Worked example
Which document announced the colonies’ independence from Britain in 1776?
Answer & why
Answer: Declaration of Independence
The Declaration announced the separation and explained reasons for it.
Grade 5 · Social studies
Distinguish purposes of U.S. founding documents
Connect the Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights with their distinct historical purposes.
6 authored questions + worked example
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All questions
All 6 authored questions for this skill.
Question 1
Which name refers to the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
- Bill of Rights
- a later personal diary
- Declaration of Independence
- U.S. Constitution
A hint
The Declaration explained and announced the colonies’ separation from Britain.
Answer & why
Answer: Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments are collectively called the Bill of Rights.
Question 2
A researcher needs the founding text that describes Congress, the presidency and federal courts. Which should be consulted?
- Bill of Rights
- Declaration of Independence
- a later personal diary
- U.S. Constitution
A hint
The Declaration explained and announced the colonies’ separation from Britain.
Answer & why
Answer: U.S. Constitution
The Constitution sets out those government institutions.
Question 3
A researcher studies the colonies’ stated reasons for declaring separation in 1776. Which document directly fits?
- Declaration of Independence
- Bill of Rights
- a later personal diary
- U.S. Constitution
A hint
The Declaration explained and announced the colonies’ separation from Britain.
Answer & why
Answer: Declaration of Independence
That is the Declaration’s historical purpose.
Question 4
A researcher needs the group of amendments that includes freedom of speech and religion. Which name fits?
- a later personal diary
- U.S. Constitution
- Declaration of Independence
- Bill of Rights
A hint
The Declaration explained and announced the colonies’ separation from Britain.
Answer & why
Answer: Bill of Rights
The First Amendment is among the ten amendments in the Bill of Rights.
Question 5
Which document announced the colonies’ independence from Britain in 1776?
- Declaration of Independence
- U.S. Constitution
- Bill of Rights
- a later personal diary
A hint
The Declaration explained and announced the colonies’ separation from Britain.
Answer & why
Answer: Declaration of Independence
The Declaration announced the separation and explained reasons for it.
Question 6
Which document establishes the U.S. federal government’s framework?
- a later personal diary
- Bill of Rights
- U.S. Constitution
- Declaration of Independence
A hint
The Declaration explained and announced the colonies’ separation from Britain.
Answer & why
Answer: U.S. Constitution
The Constitution sets out the structure and powers of the federal government.