How many amendments make up the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights consists of ten amendments that were ratified in 1791. These amendments were created to guarantee specific freedoms and rights to individuals, ensuring a range of protections against governmental overreach. The first ten amendments address crucial issues such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and rights in criminal cases, among others.

The other choices reflect common misunderstandings about the number of amendments. While the U.S. Constitution has a total of twenty-seven amendments, the Bill of Rights specifically comprises only the first ten. The inclusion of five or twelve amendments does not correctly represent the amendments designated as the Bill of Rights. Therefore, recognizing that there are ten amendments is essential for understanding the foundational legal rights safeguarded for individuals in the United States.