What does the Bill of Rights primarily guarantee?

• A. Civil rights and liberties to the individual.
• B. Establishment of federal budget procedures.
• C. Structure of the federal judiciary.
• D. Authority to amend the Constitution.

Answer: (A)

Protecting individual rights and limiting government power is what the Bill of Rights is primarily about. The first ten amendments spell out fundamental freedoms—such as speech, religion, assembly, and the press—along with protections like due process and safeguards against unreasonable searches and cruel or unusual punishment. These guarantees were created to ensure personal liberties are not overridden by the federal government, and over time they have come to shield individuals from state action as well. The other topics—federal budget procedures, how the federal judiciary is organized, or the process to amend the Constitution—cover different constitutional powers and procedures, not the main purpose of the Bill of Rights.