Sonia Sotomayor & The Judicial Branch

Which was NOT a challenge that Sonia faced on her journey to become a Supreme Court Justice?

• She had to deal with a disease called type 1 diabetes.

• She had lots of difficulty with school work.

• Her father died when she was nine.

• Her family didn't have a lot of money.

Which Supreme Court Justice did Sonia Sotomayor replace?

• David Souter

• Sandra Day O'Connor

• John Paul Stevens

• Antonin Scalia

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

• Five

• Nine

• Eleven

• Three

True or False: Just like the president, a Supreme Court Justice must be at least 35 years old.

• True

• False

Why might a president choose a person as a Supreme Court Justice?

• The person agrees with him or her on important ideas.

• The legislative branch tells them to pick a certain person.

• The president picks who the people vote for.

• The person is a close friend or family member.

What did Thurgood Marshall do before becoming a Supreme Court Justice?

• He was a senator

• He served as the vice president of the United States.

• He helped end school segregation

• He fought in World War II

True or False: Sonia Sotomayor was the first woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice?

• True

• False

What happens after the president chooses an new Supreme Court Justice?

• The new justice takes an oath.

• The senate votes 'Yes' or 'No'

• The judiciary committee investigates the choice.

• The people hold an election.

Senators might be curious about all of the following things except

• decisions the person has made as a judge

• things the person said in speeches

• how the person would be fair in future cases

• what state the person will live in

How many senators must vote 'Yes' for a person to become a Supreme Court Justice?

• 20 of them

• All of them

• Half of them

• A majority of them