Roles and Powers of the President Quiz

Which article of the Constitution describes the roles and powers of the Executive Branch?

• Article I

• Article II

• Article III

• Article IV

Answer explanation

Article II describes the roles and powers of the Executive Branch.

What are the primary tasks of the Executive Branch?

• To create laws

• To interpret laws

• To carry out laws.

• To defend the Constitution

Answer explanation

The primary tasks of the Executive Branch are to carry out the law and defend the Constitution.

Who is the head of the Executive Branch?

• The Vice President

• The Speaker of the House

• The President

• The Chief Justice

Answer explanation

The president is the head of the Executive Branch.

Why are the qualifications the same for the President and Vice President?

The qualifications for president and Vice President are: (1) must be 35 years old, (2) be a natural born citizen, and (3) have lived in the United States for the last 14 years.

Hint: Think about the Constitutional role of the Vice President.

Answer explanation

The Vice President replaces the President if the president dies, is removed from office, ore resigns. Because the Vice President might replace the President, he or she has to meet the same qualifications.

What is an executive order?

• A directive issued by the President that is treated like a law.

• A law passed by Congress

• A decision made by the Supreme Court

• A policy created by state governors

Answer explanation

An Executive Order is a directive issued by the president.

Executive Orders are treated like laws.

Only Congress has the power to declare war.

The President (1) has the final say on military strategy, (2) order troops into combat, and (3) is head of the armed forces.

Why give the president some power over the military but not the power to declare war?

Hint: What might happen if the President could declare war without a check or balance from one of the bother branches?

Answer explanation

The Framers of the Constitution wanted to limit the power of the President and avoid unnecessary wars.

There are many ways the president acts as Chief Legislator.

Ways that the president can act as Chief Legislator include (1) signing and vetoing legislating, (2) communicating his opinions on policy at the State of the Union, (3) setting a policy agenda when campaigning for office, and (4) helping other people in his party get elected.

Identify which two are the most important. Defend your answer.

Answer explanation

The president can appoint Supreme Court Justices. The Senate votes to approve nominees. Why is it important to check this presidential power?

Hint: How long do Supreme Court Justices serve?

Answer explanation

Supreme Court Justices serve for life, so it's important that members of the Senate review nominees and vote to confirm them.