Constitution Quiz

[Platypus]

I had to do this for my "Government and Politics in the USA" course. Obviously it's pretty easy, but it is designed for people at uni in Australia who theoretically have no previous exposure to the US Constitution.

It got me wondering though. How would Americans go with it? And how would you go on a quiz on the Australian constitution?

Here's the US Constitution quiz. I'll add an Australian one tonight. You're also expected to explain your answer, but not to lift directly from the constitution itself.

1. Can a person living in California be elected as a member of the U.S. House
of Representatives from a congressional district in the State of New York?

2. How old do you have to be to be a member of the U.S. Senate?

3. Apart from being next-in-line to the presidency, what other position and
title is given to the Vice President in the Constitution?

4. Why did Hillary Clinton have to resign her seat in the Senate in order to
become Secretary of State in the Obama administration?

5. Which Article and Section of the Constitution lists the powers of Congress?

6. Does President Obama have the constitutional power to declare war on
Iran if he wanted to do so?

7. Why can’t Arnold Schwarzenegger (Governor of California) be
President of the United States?

8. Who appoints the American Ambassador to Australia?

9. On what grounds can a President be removed from office and by whom?

10. Can Congress pass a law to prevent the Supreme Court hearing an appeal in
an abortion case?

11. How can the Constitution be amended?

12. In what significant respect does the 17th Amendment alter Article I Section
3 of the original Constitution?

13. Can Bill Clinton ever again be President of the United States? If not, why not?

14. If Vice President Biden died while in office, can he be replaced before the
next election and, if so, how?

[Хahar 🤔]

How is the second question to be explained?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

How is the second question to be explained?

I was wondering that too - that seems like you can just really give a 1 or 2 word answer for that.

[Platypus]

I included the ages needed for other offices, and why thefe was a difference.

[CARLHAYDEN]

1. Can a person living in California be elected as a member of the U.S. House
of Representatives from a congressional district in the State of New York?

Article I, Section 2.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

2. How old do you have to be to be a member of the U.S. Senate?

Article I, Section 3

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen

3. Apart from being next-in-line to the presidency, what other position and
title is given to the Vice President in the Constitution?

Article I, Section 3

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate

4. Why did Hillary Clinton have to resign her seat in the Senate in order to
become Secretary of State in the Obama administration?

Article I, Section 6,

5. Which Article and Section of the Constitution lists the powers of Congress?

Article I, Section 8 (too lengthy to post details)

6. Does President Obama have the constitutional power to declare war on
Iran if he wanted to do so?

No. Article I, Section 8 reserves to congress the power To declare War

7. Why can’t Arnold Schwarzenegger (Governor of California) be
President of the United States?

Article II, Section 1. Provides that “No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President.”

8. Who appoints the American Ambassador to Australia?

Article II, Section 2 provides that the President “He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate,  provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors.”

9. On what grounds can a President be removed from office and by whom?

Article II, Section 4 provides that” “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

10. Can Congress pass a law to prevent the Supreme Court hearing an appeal in
an abortion case?

Yes.  Article III, Section 2 provides that ”the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.”

11. How can the Constitution be amended?

See Article V.

12. In what significant respect does the 17th Amendment alter Article I Section
3 of the original Constitution?

Senators elected by the people from each State rather than chosen by the state legislature.

13. Can Bill Clinton ever again be President of the United States? If not, why not?

No.  See the 22nd Amendment.

14. If Vice President Biden died while in office, can he be replaced before the
next election and, if so, how

See Amendment 24, Section 2.

[J. J.]

Without looking:

1. Can a person living in California be elected as a member of the U.S. House
of Representatives from a congressional district in the State of New York?

No, you must be resident of the state

2. How old do you have to be to be a member of the U.S. Senate?

30

3. Apart from being next-in-line to the presidency, what other position and
title is given to the Vice President in the Constitution?

President of the Senate

4. Why did Hillary Clinton have to resign her seat in the Senate in order to
become Secretary of State in the Obama administration?

Separation of powers

5. Which Article and Section of the Constitution lists the powers of Congress?

[/b] Not sure, either I or II.  I'll say Article I[/b]

6. Does President Obama have the constitutional power to declare war on
Iran if he wanted to do so?

No

7. Why can’t Arnold Schwarzenegger (Governor of California) be
President of the United States?

He is not a "natural born citizen"

8. Who appoints the American Ambassador to Australia?

The President, subject to confirmation by the US Senate, if in session

9. On what grounds can a President be removed from office and by whom?

"high Crimes and Misdemeanors," though Madison included "maladministration."

10. Can Congress pass a law to prevent the Supreme Court hearing an appeal in
an abortion case?

No

11. How can the Constitution be amended?

By an amendment passed by Congress and approved by 3/4 of the states or by a constitutional convention

12. In what significant respect does the 17th Amendment alter Article I Section
3 of the original Constitution?

It provides for direct election of senators, instead of by the state legislatures

13. Can Bill Clinton ever again be President of the United States? If not, why not?

No, as he was twice elected

14. If Vice President Biden died while in office, can he be replaced before the
next election and, if so, how?

Yes, by appointment of the president with approval of both houses of Congress

Bonus question:

Generally the Constitution can be amended by amendment passed by Congress and approved by 3/4 of the states or by a constitutional convention, but there is one current exception.  What is it?