2.02 Study Guide Review

What is meant by the term separation of powers? (Fill in the blank)

• Separation of powers is the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

• Separation of powers is the process of merging all government responsibilities into a single branch.

• Separation of powers means giving all power to the executive branch only.

• Separation of powers is the practice of allowing citizens to directly vote on all government decisions.

What are the three branches of government, and what is the main job of each?

• Legislative: makes laws; Executive: enforces laws; Judicial: interprets laws.

• Legislative: enforces laws; Executive: interprets laws; Judicial: makes laws.

• Legislative: interprets laws; Executive: makes laws; Judicial: enforces laws.

• Legislative: judges laws; Executive: creates laws; Judicial: enforces laws.

Why did the Framers divide government power between three branches? (Fill in the blank)

• To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to create a system of checks and balances.

• To make the government more complicated for citizens to understand.

• To ensure that only the president had all the power.

• To allow each branch to ignore the others' decisions.

Which Enlightenment philosopher developed the idea of Separation of Powers? (Fill in the blank)

• Montesquieu.

• John Locke.

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

• Voltaire.

What is the purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. government?

• To allow each branch to limit the powers of the other branches, ensuring no branch becomes too powerful.

• To give the President complete control over all branches of government.

• To allow Congress to override the Constitution whenever it wants.

• To ensure that the Supreme Court can make laws without interference.

Give two examples of how Congress can check the President's power.

• Congress can override a presidential veto and impeach the President.

• Congress can appoint Supreme Court justices and declare war.

• Congress can issue executive orders and grant pardons.

• Congress can negotiate treaties and serve as Commander in Chief.

How can the President check the powers of Congress? (Fill in the blank)

• The President can veto legislation passed by Congress.

• The President can dissolve Congress at will.

• The President can appoint members of Congress.

• The President can declare Congressional laws as unconstitutional.

What is the role of the Supreme Court in checking the other branches?

• The Supreme Court can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional (judicial review).

• The Supreme Court can create new laws for the country.

• The Supreme Court can appoint members of Congress.

• The Supreme Court can veto bills passed by Congress.

How can the Senate check presidential appointments? (Fill in the blank)

• The Senate must approve or reject presidential appointments to federal offices and judgeships.

• The Senate can veto presidential appointments without a vote.

• The Senate can appoint federal officials directly.

• The Senate can only review appointments after they take office.

What happens if the President vetoes a law and Congress still wants to pass it?

• Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.

• The Supreme Court can force the President to sign the law.

• The Vice President can approve the law instead.

• The law is automatically passed after 10 days.