Checks and Balances in the U.S. Government

Which of the following describes the purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?

• It lists the goals of the federal government.

• It defines the powers of the president and his cabinet.

• It explains how the system of checks and balances works.

• It declares that the government gets its power from the states.

Which branch of government can override a presidential veto?

• A. Executive

• B. Legislative

• C. Judicial

Which branch of government can declare laws unconstitutional?

• A. Executive

• B. Legislative

• C. Judicial

Each branch of the government has the ability to influence what the other branches can and cannot do. This is called...

• Checks and balances

• Government approval

• Executive Agenda

What are the options when a bill to be signed comes before the president?

• The President can approve or veto it.

• The President can hold a press conference about it.

• The President can call for a vote on it.

A bill needs to gain support in Congress by...

(Choose all that apply)

• Gaining public opinion

• Including clauses to gain more votes

• Holding hearings to learn about the issue

• Holding a press conference about the issue

The Constitution serves as the rulebook for...

• The President

• Supreme Court Justices

• Congress

• All of the above

If a clause in a law is not allowed by the Constitution, it is...

• Enforced

• Nullified

• Amended

What will the Court do if it decides to strike a clause from the law?

• The Court will send it back to the President to veto.

• The Court will let it pass.

• The Court will strike (remove) the clause from the law.

How do the three branches check each other’s power?

• By working independently

• Through a system of checks and balances

• By merging their functions