Texas Government Vocabulary Lesson

Republic of Texas

Government Vocabulary

Governor

Definition: The leader of a state who
makes important decisions and
ensures laws are followed.
Member of- Executive Branch
Governor of Texas-Greg Abbott

Synonyms: Leader, head,
administrator.

Multiple Choice

What is the role of the governor in a state government?

• To make laws for the state

• To enforce laws and lead the state

• To judge if laws are fair

• To write the state’s constitution

Multiple Choice

Who is this?

• Governor of Texas-Greg Abbott

• President elect of the US- Donald Trump

• A Supreme Court Justice

• Mayor of Amarillo-Cole Stanley

Senate

Definition: A group of people in
government who help make laws and
decisions for the country or state.
Part of: Congress and Legislative Branch

Synonyms: Council, legislature,
assembly.

Multiple Choice

Which group helps make laws in a country or state?

• Mayor

• Supreme Court

• Senate

• Governor

House of
Representatives

Definition: A group in government
where members are chosen to speak
and make laws for the people.
Part of: Congress, Legislative Branch

Synonyms: Assembly, chamber,
legislative body.

Multiple Choice

What is the House of Representatives?

• A group of judges who decide if laws are fair

• A group that helps make laws for the people

• A person who leads a city or town

• A group that writes the constitution

Supreme Court

Definition: The highest court in a
country or state that makes final
decisions about laws.
Part of: Judicial Branch

Synonyms: High court, top court,
judicial authority.

Multiple Choice

What does the Supreme Court do?

• Enforces laws for the state

• Decides what laws mean and if they are fair

• Creates new laws for the state

• Leads the legislative branch

Mayor

Definition: The leader of a city or town
who is responsible for its
management.
Member of: Executive Branch
Mayor of Amarillo: Cole Stanley

Synonyms: City leader, town head,
civic chief.

Multiple Choice

Who leads a city or town?

• Governor

• Mayor

• Senator

• Judge

Multiple Choice

Who is this?

• President elect of the US-Donald Trump

• Vice President of the US-Kamala Harris

• Governor of Texas- Greg Abbott

• Mayor of Amarillo-Cole Stanley

Legislative Branch

Definition: The part of government that
makes laws.
Part of: Congress

Synonyms: Lawmaking body,
congress, assembly.

Multiple Choice

Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?

• Judicial Branch

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

• Supreme Court

Judicial Branch

Definition: The part of government that
decides what laws mean and if they
are fair.
Part of: Supreme Court

Synonyms: Court system, judiciary,
legal branch.

Multiple Choice

What is the Judicial Branch responsible for?

• Making new laws

• Judging laws and making sure they are fair

• Enforcing laws

• Writing the constitution

Executive Branch

Definition: The part of government that
enforces laws and runs the country or
state.
Part of: Governor, president, mayor

Synonyms: Leadership, administration,
governing body.

Multiple Choice

What is the Executive Branch responsible for?

• Judging laws and deciding if they are fair

• Writing new laws

• Enforcing laws and running the government

• Checking the balance of power

Veto

Definition: The power to say "no" to a
law or decision.
Usually done by executive branch

Synonyms: Rejection, denial,
disapproval.

Multiple Choice

What does it mean to veto a law?

• To approve a law

• To cancel or reject a law

• To rewrite a law

• To vote on a law

Constitution

Definition: A written plan of
government that explains how it works
and its main rules.
Responsible for: Congress, Legislative Branch

Synonyms: Charter, framework,
fundamental law.

Multiple Choice

What is a constitution?

• A written plan of government

• A group that makes laws

• A system for enforcing rules

• A declaration of independence

Declaration

Definition: An official statement or
announcement about something
important.

Synonyms: Announcement,
proclamation, statement.

Multiple Choice

What is a declaration?

• A system of checks and balances

• A law passed by the Supreme Court

• An official statement or announcement

• A vetoed law

Checks and
Balances

Definition: A system that keeps any
one part of government from having
too much power.
Three branches only given certain responsibilities.

Synonyms: Balance of power, control
system, oversight.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

• To write new laws

• To approve a constitution

• To elect a mayor

• To make sure no branch of government has too much power