Quiz for Debating the Constitution

Choose the best answer to each question.

Question

1. Why does Cato III (Document 7.11) believe that a republican form of government is untenable for the American states?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is d. Cato III argues that the variety of people and perspectives in America would make a republican government untenable. The nation would not be able to stand like “a house divided against itself.”
Incorrect: The answer is d. Cato III argues that the variety of people and perspectives in America would make a republican government untenable. The nation would not be able to stand like “a house divided against itself.”

Question

2. Which of the following statements summarizes James Madison’s refutation of Cato’s argument (see Document 7.12)?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is d. Madison asserts that republicanism will protect the rights of individuals and small groups in a diverse nation because there is not a strong majority that will overwhelm the minority.
Incorrect: The answer is d. Madison asserts that republicanism will protect the rights of individuals and small groups in a diverse nation because there is not a strong majority that will overwhelm the minority.

Question

3. In James Madison’s Federalist 51 (Document 7.13), he argues for the separation of powers in the new nation’s government. Why does he believe this is necessary?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is a. Madison asserted that each branch needed to be balanced by another branch to counteract ambition in men. He wrote, “It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government.”
Incorrect: The answer is a. Madison asserted that each branch needed to be balanced by another branch to counteract ambition in men. He wrote, “It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government.”

Question

4. What can be inferred about Brutus and the Antifederalists, in general, by reading the essay in support of a bill of rights (see Document 7.14)?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is b. The Antifederalists wanted the federal government to provide an explicit list of individual rights. They were not comfortable with a general guarantee that personal rights would be reserved in the Constitution.
Incorrect: The answer is b. The Antifederalists wanted the federal government to provide an explicit list of individual rights. They were not comfortable with a general guarantee that personal rights would be reserved in the Constitution.

Question

5. Why did Alexander Hamilton oppose the Bill of Rights (see Document 7.15)?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is c. Hamilton believed that the Constitution guaranteed all of the necessary rights to American citizens. He wrote that the “Constitution is itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS.”
Incorrect: The answer is c. Hamilton believed that the Constitution guaranteed all of the necessary rights to American citizens. He wrote that the “Constitution is itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS.”