Constitution Test

Question 1

1. Define judicial review.

Answer 1

The power of the supreme court to determine the constitutionality of a law

Question 2

2. Which branch of government makes the laws?

Answer 2

Legislative

Question 3

3. Which branch of government enforces the laws?

Answer 3

Executive

Question 4

4. Which branch of government decides if a law is constitutional?

Answer 4

Judicial

Question 5

5. Which house of Congress impeaches the president?

Answer 5

The House of Representatives

Question 6

6. Which house of Congress serves as the jury for the impeachment of the president?

Answer 6

The Senate

Question 7

7. Which branch of government can declare war?

Answer 7

Both the House and the Senate can declare war

Question 8

8. What are the two houses that make up Congress?

Answer 8

The Senate

The House of Representatives

Question 9

9. How can the president check the powers of Congress?

Answer 9

The president can check congress by vetoing or rejecting a law. The veto power is balanced by the power congress has to override the veto by a two-thirds vote of each house.

Question 10

10. How can Congress check the power of the president?

Answer 10

The president can propose legislation; Congress can amend and block legislation.
The president can submit the annual budget; Congress can amend and block the budget.
The president can veto legislation; Congress can override the veto.

Question 11

11. Which branch has the power to ratify treaties?

Answer 11

The Constitution gives to the Senate the sole power to approve, by a two-thirds vote, treaties negotiated by the executive branch. The Senate does not ratify treaties.

Question 12

12. Which branch has the power to negotiate treaties?

Answer 12

The Constitution gives to the Senate the sole power to approve, by a two-thirds vote, treaties negotiated by the executive branch. The Senate does not ratify treaties.

Question 13

13. The principle that divides power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches is known as?

Answer 13

Separation of Powers

Question 14

14. In which body of Congress must revenue bills originate?

Answer 14

The House of Representative

Question 15

15. Which body of Congress approves all presidential appointments and treaties?

Answer 15

The Senate has the sole power to confirm those of the President’s appointments that require consent, and to ratify treaties.

Question 16

16.How many judges sit on the US Supreme Court? Who decides this number?

Answer 16

Decided by Congress, the House and the Senate, 9

Question 17

17. The president’s group of advisors is called?

Answer 17

The Cabinet

Question 18

18. What is the order of presidential succession (know at least the first 5)?

Answer 18

Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury

Question 19

19. Who is the presiding officer of the Senate?

Answer 19

Vice President

Question 20

20. What is the purpose of a conference committee?

Answer 20

A conference committee is a temporary, ad hoc panel composed of House and Senate conferees formed for the purpose of reconciling differences in legislation that has passed both chambers. Conference committees are used to resolved big differences on major or controversial legislation.

Question 21

21. Define ex post facto law.

Answer 21

a criminal statute that punishes actions retroactively, thereby criminalizing conduct that was legal when originally performed.

Question 22

22. List the federal court system in order of precedence from highest to lowest.

Answer 22

Supreme Court of the United States (final level of appeal in the ) federal system)
U.S. Courts of Appeals
District Courts

Question 23

23. What is the Senate vote needed to convict on impeachment charges?

Answer 23

Majority vote - two thirds vote

Question 24

24. Acting in the role of Chief Diplomat, what role does the president do?

Answer 24

Conducting foreign policy is one of the president’s main roles as chief diplomat

Question 25

25. Define enumerated powers.

Answer 25

Powers are specifically granted to the federal government in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. This includes the power to coin money, to regulate commerce, to declare war, to raise and maintain armed forces, and to establish a Post Office.

Question 26

26. Who is responsible for setting the president and Congress’ salary?

Answer 26

Congress sets it own pay - Congress’ ability to raise or lower it’s own salary is circumscribed by the checks and balances of the normal legislative process. The Congress determines the President’s pay - this does not increase or decrease within their four years or more in office.

Question 27

27. Which branch of government which includes the Attorney General?

Answer 27

Executive Branch

Question 28

28. Who has the power to command the armed forces?

Answer 28

The President

Question 29

29. Who has the power to introduce bills?

Answer 29

Anyone can write them, but only member of Congress can introduce them. Some are introduced at the request of the President.

Question 30

30. How is it determined how many representatives a state has in the House of Representatives?

Answer 30

“Appointment” is the process of dividing the 435 memberships, or seats, in the House of Representatives among the 50 states.

Question 31

31. Define elastic clause.

Answer 31

Granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Question 32

32. Who has the power to issue pardons?

Answer 32

The President

Question 33

33. Who is required by the Constitution to give the State of the Union address?

Answer 33

The President

Question 34

34. What is a writ of certiorari?

Answer 34

To be more fully informed - a type of writ, meant for rare use, by which an appellate court decides to review a case at its discretion.

Question 35

35. What is a brief in relation to the Supreme Court?

Answer 35

A written argument submitted to the court

Question 36

36. What is a dissenting opinion? Why is it written?

Answer 36

A dissenting opinion is an opinion in a legal case in certain legal systems written by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgement.

Question 37

37. How does the Supreme Court shape public policy?

Answer 37

overturning laws

Question 38

38. What influences the decisions of the Supreme Court?

Answer 38

Relevance, materiality, and weight of the evidence given by witnesses during trial proceedings.

Question 39

39. What is precedent?

Answer 39

Allows previous court decisions to stand.