Study Guide: The Constitution Concepts

Question 1

Identify at least one way each branch of government can check or limit another branch of government (3 total examples)

Answer 1

• The legislative branch can check the judicial branch by impeaching judges and they can check the executive by impeaching the president
• The judicial branch can check the legislature branch by declaring laws unconstitutional (“judicial review”). On the executive branch, they can declare presidential acts unconstitutional (“judicial review”).
• The executive branch can check the legislature branch by veto (shut down) bills passed by Congress and check the judicial branch by appointing federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.

Question 2

Identify the main function of the legislative branch

Answer 2

It is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate (Congress). The legislative branch makes all laws, declare war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies.

Question 3

Identify three of the major powers / responsibilities of Congress

Answer 3

Congress has the power to make laws declare war, raise and provide public money and oversee its proper expenditure, impeach and try federal officers, approve presidential appointments approve treaties negotiated by the executive branch and oversight and investigations.

Question 4

Identify the term length of a Senator and of a House of Reps. member

Answer 4

The house of representatives are elected every two years and senators are elected every six years.

Question 5

Describe the process of passing a law

Answer 5

• They have to introduce the bill to the house and the senate.
• Have the committee approve the bill.
• The bill has to pass the floor vote.
• It has to pass in the other chamber.
• The president has to approve the bill.
• Both of the chambers has to override the veto.

Question 6

Identify three of the main roles of political parties

Answer 6

They nominate candidate, influence policy, link government, create balance and inform citizens.

Question 7

Identify the main function of the executive branch

Answer 7

They carry out and enforces laws. It includes the president, vice president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees.

Question 8

Identify three of the major powers / responsibilities of the president

Answer 8

A president can make treaties with the approval of the Senate, veto bills and sign bills and represent our nation in talks with foreign countries.

Question 9

Describe the process of becoming president of the U.S. & identify the term length

Answer 9

• House of Representatives- 2 years
• Senate- 6 years
• You need to be a natural born citizen, +35, be a resident for +14.
• There will be 2 senators + the amount of people in the house of representatives which is based on population.
• Safe State~ The states usually rely on one party.
• Swing State~ When there are two major parties that have similar levels of support among the voters. They are viewed as important and determine the overall result of a presidential election.
• There’s this system called winner take all and it means that the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state would win all the electoral votes from that state.

Question 10

Identify how many electoral votes each state receives and the total needed to win

Answer 10

A total of 538 electors form the Electoral College. Each elector casts one vote following the general election. The candidate who gets 270 votes or more wins.

Question 11

Explain how a president can lose the popular vote and win the electoral vote / presidency, and identify one historical example of this happening

Answer 11

There might be lesser states voting for you but they might have a larger population. George W. Bush won the election.

Question 12

Identify the main functions of the judicial branch

Answer 12

They interpret and apply the law, settling legal disputes, punishing violators of the law, hearing civil cases, protecting individual rights granted by the state constitution, determining the guilt or innocence of those accused of violating the criminal laws of the state.

Question 13

Identify the types of cases heard by state and federal courts

Answer 13

Cases heard that deal with the constitutionality of a law;
Cases involving the laws and treaties of the U.S.;
Cases involving ambassadors and public ministers;
Disputes between two or more states;

Question 14

Explain how the appeals process works in the three-layered court system

Question 15

Describe the process of becoming a federal judge and identify the term length

Question 16

Explain how the Marbury v. Madison case established “judicial review”