5-3 Exit Quiz: Senate & Members of Congress

Which statement best explains why the Senate is often called the “upper house”?

• It has more members than the House of Representatives

• Senators serve longer terms and must meet higher qualifications

• It was created before the House in the Constitution

• It represents districts instead of entire States

How many senators does each State have in the United States Senate?

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

What is the length of a senator’s term of office?

• Two years

• Four years

• Six years

• Eight years

The Senate is described as a “continuous body” because

• Its sessions never end

• All members are elected at the same time

• Only one-third of the seats are up for election every two years

• Members serve for life

Before the 17th Amendment, how were U.S. senators chosen?

• Directly by voters in each State

• By the President

• By State legislatures

• By the Supreme Court

Since the 17th Amendment, senators are elected

• At-large by the voters of the entire State

• By single-member districts in each State

• Only during special elections

• By a joint vote of both houses of the State legislature

A senator’s constituency is generally

• Smaller and more local than a representative’s

• The same size as a representative’s

• Larger and more diverse than a representative’s

• Limited to one city in the State

Which is a formal qualification to serve in the U.S. Senate?

• At least 25 years old

• U.S. citizen for at least 7 years

• Resident of the United States, but not necessarily a State

• At least 30 years old

The term “continuous body” helps give senators

• More frequent turnover and less experience

• Greater job security and independence from short-term public pressures

• Less influence over national policy

• Complete immunity from reelection challenges

Which statement best describes the typical personal background of members of Congress?

• They are a close mirror of the overall U.S. population

• They are mostly younger than 30 and have no college degrees

• They are often older, well-educated, and from upper-middle-class backgrounds

• They are mostly foreign-born and from working-class jobs