Unit 4, Lesson 11: The Constitution

the part of government that carries out, or executes, the laws.

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

• Judicial Branch

• Checks & Balances

the lawmaking part of government, called the legislature. To legislate is to make a law.

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

• Judicial Branch

• Checks & Balances

the part of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, that interprets the laws.

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

• Judicial Branch

• Checks & Balances

is the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches.

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

• Judicial Branch

• Checks & Balances

How is the Constitution organized?

• into parts called articles

• into sentences called sections

• into columns called delegations

• into paragraphs called statements

Why did the delegates start the Preamble to the Constitution with the words “We, the people”?

• to record that all the citizens wrote the Constitution

• to state that government power comes from the people

• to declare that the people were separating from Great Britain

• to provide an introduction that would interest readers

Why does each state have two senators?

• to balance the rights of large and small states

• so the Senate does not become overcrowded

• to assure there are enough people to pass the laws

• so that one can take over if the other is unavailable

What is the primary work of Congress?

• to make laws for the country

• to debate whether laws are constitutional

• to determine who will be the candidate for president

• to be the chief executives of the states they represent

What is the final step before a national bill becomes a law?

• It is signed by the president.

• It is voted on by the citizens.

• It is passed by the Supreme Court.

• It is approved by the state legislators.

All of these are duties of the executive branch except

• negotiating treaties.

• carrying out the laws.

• proposing new taxes.

• nominating federal judges.