Bill of Rights Quiz

FAQs

What Do You Know About the Bill of Rights?

The U.S. Constitution's birthday is September 17, 1787. Our nation's Founders knew, however, that the document failed to articulate the limits of the governmental powers it created. Another document, known as the Bill of Rights, was deemed necessary.

Sent by Congress to the states in 1789, the Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791, to become the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

Here's a test of your Bill of Rights knowledge:

1. Who proposed the Bill of Rights to Congress?

A. George Washington

B. Thomas Jefferson

C. James Madison

D. Benjamin Franklin

2. Where did the Congress meet in 1789 when it proposed the Bill of Rights to the states?

A. New York City

B. Philadelphia

C. Washington, D.C.

D. Boston

3. Which of these rights is not explicitly mentioned in the First Amendment?

A. Freedom of religion

B. Freedom of speech

C. Freedom of the press

D. Right to assemble peaceably

E. Right of association

F. Right to petition the government

4. Which Amendment protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents?

A. The Third

B. The Fourth

C. The Second

D. The Fifth

5. Which Amendment protects against being a witness against yourself (the right against self-incrimination)?

A. The Third

B. The Fourth

C. The Fifth

D. The Sixth

6. Which Amendment states: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted?"

A. The Fourth

B. The Sixth

C. The Eighth

D. The Tenth

7. Which Amendment includes the right of defendants in criminal prosecutions to confront witnesses against them?

A. The Sixth

B. The Eighth

C. The Ninth

D. The Tenth

8. Which Amendment discusses "the right of the people to keep and bear arms?"

A. The Tenth

B. The Ninth

C. The Third

D. The Second

9. Who is the final arbiter of what the words in the Bill of Rights mean in legal controversies?

A. The President

B. The Congress

C. The Supreme Court

D. A majority of the 50 State Legislatures

10. Where is an original copy of the Bill of Rights on public display?

A. The National Archives in Washington, D.C.

B. At Constitution Hall in Philadelphia

C. The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

D. The Smithsonian Museum of American History

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