Three Branches
100: What are the three branches of the federal government?
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
100: What is the purpose of checks and balances?
To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
100: What are the two houses of Congress?
The House of Representatives and the Senate
100: Who is a part of the executive branch?
the president and the cabinet (includes VP)
100: What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
200: Which branch is responsible for making federal laws, and what two groups make up this branch?
The Legislative Branch; the House of Representatives and Senate
200: What power does the President have to check Congress after Congress passes a bill?
The President can veto the bill.
200: How many members are in each chamber of Congress?
House- 435
Senate- 100
200: What is the main responsibility of the executive branch?
To enforce and carry out federal laws.
200: What is the main responsibility of the Judicial Branch?
To interpret laws and determine whether laws and government actions are constitutional.
300: Which branch enforces federal laws, and who leads this branch?
The Executive Branch; the President
300: How can Congress check the President's power?
Congress can override a presidential veto, control funding, impeach federal officials, and approve presidential appointments.
300: Why does the number of representatives a state has in the House change when its population changes?
House representation is based on state population, so states can gain or lose representatives as their populations change.
300: Name two presidential roles and explain what the President does in each role.
Answers may include Chief Executive—enforces laws; Chief Diplomat—conducts foreign relations; Chief Legislator—influences legislation; Chief of State—serves as the symbolic leader of the nation; Economic Chief—deals with economic issues.
300: What does it mean when the Supreme Court determines that a law is unconstitutional?
The Court has determined that the law conflicts with the Constitution and cannot be enforced as written.
400: Why did the Framers divide the federal government into three branches instead of giving all government power to one group?
To divide government power and prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
400: The President nominates a person to become a Supreme Court justice. What can the Senate do to check the President's power?
The Senate can approve or reject the nomination.
400: A bill passes the House of Representatives but does not pass the Senate. Can the bill become a federal law? Explain.
No. A bill must pass both houses of Congress before it can be sent to the President.
400: The President wants to influence a bill being considered by Congress. Identify two ways the President can influence the legislation.
The President can recommend legislation, persuade members of Congress, or veto a bill after it passes Congress.
400: Article III establishes the federal judicial branch. What important power does the federal judiciary have regarding laws and government actions?
The federal courts can hear cases involving federal law and the Constitution and determine whether government actions are constitutional.
500: A federal law is passed by Congress, enforced by the President, and challenged in court. What responsibility does each branch have in this situation?
The Legislative Branch makes the law, the Executive Branch enforces it, and the Judicial Branch interprets the law and determines whether it is constitutional.
500: The Supreme Court declares that a law passed by Congress is unconstitutional. Explain how this demonstrates checks and balances.
The Judicial Branch is checking the Legislative Branch by preventing Congress from enforcing a law that violates the Constitution.
500: Explain two important differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House has 435 members distributed according to population, while the Senate has 100 members with two from each state. House members serve two-year terms, while senators serve six-year terms.
500: The President needs advice about agriculture, transportation, national security, and foreign affairs. How does the federal bureaucracy help the President address these different areas?
Cabinet departments and federal agencies specialize in different areas of government and provide expertise and carry out policies and laws.
500: Congress passes a law that limits a constitutional right. Explain what the Supreme Court could do if a case challenging that law reaches the Court, and why the Court has that authority.
The Supreme Court could declare the law unconstitutional because the Constitution is the supreme law of the nation, and the Judicial Branch has the authority to interpret the Constitution.