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Understanding the Government

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 29mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What does it mean to impeach a government official?

a)

The branch that makes laws

b)

To accuse or charge a government official with a crime or misconduct

c)

A group of advisors to the president

d)

The system under which each branch of government has some measure of influence over the other branches

2.

What is the Cabinet in the context of the executive branch?

a)

The branch that interprets laws and settles disputes about them

b)

A document that describes how a government will function

c)

The branch that carries out or executes laws

d)

A group of advisors to the president including heads of important departments of the executive branch

3.

Match the government term to it's purpose or definitions

a)

To accuse or charge a government official with a crime or misconduct

1.

impeach

b)

To reject a bill and prevent it from becoming law

2.

veto

c)

The system under which each branch of government has some measure of influence over the other branches

3.

checks and balances

d)

A group of advisors to the president including heads of important departments of the executive branch

4.

the Cabinet

e)

A document that describes how a government will work.

5.

the Constitution

4.

Match the government term to its' purpose or definitions

a)

an introduction to the constitution

1.

Preamble

b)

the branch of government that the President is in charge of

2.

Executive

c)

The branch that interprets laws and settles disagreements about them.

3.

Judicial

d)

The branch that makes laws

4.

Legislative

e)

These are the people who are chosen to speak or act for a larger group or state.

5.

representatives

5.

How many branches does the Constitution of the United States divide the government into?

a)

Two

b)

Three

c)

Four

d)

Five

6.

What was the main reason the new Americans wanted to divide the government into different branches?

a)

To create more jobs

b)

To follow the king's orders

c)

To ensure no single branch was too strong

d)

To make the laws more complicated

7.

Which building is associated with the legislative branch of the United States government?

4 lines
8.

Which branch of the United States government is the Supreme Court part of?

4 lines
9.

What building does the executive branch of the United States government reside in

a)

the Green Lawn

b)

the White House

c)

The Supreme Court

d)

The Capitol

10.

What is the primary function of the legislative branch?

a)

To enforce the laws

b)

To interpret the laws

c)

To make the country's laws

d)

To nominate Supreme Court justices

11.

How are the number of representatives in the House of Representatives determined for each state?

a)

By the size of the state

b)

By the state's population

c)

By the number of senators in the state

d)

By the age of the state

12.

What are the qualifications for someone to become president as stated in the Constitution?

a)

Must be at least 30 years old, born in the United States, and lived in the country for at least 10 years

b)

Must be at least 35 years old, born a citizen of the United States, and lived in the country for at least 14 years

c)

Must be at least 40 years old, born a citizen of the United States, and lived in the country for at least 20 years

d)

Must be at least 45 years old, born in the United States, and lived in the country for at least 15 years

13.

Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting the laws?

a)

The legislative branch

b)

The executive branch

c)

The judicial branch

d)

The checks and balances branch

14.

What is the role of the Senate in the appointment of a Supreme Court justice?

a)

The Senate enforces the appointment

b)

The Senate nominates the justices

c)

The Senate must agree or disagree with the nomination

d)

The Senate interprets the qualifications of the justices

15.

Why did the Constitution's writers create "checks and balances"?

a)

To ensure that one branch has more power than the others

b)

To allow the president to have control over the legislative branch

c)

To ensure that no one person or group could have too much power

d)

To make the judicial branch the most powerful

16.

Organize these options into the right categories

Categorize the following

The President

enforces the laws

can veto laws

Supreme Court

Congress, Senate, House of Representatives

introduces a bill

determines if laws follow the Constitution

9 Justices that can serve for a lifetime

members are appointed by the president

The Capitol

The White House

Makes laws

Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
17.

What is the role of the President in the law-making process?

a)

The President proposes all laws

b)

The President can veto laws proposed by the legislative branch

c)

The President enforces the laws

d)

The President interprets the laws

18.

What is the term length for a Supreme Court justice?

a)

2 years

b)

4 years

c)

6 years

d)

Life tenure

19.

Match the following preamble parts to their meaning.

We the people: the people of the United States of America

In order to form a more perfect union: in order to form a better country

a)

establish justice

1.

protect rights

b)

ensure domestic tranquility

2.

keep peace within our country

c)

provide for the common defense

3.

work together to defend our country

d)

promote the general welfare

4.

what is good for everyone

e)

secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

5.

protect freedom for us now & future kids

20.

When was the Constitution signed?

a)

July 4, 1776

b)

September 17, 1787

c)

September 3, 1783