The freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition are protected by which amendment?

• A. Second Amendment
• B. Fourth Amendment
• C. First Amendment
• D. Eighth Amendment

Answer: (C)

The First Amendment protects five fundamental freedoms: speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. It is part of the Bill of Rights and limits the federal government from restricting these essential rights, including preventing the establishment of a national religion and guaranteeing free exercise of religion, along with safeguarding free expression, a free press, and the rights to gather peacefully and to ask the government to address grievances. Because the question lists those exact freedoms, this amendment is the one that fits. The other amendments cover different protections—such as bearing arms, protection against unreasonable searches, and punishment limits—so they don’t apply to all the freedoms described.