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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did many delegates support one resolution to this question?
(a) To reduce the federal government's power.
(b) To limit the independence of the federal government.
(c) To cater to the states' needs.
(d) To avoid dissension.

2. What did James Madison argue with relation to the New Jersey Plan?
(a) It cannot settle arguments between the states.
(b) It will give too much power to small states.
(c) It cannot support itself with tax revenue.
(d) It will not protect small states from bigger states.

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

4. Where do delegates think that authority needs to originate in order to be legitimate?
(a) The landowners.
(b) The people.
(c) The poor.
(d) The merchants.

5. What did Edmund Randolph present to the delegates?
(a) The New Jersey Plan.
(b) The Virginia Plan.
(c) The Great Compromise.
(d) Articles of Confederation.

Short Answer Questions

1. What thoughts did Mr. Madison express on the topic of elections during debate at the convention?

2. What did Madison stress in his letter to George Washington?

3. Who was particularly concerned about the Virginia Plan?

4. What did Dr. Johnson advocate during the debate over federal power?

5. What did George Mason say he feared, in his argument on June 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What particular example of separation of powers did delegates argue over?

2. What was an argument for electing Senators in state legislatures?

3. What did delegates object to in the Virginia Plan?

4. What were some positions delegates took on the New Jersey Plan?

5. What was the benefit of the proposal to elect representatives in the state legislatures?

6. In what ways were delegates afraid of executive power?

7. Who opposed the election of Senators by state legislatures, and why?

8. What did delegates discuss regarding the appointment of judges?

9. What problems were Americans having with the Articles of Confederation?

10. What was the Virginia Plan?

(see the answer keys)

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