10.

    Milo's note says, "Line 2 comes from the 1787 Constitution." Which fix is right?

    • Change Line 2 to Line 1
    • Change it: it is the Tenth Amendment, 1791
    • Leave it: it is in the Constitution now
    • Change 1787 to 1776