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Powers of the three branches

Total questions: 90

Worksheet time: 4hrs 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
a)
legislative, executive, and judical
b)
congress, the Supreme Court, and the Senate
c)
the president, the House of Representatives, and the Senate
2.
The Supreme Court’s reviewing and ruling on acts of other branches of the government and determining if a law is unconstitutional is called
a)
Supremacy
b)
law review
c)
Judicial Review
d)
Supreme ruling
3.
Which power did the U. S. Supreme Court establish in Marbury v. Madison?
a)
Judicial review
b)
Hearing appeals from lower federal courts
c)
Deciding cases involving two or more states 
d)
Judicial independence through lifetime tenure
4.
The highest court in the United States is
a)
District Court
b)
The Peoples Court
c)
The Supreme Court
d)
Appeals Court
5.
What is the meaning of Rule of Law?
a)
Everyone is above the law.
b)
Everyone is below the law.
c)
No one is above the law.
d)
The president is above the law.
6.
Which Branch has the primary job of making laws?
a)
all three branches
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
d)
Legislative
7.
Which house of Congress must a bill pass through in order to become a law?
a)
Senate
b)
House of Representatives
c)
Both 
d)
Neither
8.
What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?
a)
     overriding vetoes
b)
     appointing judges
c)
   declaring laws unconstitutional
d)
   refusing to confirm appointments
9.
What is the next step in the lawmaking process?
a)
A.  The governor signs the bill into law.
b)
A.  The bill goes to the Senate for action.
c)
A.  The people vote on the bill in an election.
d)
A.  The bill goes to the Supreme Court for a hearing.
10.
Which two principles are described in this table? 
a)
a.  separation of powers and checks and balances
b)
a.  separation of powers and popular sovereignty
c)
a.  federalism and judicial review
d)
a.  federalism and republicanism
11.
Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines Judicial  power?
a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Article IV
12.
Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines Executive  power?
a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Article IV
13.
Which list includes roles of the president?
a)
Chief Justice, Commander-in-Chief
b)
Commander-in-Chief, Chief Executive
c)
Speaker of the House, Chief Executive
d)
Speaker of the House, Chief Justice
14.
Which branch of Government has the power to enforce laws?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
d)
Federal
15.
Which branch of Government has the power to interpret laws?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
d)
Federal
16.

Each state has __ members of the US Senate

a)

2

b)

1

c)

5

d)

based on population

17.

In the House of Representatives, each state has a different number of members based on the state's:

a)

physical size

b)

each state has the same number of members

c)

population

d)

geography

18.
The Legislative Branch is made up of what two houses?
a)
Senate and Supreme Court
b)
House of Representatives and Senate
c)
President and Supreme Court
d)
House of Representatives and President
19.

Which branch has the power to impeach a member of government?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

20.
In the Judicial Branch, their job is to _____ laws.
a)
clarify
b)
make/pass
c)
carry out
21.
In the Legislative Branch, their job is to _____ laws.
a)
clarify
b)
make/pass
c)
carry out
22.
In the Executive Branch, their job is to _____ laws.
a)
clarify
b)
make/pass
c)
carry out
23.
Some duties of the Executive Branch is _______.
a)
public events
b)
bills
c)
pardons
d)
commander in chief
24.
To make sure that no one branch of the government would become too strong, the writers of the Constitution built in a series of _______________.
a)
Checks and Blanaces
b)
Scales and Weight
c)
Rights and Wrongs
d)
True and Flase
25.
A bill must pass through a _____________ before it can be voted on by the entire House or Senate.
a)
panel of judges
b)
committee
c)
President
d)
Supreme Court
26.
The only way to override a presidential veto is to get a ____________ vote in both houses of Congress in favor of the bill. 
a)
majority
b)
2/3
c)
3/4
d)
unanimous
27.
If the president holds a bill for 10 days without signing it and Congress is still in session, the bill
a)
dies
b)
goes back to Congress
c)
becomes a law
d)
goes back to a committee to be reviewed
28.
Almost all of the bills introduced in Congress become laws.
a)
True
b)
False
29.
What can the president do once he receives the bill?
a)
all of these
b)
sign the bill into law
c)
veto the bill
d)
"pocket veto" the bill
30.
The President of the United States is leader of which branch of government?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
31.
The Senate has 100 Senators- two from each state. 
a)
True
b)
False
32.
 The Supreme Court Judges are called Justices. 
a)
True
b)
False
33.
The number of representatives in the House of Representatives depends on-
a)
the number of cars people own
b)
the number of people living in that state
34.
The President of the United States signs bills so they become laws. 
a)
True
b)
False
35.
To veto a bill means-
a)
accept
b)
deny
36.
The specific powers given to the national government by the Constitution are known as __.
a)
Implied powers
b)
Enumerated / expressed powers
c)
Reserved powers
d)
Shared powers
37.
The founding fathers could not have known what the future held for us. To accommodate future needs of the people, the Constitution grants our government ___ to help them do what is necessary and proper to run a great country. 
a)
Specialized powers
b)
Expressive powers
c)
Concurrent powers
d)
Implied powers
38.
What are three ways the founding fathers ensured that the Constitution could adapt with the changing times and needs of the country?
a)
Bill of Rights, Preamble, and 1st Amendment
b)
Checks and balances, Separation of powers, and Expressed powers
c)
Implied powers, Judicial review, Amendments
d)
Three branches of government, concurrent powers, enumerated powers
39.
Which branch can appoint (choose) justices?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
40.
__________________ __________________ are expressed powers of the U.S. Congress which are clearly listed in the U.S. Constitution. 
a)
Reserved Powers
b)
Concurrent Powers
c)
Enumerated Powers
41.
The Legislative Branch has the power of __________________________ which allows it to bring charges of misconduct against an elected official. 
a)
Impeachment 
b)
Judicial Review
c)
Veto
d)
Statute
42.

Enumerated powers of Congress? (select all that apply)

a)

Override vetoes

b)

Declare war

c)

Propose Constitutional Amendments

d)

Reject Presidential Treaties

43.

The major benefit of having the elastic clause in the United States Constitution is that it...

a)

allows the government to respond to changing conditions

b)

protects the rights of racial minorities

c)

prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful

d)

establishes a postal service

44.
The _____________________ is elected by eligible United States citizens who vote and by the Electoral College system
a)
Pope
b)
Principal
c)
Participant
d)
President
45.
_______________________ and _______________________ are elected by voters in their states.
a)
Speakers and Station Managers
b)
Judges and Lawyers
c)
Senators and Representatives
d)
Principals and Teachers
46.
Separation of Powers means?
a)
The division of the country's powers into 3 branches so no one branch has more than the other.
b)
The sharing of powers between the national and state governments.
c)
The sharing of powers betwen the state and local governemnt
d)
2 of the 3 branches have less power than the 3rd.
47.
Why do federal judges enjoy lifetime tenure?
a)
To allow them greater power than  the other branches
b)
to strengthen their jurisdiction over state courts
c)
to limit the powers of the legislative and executive branches
d)
to maintain independence from political and popular pressure
48.
An oil barge belonging to the State of Alabama has a massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.  The leaked oil damages many Florida beaches and also endangers the shrimp and crab industry in the State of Florida.  The State of Florida sues the State of Alabama.  Which court has jurisdiction over the case?
a)
U.S. Supreme Court
b)
Florida Supreme Court
c)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
d)
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
49.
Which is an example of a 10th amendment issue?
a)
state governments oversee public schools
b)
state governments coin money
c)
national governments make treaties
d)
national governments declare war
50.
Which of the following is defined as a "rule or command the president gives out that has the force of law?"
a)
executive order
b)
cabinet
c)
elastic clause
d)
ex post facto
51.
Which constitutional provision forbids conflict between state and federal laws?
a)
habeas corpus
b)
elastic clause
c)
ex post facto
d)
supremacy clause
52.
Which of the following is an enumerated power of the Legislative Branch?
a)
conducting elections
b)
coining money
c)
appointing ambassadors
d)
declaring laws unconstitutional 
53.
Who has the power to appoint a Supreme Court Judge, when there is an open spot  on the court?
a)
Legislature
b)
Citizens
c)
President
d)
Congress
54.
The theory of government where one branch has power to keep another branch of government from becoming too powerful is called?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Limited Government
d)
Constitutional Government
55.
The Checks and Balance Power used by the President (Executive Branch) against the Legislative Branch when the President does NOT like a Law passed by the Legislative Branch is called.........
a)
Presidential Veto
b)
Impeachment
c)
Judicial Review (optional)
d)
Appointment Power
56.
Under Checks and Balance, which branch of government can over ride a Presidential Veto?
a)
Judicial Branch
b)
Legislative Branch
c)
Executive Branch
d)
Elective Branch
57.

Which branch can raise revenue through taxes and tariffs, borrowing money, or printing money?

a)

Judicial

b)

Legislative

c)

Executive

58.

Which house has the sole power to impeach?

a)

House of Representatives

b)

Senate

c)

Both

59.

Which house has representation based on population?

a)

House of Representatives

b)

Senate

c)

Both

60.
Which parts of the national government participated in the process described in the newspaper headline?
a)
Senate and President
b)
Supreme Court and President
c)
House of Representatives and Senate
d)
Supreme Court and House of Representatives
61.
This statement is from a congressional document, July 27, 1974.
This statement illustrates which congressional action?
a)
presidential impeachment
b)
presidential nomination
c)
presidential election
d)
presidential veto
62.
What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?
a)
overriding vetoes
b)
appointing judges
c)
declaring laws unconstitutional
d)
refusing to confirm appointments
63.
Based on the table, how has the legislative process been impacted by presidential vetoes?
a)
The presidents' views are not reflected in public policy
b)
The presidents' views are reflected in public policy
c)
Congress represents the will of the people
d)
Congress represents the will of the states
64.

True or False: The President can instantly make a new law that will end our government as we know it.

a)

True, the president can do anything!

b)

False, the president's powers are limited.

65.

What is the function of the Executive Branch?

a)

Enforce Laws

b)

Create Laws

c)

Interpret Laws

d)

Change Laws

66.

The President can only serve ____ terms that are ____ years each.

a)

2 and 4

b)

4 and 2

c)

2 and 8

d)

10 and 2

67.

The definition of federalism is:

a)

Division of power between National, State, and Local Governments.

b)

Government's Power comes from the people.

c)

Separation of government powers into THREE BRANCHES

d)

Each branch "checks" the power of the other to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.

68.
Which is an example of how one branch of government can be affected by the other branches?
a)
The executive branch includes the president, the vice president and the Cabinet.
b)
Justices of Supreme Court are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate.
c)
Voters in each state elect their representation in the House and their senators to go to 
Congress
69.

Power of the president to refuse (forbid) a bill

a)

veto

b)

executive order

c)

table

d)

pigeonhole

70.

Which of the following is true of an executive order?

a)

must go through Congress

b)

must go through the Supreme Court

c)

has the force of law

d)

all of the given

71.

As _____________________________, the president serves as the leader of their political party. They do things like help raise money for campaigns, and provide support for other members.

a)

Democratic Leader

b)

Party Leader

c)

Chief Legislator

d)

Chief Executive

72.

The heads of federal departments that the president appoints are referred to as the president's __________________________.

a)

pentagon

b)

squad

c)

cabinet

d)

party

73.

The president's role as leader of the nation's armed forces...

a)

Chief of the Armed Forces

b)

Supreme Leader of the Armed Forces

c)

Chief Commander

d)

Commander in Chief

74.

If the president were to welcome a foreign leader/official to the White House, this would be an example of what role?

a)

Commander in Chief

b)

Chief Executive

c)

Head of State

d)

none of the given

75.

As Chief Executive, it is the president's job to...

a)

MAKE laws

b)

CARRY OUT laws

c)

INTERPRET laws

d)

none of the given

76.

Which of the following CAN the president do?

a)

nominate judges to federal courts

b)

offer pardons

c)

choose members of the cabinet

d)

ALL of the given

77.

Which of the following can the president NOT DO?

a)

nominate supreme court justices

b)

send the Navy to the south Pacific

c)

declare war

d)

none of the given

78.

The president can appoint ambassadors, judges, and high officials pending whose approval?

a)

Joint Chiefs of Staff

b)

House of Representatives

c)

Supreme Court

d)

Senate

79.

This power means that a president can "forgive" a crime.

a)

Pardon

b)

Impune

c)

Dismisse

d)

Absolve

80.

This address is given before Congress annually to establish the president's legislative agenda.

a)

State of the Nation

b)

State of the Union

c)

Presidential Address

d)

Innaugural Address

81.

The president can make treaties with nations pending whose approval?

a)

Joint Chiefs of Staff

b)

House of Representatives

c)

Supreme Court

d)

Senate

82.

Gibbons vs. Ogden (1824) established?

a)

The National Government can regulate trade between the states.

b)

The National Government can NOT regulate trade betweeen the states

83.

McCulloch vs. Maryland (1819) showed that the government has more powers that are written in the Constitution?

a)

True

b)

False

84.

Which of the following describes a difficulty the judicial branch faces in the policy implementation process?

a)

The legislative and executive branches frequently ignore the rulings of the Supreme Court

b)

Supreme Court justices rarely have the opportunity to rule on cases of national importance

c)

The ideological composition of the Supreme Court frequently shifts when presidents nominate new justices

d)

The Supreme Court must rely on the other branches of government to enforce its rulings

85.

Which of the following may the judicial branch do to limit the power of the president?

a)

Overturn a presidential veto

b)

Begin impeachment proceedings against the president

c)

Declare an executive order unconstitutional

d)

Refuse to ratify a treaty the president negotiated

86.

pick one.

a)

a

b)

b

c)

c

d)

d

87.

How long is a presidential term in the U.S?

a)

1 year

b)

2 years

c)

3 years

d)

4 years

88.

How old must a person be to qualified for President of the U.S.?

a)

25

b)

30

c)

35

d)

40

89.

Does the President earn a salary?

a)

Yes

b)

No

90.

During the presidential inauguration, the newly elected president takes an Oath of Office. What does he/she swear on?

a)

the Bible

b)

Webster's Dictionary

c)

Declaration of Independence

d)

a photograph of George Washington

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