Checks and Balances
What is the purpose of checks and balances?
A. To elect judges
B. To limit president's term
C. To make sure one branch doesn’t overpower others
D. To allow states to make laws
C. To make sure one branch doesn’t overpower others
What is the main job of the judicial branch?
A. Make laws
B. Enforce laws
C. Interpret laws
D. Nominate senators
C. Interpret laws
Who introduces a bill in Congress?
A. The president
B. A lawmaker
C. A judge
D. A citizen
B. A lawmaker
Which situation would NOT go to federal court?
A. Civil suit between same state residents
B. Rights violated
C. Cross-state dispute
D. Federal crime
A. Civil suit between same state residents
In the phrase “checks and balances,” what does “checks” mean?
A. Wrinkle
B. Long, narrow mark
C. Keep in line
D. Cord
C. Keep in line
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
A. 1/4 vote in each house
B. Two-thirds vote in each house
C. Revote
D. Petition the president
B. Two-thirds vote in each house
How does the president check the judicial branch?
A. Declares laws
B. Appoints justices
C. Vetoes laws
D. Breaks ties in Senate
B. Appoints justices
What happens if the president vetoes a bill and Congress disagrees?
A. Bill dies
B. Congress rewrites it
C. 2/3 Congress can override
D. Supreme Court rules
C. 2/3 Congress can override
What is the difference between Federal Courts and Courts of Appeals?
A. No judge
B. Only jury
C. Appeals has no jury
D. Appeals has 1 judge
C. Appeals has no jury
What does “veto” mean?
A. Approve
B. Reject
C. Revise
D. Sign
B. Reject
How does the executive branch check the judicial branch?
A. Declares acts unconstitutional
B. Impeaches judges
C. Appoints justices
D. Vetoes laws
C. Appoints justices
What is one power of the legislative branch?
A. Declare war
B. Veto bills
C. Enforce laws
D. Appoint judges
A. Declare war
What happens after both houses of Congress approve a bill?
A. It becomes law
B. It goes to the president
C. It’s debated
D. It goes to the court
B. It goes to the president
What decides how many Representatives a state gets?
A. Senate
B. Supreme Court
C. Population
D. President
C. Population
What does “unconstitutional” mean?
A. Supports the law
B. Breaks the law
C. Not allowed by Constitution
D. Law passed by Congress
C. Not allowed by Constitution
How does the legislative branch check the president’s justice nomination?
A. Confirms the nomination
B. Declares nominee unfit
C. Vetoes nominee
D. Limits term
A. Confirms the nomination
Which branch enforces laws?
A. Legislative
B. Judicial
C. Executive
D. State
C. Executive
What is the main lawmaking body in the U.S.?
A. Executive Branch
B. Supreme Court
C. Congress
D. Federal Agencies
C. Congress
What is the role of federal courts?
A. Make laws
B. Try federal crimes and appeals
C. Enforce laws
D. Create agencies
B. Try federal crimes and appeals
What does “amendment” mean?
A. New law
B. Change or addition
C. Court case
D. Bill in debate
B. Change or addition
What is one way states check federal power?
A. Ignore laws
B. Declare laws unconstitutional
C. Elect president
D. Overrule Congress
B. Declare laws unconstitutional
Which branch can determine if a law is unconstitutional?
A. Legislative
B. Judicial
C. Executive
D. Local
B. Judicial
Who creates bills that turn into laws?
A. Judicial
B. Legislative
C. Executive
D. States
B. Legislative
What keeps federal power in check?
A. Supreme Court
B. State laws
C. Constitution’s limits
D. Governor
C. Constitution’s limits
What does “representative” mean in U.S. government?
A. A person who votes
B. Citizen leader
C. Elected official
D. Lawbreaker
C. Elected official