Quiz: Separation of Powers - Branches & Federalism

Last updated about 1 year ago

21 questions

Note from the author:

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Civics review of Separations of Powers, Federalism, and roles of Government, including Branches

Under the Articles of Confederation and without a strong Federal Government, the US Congress struggled with which of the following?

(Select all that apply)

Collecting National/Federal Taxes

Maintaining justice between states

Negotiating Treaties with Foreign Governments

Raising & Paying for an Army after the revolutionary war

Which of the following match Hamilton's "Federalist" arguments for a strong National Government & President, with limits?

(Select all that apply)

The President of the United States would be an officer elected by the people for four years; the king of Great Britain is a perpetual and hereditary prince. 

[Term Limits vs. Lifetime Inheritance]

The one would be amenable to personal punishment and disgrace; the person of the other is sacred and inviolable. 

[Be accountable, go to jail vs. immune to the law/courts]

“It is on a [belief] that your American [Presidents] shall be honest, that all the good qualities of this Government are founded: But its defective, and imperfect construction, puts it in their power to perpetrate the worst of mischiefs, should they be bad men

[If corrupt, will take advantage of his office to abuse his power]

If your American chief, be a man of ambition, and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute… The  army  will salute him Monarch;  your  militia  will  leave  you  and assist  in  making  him  King,  and  fight  against you

[If determined and able, to make himself a king]

Madison argued for two ideas to limit the power of a strong Federal Government.

The first was Separation of Powers, which split the government into branches with unique powers.

The second was Federalism, which split the government into levels to guide the country as a whole.

What was the separation of powers in the Government?

1 Branch, like a dying tree

2 Branches, the House of Representatives and the Senate

3 Branches, The Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch

4 Branches, The President, The US Congress, the Grand Council, and the People

Which of the following are powers of the office of the president?
(Select all that apply)

What are the primary responsibilities of the Legislative Branch?

Select All That Apply

To write the laws and amendments to the constitution

To enforce the laws 

To Check the Power of the Executive & Judicial Branches

To Impeach Public Official who are corrupt or unfit

To Judge the Ethics of Laws and Actions in Court

To Try Supreme Court Cases

Which of the following are true about the Legislative Branch?

Select All That Apply

51% is the lowest percent of votes to pass the House or Senate

67% of the votes in each house is necessary to override a Presidential Veto

33% is the necessary amount to start an impeachment inquiry

67% of the votes in each house is necessary to remove an official from office through impeachment

What happens to Impeached Officials?

(Select All that Apply)

Straight to Jail

Removal from Office

Disqualification from Future Office

Supreme Court Trial

What is the primary responsibility of the Judicial Branch?

Select All That Apply

To write the laws and constitution

To enforce the laws 

To judge laws for their legality and constitutionality

To resolve legal conflicts between parties, be they individuals, states, or other organizations

What is Judicial Review?

Select All That Apply

Judicial Review Makes Laws Better

Judicial Review determines whether laws or executive orders are constitutional, or legal under the constitution

Judges interpret the constitution to improve the Constitution or other written laws

Judges search for laws to change to better the government

How does Judicial Review Impact Laws?

Select All That Apply

Judicial Review Makes Laws Better

Judicial Review determines a law's constitutionality and if it should be applied, or stopped

Judicial Review provides an opportunity for the courts to check the realistic impact of a law, and to open it to challenges (and calls for change by the legislative)

Courts may challenge Federal laws, or adapt the application of the law following successful Judicial Review. This may set a Precedent for any court cases in the future.

Which word best fits this definition:

A court case that acts as the rule for following court cases addressing the same issue

President

Precedent

Protractor

Predecessor

Which of the following could be Precedents set after Judicial Review?

Select All That Apply

A Court Decision determining the constitutionality of a law, like US Citizens under Slavery

A Court Decision determining the equal application of a law, like equal treatment for all people

A Court Decision that sentences someone to jail time

A Court Decision determining the freedom of a protected class under the law, like protection from hate crimes or access to healthcare

Which of the following could be examples of a Precedent set under a Federal Judicial Review under the Supreme Court?

Select all that apply

The Dredd Scott Supreme Court Case Decision that set a precedent where Enslaved People (of African Descent) were not considered US Citizens

The Hodges Supreme Court Case that said that all people had the right to marry regardless of their sexual orientation

The Marriage Equality Act written and passed by Congress to legalize marriage regardless of gender or sexuality

The Roe v. Wade Court Case Decision Determination protecting women's abortion rights as a form of reproductive healthcare

Federalism splits the government into how many layers?

1 Layer, like a good sheet cake

2 Layers, The Federal/National Government, and the States

3 Layers, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Grand Council

4 Layers, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court, and the People

What is the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution?

Select all that apply

The Best Santa Clause, Ever

The idea that one group of people is superior to another

A term in the Constitution dictating that Constitutional Laws and Federal Laws are superior to State Laws

The need for State Laws to follow Federal Laws unless those laws are challenged or overturned in Court

Federal Court Decisions must be followed by...

All Inferior Courts, including lower Federal Courts as well as State Courts

All State and Federal Governments

Other countries close to the courts

People traveling in international water or airspace close to the United States

To decide whether someone’s rights were violated, courts prioritize

The US Constitution, especially the first 10 Amendments called...

US Laws, especially those that protect specific groups

Human Rights, like, the obvious ones

Movies like "Les Miserables"

To win a court case, each side in a constitutional rights case will argue to win their case by...

(Please pick the strongest answer)

interpret the Constitution in the same way, but make different arguments.

interpret the Constitution differently. 

consider facts and ideas to convince the Court to accept their argument. 

Bribe the court to get what they need.

The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Constitution must be followed (legally) regardless of people’s opinions. Those that must follow their ruling include the Federal Government, States, and all people living in the United States.

True

False

Those same Supreme Court Decisions, or Rulings, can be challenged in Court and Overturned

True

False

In your opinion, does the President have too much power?
Provide Evidence/Example and Support your Answer with Explanation and Analysis
You may use quotes from question 2 and examples from question 13 in your answer.

4 Sentences
Restate the Prompt as a Claim.
Introduce your Evidence/Example.
Quote or Paraphrase your example.
Analyze how the example supports your claim.
Conclude with some unique perspective, just in case!

Under the Articles of Confederation and without a strong Federal Government, the US Congress struggled with which of the following?

(Select all that apply)

Collecting National/Federal Taxes

Maintaining justice between states

Negotiating Treaties with Foreign Governments

Raising & Paying for an Army after the revolutionary war

Which of the following match Hamilton's "Federalist" arguments for a strong National Government & President, with limits? 

(Select all that apply)

The President of the United States would be an officer elected by the people for four years; the king of Great Britain is a perpetual and hereditary prince. 

[Term Limits vs. Lifetime Inheritance]

The one would be amenable to personal punishment and disgrace; the person of the other is sacred and inviolable. 

[Be accountable, go to jail vs. immune to the law/courts]

“It is on a [belief] that your American [Presidents] shall be honest, that all the good qualities of this Government are founded: But its defective, and imperfect construction, puts it in their power to perpetrate the worst of mischiefs, should they be bad men

[If corrupt, will take advantage of his office to abuse his power]

If your American chief, be a man of ambition, and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute… The  army  will salute him Monarch;  your  militia  will  leave  you  and assist  in  making  him  King,  and  fight  against you

[If determined and able, to make himself a king]

Madison argued for two ideas to limit the power of a strong Federal Government. 

The first was Separation of Powers, which split the government into branches with unique powers. 

The second was Federalism, which split the government into levels to guide the country as a whole. 

What was the separation of powers in the Government?

1 Branch, like a dying tree

2 Branches, the House of Representatives and the Senate

3 Branches, The Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch

4 Branches, The President, The US Congress, the Grand Council, and the People

Which of the following are powers of the office of the president?
(Select all that apply)

Write & Pass Laws

Veto Laws

Declare War

Write Federal Tax Laws

Appoint Judges & Other Major Federal Positions

Confirm Appointed Judges & Other Major Federal Positions

Negotiate Treaties

Command the Military

Interpret Laws / Declare Laws Unconstitutional

Enact Judicial Review

What are the primary responsibilities of the Legislative Branch? 

Select All That Apply

To write the laws and amendments to the constitution

To enforce the laws 

To Check the Power of the Executive & Judicial Branches

To Impeach Public Official who are corrupt or unfit

To Judge the Ethics of Laws and Actions in Court

To Try Supreme Court Cases

Which of the following are true about the Legislative Branch?

Select All That Apply

51% is the lowest percent of votes to pass the House or Senate

67% of the votes in each house is necessary to override a Presidential Veto

33% is the necessary amount to start an impeachment inquiry

67% of the votes in each house is necessary to remove an official from office through impeachment

What happens to Impeached Officials?

(Select All that Apply)

Straight to Jail

Removal from Office

Disqualification from Future Office

Supreme Court Trial

What is the primary responsibility of the Judicial Branch? 

Select All That Apply

To write the laws and constitution

To enforce the laws 

To judge laws for their legality and constitutionality

To resolve legal conflicts between parties, be they individuals, states, or other organizations

What is Judicial Review? 

Select All That Apply

Judicial Review Makes Laws Better

Judicial Review determines whether laws or executive orders are constitutional, or legal under the constitution

Judges interpret the constitution to improve the Constitution or other written laws

Judges search for laws to change to better the government

How does Judicial Review Impact Laws?

Select All That Apply

Judicial Review Makes Laws Better

Judicial Review determines a law's constitutionality and if it should be applied, or stopped

Judicial Review provides an opportunity for the courts to check the realistic impact of a law, and to open it to challenges (and calls for change by the legislative)

Courts may challenge Federal laws, or adapt the application of the law following successful Judicial Review. This may set a Precedent for any court cases in the future.

Which word best fits this definition: 

A court case that acts as the rule for following court cases addressing the same issue

President

Precedent

Protractor

Predecessor

Which of the following could be Precedents set after Judicial Review?

Select All That Apply

A Court Decision determining the constitutionality of a law, like US Citizens under Slavery

A Court Decision determining the equal application of a law, like equal treatment for all people

A Court Decision that sentences someone to jail time

A Court Decision determining the freedom of a protected class under the law, like protection from hate crimes or access to healthcare

Which of the following could be examples of a Precedent set under a Federal Judicial Review under the Supreme Court?

Select all that apply

The Dredd Scott Supreme Court Case Decision that set a precedent where Enslaved People (of African Descent) were not considered US Citizens

The Hodges Supreme Court Case that said that all people had the right to marry regardless of their sexual orientation

The Marriage Equality Act written and passed by Congress to legalize marriage regardless of gender or sexuality

The Roe v. Wade Court Case Decision Determination protecting women's abortion rights as a form of reproductive healthcare

Federalism splits the government into how many layers? 

1 Layer, like a good sheet cake

2 Layers, The Federal/National Government, and the States

3 Layers, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Grand Council

4 Layers, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court, and the People

What is the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution?

Select all that apply

The Best Santa Clause, Ever

The idea that one group of people is superior to another

A term in the Constitution dictating that Constitutional Laws and Federal Laws are superior to State Laws

The need for State Laws to follow Federal Laws unless those laws are challenged or overturned in Court

Federal Court Decisions must be followed by...

All Inferior Courts, including lower Federal Courts as well as State Courts

All State and Federal Governments

Other countries close to the courts

People traveling in international water or airspace close to the United States

To decide whether someone’s rights were violated, courts prioritize

The US Constitution, especially the first 10 Amendments called...

US Laws, especially those that protect specific groups

Human Rights, like, the obvious ones

Movies like "Les Miserables"

To win a court case, each side in a constitutional rights case will argue to win their case by... 

(Please pick the strongest answer)

interpret the Constitution in the same way, but make different arguments.

interpret the Constitution differently. 

consider facts and ideas to convince the Court to accept their argument. 

Bribe the court to get what they need.

The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Constitution must be followed (legally) regardless of people’s opinions. Those that must follow their ruling include the Federal Government, States, and all people living in the United States. 

True

False

Those same Supreme Court Decisions, or Rulings, can be challenged in Court and Overturned

True

False

Quiz: Separation of Powers - Branches & Federalism

Quiz: Separation of Powers - Branches & Federalism

Under the Articles of Confederation and without a strong Federal Government, the US Congress struggled with which of the following?(Select all that apply)

Which of the following match Hamilton's "Federalist" arguments for a strong National Government & President, with limits? (Select all that apply)

Which of the following are powers of the office of the president?(Select all that apply)

What are the primary responsibilities of the Legislative Branch? Select All That Apply

Which of the following are true about the Legislative Branch?Select All That Apply

What happens to Impeached Officials?(Select All that Apply)

What is the primary responsibility of the Judicial Branch? Select All That Apply

What is Judicial Review? Select All That Apply

How does Judicial Review Impact Laws?Select All That Apply

Which word best fits this definition: A court case that acts as the rule for following court cases addressing the same issue

Which of the following could be Precedents set after Judicial Review?Select All That Apply

Which of the following could be examples of a Precedent set under a Federal Judicial Review under the Supreme Court?Select all that apply

Federalism splits the government into how many layers?

What is the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution?Select all that apply

Federal Court Decisions must be followed by...

To decide whether someone’s rights were violated, courts prioritize

To win a court case, each side in a constitutional rights case will argue to win their case by... (Please pick the strongest answer)

The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Constitution must be followed (legally) regardless of people’s opinions. Those that must follow their ruling include the Federal Government, States, and all people living in the United States.

Those same Supreme Court Decisions, or Rulings, can be challenged in Court and Overturned

Under the Articles of Confederation and without a strong Federal Government, the US Congress struggled with which of the following?

(Select all that apply)

Which of the following match Hamilton's "Federalist" arguments for a strong National Government & President, with limits?

(Select all that apply)

Which of the following are powers of the office of the president?
(Select all that apply)

What are the primary responsibilities of the Legislative Branch?

Select All That Apply

Which of the following are true about the Legislative Branch?

Select All That Apply

What happens to Impeached Officials?

(Select All that Apply)

What is the primary responsibility of the Judicial Branch?

Select All That Apply

What is Judicial Review?

Select All That Apply

How does Judicial Review Impact Laws?

Select All That Apply

Which word best fits this definition:

A court case that acts as the rule for following court cases addressing the same issue

Which of the following could be Precedents set after Judicial Review?

Select All That Apply

Which of the following could be examples of a Precedent set under a Federal Judicial Review under the Supreme Court?

Select all that apply

What is the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution?

Select all that apply

To win a court case, each side in a constitutional rights case will argue to win their case by...

(Please pick the strongest answer)