The Constitution and the Bill of Rights - Reading Comprehension
for edHelper.com subscribers - Sign up now by clicking here!

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights Reading Comprehension
     The Constitution and the Bill of Rights reading comprehension (sample is shown below)



The Constitution and the Bill of Rights
By Phyllis Naegeli
  

1     Our Constitution has endured over two hundred years of testing. It has stood as an example of freedom, not only in America, but also around the world. The first draft contained seven articles that formed our federal government. It replaced the weaker government that was created by the Articles of Confederation. Our Constitution has been called "a bundle of compromises." In coming to these compromises, the original framers established a strong central government.
 
2     Article I established the legislative branch of our government. It divided the Congress - the law-making body - into two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. As a result of "The Great Compromise" the formation of the Senate made the smaller states happy. Each state has two senators. The House of Representatives satisfied the larger states. Representatives are assigned based on population. Laws must be approved by both parts of the Congress. This gives everyone an equal voice in our government. The Congress was given the power to coin money and collect taxes. They can establish a military. The Congress makes laws and approves many of the decisions of the executive branch.
 
3     Article II established the executive branch. This branch carries out the laws made by the Congress. It established the office of president. It outlines the powers of this office. Commanding the military, appointing judges and ambassadors, negotiating treaties, and approving or vetoing laws made by the Congress were given to this branch of the government. It allows for the president to choose a cabinet to help do the day-to-day work of the government. Today there are fifteen cabinet departments.
 
4     Article III established the Supreme Court. This is the highest court in our land. The nine judges who serve in this branch are appointed by the president. The Congress approves these appointments. The Supreme Court decides cases involving constitutional and federal laws. The Congress was given the power to establish the lower courts in this branch. This was done in 1789 with the creation of the U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Appeals Courts.
 
5     Article IV established the relationship of the states. States were now required to obey the laws of the central government and to honor one another. The central government would provide a military to defend the states. Congress was given the power to admit new states.
 
6     Article V established a way to change the Constitution. The delegates knew the country was growing. They knew that things would change. Therefore, they planned a way to amend the Constitution. However, they didn't make it easy. First, an amendment must pass both houses of Congress by a two-thirds vote. Then, three-fourths of the states must also approve the amendment.
 
7     Article VI says that the government must pay the country's debts. In addition, it makes the Constitution and treaties the supreme law of the land. Any laws made by Congress or state governments must agree with the Constitution. People who serve in the government must take an oath of office. They must promise to support the Constitution. It also prohibits the use of a religious test for officials in the federal government.
 
8     Article VII established the rules for ratification. Once nine of the thirteen states held conventions and agreed to the Constitution, it became the supreme law of the land. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution.
 
9     During the process of ratification, Massachusetts and Maryland conditionally agreed to the Constitution. Both states were concerned that the people's rights were not listed in the document. This resulted in the addition of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments that outlined the rights of the people. These rights include freedoms such as religion, speech, press, assembly, the right to privacy, and the rights given to people accused of breaking the law.

Paragraphs 10 to 22:
For the complete story with questions: click here for printable



Weekly Reading Books

          Create Weekly Reading Books

Prepare for an entire week at once!


The 1890's
             The 1890's


More Lessons
             American Government Worksheets | edHelper.com
             United States Constitution


Social Studies
             Social Studies


    United States History and Theme Units  
 
    American Government  
 
    Ancient America  
 
    Ancient China  
 
    Ancient Egypt  
 
    Ancient Greece  
 
    Ancient India  
 
    Ancient Mesopotamia  
 
    Ancient Rome  
 
    Biographies  
 
    Canadian Theme Unit  
 
    Country Theme Units  
 
    Crime and Terrorism  
 
    Economics  
 
    European History: 1600s-1800s  
 
 
    Explorers  
 
    Famous Educators  
 
    Geography  
 
    Grades 2-3 Social Studies Wendy's World Series  
 
    History of Books and Writing  
 
    History of Mathematics  
 
    How Can I Help?  
 
    Inventors and Inventions  
 
    Middle Ages  
 
    Renaissance  
 
    World Religion  
 
    World War I  
 
    World War II  
 
    World Wonders  
 


United States
             United States


    American Government  
 
    Black History and Blacks in U.S. History  
 
    Children in History  
 
    Government Careers  
 
    Hispanic Heritage  
 
    How Can I Help?  
 
 
    Immigration  
 
    National Parks and Monuments  
 
    Native Americans  
 
    Presidents of the United States  
 
    Women's History  
 


United States History
    A Nation Divided
(1840-1861)
 
 
    A New Nation
(1776-1830)
 
 
    After the Civil War
(1865-1870)
 
 
    American Revolution  
 
    Cold War
(1947-1991)
 
 
    Colonial America (1492-1776)  
 
    Lewis and Clark
(1804-1806)
 
 
    Pearl Harbor  
 
    Spanish American War (1898)  
 
    The 1890's  
 
    The 1900's  
 
    The 1910's  
 
    The 1920's  
 
    The 1930's  
 
 
    The 1940's  
 
    The 1950's  
 
    The 1960's  
 
    The 1970's  
 
    The 1980's  
 
    The 1990's  
 
    The 2000's  
 
    The Civil War
(1861-1865)
 
 
    The Great Depression
(1929-1945)
 
 
    The United States Grows
(1865-1900)
 
 
    The War of 1812  
 
    Wild, Wild West  
 
    World War I
(1914-1918)
 
 
    World War II  
 


50 States

             Fifty States Theme Unit


Document Based Activities
      Document Based Activities



Copyright © 2018 edHelper