3A.1.4 Debates around the US Constitution Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Politics, Unit 3

The 20 questions

1. What key strength of the US Constitution is most often praised by supporters?

   • Unwritten conventions
   • Ease of amendment
   • Direct democracy
   • Durability and stability

2. What main weakness of the US Constitution do critics highlight regarding formal change?

   • Judicial supremacy
   • Executive tyranny
   • Difficult to amend
   • Unwritten principles

3. How do originalist judges interpret the US Constitution?

   • Following party policy
   • Prioritising executive power
   • Using modern values
   • By original meaning

4. How do living constitutionalists interpret the US Constitution?

   • By original intent
   • Strict textual adherence
   • Following presidential decree
   • Using contemporary values

5. What is a major argument used to support originalism?

   • Allows rapid reform
   • Increases presidential power
   • Removes federalism
   • Limits judicial discretion

6. What primary benefit is claimed for the living Constitution approach?

   • Adapts to change
   • Fixes political meaning
   • Prevents constitutional amendments
   • Eliminates judicial power

7. What feature of the US Constitution creates extensive scope for judicial interpretation?

   • Detailed, rigid code
   • Excessive formal amendments
   • Vague, brief text
   • Unwritten conventions

8. What political problem can result from the entrenchment of the US Constitution?

   • Excessive executive power
   • Instant political consensus
   • Minority blocking change
   • Frequent electoral instability

9. How does the US Constitution effectively limit government power?

   • Unilateral executive orders
   • Checks and balances
   • Direct popular referendums
   • Absolute judicial supremacy

10. What factor has most weakened constitutional limits on federal government power?

    • Judicial inactivity
    • Frequent constitutional amendments
    • Expanded executive power
    • Strong state vetoes

11. What structural feature has contributed most to the longevity of the US Constitution?

    • Highly detailed rules
    • Direct popular vetoes
    • Annual revision requirement
    • Adaptable broad principles

12. Why do defenders argue that the US Constitution is not outdated?

    • Amendments occur annually
    • Principles remain relevant
    • States lack powers
    • Text is rewritten

13. What major negative outcome can checks and balances cause during hyper-partisanship?

    • Dictatorial rule
    • Government gridlock
    • Unitary governance
    • Rapid legislation

14. Why did the Framers require supermajorities for constitutional amendments?

    • Ensures broad consensus
    • Accelerates lawmaking
    • Reduces state influence
    • Empowers single parties

15. What constitutional feature best proves that the USA remains a federal system?

    • Congressional funding
    • Supreme Court veto
    • Executive orders
    • State policy autonomy

16. What term describes federal requirements attached to state funding in the US?

    • Federal mandates
    • Executive orders
    • Interstate compacts
    • Reserved powers

17. Which constitutional mechanism relies on institutional willingness to constrain executive power?

    • Federal mandates
    • Judicial restraint
    • Checks and balances
    • Executive privilege

18. Which judicial philosophy argues that the US Constitution should adapt to modern societal changes?

    • Strict constructionism
    • Textualism
    • Living constitution
    • Originalism

19. Which feature of the US Constitution makes formal amendment of federal powers difficult?

    • Bipartisanship
    • Entrenchment
    • Codification
    • Judicial review

20. Which power enables the US Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?

    • Advice and consent
    • Judicial restraint
    • Executive privilege
    • Judicial review

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