social studies mod 6

Question 1

What was the Bill of Rights? Who wrote it?

Answer 1

the Bill of Rights listed individual rights to protect the people from government abuse
written by James Madison

Question 2

What are the powers of the legislative branch?

Answer 2

write laws, confirm presidential appointments, approve treaties, grant money, declare war

Question 3

What are the requirements for representatives in the House of Representatives? How long is a term?

Answer 3

must be at least 25 years old, live in the state where elected, be a US citizen for at least 7 years.
terms are 2 years (no limit)

Question 4

How is the Speaker of the House chosen?

Answer 4

elected by House members of the majority party

Question 5

How many members of the House of Representatives are there?

Answer 5

435

Question 6

what are the requirements to be a senator?
how long is a senator’s term?

Answer 6

at least 30 years old, be a citizen for 9 years, live in state represented
6 year terms (no term limit)

Question 7

What checks and balances does the legislative branch have for the other branches?

Answer 7

executive: reject appointments, reject treaties, withhold funding, impeach (HOR), try for crimes (Senate), override a veto
judicial: propose amendments to override decisions, impeach Supreme Court justices

Question 8

who is in the executive branch?

Answer 8

the president, the vp, and the cabinet

Question 9

what are the requirements to be president or VP?

Answer 9

native-born citizen, 35 y/o, US resident for 14 years

Question 10

what are the terms for president/VP?

Answer 10

4 years, 2 term limit

Question 11

what jobs does the executive branch have?

Answer 11

proposes laws, administers laws, commands armed forces, appoints ambassadors & other officials, conducts foreign policy, makes treaties

Question 12

what checks and balances does the executive branch have over the other branches?

Answer 12

legislative: may adjourn congress, veto bills
judicial: appoints judges

Question 13

who is part of the judicial branch?

Answer 13

district courts, appeal courts, supreme court (justices)

Question 14

what requirements are there to be a supreme court justice?

Answer 14

trick question! there are none!

Question 15

how long are the terms for supreme court justices?

Answer 15

they serve for life

Question 16

what are the jobs of the supreme court?

Answer 16

interpreting the constitution/laws, review lower-court decisions

Question 17

what checks and balances does the judicial branch have over the other branches?

Answer 17

executive: declare executive actions unconstitutional
legislative: declare laws unconstitutional

Question 18

1st Amendment

Answer 18

BASIC RIGHTS:
- freedom of speech
- freedom of religion
- freedom of press
- freedom of assembly
- freedom of petition
RAPPS

Question 19

2nd Amendment

Answer 19

RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS:
allowed to own weapons to protect against government abuse

Question 20

3rd Amendment

Answer 20

HOUSING OF SOLDIERS
soldiers will not live in your home

Question 21

4th Amendment

Answer 21

SEARCHES AND SEIZURE
- police cannot search without valid reason & valid warrant
- protects against unreasonable search and seizure

Question 22

5th Amendment

Answer 22

PROTECTION OF RIGHTS TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY
- right to remain silent
- right to not be tried for the same crime twice
- right to due process (follow legal procedures in trials)
- eminent domain: if the government takes your property for the good of the public, they must pay you for it (you do have the right to refuse)

Question 23

6th Amendment

Answer 23

RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED IN CRIMINAL CASES
- right to a fair trial
- right to a speedy trial
- right to an attorney
- right to a jury of peers (impartial jury)

Question 24

7th Amendment

Answer 24

RIGHTS IN CIVIL CASES
if you’re being sued for more than $20, you have the right to a jury trial

Question 25

8th Amendment

Answer 25

FORBIDS EXCESSIVE FINES, BAILS, PUNISHMENTS
- cannot charge excessive bail/fines
- no torture/cruel or unusual punishment

Question 26

9th Amendment

Answer 26

RIGHTS KEPT BY THE PEOPLE
some of the people’s rights are not specifically stated in the constitution but still apply

Question 27

10th Amendment

Answer 27

RIGHTS KEPT BY THE STATES
undelegated powers (not specifically stated in the Constitution) are left to state governments to decide

Question 28

what 3 ways can a person become a citizen?

Answer 28

• born on US soil
• one parent is a citizen
• naturalization

Question 29

describe the naturalization process

Answer 29

• live in US for 5 years
• apply for citizenship (& pay $$$)
• pass test on English, history, & gov.

Question 30

list 5 responsibilities of a citizen

Answer 30

• obey the laws
• paying taxes
• men 18-35 register for the draft
• serve on juries
• be informed about laws and government (voting!)

Question 31

define two ways citizens can influence the government

Answer 31

interest groups: groups that share a common interest that motivates them to take a political action
political action committees: groups that collect money for candidates who support certain issues