1
Which branch of government is primarily responsible for drafting and passing federal laws?
A. Judicial
B. Legislative
C. Executive
D. Federal
B. Legislative
The President carries out national laws as the head of which branch?
A. Judicial
B. Legislative
C. State
D. Executive
D. Executive
Which branch decides what a law means when there is disagreement about its interpretation?
A. Judicial
B. Executive
C. Legislative
D. Congress
A. Judicial
The House of Representatives and the Senate together belong to which branch?
A. Local
B. Judicial
C. Executive
D. Legislative
D. Legislative
The Supreme Court is the highest court within which branch of the federal government?
A. Executive
B. Judicial
C. Legislative
D. State
B. Judicial
Which pair of bodies makes up the bicameral U.S. Congress?
A. House of Representatives and Senate
B. Supreme Court and Federal Courts
C. President and Vice President
D. Governors and Mayors
A. House of Representatives and Senate
Which option best describes the executive branch’s main responsibility?
A. To interpret laws
B. To enforce laws
C. To create courts
D. To make laws
B. To enforce laws
How many justices currently sit on the U.S. Supreme Court?
A. 10
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
D. 9
What executive power allows the President to reject a bill passed by Congress?
A. President
B. Senator
C. Chief Justice
D. Speaker of the House
A. President
District Courts and Courts of Appeals belong to which branch?
A. Executive
B. State
C. Legislative
D. Judicial
D. Judicial
Which action most clearly demonstrates Congress limiting presidential power?
A. Declaring laws unconstitutional
B. Overriding a presidential veto
C. Vetoing bills
D. Enforcing laws
B. Overriding a presidential veto
Judicial review is the power of courts to:
A. Declare laws unconstitutional
B. Enforce laws
C. Approve treaties
D. Make new laws
A. Declare laws unconstitutional
Which branch can approve (or reject) many presidential appointments through confirmation?
A. Executive
B. State
C. Legislative
D. Judicial
C. Legislative
If a President vetoes a bill, which outcome is possible under checks and balances?
A. Ignore it
B. Ask the Supreme Court
C. Rewrite the Constitution
D. Override the veto with a vote
D. Override the veto with a vote
Which branch holds the constitutional authority to declare war?
A. Legislative
B. Executive
C. Supreme Court
D. Judicial
A. Legislative
Article I of the U.S. Constitution establishes and explains the powers of which branch?
A. Judicial
B. Legislative
C. Executive
D. State
B. Legislative
Which statement best describes the Supreme Court’s role in the federal system?
A. Enforcing federal laws
B. Interpreting the Constitution
C. Creating laws
D. Making treaties
B. Interpreting the Constitution
Which power is unique to the executive branch at the federal level?
A. Appointing federal judges
B. Making laws
C. Overriding vetoes
D. Declaring laws unconstitutional
A. Appointing federal judges
Which situation best represents checks and balances in action?
A. President enforcing laws
B. Congress passing laws
C. Courts reviewing laws passed by Congress
D. Courts hearing cases
C. Courts reviewing laws passed by Congress
Which office is considered the chief executive of the federal government?
A. President
B. Speaker of the House
C. Senate Majority Leader
D. Chief Justice
A. President
Which example best illustrates separation of powers rather than checks and balances?
A. States make federal laws
B. Citizens vote on court cases
C. One branch controls all laws
D. Each branch has different responsibilities
D. Each branch has different responsibilities
The primary purpose of dividing government power among three branches is to:
A. To weaken the courts
B. To prevent abuse of power
C. To give states more power
D. To speed up lawmaking
B. To prevent abuse of power
When a court strikes down a law as unconstitutional, that decision comes from which branch?
A. Judicial
B. Executive
C. Legislative
D. State
A. Judicial
Which action is the clearest example of the executive branch limiting the legislative branch?
A. Overriding a veto
B. Passing a law
C. Vetoing a bill
D. Declaring a law unconstitutional
C. Vetoing a bill
Checks and balances most directly support which constitutional principle?
A. Popular sovereignty
B. Federalism
C. Judicial review
D. Limited government
D. Limited government