U.S. Constitution

Question 1

What are the 3 branches of government?

Answer 1

1. legislative
2. executive
3. judicial

Question 2

What are checks and balances?

Answer 2

Measures taken so that no one branch has more power than another

They include:

1. judicial review
2. the veto
3. impeachment

Question 4

What are the requirements to become a member of the House of Representatives?

Answer 4

Must:

1. be ≥ 25 years old
2. be a U.S. citizen for ≥ 7 years
3. reside in the state he/she represents at the time of election

Question 5

What are the requirements to become a member of the Senate?

Answer 5

Must:

1. be ≥ 30 years old
2. be a U.S. citizen for ≥ 9 years
3. reside in the state he/she represents at the time of election

Question 6

Congress can be referred to as a ____ body because it consists of both the House and the Senate.

Answer 6

bicameral

Question 7

How does representation differ between the House and the Senate?

Answer 7

• House Representation depends on a state’s population
• In the Senate, each state always has 2 votes

Question 8

How do the elections and term lengths differ between the Senate and the House?

Answer 8

• 1/3 of the Senate is elected every 2 years, each member to 6 year terms

• Representatives (of the House) are elected every 2 years to 2-year terms

Question 9

Do limits exist on the number of terms Senate or House members can be elected?

Answer 9

No limits exist

Question 10

What are 3 requirements to be eligible for President?

Answer 10

Must:

1. be a natural-born citizen
2. be ≥ 35 years old
3. have resided in the U.S. for ≥ 14 years

Question 11

What are the special powers of the House?

Answer 11

• draft all bills and budgets
• sole power of impeachment

Question 12

What is impeachment?

Answer 12

an accusation of misconduct; does not necessarily imply removal from office

Question 13

What are the special powers of the Senate?

Answer 13

tries all impeachments (convicts or acquits)

Question 14

What are some of the powers of Congress?

Answer 14

1. write laws
2. determine and collect taxes
3. pay debt
4. regulate commerce (inter-state and international)
5. coin money
6. create a post office and roads
7. issue copyrights
8. create lower courts
9. declare war
10. create and support an army and a navy

Question 15

How long are the presidential and vice-presidential terms?

Answer 15

4 years each

Question 16

How is the President elected?

Answer 16

• the electoral college votes for the President
• each state’s representation in the electoral college is equal to the sum of its representatives and senators in Congress

Question 17

What are some of the President’s responsibilities?

Answer 17

1. act as commander-in-chief of the army and navy
2. appoint a cabinet
3. excuse and pardon those accused of crimes
4. appoint ambassadors and Supreme Court justices with the approval of the Senate
5. make treaties if 2/3 of the Senate approve
6. give State of the Union addresses
7. act as the public figure of the U.S. and meet with other foreign dignitaries

Question 18

How can the President, Vice President, or other civil officer be removed from office?

Answer 18

The Senate can convict him or her of “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

Question 19

What is the highest court in the United States?

Answer 19

The Supreme Court

Question 20

What are some concerns with the federal courts’ jurisdiction?

Answer 20

1. problems relating to the Constitution
2. treaties
3. problems between states

Question 21

What are concerns with the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction?

Answer 21

1. appeals from federal courts
2. problems relating to ambassadors, ministers, or other public officials