Structure of Government

The United States government limits power through the use of checks and balances. Organize these options into the right categories.

Groups:

(a) Legislative Branch

,

(b) Executive Branch

,

(c) Judicial Branch

• propose laws
• approve budgets
• protect individual rights
• issue executive orders
• grant pardons
• interpret laws
• conduct foreign policy
• hear appeals
• appoint federal officials
• ratify treaties
• conduct hearings
• manage national defense
• ensure laws comply with the constitution
• override vetoes
• review lower court decisions
• resolve disputes between states
• enforce laws

How many representatives are there in the House of Representatives?

(a)  

How many total senators are in the Senate?

(a)  

How are senators chosen?

• Senators are appointed by the President.
• Senators are chosen by a national vote.
• Senators are elected by the voters of their respective states.
• Senators are selected by state governors.

How many Supreme Court justices are there?

• 7
• 11
• 13
• 9

What document defines the powers and structure of the national government?

(a)  

The​ (a)   and the ​ (b)   are the two bodies that make up Congress.

• Senate
• House of Representatives
• Supreme Court, Executive Branch
• Senate, Judiciary Committee
• House of Lords, Parliament

The founders of the United States government set up a system of separation of powers to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Organize the responsibilities into the three branches.

Groups:

(a) Executive Branch Responsibilities

,

(b) Judicial Branch Responsibilties

,

(c) Legislative Branch Responsibilites

• overseeing legal proceedings
• enforcing laws
• appointing federal judges
• making laws
• deciding cases involving federal law
• preparing the federal budget
• ensuring justice
• conducting hearings
• ratifying treaties
• protecting individual rights
• overseeing the executive branch
• interpreting laws
• issuing executive orders
• representing constituents
• reviewing lower court decisions
• conducting foreign policy
• approving budgets

Draw the correct number of Supreme Court justices at the bench.

Hint: There are NINE!

Every state has the same number of representatives in the House of Representatives.

• True - each state gets TWO representatives.

• False - the number of representatives is based on the population of the state.