Three Branches of Government

When the founders were creating a new American government, the abuses of power from a single ruler were fresh in their minds. They didn't want another king! So the United States government was designed to prevent any single person or group from becoming too powerful. We call this idea "separation of powers."

The Constitution separates the government's power into three branches. Each branch has separate responsibilities, but they all must interact with each other in different ways. This separation of powers includes a system of checks and balances, which are ways that each branch can limit the others.

Based on the passage, the founders of the United States would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

• Kings do not have enough power.

• Kings can take advantage of their power.

The legislative branch, or Congress, is responsible for writing legislation. To pass, a bill must receive at least majority approval in BOTH the Senate and the House. In the House, that means 218 of the 435 votes. In the Senate, senators can debate a bill for as long as they like. This is often called a filibuster. To make sure that senators actually vote on a bill and don't become deadlocked with a filibuster, the senate can break up a debate and pass a bill with 60 of the 100 senators voting.

Based on the passage, which of the following bills might pass Congress?

• a bill that receives no votes in the House and 100 votes in the Senate

• a bill that receives 220 votes in the House and 65 votes in the Senate

When the founders were trying to figure out how best to represent citizens in Congress, those from states with larger populations clashed with those from states with smaller populations. More population states argued for representation based on population--meaning, they would have a louder voice in Congress. But states with smaller populations resisted this idea: Why should the more populated states get more power? They were in favor of an equal number of representatives per state so that they wouldn't get overshadowed. What to do? A two-chamber system, or "bicameral legislature," was the compromise. The Senate has two senators from each state, regardless of the population of the state. The number of the representatives in the House, on the other hand, is based on population size. This system ensures that the smaller states still have their voices hear, but that the people and their interests are fairly represented.

What is the purpose of the underlined sentence in this passage?

• to show the point of view of states with smaller populations

• to pose a question that the next sentence will answer

Congress is responsible for legislation, but the president has to sign a bill before it becomes a law and also has the option to reject, or veto, the bill. A presidential veto isn't necessarily the end of a bill though. If there is enough support for the bill, members of Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote. This is part of the checks and balances plan. The president can check Congress's power with a veto, but Congress can check the president back with an override.

Based on the passage, the checks and balances plan...

• lets Congress and the president challenge each other’s actions.

• gives the president the final power to end a bill.

The executive branch is responsible for ensuring that laws are carried out, or executed. The president has the most power in the executive branch. The president serves as commander in chief of the armed forces. That means that he or she has the final say in military plans. However, Congress has the power to declare war. The president also negotiates treaties. The president is the leader of his or her political party.

The president and his or her party may collaborate to draft legislation that is then promoted by the party in Congress. The president also dictates US foreign policy. In addition to the president, the executive branch includes the vice president, the Cabinet, and other federal agencies.

Based on the passage, which of the following requires both Congress and the president?

• negotiating treaties

• creating and passing legislation

The president is responsible for appointing people to the Cabinet. The Cabinet is made up of the heads of fifteen executive departments. These departments are the Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, the Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs departments.

Additionally, the president appoints judges to the Supreme Court. The president doesn't have the final say on all these appointments. The Senate must approve many of them.

Based on this passage, how can the president’s power to appoint people be checked?

• by the Supreme Court making a ruling

• by the Senate rejecting a presidential appointment

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, and it has the final say when it comes to federal law. When laws in different places conflict, the Supreme Court settles the argument. The judicial branch also includes lower federal courts. While legislative branch creates laws and the executive branch carries them out, the judicial branch interprets the laws and evaluates the fairness of the laws.

Based on the passage, which of the following would the Supreme Court most likely decide?

• if a state law could contradict a federal law

• if a brother accidentally hit his sibling and caused an injury

There are nine justices in the Supreme Court, including a chief justice. To try and keep the Supreme Court out of party politics, justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. In addition, justices do not serve limited terms of two, four, or six years like the members of the legislative and executive branches do. They get to serve until they retire or die. And if justices do something illegal, the Senate has the power to impeach them. It's all about the checks and balances. The federal judges that serve in district courts are also appointed instead of elected.

Based on this passage, Supreme Court Justices...

• are not elected.

• must campaign every 7 years.

When federal officials are accused of breaking the law, they face impeachment. The legislative branch can impeach members of executive and judicial branches. In cases of impeachment, the House of Representatives accuses the official, who is then tried by the Senate. Impeachment is very rare.

Based on the passage, under which circumstance might a federal official be impeached?

• when the official is accused of lying under oath

• when someone in the House dislikes the official