SOL CE 7: The Basics

Front

Which of the following is not part of the executive branch for the state of Virginia? Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet, Mayor

Back

Mayor

Answer explanation

The Virginia Executive branch is composed of the elected Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, as well as, the Governor's appointed Cabinet.

Front

The legislative branch for the state of Virginia is led by the ...

Back

General Assembly

Answer explanation

The legislative branch is headed by the Virginia General Assembly. It is bicameral just like the U.S. Congress with the houses being the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate.

Front

The Governor is responsible for all of the following actions EXCEPT: Preparing the biennial budget, Appointing officials and judges, Enforcing or carrying out state laws, Making treaties with other nations.

Back

Making treaties with other nations.

Answer explanation

The Governor has similar powers to the President. He prepares a budget, appoints officials, enforces laws, and oversees the executive departments. Unlike the President he can not make agreements with other nations.

Front

The Virginia General Assembly is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT? Making laws for the state of Virginia, Approving appointments and the budget, Levying, collecting, and raising taxes, Declaring war on another nation.

Back

Declaring war on another nation.

Answer explanation

The Virginia General Assembly has similar powers to the U.S. Congress. It makes the laws, approves many executive actions, and is in charge of taxes. It doesn't have the power to declare war because it is a power that only belongs to the national government.

Front

Which of the following is not a primary responsibility of the national government? Conduct foreign policy, Regulate commerce, Promote public health, safety, and welfare., Provide for the common defense

Back

Promote public health, safety, and welfare.

Answer explanation

The national government's concerns deal mostly with our relationship with other nations and making sure that the states can work peacefully together. Most actions of the U.S. government aren't aimed at the individual person.

Front

Which level of government is supreme according to the U.S. Constitution?

Back

National

Answer explanation

The U.S. Constitution made it clear that the U.S. government would be the supreme level of government. This means that even if a state allows an action, if the U.S. government does not then that individual can still be charged with a federal crime.

Front

What order should the following statements be in? 1 - Debating a bill on the floor. 2 - Sending the bill to the governor. 3 - Working in committees. 4 - Introducing the bill to the House of Delegates or Senate. 5 - Voting on the bill 6 - Repeating the process in the other house.

Back

4,3,1,5,6,2

Answer explanation

A bill follows an almost identical path in the General Assembly to the one followed in Congress.

- Introduced

- Committee

- Debate

- Vote

- Repeat in other house

- Governor

Front

The group of officials who advise the governor and help administer laws through their departments are called?

Back

Cabinet

Answer explanation

Just like the President the Governor has a cabinet and that cabinet oversees agencies and departments that provide services and administer to the laws of the state.

Front

The governor gets his or her powers from where?

Back

Virginia Constitution

Answer explanation

Much like the President the Governor was a created position, but it was created by the Virginia Constitution and that is where the powers of the office come from.

Front

The executive branch may influence public policy in all of the following ways EXCEPT? Proposing a biennial budget. Proposing legislation in the State of the Union Address. Approving or vetoing bills passed by the General Assembly.

Back

Removing members of the General Assembly who disagree with policy.

Answer explanation

The governor influences policy much in the same way as the President. The State of the Commonwealth Address is his version of the State of the Union. They both have the power to propose and approve legislation so their policy is very important during their term in office.