Judicial Branch and Checks & Balances

Which statement describes the intent of checks and balances?

• The government receives revenue (taxes) from the people.
• The government receives authority from the people.
• No branch of government can become too powerful.
• No branch of government can apply concurrent powers.

Which example illustrates the system of checks and balances?

• The President vetoes legislation proposed by Congress.
• The President confers with the members of the Cabinet.
• The Supreme Court interprets the application of a law passed by Congress.
• A state sets its own student learning standards while Congress regulates trade between states.

Why are federal judges appointed for life?

• to ensure the system of checks and balances.
• to strengthen their jurisdiction over state courts
• to limit power of the legislative and executive branch
• so they can be free from public or political pressures when they hear cases.

The scenario below describes a government process. According to the scenario in what order did the branches of government exercise their power?

• Legislative, executive, judicial, legislative
• Legislative, executive, legislative, judicial
• Executive, legislative, executive, judicial
• Judicial, executive, legislative, judicial.

How does an appellate court differ from a trial court?

• An appellate court usually has a jury
• An appellate court decides issues of fact.
• An appellate court examines more witnesses.
• An appellate court reviews another court's decision.

Which are the only federal court to have juries?

• U.S. District courts
• U.S. Supreme court
• U.S. Court of Appeals
• U.S. district Courts of Appeals

The diagram below provides details about the U.S. court system. Which court completed the diagram?

• circuit Court
• Supreme Court
• Municipal Court
• Court of Veterans Appeals

Which of these court decisions is an example of judicial review?

• The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a state law as unconstitutional.
• The U.S. Supreme Court decides a dispute in which two states are parties.
• A trial court finds a defendant not guilty after barring illegally obtained evidence from the trial.
• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit interprets an ambiguous phrase in the federal law.

Which of the following explain how judges get their jobs?

• They are elected by the people.
• They are appointed by the President and then after 6 years, are retained (elected) by the people.
• They are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
• They are appointed by the President and confirmed by the House of Representatives.

What power was given to the Supreme Court in the court case Marbury v. Madison?

• the power to make laws.
• the power to execute laws
• the power of judicial review
• the power to impeach and remove the President