Constitution

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/constitution

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the legal status?The supreme law of a sovereign state, superseding all other laws
2. What is the core principles?Establishes governmental structure, defines powers, and guarantees fundamental rights
3. Why do countries need a constitution?Countries need a constitution to make sure the government follows the same rules and to keep the power shared so no one can take over.
4. How does a constitution keep the government fair?The constitution divides power among three parts—legislature, executive, and judicial—so each can check the others and stop any one part from becoming too powerful.

Constitutionalism: The principle that governmental power is limited by a constitution or fundamental laws.
Judicial Review: The power of courts to assess the constitutionality of laws and government actions.