Lesson 11 The Constitution Review

Lesson 11 The Constitution Review

Fill in your study guide as you go!

Vocabulary Review

checks and balances

the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches

executive branch

the part of government that carries out, or executes, the laws

federalism

the constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments

judicial branch

the part of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, that interprets the laws

judicial review

the power of the Supreme Court to decide whether laws and acts made by the legislative and executive branches are unconstitutional

legislative branch

the lawmaking part of government, called the legislature. To legislate is to make a law.

popular sovereignty

the idea that the government's authority comes from the people

Multiple Choice

the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches

• checks and balances

• federalism

• judicial review

• popular sovereignty

Multiple Choice

the constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments

• checks and balances

• federalism

• judicial review

• popular sovereignty

Multiple Choice

the power of the Supreme Court to decide whether laws and acts made by the legislative and executive branches are unconstitutional

• checks and balances

• federalism

• judicial review

• popular sovereignty

Multiple Choice

the idea that the government's authority comes from the people

• checks and balances

• federalism

• judicial review

• popular sovereignty

Multiple Choice

the part of government that carries out, or executes, the laws

• legislative branch

• executive branch

• judicial branch

Multiple Choice

the part of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, that interprets the laws

• legislative branch

• executive branch

• judicial branch

Multiple Choice

the lawmaking part of government, called the legislature. To legislate is to make a law.

• legislative branch

• executive branch

• judicial branch

Multiple Choice

Why is the U.S. Constitution called a “living document”?

The framers created it so it could change with the times.

Multiple Choice

Why is the U.S. Constitution called a “living document”?

• it has changed with time

• it is rewritten by every president

• it has remained the same over the years

• it is signed each year by members of Congress

Why did the delegates start the Preamble to the Constitution with the words “We the People”?

The Constitution begins with the memorable phrase “We the People.” With these words, the delegates announced that the government's power comes from the people.

Multiple Choice

Why did the delegates start the Preamble to the Constitution with the words “We the People”?

• to record that all citizens wrote the Constitution

• to state that government power comes from the people

• to declare that people were separating from Great Britain

• to provide an introduction that would interest readers

What is the primary work of Congress? 

The primary job of Congress is to make laws.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary work of Congress?

• to make laws for the country

• to debate whether laws are constitutional

• to determine candidates for president

• to be the chief executive of the states they represent

What is the final step before a national bill becomes a law? 

If both houses approve the bill, it goes to the president. The bill becomes a law if the president signs it.

Multiple Choice

What is the final step before a national bill becomes a law?

• it is signed by the president

• it is voted on by citizens

• it is passed by the Supreme Court

• it is approved by the states

Why does each state have 2 Senators? 

The framers also designed Congress to balance the rights of large and small states. Thus, while every state gets two senators, representation in the House is based on population. 

Multiple Choice

Why does each state have 2 Senators?

• to balance the rights of large and small states

• so the Senate does not become overcrowded

• to assure there are enough people to pass the laws

• so that one can take over if the other is not available

What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances?

The framers of the Constitution hoped that dividing the federal government into three branches was one way to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances?

• to list the responsibilities of elected officials

• to make it difficult to amend the Constitution

• to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

• to share power between state and national governments

What are the duties of the executive branch? 

The executive branch carries out, or executes, the laws passed by the legislature, can negotiate treaties, and nominate judges.

Multiple Choice

All of these are duties of the executive branch except

• negotiating treaties

• carrying out the laws

• proposing new taxes

• nominating federal judges

Why does the Constitution establish the principle of majority rule?

For government to reflect the popular will, it makes sense for its decisions to be based on what most people want.

Multiple Choice

Why does the Constitution establish the principle of majority rule?

• so decisions are based on what the president wants

• so decisions are based on what most of the people want

• so decisions are made only by the courts

• so decisions are made when members of Congress are present

Describe the responsibilities of the judicial branch.

 The judicial branch interprets the law and resolves disputes that involve national law.

Multiple Choice

Which of these describes the responsibility of the judicial branch?

• to put laws into effect

• to resolve disputes under the law

• to veto decisions of the Supreme Court

• to propose bills

What name is given to the Supreme Court’s power to declare a law unconstitutional?

The power to decide whether laws and acts made by the legislative and executive branches conflict with the Constitution is called judicial review.

Multiple Choice

What name is given to the Supreme Court’s power to declare a law unconstitutional?

• federalism

• veto power

• impeachment

• judicial review

How can the U.S. population directly participate in government? 

It is through elections that most people have a say in what the government does.

Becoming active in political parties is another way that voters can help choose their leaders and influence the positions they take on issues.

People also take part in government indirectly through interest groups.

Multiple Choice

The U.S. population can directly participate in government in all of these ways except

• passing laws

• joining interest groups

• participating in elections

• belonging to political parties

What are powers shared between state and national governments?

Powers shared by state and national governments include collecting taxes. establishing courts, and building roads/highways.

Multiple Choice

Which of these powers is shared by the state and national governments?

• raising taxes

• declaring war

• printing money

• negotiating treaties

What is the sharing of power between national and state governments?

federalism: the constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments

Multiple Choice

Which of these refers to the sharing of power between national and state governments?

• bicameral

• federalism

• commerce

• nationalism

Who can propose an amendment to the Constitution? 

Congress may propose an amendment by a vote of at least two-thirds of each house of Congress. Or, at least two thirds of the state legislatures may propose an amendment. 

Multiple Choice

Which of these can propose an amendment to the Constitution?

• Congress

• governors

• president

• Supreme Court

Who ratifies an amendment to the U.S. Constitution? 

The Constitution gives two ways of ratifying an amendment. An amendment may be approved by the legislatures in at least three-fourths of the states, or it may be ratified by special conventions in at least three-fourths of the states. 

Multiple Choice

An amendment to the Constitution can be ratified by three-fourths of the

• Senate

• citizens

• state legislatures

• Supreme Court justices

How does the president balance the power of Congress? 

Can veto bills

How does the Supreme Court prevent the president and Congress from abusing their power? 

Can declare laws unconstitutional

How does Congress check the power of the president? 

Can override vetoes

Multiple Choice

How does the president balance the power of Congress?

• Can declare laws unconstitutional

• Can override vetoes

• Can veto bills

Multiple Choice

How does the Supreme Court prevent the president and Congress from abusing their power?

• Can declare laws unconstitutional

• Can override vetoes

• Can veto bills

Multiple Choice

How does Congress check the power of the president?

• Can declare laws unconstitutional

• Can override vetoes

• Can veto bills

Good luck