Legislative and Executive Branch's
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____
1. Each state is represented according to population in which of the following?
a. judicial branch
b. House of Representatives
c. executive branch
d. Senate
____
2. Which is determined by the census that is taken every 10 years?
a. congressional district shape
b. congressional district size
c. number of House seats per state
d. date for off-year elections
____
3. How many senators does each state have?
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
____
4. Why are there two houses of Congress?
a. so the two houses may agree with one another
b. so the two houses may check one another
c. so the two houses can fill the two chambers in the Capitol
d. so one of the two houses will always be in session
____
5. What determines the number of representatives for each state?
a. by the population of the state
b. by the physical size of the state
c. by how long it has been a state
d. by equal representation
____
6. How is each state’s representation in the Senate determined?
a. Representation is based on the population of the state.
b. Representation is based on the physical size of the state.
c. Representation is based on how long it has been a state.
d. Representation is equal to that of every other state.
____
7. Which is one of the requirements for election to the U.S. Senate?
a. A candidate must be a citizen of the United States for at least seven years.
b. A candidate must be a citizen of the United States for at least nine years.
c. A candidate must have lived in the same state for at least seven years.
d. A candidate must have lived in the same state for at least nine years.
____
8. A President may call Congress into special session
a. when the two houses cannot agree on a date for adjournment.
b. to deal with an emergency situation.
c. in order to force a vote on a presidential proposal.
d. only once in a calendar year.
____
9. The Framers hoped that ____ would help make the Senate a more responsible body than the House.
a. shorter sessions
b. more members
c. longer terms
d. higher pay
____ 10. Which of the following comparisons of the House and Senate is true?
a. The House is larger than the Senate.
b. House members serve longer terms than Senate members.
c. House members usually represent a larger population than Senate members.
d. House members have more media exposure than Senate members.
____ 11. Senators are elected by
a. State legislatures.
b. the voters in each State.
c. leaders of State factions.
d. the entire nation.
____ 12. Most members of Congress
a. come from rural areas.
b. are millionaires.
c. win reelection if they seek it.
d. have served in other branches.
____ 13. In the map above, what is the most likely explanation for the shape of Congressional District 2?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Congressional District 1 has many more people than Congressional District 2.
Congressional District 2 connects the two largest cities in the State.
Congressional District 2 was gerrymandered.
There were not enough people in the western part of the State to have a single district
there.
____ 14. Each State’s representation in the House of Representatives is based on
a. the population of the State.
b. the physical size of the State.
c. how long it has been a State.
d. equal representation.
____ 15. Each State’s representation in the Senate is
a. based on the population of the State.
b. based on the physical size of the State.
c. based on how long it has been a State.
d. equal to that of every other State.
____ 16. When members of Congress vote based on what the majority of their constituents think about an issue, they
are voting as
a. delegates.
b. trustees.
c. partisans.
d. politicos.
____ 17. Rather than raise their own salaries, members of Congress often
a. give themselves more fringe benefits.
b. use campaign donations to cover expenses.
c. ask the President to set their salaries.
d. ask State legislatures to increase their expense accounts.
____ 18. The federal government often spends more money than it takes in each year. It then borrows money to make
up the difference. What is this called?
a. deficit financing
c. the public debt
b. bankruptcy
d. money laundering
____ 19. According to the Constitution, who has the main responsibility for foreign policy?
a. Congress
b. the State Department
c. the President
d. the individual states
____ 20. According to the Constitution, how can the United States declare war?
a. only by an act of Congress
b. in a presidential address
c. when the U.S. is attacked
d. when the states vote for it
____ 21. Which of the following is an executive power of the Senate?
a. to appoint the President’s Cabinet officers
b. to confirm the President’s major appointments
c. to appoint Supreme Court justices
d. to negotiate a treaty with the President’s advice
____ 22. Which type of congressional powers are clearly spelled out in the Constitution?
a. implied powers
b. inherent powers
c. expressed powers
d. commerce powers
____ 23. How may Congress propose a constitutional amendment?
a. with a two-thirds vote of each house
c. by proposing it as a regular bill
b. at the request of one or more states
d. through a national vote
____ 24. What does this cartoon say about the public debt?
a. Congress regularly raises taxes to pay off the federal debt.
b. Congress regularly raises the debt ceiling to sweep debt “under the rug.”
c. The debt is larger than the government itself.
d. Congress does not understand its responsibility to keep a “clean financial house.”
____ 25. Which of the following is a limit the Constitution places on the commerce power?
a. Congress cannot tax exports.
b. Congress cannot regulate foreign trade.
c. Congress cannot prohibit discrimination.
d. Congress cannot regulate interstate commerce.
____ 26. Liberal and strict constructionists would most likely disagree over which power of Congress?
a. raising an army
b. establishing rules for naturalization
c. collecting taxes
d. regulating the workplace
____ 27. Which Presidents have been impeached?
a. Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton
b. Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon
c. Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton
d. Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford
____ 28. What is the Senate’s role in making treaties with foreign powers?
a. It negotiates the treaties itself.
b. It has no role in making treaties.
c. It can break treaties made by the President.
d. It advises the President on treaties.
____ 29. Which can Congress do under the expressed powers granted to it by the Constitution?
a. create a national public school system
b. regulate trade among the States
c. require citizens to vote
d. abolish trial by jury
____ 30. Congress has foreign relations powers because it is the lawmaking body of a sovereign nation and because
a. the Constitution grants it expressed powers relating to foreign policy.
b. in times of war, it has the major responsibility for conducting foreign relations.
c. the Necessary and Proper Clause allows Congress to apply its domestic powers to foreign
affairs.
d. the President often delegates foreign relations duties to members of Congress.
____ 31. What topic does this cartoon address?
a. taxation
b. bankruptcy
c. implied powers
d. deficit financing
____ 32. Congressional powers that are not stated in the Constitution but can be reasonably deduced from those that
are stated are called
a. implied powers.
b. commerce powers.
c. inherent powers.
d. expressed powers.
____ 33. A person who wants to protect the right to manufacture and sell the invention he or she has made needs to
apply to Congress for a
a. patent.
b. copyright.
c. trademark.
d. infringement.
____ 34. After the Vice President, who is next in line to become President of the United States?
a. President of the Senate
b. President pro tempore
c. Speaker of the House
d. majority leader of the House
____ 35. Which allows Congress to override a President’s veto?
a. minority vote of each house
b. two-thirds vote of each house
c. voting for cloture
d. using the filibuster
____ 36. What does the House do with a bill after its first reading?
a. It is sent to the Senate.
b. It is sent to the executive branch.
c. It is sent to the states.
d. It is sent to the standing committee.
____ 37. What is this cartoon about?
a. debate in the House
b. debate in the Senate
c. the role of the majority leader in the House
d. the role of the majority leader in the Senate
____ 38. Which explains the message of the cartoon?
a. Filibusters cause great excitement in the Senate.
b. Filibusters should not be limited by the Cloture Rule.
c. Filibusters cause a breakdown in the legislative process.
d. Filibusters should be allowed in the House as well as the Senate.
____ 39. What must happen before a bill can be sent to the President for approval?
a. It must be set aside for at least 60 days.
b. It must be sent to a conference committee.
c. It must pass both houses in identical form.
d. It must be approved by a majority of voters.
____ 40. How can Congress override a presidential veto?
a. by sending the bill to a new conference committee
b. by ignoring the President’s veto for ten days
c. by getting the Vice President to support the bill
d. by a two-thirds vote of the full membership of each house
____ 41. Congress can override a President’s veto by
a. a majority vote of each house.
b. a two-thirds vote of each house.
c. voting for cloture.
d. using the filibuster.
____ 42. What did supporters of the 22nd Amendment want to accomplish?
a. allow a President to run for unlimited terms
b. keep a President from getting too much power
c. put a cap on the President’s salary
d. ensure a President is at least 35 years old
____ 43. Which best describes a presidential election campaign?
a. an all-out effort to win
b. an all-out effort to be fair
c. making new friends
d. helping people
____ 44. What role does the President fill when working with Congress to pass laws?
a. commander in chief
b. chief administrator
c. chief legislator
d. chief of party
____ 45. Which limit did the Framers set on how many times a President can be reelected?
a. two
b. three
c. four
d. no limit
____ 46. Which is a major flaw in the electoral college system?
a. Electors are not required to vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote.
b. Electors are not required to vote for the best possible candidate.
c. Many elections end up being decided in the U.S. Supreme Court.
d. Many electors do not cast their votes as they promised.
____ 47. Iowa and New Hampshire’s large size in this cartoon reflect their importance to the process of
a. electing a President.
b. nominating candidates for President.
c. establishing presidential succession.
d. hosting national conventions.
____ 48. What reasoning did Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and Reagan use when calling for the repeal of the 22nd
Amendment?
a. Anyone over the age of 21 should be able to run for President.
b. The people should determine how long a President should serve.
c. A President should not be limited to one four-year term in office.
d. A President should not be limited to one six-year term in office.
____ 49. Which is the correct line of presidential succession according to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947?
a. Vice President, Speaker of the House, president pro tempore of the Senate, Secretary of
State
b. Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor
c. Vice President, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Attorney General
d. Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senate majority leader, Secretary of Energy
____ 50. Before the 25th Amendment, what did the Constitution say about how the presidency should be filled if the
President should become disabled?
a. The Vice President should take over the office of the President.
b. The Vice President should become the Acting President.
c. A council of governors should select an Acting President.
d. There were no guidelines for what to do in case of presidential disability.
____ 51. Which is one of the three main goals of a national convention?
a.
b.
c.
d.
naming candidates for governor
proposing constitutional amendments
adopting the party’s platform
getting supporters from the opposing party
____ 52. Which critical event prevented a U.S. presidential election?
a. the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941
b. the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962
c. the September 2001 terrorist attacks
d. no crisis has prevented a presidential election
____ 53. According to the Constitution, the President must
a. be a man who owns property.
b. have held a major public office.
c. be at least 35 years of age.
d. be no older than 65.
____ 54. All of the following are formal qualifications for the presidency except
a. being a natural-born citizen.
b. being at least 35 years old.
c. having political experience.
d. having been a resident within the U.S. for at least 14 years.
____ 55. Article II of the Constitution
a. provides detailed information about the
extent of presidential power.
b. defines the limits of the presidential
powers.
c. outlines presidential powers in broad,
sketchy terms.
d. gives the President the power to override
acts of Congress.
____ 56. Where does the President get the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States?
a. the Supreme Court
b. the Senate
c. the House of Representatives
d. the Constitution
____ 57. How does a treaty differ from an executive agreement?
a. It requires Senate approval.
b. It is legally binding.
c. It is made by the President.
d. It is made by the Senate.
____ 58. The presidential veto is a powerful tool because
a. it cannot be overridden.
b. a two-thirds vote in both houses is needed to override it.
c. a majority vote in both houses is needed to override it.
d. a special session of Congress is needed to override it.
____ 59. Which part of the government must vote to approve a treaty before it becomes effective?
a. the executive branch
b. the Senate
c. the House of Representatives
d. both houses of Congress
____ 60. What power of the President is the subject of this cartoon?
a. the ordinance power
b. the appointment power
c. the removal power
d. the message power
____ 61. The Executive Article is _____ of the Constitution.
a. Article I
c. Article III
b. Article II
d. Article IV
____ 62. An “imperial” president is one who
a. seeks congressional approval before
acting.
b. exercises only those powers specifically
granted by the Constitution.
c. sees no need to consult Congress before
acting.
d. believes the President is a steward of the
people.
____ 63. The unwritten rule of senatorial courtesy places limits on which presidential power?
a. the ordinance power
c. the appointment power
b. the removal power
d. the legislative power
____ 64. Who must confirm a presidential appointment?
a. the Senate only
b. the House of Representatives only
c. both the Senate and the House of Representatives
d. the Supreme Court
____ 65. Who has the final authority over all military matters?
a. the President
c. the House of Representatives
b. the Senate
d. the Supreme Court
____ 66. The War Powers Resolution was passed in order to
a. increase the President’s war powers.
c. check Congress’s war powers.
b. check the President’s war powers.
d. give war powers to the judicial branch.
____ 67. What message of the President is prescribed by the Constitution?
a. the annual budget message
c. the State of the Union message
b. the annual Economic Report
d. the State of the State message
____ 68. Which is a power of the President as commander in chief?
a. the power to declare war on another country
b. the power to use the National Guard as police within the United States
c. the power to create military tribunals to try accused terrorists
d. the power to send troops anywhere in the world if the United States is in danger
____ 69. Which is required of the President by the Constitution?
a. to carry out all federal laws
b. to carry out only those federal laws the President supports
c. to carry out only those federal laws relating to the military
d. to carry out both state and federal laws
____ 70. What is the power to issue executive orders called?
a. the executive power
b. the ordinance power
c. the issuing power
d. the message power
____ 71. How is a presidential appointment confirmed?
a. by the Senate only
b. by the House of Representatives only
c. by both the Senate and the House of Representatives
d. by the Supreme Court
____ 72. The claim of executive privilege generally relates to communications between which two parties?
a. the President and his or her family
b. the President and key staff members
c. the President and party leaders
d. the President and members of the judicial branch
____ 73. When a new President takes office, which of the following may he or she refuse to honor?
a. a treaty ratified by the previous administration
b. an executive agreement made by the previous administration
c. a law signed by the previous President
d. a joint resolution passed during the last term of Congress
____ 74. How does a President usually exercise the power of recognition?
a. negotiating treaties with a new nation
b. negotiating executive agreements with a new nation
c. exchanging diplomats with a new nation
d. sending the secretary of defense to a new nation
____ 75. Who has the final authority over all military matters?
a. the President
b. the Senate
c. the House of Representatives
d. the Supreme Court
Short Answer
Choose just ONE of the following questuions and answer as fully as possible. Total points for this question is worth 25
points. You will ONLY get credit for one question completely answered.
“In a republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates [is the most powerful]. The
remedy [fix] for this inconveniency [problem] is to divide the legislature into different branches.”
—The Federalist No. 51
76. Read the passage. (a) Name the two houses of Congress. (b) Write three reasons why the Framers of the
Constitution decided on a bicameral legislature. (c) Which of these reasons is reflected in the quotation?
In a republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates [is the most powerful]. The
remedy for this inconveniency [problem] is to divide the legislature into different branches.
—The Federalist No. 51
77. According to this quote, why did the Framers of the Constitution need to create a bicameral legislature?
Describe two other reasons why the Framers established this type of legislature. Then name the two houses
they established, and briefly describe how the two houses are different from one another.
78. How would you describe the manner in which Congress and the President share power in the fields of foreign
affairs, war, and national defense? Do you think the division of power is reasonable?
79. Look at the diagram showing how a bill moves through the House. How is the lawmaking process different in
the Senate?
“There cannot be a great vice president. A great man may occupy the office, but there is no way for him to
become a great vice president because the office in itself is almost wholly unimportant.”
—former Vice President John Nance Garner, Collier’s Magazine, March 20, 1948
80. Explain what Garner meant by this remark. Use information from your reading to explain how his point of
view compares with the job description of the Vice President described in the chapter.
Legislative and Executive Branch's
Answer Section
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. ANS: B
The Framers decided that in the House of Representatives each state would be represented according to
population.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.232
OBJ: 10.1.1 Explain why the Constitution provides for a bicameral Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | House
2. ANS: C
After each census, the Census Bureau decides on the number of seats each state will have in the House of
Representatives, based on its population.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.237
OBJ: 10.2.2 Explain how House seats are reapportioned among the States after each census.
TOP: Congress | Census
3. ANS: B
Every state has two senators. Unlike the House of Representatives, the number of senators representing each
state is not based on the state’s population.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.240
OBJ: 10.3.1 Compare the size of the Senate to the size of the House of Representatives.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Senate
4. ANS: B
The two houses of Congress check on one another. This is intended to keep Congress from becoming too
powerful.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.232
OBJ: 10.1.1 Explain why the Constitution provides for a bicameral Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Bicameral
5. ANS: A
The Constitution provides that the total number of seats in the House of Representatives is divided among the
states on the basis of their respective populations. Each state is guaranteed at least one seat, no matter what its
population.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.236
OBJ: 10.2.1 Explain how House seats are distributed and describe the length of a term in the House.
TOP: Congress | House of Representatives
6. ANS: D
The Constitution says that the Senate shall be composed of two senators from each state, regardless of the
state’s population.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.240
OBJ: 10.3.1 Compare the size of the Senate to the size of the House of Representatives.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Senate
7. ANS: B
The Constitution requires that a senator must (1) be at least 30 years of age, (2) have been a citizen of the
United States for at least nine years, and (3) be a resident of the state from which he or she is elected.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.241
OBJ: 10.3.4 Describe the qualifications for election to the Senate.
TOP: Congress | Qualifications
8. ANS: B
The President may call a special session if a serious problem arises after Congress has adjourned.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.271
OBJ: 10.1.3 Describe a situation in which the President may convene or end a session of Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Special Session
9. ANS: C
Many of the Framers thought that members of the House would be too swayed by the immediate impact of
events and by the passions of the moment because of their short term of office. By giving senators a longer
term of office, they hoped that the Senate would be a more responsible body than the House.
PTS: 5
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.281
OBJ: 10.3.1 Compare the size of the Senate to the size of the House of Representatives.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Senate
10. ANS: A
The House has 435 members, while the Senate has only 100 members.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.281
OBJ: 10.3.1 Compare the size of the Senate to the size of the House of Representatives.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Senate
11. ANS: B
Originally, the Constitution provided that senators would be chosen by the State legislatures. Since the
ratification of the 17th Amendment in 1913, however, senators have been picked by the voters in each State at
the November elections.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.282
OBJ: 10.3.2 Describe how senators are elected.
TOP: Congress | Constituency
12. ANS: C
The average senator is serving a second term, and the typical representative has served four terms. Well over
90% of those members of the House who seek reelection are successful.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.280| A.285-A.286
OBJ: 10.2.4 Analyze the formal and informal qualifications for election to the House. | 10.4.1 Identify the
personal and political backgrounds of members of Congress.
TOP: Congress | Members
13. ANS: C
The shape of Congressional District 2 suggests that it was drawn to the advantage of a party or group
(gerrymandered).
PTS:
OBJ:
STA:
14. ANS:
5
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.277-A.278
10.2.3 Describe a typical congressional election and congressional district.
SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Gerrymander
A
The Constitution provides that the total number of seats in the House of Representatives shall be apportioned
among the States on the basis of their respective populations, although each State is guaranteed at least one
seat no matter what its population.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.273
OBJ: 10.2.1 Explain how House seats are distributed and describe the length of a term in the House.
TOP: House of Representatives | Representation
15. ANS: D
The Constitution says that the Senate shall be composed of two senators from each State, regardless of the
State’s population.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.281
OBJ: 10.3.1 Compare the size of the Senate to the size of the House of Representatives.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Senate | Representation
16. ANS: A
Delegates see themselves as the agents of the people who elected them, so they try to discover what the “folks
back home” think about an issue and vote that way.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.287
OBJ: 10.4.2 Describe the duties performed by those who serve in Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Voting Options
17. ANS: A
The fear of voter backlash has made most members of Congress reluctant to vote to raise their own salaries.
Instead, they provide for more fringe benefits and other “perks” that are much less apparent to the “folks back
home.”
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.289
OBJ: 10.4.3 Describe the compensation and privileges of members of Congress.
TOP: Congress | Compensation
18. ANS: A
For decades, the federal government has practiced deficit spending or the practice of spending more money
than it takes in each year and borrowing to make up the difference.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.256
OBJ: 11.1.5 Explain why the Framers gave Congress the power to issue currency.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Constitutional Principles | Deficit Financing
19. ANS: C
The Constitution gives the President most of the responsibility for foreign policy although Congress also
plays an important part.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.259
OBJ: 11.2.1 Identify the key sources of Congress’s foreign relations powers.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Constitutional Principles | Foreign Policy and National Defense
20. ANS: A
Only Congress has the power to declare war against another nation. The war powers of Congress are in
Section 8 of Article I of the Constitution.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.259
OBJ: 11.2.2 Describe the power-sharing arrangement between Congress and the President on the issues of
war and national defense.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Constitutional Principles | Foreign Policy and National Defense
21. ANS: B
The Senate has two executive powers. It must confirm all major presidential appointments, and it may accept
or reject a treaty made by the President.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.276-B.277
OBJ: 11.4.3 Identify the executive powers of Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Constitutional Principles | Executive Powers of Congress
22. ANS: C
Congress’s expressed powers are those directly specified in the wording of the Constitution.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: B.253
OBJ: 11.1.1 Describe the compensation and privileges of members of Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Expressed Powers
23. ANS: A
Congress may propose an amendment with the support of two-thirds of both houses or by calling a national
convention after receiving requests to do so from two-thirds of the state legislatures.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.272
OBJ: 11.4.1 Describe the role of Congress in amending the Constitution and its electoral duties.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Constitutional Amendments
24. ANS: B
Congress sets a ceiling on the public debt but does not honor it. Instead it raises the ceiling whenever the debt
rises above the previous limit.
PTS: 5
DIF: L2
REF: B.255
OBJ: 11.1.5 Explain why the Framers gave Congress the power to issue currency.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Debt Ceiling
25. ANS: A
The Constitution forbids Congress from taxing exports.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.253
OBJ: 11.1.2 Analyze the importance of Congress’s commerce power.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Powers of Congress | Commerce Power
26. ANS: D
Congress has assumed the authority to regulate the workplace as an implied power based on the expressed
power to regulate commerce. A strict constructionist would most likely oppose that view. A strict
constructionist would want Congress to claim only the expressed powers stated in the Constitution and those
implied powers absolutely necessary to carry out those expressed powers. However, a strict constructionist
would not want Congress to give up expressed powers such as the power to collect taxes, raise an army, or
establish rules for naturalization.
PTS: 5
DIF: L2
REF: B.267
OBJ: 11.3.2 Compare the strict construction and liberal construction positions on the scope of congressional
power. TOP:
Powers of Congress | Strict Constructionism
27. ANS: C
Two Presidents have been impeached by the House: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.274
OBJ: 11.4.2 Describe Congress’s power to impeach, and summarize presidential impeachment cases.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Powers of Congress | Impeachment
28. ANS: D
The President is allowed to make treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Senate can approve
treaties made by the President with a two-thirds vote, or it can reject treaties if fewer than two thirds of
Senators approve.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.277
OBJ: 11.4.3 Identify the executive powers of Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Powers of Congress | Treaties
29. ANS: B
Expressed powers, such as Congress’s power to regulate trade, are those powers that are explicitly stated in
the Constitution.
PTS: 5
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.297
OBJ: 11.1.1 Describe the compensation and privileges of members of Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Constitutional Principles | Expressed Powers
30. ANS: A
Congressional powers stated in the Constitution, such as the spending power, the power to regulate foreign
commerce, and the war powers, give Congress a significant place in the field of foreign affairs.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.304
OBJ: 11.2.1 Identify the key sources of Congress’s foreign relations powers.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Foreign Policy
31. ANS: D
Deficit financing occurs when the government spends more than it takes in and makes up the difference by
borrowing. This leads to an increasing public debt.
PTS: 5
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.301
OBJ: 11.1.4 Explain how the bankruptcy and borrowing powers work.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Deficit Financing
32. ANS: A
Implied powers are not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but they can be inferred from the expressed
powers.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.296
OBJ: 11.1.1 Describe the compensation and privileges of members of Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
KEY: Constitutional Principles | Implied Powers
33. ANS: A
A patent grants an inventor the sole right to manufacture and sell an invention.
PTS: 5
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.307
OBJ: 11.2.3 List other key powers exercised by Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Constitutional Principles | Patent
34. ANS: C
The Speaker of the House follows the Vice President in the line of succession to the presidency.
PTS:
OBJ:
STA:
35. ANS:
3
DIF: L2
REF: B.285
12.1.2 Compare the roles of the presiding officers in the Senate and the House.
SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Speaker of the House
B
Congress can override a President’s veto only by a two-thirds majority vote of each house.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.303
OBJ: 12.4.4 Evaluate the actions the President can take after both houses have passed a bill.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Veto
36. ANS: D
As a bill is considered in the House, it receives a total of three readings. After the first reading, the next step is
to send the bill to a standing committee that deals with all bills of the same subject.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.296
OBJ: 12.3.1 Identify the first steps in the introduction of a new bill to the House.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Bill
37. ANS: B
While debate in the House is strictly limited, it is almost unlimited in the Senate. A filibuster is an effort to
keep talking long enough to prevent the Senate from voting on a bill.The title, “Filibusted,” and the other
captions reveal that this cartoon deals with debate in the Senate.
PTS: 5
DIF: L2
REF: B.301-B.302
OBJ: 12.4.2 Compare the Senate’s rules for debate with those in the House.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Filibuster
38. ANS: C
The cartoon shows a broken Capitol with the caption “Filibusted.” It is saying that filibusters can cause a
breakdown in the legislative process.
PTS: 5
DIF: L2
REF: B.301-B.302
OBJ: 12.4.2 Compare the Senate’s rules for debate with those in the House.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Filibuster
39. ANS: C
Both houses must agree on a single version of a bill before it can be sent to the President for approval.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.302
OBJ: 12.4.3 Describe the role of conference committees in the legislative process.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Bill
40. ANS: D
Congress can pass a bill over the President’s veto with a two-thirds vote of the full membership of each
house.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.303
OBJ: 12.4.4 Evaluate the actions the President can take after both houses have passed a bill.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Veto
41. ANS: B
Congress can override a President’s veto only by a two-thirds vote of the full membership of each house.
Because of this stringent requirement, few vetoes are overridden.
PTS:
OBJ:
STA:
42. ANS:
3
DIF: L3
REF: A.356
12.4.4 Evaluate the actions the President can take after both houses have passed a bill.
SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Veto
B
The Framers did not set a limit on the number of times a President could be reelected. During the 1940s,
Franklin Roosevelt served four terms, or 16 years, as President. In 1951, the states ratified the 22nd
Amendment to limit a President to no more than two terms in office. Those in favor of the 22nd Amendment
claim that it prevents a single person from having too much power.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.316
OBJ: 13.1.3 Explain how the President’s term of office has changed over time.
TOP: The Presidency | 22nd Amendment
43. ANS: A
The presidential election campaign is an all-out effort to win the election.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.331
OBJ: 13.5.1 Describe the features of the presidential campaign.
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Campaign
44. ANS: C
As chief legislator, the President shapes public policy. In this role, the President may suggest that Congress
enact laws he believes are needed.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.315
OBJ: 13.1.1 Describe the President’s many roles.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Chief Legislator
45. ANS: D
The Framers did not set a limit on the number of times a President could be reelected. The two-term limit was
set by the 22nd Amendment in 1951 after Franklin Roosevelt broke with tradition and ran for a fourth term..
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.316
OBJ: 13.1.3 Explain how the President’s term of office has changed over time.
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Term
46. ANS: A
The electoral college system has three major flaws: the winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the
presidency; electors are not required to vote in agreement with the popular vote; and any election might have
to be decided in the House of Representatives.
PTS: 5
DIF: L2
REF: B.332-B.333
OBJ: 13.5.3 Identify several flaws in the electoral college system.
TOP: The Presidency | Electoral College
47. ANS: B
Because Iowa and New Hampshire are the first States to hold primary caucuses and elections, they are very
important in establishing early front-runners in the nomination process.
PTS: 5
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.381
OBJ: 13.4.2 Evaluate the importance of presidential primaries. STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | The Nomination Process
48. ANS: B
The 22nd Amendment was passed to limit a President to two full terms in office. Presidents Truman,
Eisenhower, and Reagan each called for its repeal. They claimed it should be left to the people to decide how
along a President should serve.
PTS: 5
DIF: L2
REF: B.316
OBJ: 13.1.3 Explain how the President’s term of office has changed over time.
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Term
49. ANS: A
By the terms of the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, the Speaker of the House follows the Vice President
in the line of succession. After the Speaker comes the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Secretary of
State, and then each of the other 14 heads of the Cabinet.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.320
OBJ: 13.2.1 Explain how the Constitution provides for presidential succession.
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Succession
50. ANS: D
Before the 25th Amendment was adopted in 1967, there were no guidelines in the Constitution for deciding
what to do when a President was disabled. The 25th Amendment says that the Vice President will become
Acting President if the President informs Congress that he or she cannot carry out the duties of the office. Or,
the Vice President and a majority of the members of the Cabinet can inform Congress that the President is
disabled.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.320
OBJ: 13.2.2 Understand the constitutional provisions relating to presidential disability.
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Succession
51. ANS: C
A national convention has three main goals: 1) naming the party’s presidential and vice presidential
candidates, 2) promoting party unity, and 3) adopting the party’s platform.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.328
OBJ: 13.4.4 Outline the events that take place during a national convention.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | National Conventions
52. ANS: D
In the United States, a presidential election is held every four years. Wars and other crises have never
prevented an election.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.331
OBJ: 13.5.1 Describe the features of the presidential campaign.
TOP: The Presidency | The Electoral Process
53. ANS: C
The Constitution says that the President must meet three formal qualifications: be a natural-born citizen, be at
least 35years old, and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.366
OBJ: 13.1.2 Understand the formal qualifications necessary to become President.
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Qualifications
54. ANS: C
According to the Constitution, the President must be a natural-born citizen, be at least 35 years old, and have
been a resident within the U.S. for at least 14 years.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.366
OBJ: 13.1.2 Understand the formal qualifications necessary to become President.
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Qualifications
55. ANS: C
Article II has been called the “most loosely drawn chapter” in the nation’s fundamental law. It reads almost
like an outline and lays out the presidential powers in a very sketchy fashion.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.400-A.401
OBJ: 14.1.1 Explain why Article II of the Constitution can be described as “an outline” of the presidential
office. STA:
SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Power
56. ANS: D
The President’s judicial powers come from the Constitution.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.144
OBJ: 14.4.2 Describe the President’s major judicial powers.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Pardon
57. ANS: A
A treaty requires Senate approval and becomes a permanent part of American law. An executive agreement
does not require Senate approval.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.143
OBJ: 14.3.1 Explain how treaties are made and approved. | 14.3.2 Explain why and how executive
agreements are made.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Treaty
58. ANS: B
A two-thirds vote in each house is needed to override a veto. Because Congress can seldom find that many
votes in both houses, even the threat of a veto is often enough to defeat a bill or, at least, prompt changes to its
provisions.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.418
OBJ: 14.4.1 Explain the President’s legislative powers and how they are an important part of the system of
checks and balances.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Veto
59. ANS: B
The Senate must give its approval by a two-thirds vote of the members present before a treaty can become
effective.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.143
OBJ: 14.3.1 Explain how treaties are made and approved.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Treaty
60. ANS: B
In this cartoon, “Mr. Bonzo” is asked, “What qualifies you for this Cabinet position?” Since the President
appoints Cabinet members, the subject of the cartoon is the President’s appointment power.
PTS: 5
DIF: L2
REF: B.142
OBJ: 14.2.3 Explain how the appointment power works and describe the limits on the removal power.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Appointment Power
61. ANS: B
Article II of the Constitution says that the “executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States
of America,” so it is known as the Executive Article.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.400
OBJ: 14.1.1 Explain why Article II of the Constitution can be described as “an outline” of the presidential
office. STA:
SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Power
62. ANS: C
Critics of powerful chief executives have used the term “imperial presidency” to paint a picture of the
President as a strong-willed emperor who takes various actions without consulting Congress or seeking its
approval.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.403
OBJ: 14.1.3 Explain how the Presidents’ own views have affected the power of the office.
TOP: The Presidency | Imperial Presidency
63. ANS: C
The unwritten rule of senatorial courtesy says that the Senate will approve only those federal appointees
acceptable to the senator(s) of the President’s party from the State involved. Thus, it puts part of the
President’s appointing power in the hands of particular senators.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.407
OBJ: 14.2.3 Explain how the appointment power works and describe the limits on the removal power.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Appointment Power
64. ANS: A
When the President names a top-ranking officer of the Federal Government, the nomination is sent to the
Senate, where the support of a majority of the senators present and voting is needed for confirmation.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.407
OBJ: 14.2.3 Explain how the appointment power works and describe the limits on the removal power.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Appointment
65. ANS: A
Although Congress does have extensive war powers, the Constitution makes the President the commander in
chief of the nation’s armed forces. This means that the President has the final authority over and responsibility
for all military matters.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.415
OBJ: 14.3.4 Describe the President’s powers of commander in chief.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Military Powers
66. ANS: B
The War Powers Resolution was enacted in response to how the war-making power was exercised by
Presidents Johnson and Nixon. It limits that power by providing that the President can commit American
military forces to combat only (1) if Congress has declared war, (2) if Congress has authorized that action, or
(3) when an attack on the nation or its armed forces has occurred.
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.416
OBJ: 14.3.4 Describe the President’s powers of commander in chief.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | War Powers Resolution
67. ANS: C
Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution says that the President “shall from time to time give to the Congress
information on the State of the Union.”
PTS: 3
DIF: L3
REF: A.417
OBJ: 14.4.1 Explain the President’s legislative powers and how they are an important part of the system of
checks and balances.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | State of the Union Message
68. ANS: D
Only Congress can declare war and the President cannot use the National Guard except to defend or aid the
country. The Supreme Court has ruled that the President cannot establish military tribunals. However, the
President can send troops anywhere in response to a threat to the nation’s security.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.141
OBJ: 14.1.2 List several reasons for the growth of presidential power.
TOP: The Presidency | Presidential Power
69. ANS: A
Both the presidential oath of office and Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution require that the President
execute all federal laws, no matter what his or her own views of the laws might be.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.14-2
OBJ: 14.2.1 Identify the sources of the President’s power to execute federal law.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Constitution
70. ANS: B
The ordinance power is the President’s power to issue executive orders, a power based on authority given by
the Constitution or by Congress.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.14-2
OBJ: 14.2.2 Define the ordinance power.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Ordinance Power
71. ANS: A
When the President names a top-ranking officer of the federal government, the nomination is sent to the
Senate, where the support of a majority of the senators present and voting is needed for confirmation.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.14-2
OBJ: 14.2.3 Explain how the appointment power works and describe the limits on the removal power.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Senate
72. ANS: B
The claim of executive privilege generally relates to conversations and other communications between the
President and key staff members in the executive department.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.14-2
OBJ: 14.2.4 Examine the power of executive privilege.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Executive Privilege
73. ANS: B
Treaties become a permanent part of American law, while executive agreements do not. Thus, when a change
of administrations occurs, only those executive agreements the new President supports remain in force.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.14-3
OBJ: 14.3.2 Explain why and how executive agreements are made.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Executive Agreement
74. ANS: C
Individual countries, including the United States, generally recognize one another through the exchange of
diplomatic representatives. This exchange indicates that the President, acting for the United States,
acknowledges the legal existence of that country and its government.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.14-3
OBJ: 14.3.3 Summarize how the power of recognition is used. STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Recognition
75. ANS: A
Although Congress does have extensive war powers, the Constitution makes the President the commander in
chief of the nation’s armed forces. This means that the President has the final authority over all military
matters.
PTS: 3
DIF: L2
REF: B.14-3
OBJ: 14.3.4 Describe the President’s powers of commander in chief.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | Military Powers
SHORT ANSWER
76. ANS:
(a) The two houses of Congress are the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(b) The Framers decided on a bicameral legislature partly because they were familiar with the British
Parliament which had two houses. Also, having two houses settled a conflict during the Constitutional
Convention when the large and small states could not agree upon the size of Congress. A third reason the
Framers created a bicameral legislature was so the two houses could check one another. They thought this
would keep Congress from becoming too powerful.
(c) The quotation reflects the Framers’ goal of preventing Congress from becoming too powerful by dividing
it into two houses that would check one another. The excerpt characterizes the tendency of the legislature to
usurp power as an “inconveniency” and says the remedy for this problem is to divide the legislature into
different branches.
PTS: 5
DIF: L2
REF: B.232
OBJ: 10.1.1 Explain why the Constitution provides for a bicameral Congress.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Bicameral
77. ANS:
The Framers needed to create a bicameral legislature in order to diffuse some of the power of the legislative
branch, which might otherwise have been much more powerful than the other branches. In addition to this
“theoretical” reason, the Framers also established a bicameral legislature for historical and practical reasons.
They were already familiar with bicameral legislatures, as the British Parliament was bicameral and so were
many of the colonial assemblies. By establishing a bicameral, rather than a unicameral, legislature, they were
able to get both large and small States to agree to the Constitution.
The two houses they established are the House of Representatives and the Senate. Representation in the
House of Representatives is based on population, while representation in the Senate is equal for all States.
Members of the House serve two-year terms, while members of the Senate serve six-year terms. The
qualifications for members of the Senate are higher than for members of the House, and senators represent
entire States, while most House members represent smaller districts within their States. (Seven States have
populations so small that they have only one representative in the House.)
PTS: 7
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.268-A.270| A.273| A.281-A.283
OBJ: 10.1.1 Explain why the Constitution provides for a bicameral Congress. | 10.2.1 Explain how House
seats are distributed and describe the length of a term in the House. | 10.3.3 Explain how and why a senator’s
term differs from a representative’s term. | 10.3.4 Describe the qualifications for election to the Senate.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Bicameral
78. ANS:
The Constitution gives the President primary responsibility for the conduct of American foreign policy.
However, the Constitution also gives Congress a significant place in the field of foreign affairs. Its authority
arises from the spending power, the power to regulate foreign commerce, the war powers, and from the fact
that the U.S. is a sovereign state. Congress has the exclusive power to declare war. In addition, only Congress
can raise, support, or govern the armed forces. The President is commander in chief of the nation’s armed
forces, and he or she controls military actions. In the past, Presidents have sent troops into combat for
extended periods of time without congressional approval. The War Powers Resolution of 1973, however,
requires the President to commit troops to combat only in certain situations: when Congress declares war;
when Congress specifically authorizes military action; or when an attack on the United States or any of its
armed forces has occurred. Students’ opinions on whether the division of power is reasonable should take into
account that the President must have the power to respond quickly and decisively to foreign affairs, but that
Congress plays an important role in matters of foreign policy and national security.
PTS: 7
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.304-A.306
OBJ: 11.2.2 Describe the power-sharing arrangement between Congress and the President on the issues of
war and national defense.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | War Powers
79. ANS:
The basic steps in the lawmaking process are much the same in the House and Senate. Still, there are some
critical differences in the processes. These involve the consideration of measures on the floor. After a measure
is introduced by a senator, it is referred to a standing committee, where it is dealt with much as are House
bills. However, while the House Rules Committee sets conditions for debate and amendment on the floor,
Senate proceedings are less formal and its rules less strict. For example, the Senate has only one calendar for
all bills reported out of its committees. And where debate in the House is strictly limited, it is almost
unrestrained in the Senate. The great latitude the Senate allows gave rise to the filibuster and the Cloture Rule.
PTS: 7
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.343-A.356
OBJ: 12.3.1 Identify the first steps in the introduction of a new bill to the House. | 12.3.2 Describe what
happens to a bill once it is referred to a committee. | 12.3.3 Explain how House leaders schedule debate on a
bill. | 12.3.4 Explain what happens to a bill on the House floor, and identify the final step in the passage of a
bill in the House. | 12.4.1 Describe how a bill is introduced in the Senate. | 12.4.2 Compare the Senate’s rules
for debate with those in the House. | 12.4.3 Describe the role of conference committees in the legislative
process. | 12.4.4 Evaluate the actions the President can take after both houses have passed a bill.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: Congress | Legislative Process
80. ANS:
Possible response: The only constitutionally mandated duties of the Vice President are to preside over the
Senate and to help decide the question of presidential disability. Historically, the vice presidency has been
treated as an office of little real consequence. Even an individual of great personal talent has often been
unable to use that talent in the capacity of Vice President.
PTS: 7
DIF: L3/L4
REF: A.372-A.373
OBJ: 13.2.3 Describe the role of the Vice President.
STA: SS.C.1.4
TOP: The Presidency | The Vice Presidency