Test your knowledge of the Bill of Rights

President Franklin D. Roosevelt described the Bill of Rights as "the great American charter of personal liberty and human dignity." 
The quiz below, from the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University in Ohio, provides an opportunity to test and refresh your knowledge of the signing and adoption of the Bill of Rights.

1. The Bill of Rights states that
a) In criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the Assistance of Counsel
b) No person shall be compelled in any civil case to be a witness against himself
c) No (search) warrants shall be issued but upon reasonable doubt
d) The people have a right to assemble peaceably or unpeaceably
2. In which city was the Bill of Rights signed by the First Congress?
a) Boston
b) New York
c) Philadelphia
d) Washington
3. In what year were the amendments making up the Bill of Rights sent to the states for ratification?
a) 1776
b) 1787
c) 1789
d) 1791
4. According to the First Amendment, Congress shall make no law
a) Allowing only oil from Saudi Arabia to be sold in America
b) Respecting an establishment of religion
c) Favoring the appointment of conservative originalist judges
d) That imposes taxes without the consent of the people
5. Which memorable phrase is included in the Bill of Rights?
a) Give me liberty or give me death
b) Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
c) The laws of nature and of nature's God
d) Nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted
6. The Fourth Amendment addresses the issue of
a) Unreasonable searches and seizures
b) Trial by jury
c) Suits at common law
d) Excessive bail
7. Who was most responsible for guiding the Bill of Rights through the first Congress from its introduction to signing?
a) Thomas Jefferson
b) James Madison
c) George Mason
d) Patrick Henry
8. Which state provided the last vote needed to secure the adoption of the Bill of Rights?
a) Delaware
b) Massachusetts
c) Virginia
d) Kentucky
9. According to the specific language of the Bill of Rights
a) The powers not expressly delegated to the United States are reserved to the States
b) Congress can abridge freedom of speech and of the press in emergencies
c) The powers not delegated to the United States are reserved to the States or to the people
d) There shall be no standing armies in time of peace
10. According to the Bill of Rights the people have the following right:
a) To bear arms
b) To equal protection of the laws
c) To alter or abolish their government
d) To a free education




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Answers : 1-a  ; 2-b  ; 3-c  ; 4-b  ; 5-d  ; 6-a  ; 7-b  ; 8-c  ; 9-c  ; 10-a

Gee whiz, take my Christmas movie quiz

Christmas cheer doesn't always come to the party stag.  Sometimes, it arrives with a companion:
Christmas tears.
When the grateful citizens of Bedford Falls rush to George Bailey's rescue at the end of the holiday classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," guardian angel Clarence finally gets his wings, and I get the sniffles.
When Linus quotes from the second chapter of the Gospel according to Luke to explain to bemused Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about, the lump in my throat isn't from an oversized piece of bad fruit cake.
And that song, "The Christmas Shoes," is onions to the eyes.  You know the one : A young boy wants to buy his dying mother a new pair of shoes so she'll look presentable when she meets Jesus, but doesn't have enough money.  I suspect Kleenex owns the song's copyright.
You either don't tune in or load up on the tissues. Those are the easy answers.
As for easy answers in the annual and much anticipated Gianficaro Christmas Quiz, that depends on how intently or not you pay attention during the Christmas season.  For example, everyone knows childlike friends George and Mary reconnect at the high school graduation dance in the gymnasium.  But do you remember the name of the high school principal who greeted George there?
If you know it was Mr. Partridge, pluck a ripe one off the pear tree and celebrate.
So, here's the quiz.  There are only a few layups here, so bring your A-game, and Merry Christmas.

1. What's the title of the song often called "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire"?
a) "A Christmas Song."
b) " The Christmas Song."
c) "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
d) "Santa's On His Way."
2. What's the name of the rabbit in the magic hat in the animated TV classic, "Frosty the Snowman"?
a) Hocus Pocus
b) Thumper
c) Snowball
d) Spirit
3. In "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," what was Rudolph's father's name?
a) Buck
b) Big Rudy
c) Vixen
d) Donner
4. In "It's a Wonderful Life," which book did guardian angel Clarence autograph for George Bailey?
a) "Friends are forever"
b) "Potter is a Poo"
c) "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
d) "Fifty Shades of Gray"
5. In which movie did the song, "White Christmas," initially play?
a) "White Christmas"
b) "Holiday Inn"
c) "High Society"
d) "The Bells of St. Mary's"
6. What does Dan Aykroyd hide in his Santa costume in "Trading Places"?
a) A photo of his long-lost father
b) Smoked salmon
c) $200,000 to give as gifts
d) John Belushi
7. What was the iconic leg lamp in "A Christmas Story"?
a) A right leg
b) A left leg
c) Neither right or left
d) A real leg
8. In "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," which mail service delivers Clark Griswold's Christmas bonus?
a) FedEx
b) Chicago Carrier
c) U.S. Postal Service
d) Speed Ball
9. In "Home Alone" what holiday song was Kevin playing when he tried to make the robbers believe his parents were throwing a party?
a) "Holly Jolly Christmas"
b) "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
c) "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
d) "Little Saint Nick"
10. In "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Lucy believes a person can't be great unless they...........
a) Own real estate
b) Get their picture on a bubble gum card
c) Marry a Christmas queen
d) Become a psychiatrist
11. In "The Polar Express," what is "The First Gift of Christmas"?
a) Faith in your fellow man
b) The birth of Jesus
c) A golden locket
d) A bell from Santa's sleigh
12. What is old curmudgeon Mr. Potter's first name in "It's a Wonderful Life"?
a) Virgil
b) Edgar
c) Henry
d) Horace
13. What's the penquin's name in "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"?
a) Sidney
b) Mario
c) Topper
d) Tuxedo



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Answers : 1-b  ; 2-a  ; 3-d  ; 4-c  ; 5-b  ; 6-b  ; 7-a  ; 8-d  ; 9-b  ; 10-b  ; 11-d  ; 12-c  ; 13-c

Speaking of the English Language.......... It'S Nuts!!

There is no egg in eggplant,
nor ham in hamburger.

Neither apple nor pine in pineapple.

English muffins weren't invented in
England or French fries in France.

Sweetmeats are candies
while sweetbreads,
which aren't sweet, are meat.

If the plural of tooth is teeth,
why isn't the plural of booth, beeth?

One goose, 2 geese..............
So one moose, two meese?!

If teachers taught,
why didn't preachers praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables,
what does a humanitarian eat?

In what language do people recite
at a play and play at a recital?

Ship by truck and send cargo on a ship?

Have noses that run and feet that smell?