U.S. Government Practice Test: Bill of Rights
- Bill of Rights
- 10 questions
- 12 minutes
Most of these 10 questions describe a situation and ask which amendment applies. A quick way to sort them: the Fourth covers searches, the Fifth covers the accused and property, the Sixth covers criminal trials, and the Eighth covers punishment.
Tap an option to mark your answer. You can change your mind, or tap the same option again to leave the question blank. The correct answers and explanations appear when you finish the test.Tap an option to answer; tap it again to leave the question blank.
Your result
- 0 correct
- 0 wrong
- 0 blank
-
Question 1
In what year were the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, ratified?
Correct answer: D
The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, two years after the new government began. 1787 is the year the Constitution was written, and 1776 is the year of the Declaration of Independence.
-
Question 2
Police enter and search a person's home without a warrant, without consent and without any emergency. Which amendment is most directly involved?
Correct answer: B
The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable cause. The Fifth deals with self-incrimination, double jeopardy and due process.
-
Question 3
A witness in a criminal trial refuses to answer a question because the answer could be used to show that she committed a crime. Which amendment protects her?
Correct answer: C
The Fifth Amendment says no person can be compelled to be a witness against himself, which is why people "plead the Fifth." The Sixth covers rights at trial such as a lawyer and a speedy trial, not the right to stay silent.
-
Question 4
A man charged with a crime waits years for a trial, and the court refuses to let him have a lawyer. Which amendment's rights are being violated?
Correct answer: A
The Sixth Amendment guarantees a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury and the assistance of counsel in criminal cases. The Seventh covers juries in civil lawsuits, not criminal trials.
-
Question 5
A judge sets bail far higher than the minor charge could justify. Which amendment addresses this?
Correct answer: D
The Eighth Amendment forbids excessive bail, excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishments. The Fourth deals with searches and arrests, not with the amount of bail.
-
Question 6
Which amendment says the government cannot force homeowners to house soldiers in peacetime without their consent?
Correct answer: C
The Third Amendment bans quartering soldiers in private homes in peacetime without the owner's consent, a reaction to British practice before the Revolution. The Second Amendment concerns the right to keep and bear arms.
-
Question 7
Two neighbors sue each other in federal court over a property dispute worth more than twenty dollars. Which amendment preserves their right to a jury trial?
Correct answer: B
The Seventh Amendment preserves jury trials in federal civil suits "where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars." The Sixth Amendment jury right applies to criminal prosecutions.
-
Question 8
Which amendment states that listing certain rights in the Constitution does not mean the people lack other rights?
Correct answer: D
The Ninth Amendment says the enumeration of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. The Tenth is about powers of the states, not unlisted rights of individuals.
-
Question 9
Which amendment reserves to the states, or to the people, the powers not given to the national government and not denied to the states?
Correct answer: A
The Tenth Amendment is the basis of the states' reserved powers. The Ninth is often confused with it, but it protects unlisted rights of the people rather than powers of the states.
-
Question 10
City officials deny a permit for a peaceful protest march only because they dislike the group's message. Which First Amendment freedoms are most directly involved?
Correct answer: C
Blocking a peaceful march because of its message affects freedom of speech and the right to assemble peaceably. Bearing arms is a Second Amendment right, and due process and equal protection come from the Fifth and Fourteenth.
Questions you leave blank are not counted as wrong.
More Civics tests
CivicsU.S. Government Practice Test: FederalismFederalism10 questions12 min CivicsU.S. Government Practice Test: Foundations of GovernmentFoundations of Government10 questions12 minCivicsU.S. Government Practice Test: The ConstitutionThe Constitution10 questions12 minCivicsU.S. Government Practice Test: CongressCongress10 questions12 minCivicsU.S. Government Practice Test: The PresidencyThe Presidency10 questions12 minCivicsU.S. Government Practice Test: The Federal CourtsThe Federal Courts10 questions12 minCivicsU.S. Government Practice Test: Elections and VotingElections and Voting10 questions12 min