Congress

Question 1

Term

Answer 1

Two-year period of time during which Congress meets

Question 2

Session

Answer 2

Period of time during which, each year, Congress assembles and conducts business

Question 3

Convene

Answer 3

To begin a new session of Congress

Question 4

Adjourn

Answer 4

Suspend

Question 5

Recess

Answer 5

A time when both houses of Congress temporarily suspend business

Question 6

Prorogue

Answer 6

Adjourn

Question 7

Special session

Answer 7

An extraordinary session of a legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation

Question 8

Sine die

Answer 8

Ending a session

Question 9

Apportion

Answer 9

Distribute the seats

Question 10

Reapportioned

Answer 10

Redistribute the seats

Question 11

Off-year election

Answer 11

Congressional election that occurs between presidential election years

Question 12

Single member district

Answer 12

Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office

Question 13

Gerrymander

Answer 13

The drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group

Question 14

Incumbent

Answer 14

The current office holder

Question 15

Continuous body

Answer 15

Governing unit whose seats are never all up for election at the same time

Question 16

Constituency

Answer 16

The people and interests that an elected official represents

Question 17

Delegate

Answer 17

Representatives; members of Congress who cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents

Question 18

Trustee

Answer 18

Lawmaker who votes based on his or her conscience and judgement

Question 19

Partisans

Answer 19

Lawmaker who owes his first allegiance to his political party

Question 20

Politico

Answer 20

Lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles

Question 21

Oversight function

Answer 21

Review by legislative committees of the policies and programs of the executive branch

Question 22

Bicameral

Answer 22

An adjective describing a legislative body composed of two chambers

Question 23

Why is the House of Representatives bicameral?

Answer 23

1) historical: the British parliament has consisted of two houses since the 1300s
2) practical: settle conflict between Virginia and New Jersey plans
3) theoretical: one house might check the other

Question 24

What are the three powers of the house?

Answer 24

1) impeachment
2) decide presidential elections
3) power of the purse

Question 25

Two ways in which gerrymandering is done?

Answer 25

1) spread out oppositions voters out in as many districts as possible
2) concentrate the oppositions voters in as few districts as possible

Question 26

Qualifications of a House member?

Answer 26

1) 25 years old
2) 7 year citizen
3) must live in the state you are running for

Question 27

Qualifications of a Senator?

Answer 27

1) 30 years old
2) 9 year citizen
3) live in the state you are running for

Question 28

Three powers of the senate?

Answer 28

1) trial for impeachment
2) ratify treaties
3) confirmation

Question 29

5 major roles of a congressman:

Answer 29

1) legislators
2) representatives of their constituents
3) committee members
4) servants of their constituents
5) politicians

Question 30

3 limits on congressional pay:

Answer 30

1) President’s veto power
2) fear of voter backlash
3)