ss.8.CG.3.8 Executive Branch (Assessment #s)

Which group makes up the structure of the executive branch?

• Speaker of the House, 

  President Pro Tempore, committees, Cabinet

• president, chief justice, President Pro Tempore, representatives

• president, vice president, Cabinet, administrative agencies

• Speaker of the House, 

  justices, vice president, senators

Answer explanation

The president, vice president, Cabinet, and administrative agencies are all part of the executive branch.

A is Incorrect- The Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, and committees are not a part of the executive branch but instead are part of the legislative branch.

B is Incorrect- While the president is in the executive branch, the chief justice, President Pro Tempore, and representatives are not a part of the executive branch.

D is Incorrect- While the vice president is a part of the executive branch, the Speaker of the House, Supreme Court justices, and senators are not.

Which of the following is NOT an action the president can take?

• declaring a law unconstitutional

• vetoing a law passed by Congress

• appointing a new Supreme Court justice

• issuing an executive order to create a national park

Answer explanation

This action/power (judicial review) was granted to the Supreme Court of the United States in the ruling of Marbury v. Madison.

B is Incorrect- Article 1, Section 7 gives the president the power to veto laws passed by Congress.

C is Incorrect- Article 2, Section 2, gives the president the power to appoint Supreme Court justices.

D is Incorrect- While there is no specific 

constitutional language granting presidents the ability to issue executive orders, it generally falls under the president's role to execute or enforce the laws.

This diagram provides details about processes carried out by the executive

branch at the national level of government. 

Which option best completes this diagram?

• Fund the armed forces 

• Draft bills to become laws 

• Make Cabinet 

  appointments

• Advise Supreme Court justices

Answer explanation

The diagram shows responsibilities that fall under the processes and powers of the executive branch. As part of their duties, a president appoints Cabinet members.

A is Incorrect- The executive branch is not 

responsible for funding the armed forces. All sources of funding are determined by the legislative branch.

B is Incorrect- Members of the executive branch do not draft bills. That responsibility falls to the legislative branch.

D is Incorrect- As the Supreme Court is an 

independent judiciary, it does not seek nor take advice from the executive branch. The president does nominate justices to serve on the Supreme Court.

This headline describes an event in U.S. history. 

Which executive branch process is reflected in this headline?

• nomination 

• confirmation 

• veto override 

• executive order 

Answer explanation

Executive orders allow presidents to act alone when exercising their constitutional powers. In this example, the president, as commander-in-chief, had the power to eliminate racial segregation in the armed forces.

A is Incorrect- Nominations are an executive process, although unrelated to the headline presented.

B is Incorrect- Confirmation is a U.S. Senate process.

C is Incorrect- A veto override is a legislative process.

What authority do the Florida governor and U.S. president have in common?

• grant federal pardons 

• commander-in-chief 

• chief executive 

• six-year term 

Answer explanation

The U.S. president and the Florida governor both share the authority to serve as chief executive.

A is Incorrect- The president alone may grant federal pardons, while the Florida governor has the authority to pardon state-level crimes.

B is Incorrect-The governor and the president share military power although the U.S. Constitution is specific that the power of commander-in-chief belongs to the president but not the governor.

D is Incorrect- Both the president and the governor have four-year terms. Members of the U.S. Senate have six-year terms, while members of the Florida Senate have four-year terms.

Which executive authority can be exercised by both

the Florida Governor and a mayor in Florida?

• Both appoint justices to the Florida Supreme Court.

• Both may call up the 

  Florida National Guard.

• Both enforce laws in their jurisdictions.

• Both interpret laws in their courts.

Answer explanation

As chief executives for state and local government, the governor and the mayor both have the power to enforce laws in their jurisdictions.

A is Incorrect- The governor appoints district court judges and Florida Supreme Court justices. Not the mayor.

B is Incorrect- The mayor does not have the power to call up the Florida National Guard. The governor has the power to activate the Florida National Guard.

D is Incorrect- The responsibility for interpreting laws is given to the judicial branch of government, not the executive.

This table describes presidential vetoes. 

Based on this table, how has the legislative process

been impacted by presidential vetoes?

• The presidents’ views are not reflected in public policy.

• The presidents’ views are reflected in public policy.

• Congress represents the will of the people.

• Congress represents the will of the states.

Answer explanation

The table shows that the number of presidential vetoes has been greater, usually far greater, than the number of legislative overrides. A veto override results in Congress’ views being reflected in public policy. An override that fails results in the president’s views being reflected in public policy.

A is Incorrect- The table shows that Congress rarely overrides presidential vetoes. The override power is the power to reject a presidential veto. A veto override results in Congress’ views being reflected in public policy. An override that fails results in the president’s views being reflected in public policy.

C is Incorrect- There is no evidence in the table that either the president’s vetoes or congressional overrides represent popular opinion.

D is Incorrect- There is no evidence in the table that either the president’s vetoes or congressional overrides represent the opinions of state governments.

This headline describes an event. 

Cabinet nominee promises to support equal rights. 

Which action might occur due to this event?

• State legislatures oppose an amendment putting more power in the hands of 

  citizens.

• The president issues an executive order weakening environmental laws.

• Congress votes to improve employment protections.

• State governors decide to raise the minimum wage.

Answer explanation

Cabinet members are responsible for enforcing the laws. Because Cabinet secretaries are nominated by presidents the chances are very strong that the president’s views are shared with any nominee. If the president signs a law promoting equal rights, such as employment protections, it is likely the Cabinet nominee supports it as well and may have advised the president to sign that law.

A is Incorrect – The selection of a cabinet secretary is unrelated to the issue presented, which is an event taking place within a single state.

B is Incorrect – The President has the option to issue an executive order, which is an order that has the force of law. In the case of this scenario, it is not likely that the president would issue an executive order just because a Cabinet nominee makes a promise. Reducing pollution is an environmental cause, not an equal rights issue

D is Incorrect – State governors work independently of the Cabinet and the president. Cabinet secretaries are not responsible for enforcing state laws.