How Well Do You Know the First Amendment?

By: Lauren Fokas | Published: Apr 26, 2024

The vast majority of Americans probably know that the nation’s first important document was the Declaration of Independence, and the second was the Constitution.

They may even know that the Constitution includes several Amendments, each of which sets the rights of the American people. However, very few will be able to answer these detailed questions about the First Amendment.

1. Which of the following rights is NOT within the First Amendment?

A) Right to Privacy
B) Freedom of the Press
C) Right to Petition the Government
D) Freedom of Speech

Close-up photograph of a replica of the 1st Amendment

Source: Adobe Stock

Answer:

Right to Privacy

Source: Freepik

2. The First Amendment protects your rights against the following…

A) The US Government
B) Educators
C) Employers
D) All of the Above

A woman puts an American flag up in her living room above the couch

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Answer:

The US Government

The San Francisco state capitol building on a sunny day

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3. Which of the following types of speech is protected by the First Amendment?

A) False Advertisements
B) Defamation
C) True Threats
D) Hate Speech

A woman smiles as she speaks into a megaphone

Source: Freepik

Answer:

Hate Speech

Source: Depositphotos

4. At what age do the First Amendment freedoms apply to an American citizen…

A) 16
B) 18
C) 21
D) Rights are guaranteed from birth

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Source: Freepik

Answer:

Rights are guaranteed from birth

A young baby sits and smiles in front of an American flag

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5. Which of the following categories of speech is NEVER protected by the First Amendment?

A) Racially offensive comments
B) Lies about another person
C) Obscenities
D) Political preferences

Close-up photograph of a microphone in front of a large crowd

Source: Freepik

Answer:

Obscenities

A woman holding a piece of paper with symbols in replace of letters signifying explicit language

Source: Adobe Stock

6. Students' First Amendment rights are protected while at school; however, educators can censor this type of speech…

A) Criticism of educators
B) Offensive speech
C) Speech that causes a disruption
D) None of the Above

A young student whispers something into another student’s ear in class

Source: Freepik

Answer:

Speech that causes a disruption

A young student in glasses shouting in class

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7. Thanks to the First Amendment, which of the following is NOT allowed?

A) Governments can restrict the use of loudspeakers
B) Governments can restrict public support of Satanism
C) Governments can restrict demonstrations that block traffic
D) Governments can ban the picketing of private homes

A police officer reporting a crime into his walkie talkie

Source: Freepik

Answer:

Governments can restrict public support of Satanism

Digital illustration of a crowd of people wearing red robes

Source: Adobe Stock

8. The US government limits the right to free speech of the following groups of people:

A) Members of the military
B) Students
C) Medical professionals
D) Religious leaders

A man against a black background with a piece of black tape across his mouth

Source: iStock

Answer:

Members of the military

A US soldier in uniform holds up an American flag

Source: Freepik

9. The press can be charged for the following…

A) Promoting a specific religion
B) Offensive comments
C) False statements
D) The press can never be charged

Several reporters hold up microphones and phones to someone they are interviewing

Source: Freepik

Answer:

False statements

A hand holds a phone open to the news with a red stamp that reads “Fake”

Source: iStock

10. The freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and petition are often called the…

A) Freedoms of Liberty
B) Freedoms of Expression
C) Freedoms of Joy
D) Freedoms of Peace

Hands hold up a cardboard sign that reads “Free Speech”

Source: Shutterstock

Answer:

Freedoms of Expression

A large sign along a wall reads “Freedom of expression is your right”

Source: Freedex

11. If a private employer fires an employee because of the employee’s speech…

A) It is a violation of the First Amendment
B) It is not a violation of the First Amendment

A man packs up his belongings into a cardboard box after getting fired

Source: Freepik

Answer:

It is not a violation of the First Amendment

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12. The Fourteenth Amendment ensures that the First Amendment…

A) …is applied to all state governments
B) … is not applied to those attempting to overthrow the government
C) … is applied to everyone who visits the USA
D) There is no Fourteenth Amendment

Photograph of the US Constitution atop an American flag

Source: Freepik

Answer:

…is applied to all state governments

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13. Thanks to the First Amendment, Americans have the right to three of the following, but which is NOT a right of the First Amendment?

A) Citizens can burn the American flag
B) Students can refuse to pledge allegiance to the flag
C) Teachers can favor a religion in public schools
D) Singers cannot be punished for offensive lyrics

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Source: Freepik

Answer:

Teachers can favor a religion in public schools

Close-up photograph of a Christian crucifix in front of a blurred background of a teacher in a classroom

Source: Adobe Stock

14. Which of the following statements is true?

A) The First Amendment prohibits government officials from establishing an official religion
B) The First Amendment restricts government officials from interfering with an individual’s exercise of his or her religious beliefs
C) Both statements are true
D) Neither statement is true

A chalk drawing of several stick figure people underneath different signs of religion on a black background

Source: iStock

Answer:

Both statements are true

Photograph of the US Constitution with a small piece of paper that reads “Freedom of Religion” and a judge’s gavel

Source: iStock

15. How does the First Amendment begin?

A) “Four score and seven years ago…”
B) “When, in the course of human events…”
C) “Freedom of speech and of the press shall not be abridged…”
D) “Congress shall make no law…”

Photograph of a feather quill in a pot of ink against a white background

Source: Freepik

Answer:

“Congress shall make no law…”

Close-up photograph of the first paragraph of the 1st Amendment

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