1st Quarterly Review Sheet

Question 1

What is federalism?

Answer 1

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituant political units.

Question 2

In a democracy, where does supreme democracy belong?

Answer 2

To the people

Question 3

What are concurrent powers?

Answer 3

powers for both the national and state governments (i.e. levy taxes)

Question 4

What are reserved powers?

Answer 4

Powers granted only to the states

Question 5

What are delegated powers?

Answer 5

Powers given to the US government

Question 6

What are the first 10 Amendments of the US constitution called? What is their purpose?

Answer 6

Bill of Rights; provides basic liberties that people should have

Question 7

What is the purpose of the Constitution?

Answer 7

To divide up power within the country between state & gov’t and protecting the people’s liberties and rights

Question 8

Senate Pro Tempore

Answer 8

First-ranking party position, held by a distinguished senior member of the majority party in the Senate. Schedules floor actions on bills, and helps guide the majority party’s legislative program through the Senate.

Question 9

President of the Senate

Answer 9

presides over senate on ceremonial occasions or when a tie breaking vote may be needed.

Question 10

House Minority Leader

Answer 10

schedules legislation for floor consideration, plans legislative agendas, consults with members, works to advance goals of minority party

Question 11

House Majority Leader

Answer 11

schedules legislation for floor consideration, plans legislative agendas, consults with members, works to advance goals of majority party

Question 12

Who is the speaker of the house?

Answer 12

Paul Ryan

Question 13

Who is the house majority leader?

Answer 13

Nancy Pelosi

Question 14

Who is the senate majority leader?

Answer 14

Mitch McConnel

Question 15

Who is the senate minority leader?

Answer 15

Chuck Schumer

Question 16

How long is the term of a senator?

Answer 16

6 years

Question 17

How long is the term of a representative in the House of Representatives?

Answer 17

2 years

Question 18

What does it mean to “crack” a congressional district?

Answer 18

Redistricting to break up a certain group, takes away power from the group

Question 19

What does it mean to “pack” a congressional district?

Answer 19

redistricting in which partisan voters are concentrated in a single district to minimize the number of elections they can influence in other districts

Question 20

What is gerrymandering?

Answer 20

the drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent

Question 21

What is redistricting?

Answer 21

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population

Question 22

What are Select Committes?

Answer 22

Committee selected for a specific purpose-investigation-hearing

Question 23

What are Standing Committees?

Answer 23

A permanent committee in the House or Senate that considers bills within a certain subject area.

Question 24

What are Joint Committees?

Answer 24

a committee with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives who join together and meet to discuss issues

Question 25

How are members assigned to committees?

Answer 25

Each party assigns, by resolution, its own member to committees

Question 26

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

Answer 26

Democratic and Republican

Question 27

When is Election Day this year?

Answer 27

November 6th

Question 28

Who is running for the House of Representatives in your district?

Answer 28

Democrat: Tom Suozzi
Republican: Lee Zeldin

Question 29

How many amendments have been added to the Constitution?

Answer 29

27 amendments

Question 30

What are the 4 ways in which an amendment can be added to the Constitution?

Answer 30

1) Proposed by 2/3 vote in each house of Congress; Ratified by 3/4 of State legislatures. 2) Proposed by 2/3 vote in each house of Congress; ratified by conventions held in 3/4 of states. 3) Proposed by National Convention called by Congress when requested by 3/4 of states; ratified by 3/4 state legislatures. 4) Proposed by National Convention; ratified by 3/4 state conventions.

Question 31

Explain Checks and Balances and the Separation of Powers. Provide one example.

Answer 31

C&B: system to prevent one branch of government from dominating the others. (i.e. the President may veto a law passed by Congress).
Separation of Powers: three branches of government shall be given separate powers to perform separate functions. (i.e. while federal judges are appointed by the President, and confirmed by the Senate; they can be impeached by the Congress.)