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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What new phrase does Governor Morris insert in the short preamble to the Constitution?
(a) "We the people of the United States".
(b) "Certain inalienable rights".
(c) "With liberty and justice for all".
(d) "The pursuit of happiness".

2. What is the purpose of the Committee of Detail?
(a) To publish the final proceedings of the Convention in a format everyone understands.
(b) To keep a clear record of all the votes on the issues.
(c) To offer suggestions about issues that are not yet considered.
(d) To put Convention resolves, amendments, and suggestions into a workable document.

3. Which delegates is NOT a member of the Committee of Detail?
(a) Rufus King.
(b) Nathaniel Graham.
(c) James Wilson.
(d) Edmund Randolph.

4. Who creates a dictionary to capitalize on the uniqueness of the American language?
(a) James Madison.
(b) Benjamin Franklin.
(c) Alexander Hamilton.
(d) Noah Webster.

5. Why do delegates to the Massachusetts Convention meet in Boston's Brattle Street Church?
(a) Samuel Adams wants all meetings to open with prayer.
(b) The State House is too small.
(c) The church is the foundation of Massachusetts government.
(d) The governor is an active member of the church.

6. Oliver Ellsworth argues that which state should ratify the Constitution or risk being overtaken by New York?
(a) Delaware.
(b) New Jersey.
(c) Rhode Island.
(d) Connecticut.

7. Which is the first state to ratify the Constitution?
(a) Pennsylvania.
(b) Delaware.
(c) Georgia.
(d) New Jersey.

8. Why is the Province of Maine worried about the new Constitution?
(a) They think it interferes with provincial government regulations.
(b) They think it prevents their separation from Massachusetts to become an independent state.
(c) They think it gives too many rights to Southern states.
(d) They think it is too restrictive on commerce.

9. By August 30th, what date has been set for the final adjournment?
(a) No date has been set.
(b) August 31st.
(c) September 1st.
(d) September 31st.

10. Which delegate voices a moral defense of slavery?
(a) Charles Pinckney.
(b) Benjamin Franklin.
(c) Elbridge Gerry.
(d) Edmund Randolph.

11. Which delegate leaves the Convention early, later saying he wishes he returns to vote 'no' on the Constitution?
(a) Luther Martin.
(b) Alexander Hamilton.
(c) Elbridge Gerry.
(d) Richard Henry Lee.

12. What is the federal ratio?
(a) The ratio used to determine how many slaves are equivalent to one free white citizen.
(b) The number of Congressional delegates needed to override a Presidential veto.
(c) The number of property owners needed to grant statehood to an area of the Western Territory.
(d) The distance needed between the seat of federal government and any state or local government.

13. Which delegate proposes that the positive vote of seven states constitutes ratification of the Constitution?
(a) James Wilson.
(b) Pierce Butler.
(c) James Madison.
(d) David Carroll.

14. Which basic proposition is common to the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Report of the Committee of Detail?
(a) A government in three parts: executive, legislative, judicial.
(b) Length of residency for Congress members.
(c) The method of determining who is chief executive.
(d) Proportional representation for each state by size of state-owned land.

15. What does Bowen describe as Madison's strength?
(a) His oratory ability.
(b) His knowledge of human nature.
(c) His knowledge of political science, governments, and constitutions.
(d) His ability to write historical documents.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which delegate argue that restrictions on the citizenship of legislators are left for Congress to decide?

2. What motion does Franklin propose on the final day of the Convention?

3. Which delegate argues that the only requirement for a legislator is citizenship, with no restriction on the length of time the individual has been in America?

4. What is Deism?

5. Who is elected president of the Massachusetts Convention to ratify the Constitution?

(see the answer keys)

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