Congress and Legislative Process Quiz

Why did the Founders design Congress to be the most powerful branch?

• They trusted the president more than the people

• They wanted laws to be made by representatives of the people

• They wanted judges to control Congress

• They wanted Congress to be a small, secret group

What does it mean that Congress is bicameral?

• It has one house

• It has two houses

• It has three equal branches

• It meets twice a year only

How is representation in the House of Representatives decided?

• Every state gets two members

• States take turns sending members

• It is based on each state’s population

• It is based on how old the state is

How is representation in the Senate decided?

• By population

• By how much money the state pays in taxes

• Every state has two senators

• States with bigger cities get more senators

Which statement compares the House and Senate most accurately?

• The House is smaller and has longer terms

• The House is larger with shorter terms; the Senate is smaller with longer terms

• The Senate has more members than the House

• Both houses have the same number of members and same term lengths

Which is a requirement to be a member of the House of Representatives?

• At least 21 years old and a citizen for 3 years

• At least 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years

• At least 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years

• At least 35 years old and a citizen for 14 years

Which is a requirement to be a U.S. senator?

• At least 20 years old and a citizen for 5 years

• At least 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years

• At least 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years

• At least 35 years old and a citizen for 14 years

Why might House members have 2-year terms while senators have 6-year terms?

• To let House members stay in office longer

• To keep representatives closer to the people and local issues

• To make the House less important than the Senate

• To give senators less time to learn their jobs

What is the best definition of gerrymandering?

• Moving to another state to vote

• Redrawing voting districts to help one political party

• Making voting illegal for certain people

• Allowing only rich people to run for office

Which situation is the best example of gerrymandering?

• A state gives every adult the right to vote

• A city changes its polling place to a school

• A party redraws a district to include more of its supporters

• A mayor asks more people to register to vote