WorksheetsUnit 5 Practice Test - Executive Branch
Total questions: 73
Worksheet time: 37mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
The Constitution states that the president has the power to...?
a)
declare laws unconstitutional.
b)
make laws.
c)
vote for or against bills.
d)
execute laws.
2.
What powers are claimed by the president but not clearly stated in the Constitution?
a)
executive powers
b)
related powers
c)
inherent powers
d)
expressed powers
3.
Which president greatly expanded the role of the president in steering the economy during an economic crisis?
a)
Theodore Roosevelt
b)
George W. Bush
c)
Harry Truman
d)
Franklin Roosevelt
4.
Which power serves as a check by the president on the legislative branch?
a)
power to impeach
b)
power to grant reprieves
c)
power to veto
d)
power to execute laws
5.
Which of the following is an example of the president carrying out the role of legislative leader?
a)
The president appoints heads of executive agencies.
b)
The president negotiates a treaty with Mexico.
c)
The president delivers the State of the Union address.
d)
The president implements the laws that Congress passes.
6.
Which power serves as a check by the judicial branch on the president?
a)
power to override a veto
b)
power to appoint judges
c)
power to approve judicial appointments
d)
power to declare an executive order unconstitutional
7.
During which circumstance are the inherent powers of the president most likely to expand?
a)
low unemployment
b)
peacetime
c)
reduced public trust in government
d)
struggling economy
8.
When a president travels around the country to support candidates running for office, he or she is fulfilling which of these roles?
a)
chief diplomat
b)
chief executive
c)
legislative leader
d)
party leader
9.
Acting as chief executive, the president appoints the head of an executive agency. What must happen next for the agency head to be confirmed?
a)
It must be approved by the House of Representatives.
b)
It must be approved by the people of the United States.
c)
It must be approved by the Senate.
d)
It must be approved by the Supreme Court.
10.
Which action of the president as head of state is mentioned in the Constitution?
a)
gives awards to distinguished business leaders
b)
comforts victims of natural disasters
c)
lights the nation’s Christmas tree
d)
hosts dignitaries such as kings and queens
11.
Among the president’s executive powers is the power to...?
a)
declare war.
b)
appoint congressional committee chairs.
c)
appoint Cabinet heads.
d)
appropriate funds.
12.
How do federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, get their jobs?
a)
The Senate appoints them and the president approves them.
b)
The House appoints them and the president approves them.
c)
The president appoints them and the House approves them.
d)
The president appoints them and the Senate approves them.
13.
Which of the following is true about executive orders?
a)
Once approved by both the House and Senate, they have the force of law.
b)
They are directives that do not have the force of law.
c)
Once approved by the Senate, they have the force of law.
d)
They have the force of law without the approval of Congress.
14.
Which of these presidential responsibilities would continue to have consequences many years after the president left office?
a)
appointing a Supreme Court justice
b)
choosing cabinet members
c)
fulfilling the duties of head of state
d)
issuing reprieves
15.
Why have presidents, as commanders in chief, been able to claim nearly unlimited powers to defend the nation or wage war?
a)
because the Constitution provides few details about what powers this role includes
b)
because Congress has granted the president unlimited power to wage war
c)
because the Supreme Court has upheld as constitutional full wartime powers for the president
d)
because the Constitution provided no checks on the president as commander in chief
16.
What congressional power limits the president’s role as commander in chief?
a)
power to confirm or reject the president’s declaration of war
b)
power to approve treaties
c)
power to override executive orders
d)
power to declare war
17.
According to the War Powers Act, the president can commit troops to combat...?
a)
only after receiving a congressional declaration of war.
b)
for no more than 60 days without congressional approval.
c)
only when there is a direct attack on the United States.
d)
whenever American interests are threatened.
18.
In the role of commander in chief, the president...?
a)
is an active member of the military but holds no official rank.
b)
holds the rank of general in the army.
c)
is a civilian.
d)
is the highest-ranking military officer in the armed forces.
19.
Which of the following is part of a “shadow war”?
a)
tanks
b)
drones
c)
infantry
d)
battleships
20.
As chief diplomat, the president has the sole power to...?
a)
sign and ratify treaties.
b)
negotiate and ratify treaties.
c)
negotiate and sign treaties.
d)
sign and approve treaties.
21.
What must happen before a treaty signed by the president can go into effect?
a)
A majority of both houses of Congress must approve it.
b)
Two-thirds of both houses of Congress must approve it.
c)
A majority of the Senate must approve it.
d)
Two-thirds of the Senate must approve it.
22.
The president can make executive agreements with other countries that...?
a)
require ratification by the House and Senate.
b)
do not have the same legal status as treaties.
c)
do not require the approval of Congress.
d)
require ratification by the Senate.
23.
When determining whether or not a country is aiding an enemy of the United States, the president has an advantage over Congress because of access to which of the following?
a)
executive agreements that outline the relationship with the country
b)
intelligence gathered by various agencies in the executive branch
c)
powers that allow the president to use limited military force
d)
treaties that have already established trade with the country
24.
Which of these illustrates an expansion of the president’s power as commander in chief?
a)
Congress authorized the use of forces in Iraq in 2002.
b)
Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973.
c)
Drones have secretly been used to kill suspected terrorists in Yemen.
d)
The use of military tribunals to try suspected terrorists was ruled illegal
25.
How do presidents communicate their legislative priorities for the year to Congress?
a)
in the State of the Union address
b)
by signing or vetoing bills that reach their desk
c)
in their inaugural address
d)
in a written list of bills submitted to Congress at the start of each session
26.
The president can influence legislation most successfully when...?
a)
the nation is at peace.
b)
the president has enough votes in Congress to override a legislative veto.
c)
the government is divided.
d)
the president’s party controls Congress.
27.
Presidents have the power to stop any bill that Congress sends to them by
a)
issuing an executive order of rejection.
b)
refusing to sign it.
c)
issuing a line-item veto.
d)
vetoing it.
28.
During the Great Depression, which president greatly expanded the role of the federal government in the economy?
a)
Franklin D. Roosevelt
b)
Herbert Hoover
c)
Theodore Roosevelt
d)
George W. Bush
29.
In 1946 Congress passed the Employment Act, which gave the president the new duty to
a)
head the Federal Reserve System.
b)
give an annual State of the Union address.
c)
increase employment in the federal government.
d)
submit an annual economic report to Congress.
30.
Where does the annual budget proposal originate?
a)
with the president
b)
in the Congressional Budget Office
c)
in the House Budget Committee
d)
in the Senate Finance Committee
31.
Why do presidents use political patronage?
a)
to attract more government officials to join their party
b)
to raise money for the campaigns of party members
c)
to bring favorable attention to party members seeking office
d)
to reward members of their party who helped them get elected
32.
Around 32% of legislation supported by the president passes in the House within one year. During the same year, 64% of president-supported legislation passes in the Senate. What can you infer about the political makeup of Congress and the executive branch?
a)
The Senate and House majorities are from the same party as the president.
b)
The Senate majority and House minority are from the same party as the president.
c)
The Senate and House minorities are from the same party as the president.
d)
The Senate minority and House majority are from the same party as the president.
33.
Which of these statements best represents one purpose of the State of the Union address?
a)
to discuss current bills with all members of Congress
b)
to inform citizens about the laws that have been passed during the year
c)
to present Congress with the president’s legislative priorities
d)
to support congressional members of the president’s party
34.
The political patronage system focuses on which attributes in filling government positions?
a)
an ability to see different viewpoints
b)
the amount of time available for work
c)
competence to do a job
d)
loyalty within a party
35.
If Congress is controlled by the party other than the president’s, his or her budget is likely to be...?
a)
accepted with few changes.
b)
changed dramatically.
c)
changed slightly.
d)
completely rejected.
36.
Which of the following is a constitutional requirement for becoming president of the United States?
a)
being at least 35 years old
b)
serving at least one term as a judge
c)
serving at least one term as an elected federal or state official
d)
serving in the U.S. military
37.
Which characteristic has made winning a presidential election more difficult?
a)
having European heritage
b)
being from the middle class
c)
serving in the U.S. military
d)
holding extreme political beliefs
38.
Which of the following statements about presidential candidates is most accurate?
a)
Extremely liberal or conservative candidates have the best chance of winning a presidential campaign.
b)
A candidate without a military background has no chance of winning a presidential election.
c)
The backgrounds of presidential candidates have become more diverse in recent years.
d)
Only a wealthy American has any chance of becoming president.
39.
What is the purpose of the Federal Elections Commission?
a)
It verifies that presidential and vice-presidential candidates meet the formal requirements for the office.
b)
It regulates campaign finance legislation.
c)
It runs the meeting of the Electoral College.
d)
It certifies the results of federal elections reported by states.
40.
Why is the ability to generate public support for policies important for a president?
a)
Members of Congress are sensitive to the amount of popular support policies have.
b)
The president wants to avoid being impeached because of implementing unpopular policies.
c)
The president can bypass Congress by appealing directly to the public to create new laws.
d)
Foreign leaders are more likely to implement policies that are popular with the U.S. public.
41.
Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both known as...?
a)
first-rate campaign fundraisers.
b)
being out of touch with the pulse of the nation.
c)
champions of conservative policies.
d)
skillful communicators.
42.
What is unique about how the U.S. president is elected?
a)
The U.S. president is not elected directly by voters.
b)
The U.S. president is elected by members of Congress.
c)
A U.S. president cannot be elected to office if he or she fails to win the popular vote.
d)
A U.S. president cannot be elected unless at least 75 percent of registered voters cast a ballot.
43.
What is the Electoral College?
a)
A body that validates that votes for the presidential election were properly counted in each state.
b)
A system set by the Constitution for selecting the president and vice president.
c)
The body that implements and monitors campaign finance laws for presidential campaigns.
d)
The name for training or courses a president elect must complete before taking office.
44.
How many electors is each state allowed in the Electoral College?
a)
one for each county in the state
b)
one for each member it has in the House of Representatives
c)
one for each member it has in the U.S. Senate
d)
the same as the number of senators and representatives it has in Congress
45.
How many votes in the Electoral College are required for a presidential candidate to secure victory?
a)
218
b)
270
c)
301
d)
51
46.
What is a winner-take-all system in a presidential election?
a)
If a candidate secures 60 percent or more of the total popular vote, no Electoral College vote is needed.
b)
If a candidate receives the most votes in a state, he or she receives all the state’s electors to the Electoral College.
c)
If a candidate secures enough states in the eastern and central time zones on Election Day, voting will be stopped in the mountain and western states when victory is declared.
d)
If a candidate secures over 50 percent of the popular vote in the country, he or she wins the Electoral College
47.
Why are presidential primaries and caucuses held?
a)
They are part of the process of securing a party’s nomination for the general election.
b)
They help candidates solidify their positions on important issues and develop campaign slogans.
c)
Candidates use them to determine if they have a chance to win election before officially declaring their candidacies.
d)
These are fund-raising events to raise money for the general election.
48.
When does each political party officially declare who its candidate for the general election will be?
a)
during each party’s national nominating convention
b)
after the third debate between party candidates
c)
after all but one of the candidates drop out of the primary races
d)
when one candidate surpasses $100 million in fundraising
49.
What is the term for a candidate who represents a political party that is not the Democrats or the Republicans?
a)
a wild-card candidate
b)
a third-party candidate
c)
a radical candidate
d)
a landslide candidate
50.
The Framers of the Constitution established the Electoral College because they...?
a)
had doubts about the average person’s ability to select a candidate.
b)
highly trusted the average voter’s judgment.
c)
knew that voters would research candidates.
d)
wanted Congress to have a say in presidential elections
51.
Which might be classified as a reason to keep the Electoral College as is?
a)
effects it may have on a third-party candidate
b)
some elections are decided by the House of Representatives
c)
it has been in use for more than 200 years
d)
winner-take-all outcome
52.
A president would most likely choose someone to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development who...?
a)
was born outside of the United States.
b)
has helped run a big city.
c)
farms for a living.
d)
has been the mayor of a small town.
53.
Why might a candidate to become a Cabinet secretary be unenthusiastic about taking the position?
a)
He or she strongly disagrees with the president’s positions.
b)
The candidate undergoes extensive public scrutiny.
c)
There is no chance for travel.
d)
The job is not challenging enough for some people.
54.
Besides following the president’s orders, Cabinet secretaries might also have loyalties to members of Congress and...?
a)
the vice president.
b)
special interest groups.
c)
foreign nations.
d)
the Supreme Court.
55.
The largest office within the Executive Office of the President is the...?
a)
White House Office.
b)
Office of Management and Budget.
c)
National Security Council.
d)
Office of Environmental Policy.
56.
The group of assistants that make up a president’s “inner circle” are members of the...?
a)
Office of Management and Budget.
b)
White House Office.
c)
Office of Environmental Policy.
d)
National Security Council.
57.
Today, the president’s most trusted advisor is usually...?
a)
the White House chief of staff.
b)
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
c)
the press secretary.
d)
the vice president.
58.
What is the role of the White House chief of staff?
a)
assessing the nation’s economic health and predicting future economic conditions
b)
handling operations of the press corps and making public statements
c)
overseeing operations of the White House and Executive Office of the President
d)
providing personal assistance to the president and First Lady
59.
What is the role of the White House press secretary?
a)
assessing the nation’s economic health and predicting future economic conditions
b)
handling operations of the press corps and making public statements
c)
overseeing operations of the White House and Executive Office of the President
d)
providing personal assistance to the president and First Lady
60.
Which government job must be nominated by the president and confirmed by Congress?
a)
Assistant to the National Security Advisor
b)
Secretary of State
c)
Staff of the Executive Office of the President
d)
White House staff member
61.
The head of most of the executive departments is known as the...?
a)
secretary.
b)
attorney general.
c)
chief of staff.
d)
executive director.
62.
Which of the following departments has a network of ambassadors and embassies?
a)
Treasury
b)
Defense
c)
Commerce
d)
State
63.
What is the primary responsibility of the Department of Treasury?
a)
to defend the nation against our enemies
b)
to manage the monetary resources of the country
c)
to build the nation’s transportation system
d)
to promote business
64.
The Department of Justice...?
a)
enforces federal laws.
b)
protects the country’s borders.
c)
passes legislation that decides what is legal and what is not.
d)
administers forests and national parks.
65.
The Internal Revenue Service is the largest bureau within which department?
a)
Commerce
b)
Defense
c)
Treasury
d)
Interior
66.
The Department of Health and Human Services has a large budget because...?
a)
it builds so many hospitals.
b)
it employs millions of active duty military personnel.
c)
it is Congress’s favorite department.
d)
it administers Medicare and Medicaid.
67.
Which of the following departments is unique in that it works especially closely with state and local officials?
a)
Justice
b)
Energy
c)
Treasury
d)
Education
68.
The General Services Administration and the Central Intelligence Agency are examples of...?
a)
government corporations.
b)
Cabinet departments.
c)
independent agencies.
d)
regulatory commissions.
69.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are examples of...?
a)
regulatory commissions.
b)
government corporations.
c)
independent agencies.
d)
Cabinet departments.
70.
One way regulatory commissions are different from independent agencies is that they...?
a)
are organized somewhat like private businesses.
b)
are not funded by Congress.
c)
are not independent of any of the three branches of government.
d)
make rules for large industries and businesses that affect the public.
71.
The role of the Department of Labor is to...?
a)
enforce international trade agreements with other countries.
b)
execute laws and policies about energy.
c)
protect and improve the productivity of workers.
d)
protect the country’s security.
72.
Which executive department coordinates efforts to protect against terrorism?
a)
Department of Defense
b)
Department of Health and Human Services
c)
Department of Homeland Security
d)
Department of Veterans Affairs
73.
Which of the following is a regulatory commission that protects human health and the environment?
a)
Department of Health and Human Services
b)
Environmental Protection Agency
c)
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
d)
Federal Trade Commission
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