WorksheetsIntroduction to Checks and Balances
Total questions: 8
Worksheet time: 4mins
Which statement best explains the purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. government?
To prevent any branch from gaining too much power
To allow one branch to control the other branches
To let state governments override federal branches
To speed up decision making across all branches
Which action shows the Legislative Branch checking the President after nominating a judge?
Declaring congressional laws unconstitutional
Nominating cabinet officials for departments
Using judicial review on executive orders
Approving presidential nominations to the courts
The Legislative Branch passes a bill the president dislikes. What is the president’s check on this action?
Sign the bill into law immediately
Veto the bill to reject it
Send the bill back to committee
Ignore the bill without action
Congress wants a vetoed bill to become law and has at least two‑thirds support. What can Congress do?
Ask the Court to approve it
Hold the bill until next term
Rewrite the bill in secret
Override the veto with a vote
The president commits a crime to benefit themself. Which constitutional check can Congress use?
Censure the president publicly
Impeach and remove from office
Cut the White House budget
Block future executive orders
A law has been passed and signed. The Supreme Court must decide whether it follows the Constitution. What power can it use?
Judicial review to declare unconstitutional
Certiorari to deny the appeal
Advisory opinion to guide Congress
Original jurisdiction to hear witnesses
A Supreme Court justice retires. How do the president and Congress both participate in filling the seat?
President nominates; Senate confirms
House elects the new justice
President appoints alone
Senate selects and swears in
A president issues an executive order banning all guns nationwide. How could the Judicial Branch respond?
Suspend the order for ninety days
Send the order back to Congress
Rewrite the order to add limits
Review and declare acts unconstitutional
