A Very Big Branch

The executive branch is only the president.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(False. The branch also includes many departments and agencies.)

Each government department has a leader called a secretary.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(True. However, the head of the DoJ is called the Attorney General.)

The 15 department heads are all part of the president’s cabinet.

• True

• False

The president’s cabinet is a group of people who guard the president.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(False. The cabinet members advise the president.)

Government agencies only make rules; they can’t enforce rules.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(False. Agencies make rules, or regulations, and they have the power to enforce them.)

Some parts of the executive branch are businesses the government owns.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(True. These are called government corporations.)

The president has total control over independent agencies.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(False. Independent agencies are controlled by boards; the president can’t remove board members after they are appointed.)

Enforcing laws can include educating the public, catching lawbreakers, and taking people to court.

• True

• False

When Congress passes a law, the law includes every detail about how it must be carried out.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(False. Laws usually do not include all the details. The executive branch decides those.)

Most of the work done in the executive branch is done by the president.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(False. Most of the work is done by the people employed by executive departments.)