Which term refers to the first ten amendments?

• A. The Federalist Papers
• B. The Bill of Rights
• C. The Preamble
• D. The Magna Carta

Answer: (B)

The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. This collection was added to the Constitution to protect fundamental liberties and limit the federal government’s power. Ratified in 1791, they establish protections such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly; the right to bear arms; protections against unreasonable searches and seizures; due process and fair trials; and limits on forcing quarters in homes, among others. The Federalist Papers were a set of essays arguing for ratification, the Preamble is the Constitution’s introductory statement of purposes, and the Magna Carta is a medieval English charter that influenced later constitutional ideas. But only the Bill of Rights refers specifically to the first ten amendments.