Chapter 3 Test Review

Why is the Preamble included in the Constitution?

• to state the purpose of the Constitution

• to tell how government leaders are to be chosen

• to organize the Constitution into the seven articles

• to explain that the government is split between three branches

Which of the following satisfied the Framers' need to create a strong central government that would not become too powerful?

• allowing freedom of speech to citizens

• granting executive power to the President

• informing citizens that they have powers

• separating the powers of government

If Congress passes a law, but the President quickly vetoes it, who has the power to override the President's veto?

• no one

• Supreme Court

• U.S. citizens by a popular vote

• Senate and House of Representatives

The system of checks and balances was designed to

• create a balance of power between the National Government and the States.

• maintain a balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches.

• ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful.

• create and maintain gridlock within the national government.

The Judicial branch can check the power of the Executive branch by

• ruling its acts unconstitutional.

• not ratifying its treaties.

• impeaching the President.

• overriding the President's veto.

The constitutional principle of judicial review provides

• the House of Representatives with the power to override decisions made in federal courts.

• the courts with the power to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action.

• the President with the power to veto a bill that was passed by both houses.

• the House and Senate with the power to intercede and settle disputes between the executive and judicial branches.

Which of the following provides an example of how the principle of checks and balances works?

• The President selects a federal judge; the Senate has to approve the nomination.

• The national court system spans the country; each of the 50 states has its own court system.

• A Democrat occupies the White House; Republicans control the House and Senate.

• The government is not all-powerful; it can only do what the people give it the power to do.

The Framers chose federalism in order to

• unite citizens under one centralized federal government.

• create a national government while still preserving the rights of the States to govern themselves.

• leave all power to make laws with each State.

• create a workable compromise among the States to share power.

Which of the following methods has been used to propose and ratify the most amendments?

• A. proposed by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress and ratified by three quarters of the State legislatures

• A. proposed by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress and ratified by conventions in three quarters of the States

• A. proposed at a national convention and ratified by three quarters of the State legislatures

• A. proposed at a national convention and ratified by conventions in three quarters of the States

Which is an example of an unwritten custom that became part of the Constitution?

• the practice of senatorial courtesy

• presidential term limits

• the nomination of presidential candidates

• the power of judicial review