Unit 2: Institutions of Government

Which document lays out the basic structure of the United States government and is the fundamental law of the land?

• the Declaration of Independence
• the U.S. Constitution
• the Bill of Rights
• the U.S. Code

The power to manufacture money and declare war is given to which of the following?

• the Cabinet
• the Chief Justice
• Congress
• the president

What is a difference between the Senate and the House of Representatives?

• Representation in the two chambers is determined in different ways.
• The Senate is appointed and the House is elected.
• Women can run for the House, but not for the Senate.
• The Senate can override a presidential veto but the House cannot.

Which term refers to the drawing of political boundaries to benefit a party or candidate?

• gerrymandering
• logrolling
• compromising
• negotiating

Which of the following assist the floor leaders in getting party members to vote in a certain way in both houses of Congress?

• whips
• vice chairpersons
• committee heads
• clerks

What is the vice president's only constitutional role?

• presiding over the Senate
• leading the House of Representatives
• serving as the president's chief advisor
• representing the United States abroad

The bureaucracy is made up of which of the following?

• the West Wing offices
• the committee members in Congress
• the military departments
• all offices, departments, and agencies in the government

When the Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional, it is an example of which of the following?

• impeachment
• judicial review
• congressional oversight
• an independent press

When they are appointed, how long do federal and Supreme Court justices serve?

• for 10 years
• for as long as the president who appointed them is in office
• for life
• for 5 years

How old must a person be to serve in the U.S. Senate?

• 25
• 35
• 30
• 40