Chapter 4 Review

Why did the framers of the Constitution create three separate branches of government?

• to help people with different opinions cooperate
• to increase the power of the central government 
• to keep any one group from gaining too much power 
• to provide enough officials to handle the volume of work

The Preamble to the Constitution lists which of the following?

• steps for amending the Constitution
• purpose to be served by the Constitution 
• procedures for ratifying the Constitution
• guidelines for interpreting the Constitution 

The first words of the Constitution indicate that power and authority in our system of government come from the 

• the people
• states
• voters
• lawmakers

Which of these is the defining characteristic of a federal system of government? 

• Elected representatives make decisions for the nation.
• Power is divided between central and regional bodies.
• Separate branches have different areas of responsibility
• Legislative actions are limited by a set of written guidelines.

The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution indicates how to resolve conflicts between

• state and federal laws. 
• both chambers of Congress.
• strict and loose constructionists.
• majority rule and minority rights.

Which of these is the best example of constitutional checks and balances?

• Federal Law is higher than state law
• Federal courts can resolve conflicts between states 

• Congress can impeach federal officials

Which of these is the best example of Federalism

• Congress can impeach federal officials
• The President can veto acts of Congress
• The Senate has the power to approve treaties
• Congress can regulate trade between the states

How did the decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) strengthen the power of the Supreme Court? 

• It denied state courts the authority to override federal precedent.
• It established the Court's right to declare an act of the President or Congress unconstitutional.
• It asserted that the Court could order the president to carry out a law
• It intervened in a conflict between the other two branches of government.

In order to amend the Constitution it needs approval of both the States and

• Congress.
• the President.
• the Senate.
• the Supreme Court.

A power not directly defined by the Constitution but still granted to Congress is a 

• enumerated power.
• implied power.