SOL CE 7: The Basics

Which of the following is not part of the executive branch for the state of Virginia?

• Governor

• Lieutenant Governor

• Cabinet

• Mayor

Answer explanation

The Virginia Executive branch is composed of the elected Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, as well as, the Governor's appointed Cabinet.

The legislative branch for the state of Virginia is led by the ...

• Congress

• General Assembly

• Board of Supervisors

• Parliament

Answer explanation

The legislative branch is headed by the Virginia General Assembly. It is bicameral just like the U.S. Congress with the houses being the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate.

The Governor is responsible for all of the following actions EXCEPT

• Preparing the biennial budget.

• Appointing officials and judges.

• Enforcing or carrying out state laws.

• Making treaties with other nations.

Answer explanation

The Governor has similar powers to the President. He prepares a budget, appoints officials, enforces laws, and oversees the executive departments. Unlike the President he can not make agreements with other nations.

The Virginia General Assembly is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT?

• Making laws for the state of Virginia

• Approving appointments and the budget.

• Levying, collecting, and raising taxes.

• Declaring war on another nation.

Answer explanation

The Virginia General Assembly has similar powers to the U.S. Congress. It makes the laws, approves many executive actions, and is in charge of taxes. It doesn't have the power to declare war because it is a power that only belongs to the national government.

Choose all of the following that are Delegated powers. Delegated powers are those that belong only to the national government.

• Levy, raise, and collect taxes.

• Make treaties with foreign nations.

• Conduct elections.

• Declare war against another nation.

• Coin money.

Answer explanation

The U.S. government has the exclusive ability to ...

* Make treaties

* Declare war

* Coin money

* Establish a post office

If the power has to do with another nation it is likely to be a delegated power.

Choose all of the following that are Reserved Powers. Reserved powers are those that belong exclusively to the states.

• Issuing licenses.

• Establish courts.

• Coin Money

• Conduct elections.

• Establish schools.

Answer explanation

The state has several things they may only do such as...

* Conduct elections

* Issue licenses

* Establish schools

These powers are reserved because they allow the states to perform their biggest function the welfare of the individual people.

Choose which of the following are considered Concurrent Powers. Concurrent powers are those shared by the national, state, and often the local government.

• Collect taxes

• Make laws

• Establish courts

• Declare war

• Coin Money

Answer explanation

The national government and state government both have the ability to make laws, collect taxes, and establish courts. Concurrent powers are those that are necessary for a government to function.

Which of the following is not a primary responsibility of the national government?

• Conduct foreign policy

• Regulate commerce

• Promote public health, safety, and welfare.

• Provide for the common defense

Answer explanation

The national government's concerns deal mostly with our relationship with other nations and making sure that the states can work peacefully together. Most actions of the U.S. government aren't aimed at the individual person.

Which level of government is supreme according to the U.S. Constitution?

• National

• Local

• State

• Legislative

Answer explanation

The U.S. Constitution made it clear that the U.S. government would be the supreme level of government. This means that even if a state allows an action, if the U.S. government does not then that individual can still be charged with a federal crime.

1 - Debating a bill on the floor.

2 - Sending the bill to the governor.

3 - Working in committees.

4 - Introducing the bill to the House of Delegates or Senate.

5 - Voting on the bill

6 - Repeating the process in the other house.

What order should the statements above be in?

• 1,2,3,4,5,6

• 4,5,1,2,3,6

• 3,2,6,5,1,4

• 4,3,1,5,6,2

Answer explanation

A bill follows an almost identical path in the General Assembly to the one followed in Congress.

- Introduced

- Committee

- Debate

- Vote

- Repeat in other house

- Governor