branches of government test

Question 1

Why is the census taken every 10 years

Answer 1

to determine the number of house of representatives in each state 

Question 2

what is apportionment?

Answer 2

The process by which states gain or lose seats in the House of Representatives

Question 3

what is gerrymandering? How is Arizona different from other states in regard to this process?

Answer 3

Gerrymandering is when state legislators redraw the congressional districts to the advantage of their party. Arizona has an Independent Redistricting Commission to draw the lines. 

Question 4

what do each of the philosophies of representation mean? 

Answer 4

Trustee: voting based on their own information and beliefs
Delegate: voting based on the will of the people in their state
Partisan: voting is based on the will of their party (most common way)
Politico: a combo of the 3

Question 5

Who is the main party leader of the House of Representatives?

Answer 5

Speaker of the house (presiding officer and most powerful)

Question 6

Who are the party leaders in the senate?

Answer 6

Vice president & President Pro Tempore (presiding officers)

Senate Majority Leader (most powerful)

Question 7

Why does congress use a committee system? How is it determined who is the leader of a committee?

Answer 7

used to get more work done. Leaders are decided by seniority majority 

Question 8

Describe the function of the standing committee

Answer 8

main committee (bill starts here)

Question 9

Describe the function of the rules committee

Answer 9

only in the House of Representatives

Question 10

describe the function of the appropriations committee

Answer 10

Spending committee

Question 11

describe the function of the ways and means committee

Answer 11

Taxation committee 

Question 12

Describe the function of a conference committee

Answer 12

make the bill the exact same 

Question 13

What are two important powers exclusive to the house of representatives

Answer 13

Bring impeachment charges, and all spending bills originate here 

Question 14

Why do all spending bills originate in the House of Representatives?

Answer 14

The house better represents the people

Question 15

what are two important powers exclusive to the senate

Answer 15

Conduct impeachment trials, and confirm all presidential appointments

Question 16

describe how presidential succession works (1st in line to 4th in line)

Answer 16

1. Vice President
2. speaker of the house
3. president pro tempore
4. secretary of state 

Question 17

describe the presidents role as chief administrator

Answer 17

CEO of the government

Question 18

describe the presidents role as chief legislator

Answer 18

Head of domestic policy

Question 19

Describe the presidents role as commander in chief

Answer 19

Head of military

Question 20

Describe the presidents role as chief diplomat

Answer 20

Head of foreign policy 

Question 21

describe the presidents role as chief executive

Answer 21

Enforces and makes laws

Question 22

Describe the presidents role as chief of state

Answer 22

ceremonial and actual head of state 

Question 23

What is the presidents cabinet? who is included in it?

Answer 23

they advise the president
(vice president and 15 department heads) 

Question 24

Why is the Secretary of State considered one of the most important cabinet positions?

Answer 24

They deal with foreign affairs

Question 25

What are the steps in the process of electing the president?

Answer 25

National convention (declare candidates) and electoral college 

Question 26

What is a primary

Answer 26

a vote within a party

Question 27

how are votes in the electoral college determined? how many are needed to win an election?

Answer 27

-Number of house of representative seats plus senate seats -270 votes needed 

Question 28

Why is the electoral college criticized?

Answer 28

You can win the popular vote, but not become president

Question 29

give two examples of how the executive branch checks the legislative branch

Answer 29

-can sign bills into law -veto power

Question 30

give two examples of how the legislative branch checks the executive branch

Answer 30

-impeachment -approving presidential appointments

Question 31

significance of Marbury v. Maryland

Answer 31

established judicial review

Question 32

significance of McCulloch v. Maryland

Answer 32

supremacy clause justified by necessary and proper clause

Question 33

significance of Gibbons v. Ogden

Answer 33

interstate commerce is in the hands of Congress (supremacy clause)

Question 34

why was john marshal so important in the development of the supreme court/judicial branch

Answer 34

invented judicial review, made supremacy clause

Question 35

what types of cases does the supreme court normally hear

Answer 35

cases regarding constitutional issues (they hear cases appealed from lower courts)

Question 36

what is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?

Answer 36

original: where cases are heard for the first time appellate: cases heard on appeal 

Question 37

Why do we have a dual court system in the US

Answer 37

To uphold federal laws and state laws

Question 38

What are the three levels of courts at both state and federal level?

Answer 38

State: city court, appeals court, state Supreme Court Federal: District Court, appeals court, supreme court 

Question 39

What is the supremacy clause?

Answer 39

Federal law has supremacy over state law

Question 40

Significance of governor in AZ government

Answer 40

chief executive of Arizona 

Question 41

significance of Secretary of State in AZ government

Answer 41

Official record keeper and handles elections

Question 42

Significance of attorney general in AZ government

Answer 42

Chief lawyer

Question 43

significance of treasurer in AZ government

Answer 43

In charge of all fiscal (money)

Question 44

What is an initiative?

Answer 44

A law proposed by citizens 

Question 45

What is a referendum?

Answer 45

a law referred to the citizens from legislators 

Question 46

What is a recall?

Answer 46

Citizens can remove a politician from Office

Question 47

Why were the initiative, referendum, and recall processes created when Arizona become a state?

Answer 47

they give citizens more power over Arizona government 

Question 48

How does Arizona’s legislator differ from the US legislator from a representation standpoint?

Answer 48

Arizona house of representatives is based off of equal representation (not proportional representation)

Question 49

Who runs county governments?

Answer 49

Board of supervisors

Question 50

What is the title given to the top law enforcement officer in a county?

Answer 50

Sheriff

Question 51

What is the top position in city government?

Answer 51

Mayor

Question 52

what is the number one type of city government?

Answer 52

Council manager 

Question 53

Who is the only directly elected members in government?

Answer 53

Congress

Question 54

What is the elastic clause?

Answer 54

Necessary and proper clause

Question 55

When can you use the necessary and proper clause?

Answer 55

when it is good for the general welfare of the country