Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

Which right from the English Bill of Rights is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment?

1. To bear arms

2. To petition the king

3. To a fair trial

4. To freedom of speech

The correct answer is: To petition the king

The right from the English Bill of Rights that is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment is the right to petition the government. The First Amendment guarantees citizens the right to petition their government for a redress of grievances, which is integral to the democratic process, allowing individuals to express their concerns and seek changes. The English Bill of Rights established foundational principles for democratic governance, emphasizing individual rights and limiting the powers of the monarchy. The U.S. Constitution's inclusion of this right in the First Amendment demonstrates the influence of those principles as the framers sought to ensure that citizens could openly request governmental actions or voice dissatisfaction with those in power. While the other options reference important rights, they do not align as directly with the First Amendment: the right to bear arms relates to the Second Amendment, the right to a fair trial pertains to the Sixth Amendment, and freedom of speech, while a fundamental right under the First Amendment, is distinct from the specific right to petition. Thus, the linkage of the right to petition to the First Amendment reflects a critical aspect of civic engagement and accountability in a democratic society.