System of Government

Chapter 2

System of Government

To prevent any one part of the government from becoming too powerful, the Constitution divides the federal government into three branches: the Legislative (Congress), the Executive (the President and Vice President), and the Judicial (the Supreme Court and other federal courts). This creates a system of 'checks and balances' or 'separation of powers.' Congress makes federal laws and consists of the Senate (100 members, 2 per state) and the House of Representatives (435 members, based on state population). The President enforces the laws, commands the military, and can veto bills, while the Supreme Court interprets the laws to ensure they agree with the Constitution. Under federalism, some powers belong specifically to the national government, while others are reserved for the states.

Questions

46 Total
17

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

18

What part of the federal government writes laws?

19

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

Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

65/20 Rule

How many U.S. senators are there?

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

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

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

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

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

How many senators does each state have?

Why does each state have two senators?

Name your U.S. representative.

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

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

Who elects U.S. senators?

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

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

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

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

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

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

Name one power of the president.

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

Who signs bills to become laws?

Who vetoes bills?

65/20 Rule

Who appoints federal judges?

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

What does the President’s Cabinet do?

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Why is the Electoral College important?

What is one part of the judicial branch?

What does the judicial branch do?

What is the highest court in the United States?

65/20 Rule

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

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

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Name one power that is only for the states.

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

Who is the governor of your state now?

65/20 Rule

What is the capital of your state?

Question 17

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

Acceptable Answers

Executive branch

To know more

"The executive branch of the government is responsible for enforcing the laws of the United States. The President is the head of the executive branch and serves as both the head of state and the head of government. Along with the President, the Vice President and the Cabinet help carry out these executive duties. The President is also the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, possessing significant authority in national defense. Furthermore, the executive branch plays a critical role in conducting foreign policy and managing federal agencies."