Which of the following describes the way amendments to the Constitution have been ratified in all but one case?

A. Two-thirds of the Congress passes the amendment, and the president signs it into the Constitution.
Incorrect. An amendment is made when two-thirds of the Congress passes the amendment, and it is ratified by three-fourth of the state legislatures. The president has nothing to do with the process.

B. Two-thirds of the Congress passes the amendment, it is approved by the president, and three-fourths of state legislatures vote to ratify it.
Incorrect. An amendment is made when two-thirds of the Congress passes the amendment, and it is ratified by three-fourth of the state legislatures. The president has nothing to do with the process.

C. Three-fourths of Congress passes the amendment, and it is ratified by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
Incorrect. An amendment is made when two-thirds of the Congress passes the amendment, and it is ratified by three-fourth of the state legislatures.

D. Two-thirds of the Congress passes the amendment, and it is ratified by three-fourth of the state legislatures.
Correct! An amendment is made when two-thirds of the Congress passes the amendment, and it is ratified by three-fourth of the state legislatures.

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress."

—Article V, U.S. Constitution

What is the purpose for invoking the provision of the Constitution listed above?

A. To give the federal government the power to deal with a serious threat from another nation
Incorrect. Congress already has the power it needs for national defense. Article V describes the amendment process used to change the structure of the federal government or in response to problems in society.

B. To remove the president when he has violated his oath of office
Incorrect. This does not describe impeachment. Article V describes the amendment process used to change the structure of the federal government or in response to problems in society.

C. To respond to a major problem with the structure of the federal government or society
Correct! Article V describes the amendment process used to change the structure of the federal government or in response to problems in society.

D. To determine the number of votes needed in order to win the presidency
Incorrect. Article V describes the amendment process used to change the structure of the federal government or in response to problems in society.

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

This constitutional amendment was passed in response to what historical development?

A. The mistreatment of African Americans after the Civil War
Correct! This text is part of the 15th amendment, which was ratified shortly after the Civil War due to the mistreatment of African Americans.

B. The efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s
Incorrect. This text is part of the 15th amendment, which was ratified shortly after the Civil War due to the mistreatment of African Americans.

C. The threats from the South to secede from the Union
Incorrect. This text is part of the 15th amendment, which was ratified shortly after the Civil War due to the mistreatment of African Americans.

D. The changes in immigration patterns in the United States during the early 19th century
Incorrect. This text is part of the 15th amendment, which was ratified shortly after the Civil War due to the mistreatment of African Americans.

The topic that constitutional amendments address more than any is —

A. freedom of speech
Incorrect. The most common subject of constitutional amendments is voting rights.

B. the rights of the accused
Incorrect. The most common subject of constitutional amendments is voting rights.

C. federalism
Incorrect. The most common subject of constitutional amendments is voting rights.

D. voting rights
Correct! The most common subject of constitutional amendments is voting rights.

Which of the following is an example of judicial review unofficially amending the Constitution?

A. Marbury v. Madison asserting that the Supreme Court had the right to rule on the constitutionality of laws
Incorrect. While this is an example of an unofficial amendment to the Constitution, it is not the only example.

B. McCulloch v. Maryland declaring the Congress did have the power to establish a national bank
Incorrect. While this is an example of an unofficial amendment to the Constitution, it is not the only example.

C. U.S. v. O’Brien declaring when an action by the government violates freedom of speech
Incorrect. While this is an example of an unofficial amendment to the Constitution, it is not the only example.

D. All of the above
Correct! All of these cases either gave power to a branch of government or added detail to existing provisions in the Constitution, making them unofficial amendments.