Checks and Balances (Unit 5, Lesson 2)

Question 1

Number of branches of government

Answer 1

Three

Question 2

Purpose of Legislative branch

Answer 2

Congress, makes the law

Question 3

Purpose of Executive branch

Answer 3

President, executes the law

Question 4

Purpose of Judicial branch

Answer 4

Supreme Court, interprets the law

Question 5

Checks and balances

Answer 5

This system was built so that no one branch of our government could become too powerful. Each branch is held back by the other two in several ways.

Question 6

List of ways executive checks legislative

Answer 6

President can veto laws passed by Congress
President proposes laws to Congress
President submits Federal Budget to House of Representatives
President appoints federal officials to carry out law

Question 7

List of ways executive checks judicial

Answer 7

President nominates judges to Supreme Court
President nominates federal judges
President can pardon (forgive ) individuals of crimes
President can grant amnesty, forgiving a whole class of crimes

Question 8

List of ways legislative checks executive

Answer 8

Congress can overturn Presidential veto with 2/3 vote of both houses
Senate can reject proposed treaties
Senate can reject Presidential nominations of judges
Congress can impeach and remove President

Question 9

List of ways legislative checks judicial

Answer 9

Congress can create lower courts
Senate can reject judge nominations
Congress can amend Constitution to overturn Supreme Court decisions
Congress can impeach and remove judges

Question 10

List of ways judicial checks executive

Answer 10

Supreme Court can use power of judicial review to rule laws unconstitutional

Question 11

List of ways judicial checks legislative

Answer 11

Supreme Court can use power of judicial review to rule presidential actions and treaties unconstitutional