5.7 Printable Knowledge Check: The Bill of Rights

This activity is part of Module 5: The Bill of Rights from the Constitution 101 Curriculum. 

Complete the questions in the following quiz to test your knowledge of basic ideas and concepts covered in this module.

1. Despite Benjamin Franklin’s closing speech at the Constitutional Convention calling for all delegates to unite in signing the new Constitution, three delegates refused to sign it on September 17, 1787—the final day of the Convention. These three are known today as ___________.
   • The Dissenters
   • The Troublemakers
   • The Rebels
   • The Loyalists 
2. What is the Bill of Rights?
   • The first 10 amendments to the Constitution 
   • A document declaring independence from England
   • A list of rights and freedoms 
   • Both A and C 
3. Which Convention delegate and author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights could accurately be described as the true father of the Bill of Rights?
   • George Washington 
   • George Mason
   • Thomas Jefferson
   • James Madison
4. The language of the Virginia Declaration of Rights can be seen as the inspiration for which founding document? 
   • The Declaration of Independence 
   • The Bill of Rights 
   • Both A and B
   • Neither A nor B
5. Which of these is not a freedom found in the First Amendment?
   • Freedom of speech  
   • The right to remain silent
   • The right to assemble 
   • Free exercise of religion
6. The text of the Fourth Amendment says that the people shall be secure against _________.
   • All searches and seizures 
   • Warrantless searches and seizures 
   • Unreasonable searches and seizures
   • Inconvenient searches and seizures
7. Amendments that deal with fair process, jury rights, and the rights of the accused include all of the following except the ___________.
   • Third Amendment
   • Fifth Amendment
   • Seventh Amendment
   • Eighth Amendment 
8. The Sixth Amendment provides what rights for criminal defendants?
   • A speedy trial  
   • An impartial jury
   • The right to counsel 
   • All of the above
9. The Seventh Amendment protected the right to a trial by jury in civil cases where the amount in question was worth a certain amount of money. What was that amount?
   • At least $20 
   • At least $100 
   • At least $1,000 
   • At least 1 million dollars 
10. Which amendment responded to Madison’s concern that a written bill of rights might undermine other rights retained by the people? 
    • Third Amendment 
    • Sixth Amendment
    • Seventh Amendment
    • Ninth Amendment
11. What year was the Bill of Rights adopted?
    • 1776
    • 1787
    • 1791 
    • 1800
12. Who played a key role in the creation of the Bill of Rights? 
    • Anti-Federalists 
    • Populists 
    • Democrats
    • Republicans
13. Which Pennsylvania founder offered arguments against a bill of rights in his State House Yard Speech?
    • Benjamin Franklin 
    • Robert Morris
    • Gouverneur Morris
    • James Wilson 
14.  What was a key argument against having a bill of rights?  
    • It was unnecessary.
    • It could be dangerous. 
    • The Constitution already protected the rights of the people.
    • All of the above
15. James Madison gave a speech in support of adding amendments to the Constitution in 1789. This is particularly significant because Madison ____________.
    • Had always supported a bill of rights
    • Had originally been reluctant to support a bill of rights
    • Had joined the dissenters in refusing to sign the Constitution 
    • Was the oldest and most experienced delegate at the Convention 
16. The protections of the Bill of Rights originally applied against abuses by which level of government?
    • All levels of government 
    • Only local government
    • Only state government 
    • Only the federal government 
17. Which amendment has “incorporated” the rights in the Bill of Rights against abuses by state governments? 
    • 12th Amendment
    • 14th Amendment 
    • 19th Amendment 
    • 27th Amendment 
18. Which famous founder, living in France at the time of the Convention, corresponded with James Madison on the subject of including a bill of rights and may have helped convince him of the value of a bill of rights?
    • Samuel Adams
    • Patrick Henry 
    • John Adams
    • Thomas Jefferson 
19. What political term was coined after the political maneuverings of dissenter Elbridge Gerry?
    • Gerrymandering 
    • Gerrybuster 
    • Elbridgement 
    • Gerry-packing 
20. Which article of the Constitution outlines the process for adding amendments like the Bill of Rights?
    • Article I
    • Article II
    • Article III
    • Article V

Answer Key: A, D, B, C, B, C, A, D, A, D, C, A, D, D, B, D, B, D, A, D

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