WorksheetsTexas State Government
Total questions: 44
Worksheet time: 33mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
What is the name of the principle (idea) that divides the powers and functions of the government among three branches?
a)
separation of powers
b)
checks and balances
c)
state's rights
d)
federalism
2.
What is the name of the principle (idea) that allows each branch to limit the power of the other branches?
a)
separation of powers
b)
checks and balances
c)
state's rights
d)
federalism
3.
The Texas legislature is bicameral. This means that it
a)
places all of its power in the executive branch.
b)
has fewer state senators than state representatives.
c)
is a state government, rather than a national government.
d)
is made up of 2 houses or chambers.
4.
The power of the governor to block a bill in the legislature is called
a)
governor's privilege.
b)
veto.
c)
executive discretion.
d)
constitutional authority.
5.
The governor can make laws for the state of Texas.
a)
true
b)
false
6.
The _____ branch interprets that law and determines innocence or guilt for those accused of breaking the law.
a)
legislative
b)
federal
c)
judicial
d)
executive
7.
The ___ branch carries out and enforces the law.
a)
legislative
b)
federal
c)
judicial
d)
executive
8.
The ___ branch makes the laws.
a)
legislative
b)
federal
c)
judicial
d)
executive
9.
Police officers and other members of law enforcement are part of the _______ branch.
a)
legislative
b)
executive
c)
judicial
d)
federal
10.
The ______ is the leader of the Texas Senate.
a)
Senate Minority Leader
b)
Senate Majority Leader
c)
Speaker of the Senate
d)
Lieutenant Governor
11.
The _____ is the leader of the Texas House of Representatives.
a)
House Minority Leader
b)
House Majority Leader
c)
Speaker of the House
d)
Governor
12.
HB 264 was written and introduced by
a)
the governor
b)
the Lieutenant Governor
c)
a member of the House
d)
a Member of the Senate
13.
What is required to overturn a governor’s veto?
a)
a majority vote by all Senate committees
b)
two-thirds vote by both the House and Senate
c)
a majority vote by both the House and Senate
d)
three-fifths vote by both the House and Senate
14.
If a bill is introduced in the Texas House, what must happen in order for it to proceed to the Senate?
a)
It must be approved by at least 2/3 of the members of the House of Representatives.
b)
It must be approved by at least 2/3 of the members of the Senate.
c)
It must be approved by more than half of the members of the House of Representatives.
d)
It must be approved by more than half of the members of the Senate.
15.
HB 286 was introduced in the Texas House or Representatives. After clearing committee, 75% of the members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of passing it. The Senate also passed it, but not before making a few changes to the bill. It now goes
a)
back to the House of Representatives so that the amended version can be debated and voted on.
b)
to the governor’s desk so that he can approve the changes.
c)
straight to the select committee that will need to evaluate and approve the changes.
d)
the lieutenant governor who will decide which committee to send it to next.
16.
If a bill passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate with no changes, it next moves to the
a)
governor.
b)
Lieutenant Governor.
c)
Speaker of the House.
d)
Senate Conference Committee.
17.
The main purpose of a committee is to
a)
cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.
b)
discuss a bill before it is debated on the floor of the House or Senate.
c)
override a governor’s veto.
d)
determine in which chamber a bill will be debated.
18.
Committees are made up of people who
a)
are members of the House and Senate.
b)
are appointed by the governor.
c)
are members of the governor’s staff.
d)
are appointed by district judges.
19.
Bevo is a 28 year old lawyer. He was born in New Mexico and has lived in Texas for 3 years. His mother is a housewife and his father is a doctor. He graduated from University of Texas Law School with an “A+” average. While attending college, he also took many government courses. He now wants to run for governor in the upcoming election. Can he do so?
a)
Yes. He meets all of the age and residency requirements and made good grades in all of his government courses in college.
b)
No. He did not major in government and is not a U.S. citizen.
c)
Yes. He meets all of the age and residency requirements. College course do not matter.
d)
No. He does not meet the age and residency requirements.
20.
The duties of Texas government, just like in the U.S., are spread out so that no one person or group had too much power. This is a concept known as
a)
checks and balances.
b)
separation of powers.
c)
federalism.
d)
constitutionalism.
21.
Although the Texas legislature has the power to make the laws, it has no power to enforce them. This is an example of
a)
federalism.
b)
checks and balances.
c)
separation of powers.
d)
constitutionalism.
22.
The two types of law are
a)
constitutional and unconstitutional.
b)
fair and unfair.
c)
civil and criminal.
d)
county and state.
23.
______ law involves crimes against society.
a)
Criminal
b)
Constitutional
c)
Federal
d)
Civil
24.
_______ law involves settling disputes between two or more people or businesses.
a)
Criminal
b)
Constitutional
c)
Federal
d)
Civil
25.
The two types of crime are
a)
violent and non-violent.
b)
theft and vandalism.
c)
felonies and misdemeanors.
d)
hate crimes and non-hate crimes
26.
A _______ is a major crime.
a)
theft
b)
warrant
c)
felony
d)
misdemeanor
27.
A(n) _______ is a group of people who determine whether or not there is enough evidence to put a person on trial.
a)
criminal jury
b)
grand jury
c)
interim jury
d)
appellate jury
28.
The decision of a jury is known as a(n)
a)
verdict.
b)
outcome.
c)
ramification.
d)
veto.
29.
How many jurors are there in a criminal trial?
a)
4
b)
8
c)
12
d)
16
30.
What percentage of jurors does it take to convict someone of a felony in Texas?
a)
51%
b)
75%
c)
90%
d)
100%
31.
The current governor of Texas is
a)
Dan Patrick.
b)
Greg Abbott.
c)
Tony Dale.
d)
Charles Schwertner.
32.
The minimum age to serve as a member of the Texas Senate is.
a)
18.
b)
21.
c)
26.
d)
30.
33.
The minimum age to serve as a member of the Texas House of Representatives is
a)
18.
b)
21.
c)
26.
d)
30.
34.
A person must be at least _____ years of age to serve as governor in Texas.
a)
18
b)
21
c)
26
d)
30
35.
The governor in Texas has a lot more power than the governors of most other states.
a)
true
b)
false
36.
The Texas Legislature meets
a)
every odd numbered year from January - May.
b)
every even numbered year from January - May.
c)
every third year from September - December.
d)
every year from September - December.
37.
How many representatives serve in the Texas House?
a)
75
b)
76
c)
100
d)
150
38.
How many state Senators are there?
a)
11
b)
16
c)
31
d)
76
39.
A governor of Texas may serve no more than three terms.
a)
true
b)
false
40.
The power of the governor to veto a bill is an example of
a)
judicial review.
b)
executive oversight.
c)
separation of powers.
d)
checks and balances.
41.
If all members of the Texas House of Representatives are present and voting, how many votes are required to overturn a veto?
a)
16
b)
20
c)
76
d)
100
42.
If all members of the Texas House Senate are present and voting, how many votes are required to overturn a veto?
a)
16
b)
21
c)
76
d)
101
43.
The Texas Senate has voted on a bill and the resulting vote is 15 - 15, with one Senator abstaining (not voting). Who breaks the tie?
a)
the governor
b)
the Speaker of the Senate
c)
the Lieutenant Governor
d)
the Senate Majority Leader.
44.
What percentage of jurors does it take to find someone innocent of a felony in Texas?
a)
51%
b)
75%
c)
90%
d)
100%
100 %
