B.3

The Constitution: interpretation

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The U.S. Constitution is a written document, and anyone can look up the words in it. However, it's not always clear what those words mean. One job of the judicial branch, or court system, of the United States is to interpret the Constitution, or decide what its words mean. What a judge or court decides about the meaning of the words is called an

interpretation.

Read the following example of an interpretation by the judicial branch. Then follow the instructions below.

For example, one part of the Constitution mentions "owners" of "houses." Courts have interpreted these words to also mean people who rent any kind of home, including apartments.

Read the following interpretations of parts of the Constitution. Then match the part of the Constitution they are likely interpreting.

Congress has the power to do everything "necessary and proper" to carry out its powers listed in the Constitution.

Punishment that is "cruel and unusual" is banned.

Part of the Constitution being interpreted

Judicial interpretation

The Constitution gives Congress the power to do things that aren't specifically written down.

The death penalty is cruel for a person under the age of 18 but not for an adult. So, the Constitution does not ban the death penalty for adults.

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