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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Mr. Mason propose in his arguments of June 4?
(a) That there be an executive for each region.
(b) That the executive be appointed by Congress.
(c) That there be two executives, like Roman consuls.
(d) That the executive be chosen in popular elections.

2. Which constituents did Dr. Johnson want to placate with the plan he advocated?
(a) The upper classes.
(b) Foreign diplomats.
(c) Federalists.
(d) Small states.

3. What did James Madison argue concerning the question of whether the executive should be chosen by the legislature?
(a) He argued that the legislature should elect the executive.
(b) He argued that the Supreme Court should appoint the executive.
(c) He argued that the legislature should appoint the executive.
(d) He argued that the executive and the legislature should be kept separate.

4. What was the Great Compromise?
(a) The creation of the Electoral College.
(b) Bring Texas into the union as a slave state, and Missouri as free.
(c) Appoint judges for life, but allow them to be impeached.
(d) A bicameral legislature.

5. What was James Madison's feeling about the compromise?
(a) He felt that the convention was sacrificing federalism to distributed power.
(b) He felt that the convention was sacrificing justice for the small states.
(c) He felt that the convention was sacrificing large states to small states.
(d) He felt that the convention was striking the right balance.

6. What did the Virginia Plan propose to do to the Articles?
(a) Ratify them in Virginia.
(b) Extend their authority for another ten years.
(c) Fix their flaws.
(d) Discard them.

7. What were the delegates' intentions when they argued for election of Senators from state legislatures?
(a) Creating a check against popular democracy.
(b) Raising the Senate above popular opinion.
(c) Insulating the federal government from individuals in the states.
(d) Improving upon the process by which the people were represented.

8. What subject were the delegates debating in Chapter 6?
(a) Whether the executive should be singular or plural.
(b) Whether the federal government should oversee state laws.
(c) Who should be eligible to vote in elections.
(d) Whether government officers should receive pay.

9. What would happen if government officers did not receive salaries, in the opinion of the man who proposed this?
(a) Men who lusted for power and money would not run for office.
(b) The government would consist solely of landed gentry.
(c) Legislators would have to have wealthy patrons.
(d) Men who needed money would be liable to be influenced by special interests.

10. What did Gouverneur Morris argue concerning the question of whether the executive should be chosen by the legislature?
(a) He argued that the executive should be appointed by the Senate.
(b) He argued that the executive should be elected by the people.
(c) He argued that the executive should be appointed by the Supreme Court.
(d) He argued that the executive should be elected by the Congress.

11. What did a legitimate government require, in James Madison's opinion?
(a) Direct democracy.
(b) Freedom from debt.
(c) A strong military.
(d) Aristocrats.

12. How would government service be seen if government officers did not receive salaries, in the opinion of the man who proposed this?
(a) As a stepping stone.
(b) As an entitlement.
(c) As a duty.
(d) As a privilege.

13. Which bodies were the delegates considering as electors of Representatives in the House?
(a) State legislatures or the national senate.
(b) Property owners or free men.
(c) The people or state legislatures.
(d) Special committees or state legislatures.

14. What did the delegates debate concerning state laws?
(a) Whether the states could allow the death penalty.
(b) Whether state laws could govern inter-state trade.
(c) Whether the federal government could control state laws.
(d) Whether state laws could set precedent for federal laws.

15. What did Mr. Sherman argue concerning the question of whether the executive should be chosen by the legislature?
(a) He argued that the executive should be appointed by the Supreme Court.
(b) He argued that the executive should be elected by the Congress.
(c) He argued that the executive should be appointed by the Congress.
(d) He argued that the executive should be elected by the people.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Randolph argue at the convention?

2. What did James Madison argue during the argument over representation by person or by state?

3. What kind of rulers did James Madison believe the country needed?

4. Why did delegates argue for a small senate?

5. Where on the political spectrum were Alexander Hamilton's opinions?

(see the answer keys)

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