Quiz on Key Terms

Legislation is defined as:

• A process of enacting laws

• A type of legal document

• A branch of government

• A legal profession

Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between:

• A central authority and constituent political units

• The executive, legislative, and judicial branches

• The government and the military

• The state and the church

Checks and Balances is a system that ensures:

• one branch of government does not become too powerful

• all branches of government have equal power

• the government is accountable to the people

• laws are made quickly and efficiently

Ratification is the process of:

• approving and sanctioning a formal agreement or treaty

• rejecting a proposed law or amendment

• debating a bill in the legislature

• drafting a new constitution

Define the term: Executive Power

• The power to enforce laws and manage the public policy of a government.

• The power to interpret laws and administer justice.

• The power to create laws and amend existing ones.

• The power to regulate commerce and trade.

Enumerated/Expressed Powers are:

• Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

• Powers that are implied but not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

• Powers reserved to the states.

• Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Define the term: Elastic Clause

• A clause in the U.S. Constitution that allows Congress to pass laws necessary and proper for carrying out its powers.

• A clause that restricts the powers of Congress to only those explicitly listed in the Constitution.

• A clause that grants the President the power to veto any congressional legislation.

• A clause that outlines the process for amending the U.S. Constitution.

Judicial Review is the power of the judiciary to:

• interpret the constitution and invalidate laws that violate it

• create new laws

• enforce laws

• amend the constitution

Define the term: Amendment

• A change or addition to a legal or statutory document

• A type of government policy

• A historical event

• A scientific theory

What is the primary purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?

• To outline the structure of the new government

• To declare independence from Britain

• To introduce the goals and underlying principles of the Constitution

• To list the grievances against the King of England