The US Constitution - Vocabulary Quiz

What is checks and balances?

• A financial auditing process

• A system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches

• Balancing the federal budget

What is a constitutional amendment?

• A proposal for a new law

• A formal change to the U.S Constitution that requires the approval of, or ratification by, three-fourths of the states

• A presidential executive order

Which branch of the U.S. government carries out, or executes, laws?

• Legislative branch

• Judicial branch

• Executive branch

What is federalism?

• A system of government where power is concentrated in a central authority

• A system of government in which power is divided between a central government and smaller regional governments

• A type of currency used in the federal government

What is impeachment?

• A process by which a president or leader can pardon themselves

• A process by which a president or leader has charges brought against them, and if convicted, can be removed from office

• A legislative power to overturn judicial decisions

Which branch of the U.S. government interprets laws?

• Legislative branch

• Executive branch

• Judicial branch

What is judicial review?

• A process by which the judiciary reviews laws before they are enacted

• The power of the courts to declare laws and executive acts unconstitutional

• A review process for federal judges

What is the legislative branch responsible for?

• Interpreting laws

• Making laws; also called Congress

• Executing laws

What is the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?

• The final paragraph of the Constitution

• The opening paragraph of the Constitution; defines the broad purposes of the republican government created by the Constitution

• A summary of amendments

What does the Supremacy Clause in the U.S. Constitution state?

• Federal law is equal to state and local laws

• State laws are above federal laws

• Federal law is above all state and local laws