U.S. Constitution

Question 1

What are the 3 branches of government?

Answer 1

1. legislative
2. executive
3. judicial

Question 2

What branch of government is established in Article I of the Constitution?

Answer 2

the legislative branch

Question 3

What branch of government is established in Article II of the Constitution?

Answer 3

the executive branch

Question 4

What branch of government is established in Article III of the Constitution?

Answer 4

the judicial branch

Question 5

What are checks and balances?

Answer 5

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

Each branch of government has the ability to check the power of another branch

e.g. The judicial branch may check the legislative branch by deeming legislative acts to be unconstitutional.

Question 6

Name specific examples of checks and balances.

Answer 6

1. judicial review
2. the presidential veto
3. impeachment

Question 7

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

Answer 7

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 8

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

Answer 8

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 9

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

Answer 9

bicameral

Question 10

How does representation differ between the House and the Senate?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

No limits exist

Question 13

What are 3 requirements to be eligible for President?

Answer 13

Must:

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

Question 14

What are the special powers of the House?

Answer 14

• draft all revenue bills and budgets
• power of impeachment

Question 15

What is impeachment?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What are the special powers of the Senate?

Answer 16

tries all impeachments (convicts or acquits)

Question 17

How does a bill become a law?

Answer 17

1. congressperson proposes a bill
2. committee in the House of Representatives or the Senate writes the bill; then that house votes on the bill
3. if passed by a simple majority, the other house votes; if the second house passes the bill with no amendments, the bill is sent to the President to sign
4. if differences exist between the bills from the Senate and House, then a joint-congressional committee negotiates
5. new bill must be voted on again in the House and Senate; if passed by a simple majority in both houses, the bill is sent to the President to sign
6. if the President signs it, the bill becomes a law
7. if the president doesn’t sign it within 10 days, if Congress is still in session it becomes law; if Congress has already adjourned, it does not become law
8. if the President vetoes (objects to the law), Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 majority in each house

Question 18

What are some of the powers of Congress?

Answer 18

• write laws
• determine and collect taxes
• pay debt
• regulate commerce (inter-state and international)
• coin money
• create a post office and roads
• issue copyrights
• create lower courts
• declare war
• create and support an army and a navy

Question 19

How long are the presidential and vice-presidential terms?

Answer 19

4 years each

Question 20

How is the President elected?

Answer 20

the electoral college votes
for the President

Question 21

How is each state’s representation in the electoral college determined?

Answer 21

the number of electors is equivalent to the sum of the state’s representatives and senators in Congress

Question 22

What are some of the President’s responsibilities?

Answer 22

1. act as commander-in-chief of the army and navy
2. appoint Supreme Court justices with Senate approval
3. make treaties with Senate approval

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What is the highest court in the United States?

Answer 24

The Supreme Court

Question 25

What are concerns with the federal courts' jurisdiction?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What are concerns with the Supreme Court's jurisdiction?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

True or false: Article IV of the Constitution declares the state right that fugitives must be returned to their original state.

Answer 27

TRUE

Question 28

If a new state were formed, would it be allowed to claim the land of existing states?

Answer 28

No, according to Article IV of the Constitution, new states may be admitted but may not claim the land of existing states without consent.

Question 29

Article IV of the Constitution declares the state right that the national government must guarantee a democracy in each state. What else does Article IV declare in regards to the federal government's obligations to the states?

Answer 29

The national government must also protect individual states from invasion.

Question 30

True or false: there is no article in the Constitution that actually stipulates the conditions under which amendments may be passed.

Answer 30

False; Article V stipulates the conditions under which the House and Senate may propose and pass amendments to the Constitution.

Question 31

The Constitution is known as the "Supreme \_\_\_\_\_ ."

Answer 31

In Article VI, the Constitution is declared the "Supreme Law of the Land."

Question 32

How did the Constitution deal with debts that had been contracted under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 32

According to Article VI, all debts contracted under the Articles of Confederation were deemed still valid.

Question 33

Does religion have anything to do with potential (federal or state) legislators' eligibility?

Answer 33

No; Article VI declares that religion does not determine eligiblity.

Question 34

At least how many states had to ratify the Constitution?

Answer 34

Article VII declared that nine states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to become law.