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USCIS Civics Questions > SECTION B: System of Government > Flashcards

SECTION B: System of Government Flashcards

1
Q

Name the three branches of government.

A
  • Legislative, executive, and judicial

* Congress, president, and the courts

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2
Q

The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

A

• Executive branch

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3
Q

What part of the federal government writes laws?

A
  • (U.S.) Congress
  • (U.S. or national) legislature
  • Legislative branch
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4
Q

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

A

• Senate and House (of Representatives)

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5
Q

Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

A
  • Writes laws
  • Declares war
  • Makes the federal budget
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6
Q

How many U.S. senators are there?

A

• One hundred (100)

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7
Q

How long is a term for a U.S. senator?

A

• Six (6) years

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8
Q

Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?

A

For Virginia, the answer is:
Tim Kaine
Mark Warner

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9
Q

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

A

• Four hundred thirty-five (435)

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10
Q

How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

A

• Two (2) years

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11
Q

Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?

A

• To more closely follow public opinion

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12
Q

How many senators does each state have?

A

• Two (2)

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13
Q

Why does each state have two senators?

A
  • Equal representation (for small states)

* The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

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14
Q

Name your U.S. representative.

A

Gerald Connolly (District 11)

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15
Q

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

A

Nancy Pelosi

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16
Q

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

A

• Citizens of their state

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17
Q

Who elects U.S. senators?

A

• Citizens from their state

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18
Q

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

A
  • Citizens in their (congressional) district

* Citizens in their district

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19
Q

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

A

• Citizens from their (congressional) district

20
Q

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

A
  • (Because of) the state’s population
  • (Because) they have more people
  • (Because) some states have more people
21
Q

The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

A

• Four (4) years

22
Q

The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

A
  • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment

* To keep the president from becoming too powerful

23
Q

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

A

Joe Biden is the newly elected President.

Donald Trump is President until January 20th, 2021.

24
Q

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

A

Kamala Harris is the newly elected Vice President.

Mike Pence is Vice President until January 21st, 2021.

25
Q

If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

A

• The Vice President (of the United States)

26
Q

Name one power of the president.

A
  • Signs bills into law
  • Vetoes bills
  • Enforces laws
  • Commander in Chief (of the military)
  • Chief diplomat
27
Q

Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

A

• The President (of the United States)

28
Q

Who signs bills to become laws?

A

• The President (of the United States)

29
Q

Who vetoes bills?

A

• The President (of the United States)

30
Q

Who appoints federal judges?

A

• The President (of the United States)

31
Q

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

A
  • President (of the United States)
  • Cabinet
  • Federal departments and agencies
32
Q

What does the President’s Cabinet do?

A

• Advises the President (of the United States)

33
Q

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

A 
(Tip: Choose a few that are easiest for you to recall)
• Attorney General
• Secretary of Agriculture
• Secretary of Commerce
• Secretary of Defense
• Secretary of Education
• Secretary of Energy
• Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Secretary of Homeland Security
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Secretary of the Interior
• Secretary of Labor
• Secretary of State
• Secretary of Transportation
• Secretary of the Treasury
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs
• Vice President (of the United States)
34
Q

Why is the Electoral College important?

A
  • It decides who is elected president.

* It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.

35
Q

What is one part of the judicial branch?

A
  • Supreme Court

* Federal Courts

36
Q

What does the judicial branch do?

A
  • Reviews laws
  • Explains laws
  • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
  • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution
37
Q

What is the highest court in the United States?

A

• Supreme Court

38
Q

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

A

• Nine (9)

39
Q

How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?

A

• Five (5)

40
Q

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

A
  • (For) life
  • Lifetime appointment
  • (Until) retirement
41
Q

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

A
  • To be independent (of politics)

* To limit outside (political) influence

42
Q

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

A

John G. Roberts

43
Q

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

A
  • Print paper money
  • Mint coins
  • Declare war
  • Create an army
  • Make treaties
  • Set foreign policy
44
Q

Name one power that is only for the states.

A
  • Provide schooling and education
  • Provide protection (police)
  • Provide safety (fire departments)
  • Give a driver’s license
  • Approve zoning and land use
45
Q

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

A

• (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.

46
Q

Who is the governor of your state now?

A

Ralph Northam

47
Q

What is the capital of your state?

A

Richmond

USCIS Civics Questions (6 decks)

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