WorksheetsLegislative Branch Test Study Guide
Total questions: 36
Worksheet time: 21mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which statement about bills is TRUE?
a)
Most bills become law
b)
Only a few bills become law
c)
All bills must pass within one year
d)
Bills cannot be vetoed
2.
A private bill deals with:
a)
The entire nation
b)
Temporary unusual matters
c)
Individual people or places
d)
Presidential powers
3.
Most bills introduced in Congress are:
a)
Private bills
b)
Simple resolutions
c)
Joint resolutions
d)
Public bills
4.
Which type of resolution has the force of law when signed by the President?
a)
Simple
b)
Concurrent
c)
Joint
d)
Rider
5.
A simple resolution:
a)
Affects both houses
b)
Requires the President’s signature
c)
Affects only one house
d)
Is identical to a bill
6.
Concurrent resolutions:
a)
Become law automatically
b)
Require presidential approval
c)
Cover issues involving both houses
d)
Are used only for emergencies
7.
Which of the following best describes a “rider”?
a)
A separate bill that replaces the original
b)
A provision added to a bill that is unrelated. Sometimes "Sneaked" into legislation.
c)
A presidential veto note
d)
A committee amendment request
8.
Why do lawmakers add riders to major bills?
a)
Riders are required by law
b)
They help kill bills
c)
They allow unpopular legislation to “sneak” through
d)
They remove committee oversight
9.
Where is a bill placed when it is introduced in the House?
a)
The grille
b)
The hopper
c)
The docket
d)
The chamber box
10.
Which step happens after the committee meets and markup?
a)
The Supreme Court reviews it
b)
The House votes immediately
c)
The committee decides to kill or report the bill
d)
The President signs or vetoes
11.
During debates in both houses, lawmakers may:
a)
Issue executive orders
b)
Amend the bill
c)
Conduct judicial review
d)
Add Supreme Court rulings
12.
A major factor influencing congressional voting is:
a)
Military rank
b)
Personal temperament
c)
Supreme Court briefings
d)
Jury opinion
13.
Which is an example of voter influence on Congress?
a)
Presidential vetoes
b)
District visits by members of Congress
c)
Supreme Court rulings
d)
Committee assignments
14.
How often do representatives typically vote with their political party?
a)
20%
b)
40%
c)
60%
d)
80%
15.
Democrats typically support:
a)
Less business regulation
b)
Lower taxes
c)
Social welfare programs
d)
Reduced economic intervention
16.
Republicans typically support:
a)
More social welfare spending
b)
Higher business regulation
c)
Lower taxes
d)
Higher economic intervention
17.
Presidential influence on Congress can include:
a)
Issuing court rulings
b)
Giving speeches to the nation
c)
Deciding committee assignments
d)
Conducting budget audits
18.
State legislatures derive their power from:
a)
The U.S. Constitution
b)
Supreme Court review
c)
State constitutions
d)
Presidential orders
19.
All state legislatures except one are bicameral. The exception is:
a)
Vermont
b)
Nebraska
c)
Delaware
d)
Maine
20.
State elections are based on districts that must be:
a)
Exactly equal in population
b)
Randomly assigned
c)
Reasonably comparable
d)
Merged every 10 years
21.
Massachusetts has how many state legislators?
a)
50
b)
100
c)
150
d)
200
22.
The Massachusetts Constitution was written by:
a)
George Washington
b)
John Adams
c)
Alexander Hamilton
d)
Samuel Adams
23.
Which quote is from the Massachusetts Constitution?
a)
“Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
b)
“A government of laws, not men.”
c)
“Ask not what your country can do for you.”
d)
“We the People…”
24.
A factor that does not influence congressional voting is:
a)
Staff influence
b)
Constituent opinions
c)
Party voting patterns
d)
Jury decisions
25.
What is the first step in getting a law passed?
a)
The committee of the Congress reviews the bill and makes changes.
b)
Someone writes about an idea they want to become a law.
c)
The bill is introduced to the a small committee in the House of Representatives. If they like it, it goes to the whole House of Representatives.
d)
The whole House of Representatives votes on the bill.
26.
What is a proposed law called?
a)
Amendment
b)
Legal ease
c)
Bill
d)
Contract
27.
If the President signes the bill, what happes to it?
a)
It becomes a law
b)
It goes back to Congress
c)
It goes to the states
d)
It goes to the Supreme Court
28.
After a member of Congress presents the bill, where does it go?
a)
To the President
b)
To the full House or Senate
c)
To the Supreme Court
d)
To a committee
29.
A draft of a proposed law is called a ______.
a)
judge
b)
bill
c)
amendment
30.
What is the title of the presiding officer and most powerful leader in the House of Representatives?
a)
A) Majority Leader
b)
B) Speaker of the House
c)
C) Whip
d)
D) President Pro Tempore
31.
How many senators represent each U.S. state?
a)
A) One
b)
B) Two
c)
C) Three
d)
D) Four
32.
How many members are in the Senate?
a)
100
b)
250
c)
435
d)
535
33.
How many U.S. senators are there?
a)
50
b)
100
c)
435
d)
535
34.
How many total Representatives are there?
a)
50
b)
100
c)
435
d)
535
35.
Congress is described as bicameral because
a)
It makes laws
b)
It has 100 Senators
c)
It has two houses
d)
It is the head of the legislative Branch
36.
The legislative branch of the U.S. government is also called ________________--
a)
cabinet
b)
representatives
c)
Parliament
d)
Congress
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