* Study Guide: U.S. Government Questions

What are checks and balances?

• Ways the three branches of government keep each other from having too much power.

• A financial system used to balance budgets.

• A method of balancing chemical equations.

• A system used in sports to check scores.

Which is NOT an example of Checks and Balances?

• • Legislative Branch: Can impeach the President or judges.

• Executive Branch: Can veto laws or appoint judges.

• Voting in elections: citizens can vote for their representatives in Congress or for the President.

• Judicial Branch: Can rule laws or presidential actions unconstitutional.

Answer explanation

Voting in Elections is an example of democracy in action, not one branch of government limiting the power of another.

What does the Legislative Branch do?

• Enforces laws

• Interprets laws

• Makes laws

• Judges laws

What is the difference between enumerated and implied powers?

• Enumerated powers are clearly written in the Constitution, while implied powers are not.

• Implied powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution, while enumerated powers are not.

• Both enumerated and implied powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution.

• Neither enumerated nor implied powers are related to the Constitution.

Which clause in the U.S. Constitution allows Congress to pass laws deemed necessary and proper, to keep the country safe & strong?

• Elastic Clause

• Commerce Clause

• Supremacy Clause

• Full Faith and Credit Clause

What are the qualifications to be in the Senate?

• At least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state they represent

• At least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and a resident of the state they represent

• At least 35 years old, a U.S. citizen for 14 years, and a resident of the state they represent

• At least 40 years old, a U.S. citizen for 10 years, and a resident of the state they represent

What are the qualifications to be in the House of Representatives?

• At least 25 years old, a citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state they represent

• At least 30 years old, a citizen for 9 years, and a resident of the state they represent

• At least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a resident of the state they represent

• At least 21 years old, a citizen for 5 years, and a resident of the state they represent

How does a bill become a law?

• A bill is introduced, debated, and voted on in Congress, then signed by the President.

• A bill is introduced, signed by the President, and then debated in Congress.

• A bill is introduced, voted on by the public, and then signed by the President.

• A bill is introduced, approved by the Supreme Court, and then signed by the President.

Answer explanation

• * A citizen shares an idea for a law with their representative.

• * The representative writes it as a bill and presents it.

• * A committee reviews, debates, and votes on it.

• * If it passes, it goes to the whole house for a vote.

• * If approved, it moves to the other house and follows the same process.

• * If both houses pass it, the President signs it into law or vetoes it.

• * If vetoed, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote.

What are two jobs of the Executive Branch, and who leads it?

• The Executive Branch carries out laws and appoints leaders.

  It is led by the President.

• The Executive Branch writes laws and interprets them, and it is led by the Congress.

• The Executive Branch judges laws and enforces them, and it is led by the Supreme Court.

• The Executive Branch creates laws and manages the budget, and it is led by the Senate.

Which of the following is an Executive Branch department and its primary function?

• Department of Education - Oversees federal education funding and policies

• Department of Agriculture - Manages the nation's energy resources

• Department of Defense - Regulates financial markets

• Department of Transportation - Conducts foreign diplomacy

Answer explanation

Other Executive Branch departments:

• * Department of Education: Handles schools.

• * Department of Homeland Security: Protects the U.S.

• * Department of Energy: Takes care of our country’s energy, like electricity and gas, and works on making new types of energy.

• * Department of the Interior: Protects parks, animals, and public lands, like national parks and forests.

• * Department of Agriculture: Helps farmers grow crops, makes sure food is safe, and supports small towns.

• * Department of Commerce: Helps businesses, supports trade, and studies weather and oceans.

• * Department of Health and Human Services: Makes sure people have health care and helps with programs like Medicare and Medicaid.