Political Institutions: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches

Question 1

According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which power is NOT granted to the President?

Accepted Answer

Declare war

Answer

Veto legislation passed by Congress

Answer

Negotiate and ratify treaties

Answer

Appoint and remove executive branch officials

Question 2

Which branch of the US government is responsible for making laws?

Accepted Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial

Answer

Administrative

Question 3

Who has the authority to sign or veto laws passed by Congress?

Accepted Answer

President

Answer

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Answer

Speaker of the House

Answer

Senate Majority Leader

Question 4

Which principle is NOT part of the system of checks and balances?

Accepted Answer

Majority rule

Answer

Separation of powers

Answer

Judicial review

Answer

Limited government

Question 5

What is the length of a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

2 years

Answer

4 years

Answer

6 years

Answer

8 years

Question 6

Which is NOT a responsibility of the President?

Accepted Answer

Exclusive power to create laws

Answer

Commander-in-chief of the armed forces

Answer

Chief diplomat of the United States

Answer

Head of the federal bureaucracy

Question 7

Which of the following powers is NOT granted to the legislative branch under the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Ratifying treaties

Answer

Enacting legislation

Answer

Appropriating funds

Answer

Impeaching the President

Question 8

The system of checks and balances primarily aims to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent any one branch of government from wielding excessive authority

Answer

Ensure harmonious cooperation among the branches of government

Answer

Guarantee representation for minority political views

Answer

Protect the rights and freedoms of individuals

Question 9

Which of the following tasks is the primary responsibility of the executive branch?

Accepted Answer

Executing and enforcing laws

Answer

Interpreting laws and applying them to specific cases

Answer

Ratifying treaties and appointing ambassadors

Answer

Resolving disputes and ensuring justice

Question 10

The power of judicial review empowers the Supreme Court to:

Accepted Answer

Declare laws unconstitutional

Answer

Appoint judges to lower federal courts

Answer

Impeach the President and other high-ranking officials

Answer

Enact legislation to address pressing national issues

Question 11

The concept of separation of powers is rooted in the idea that:

Accepted Answer

Government authority should be divided among different branches with distinct powers

Answer

Power should be concentrated in a single authority to ensure efficient decision-making

Answer

The people should hold the ultimate authority over those in power

Answer

Laws should be created directly by the citizenry through referendums and initiatives

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a function carried out by the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Enacting legislation to address national concerns

Answer

Interpreting the Constitution and applying it to legal cases

Answer

Deciding on cases involving federal laws and disputes between states

Answer

Appointing lower court judges and overseeing their conduct

Question 13

The President's veto power can be overridden by:

Accepted Answer

A two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate

Answer

A simple majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate

Answer

A majority vote in the House of Representatives only

Answer

A unanimous vote in the Senate only

Question 14

The Bill of Rights refers to:

Accepted Answer

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and freedoms

Answer

A separate document that outlines the powers of the federal government

Answer

A set of principles that guide the interpretation of the Constitution

Answer

A legal code that defines the rights and responsibilities of citizens

Question 15

Which branch of government is responsible for enacting legislation?

Accepted Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Judicial

Question 16

What is the main purpose of the system of checks and balances?

Accepted Answer

To prevent any one branch of government from gaining excessive power

Answer

To protect the rights of minorities

Answer

To ensure that the government is responsive to the needs of the people

Question 17

What is the primary responsibility of the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

To interpret the Constitution and federal laws

Answer

To enforce executive orders

Answer

To introduce new laws to Congress

Question 18

Which of the following is a limitation on the powers of the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Reserved powers

Answer

Delegated powers

Answer

Concurrent powers

Question 19

What is the fundamental significance of the Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

It guarantees individual liberties and protects citizens from government overreach

Answer

It outlines the structure and functions of the federal government

Answer

It establishes the principle of majority rule

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a function of political parties in the American political system?

Accepted Answer

Enacting legislation and enforcing laws

Answer

Mobilizing voters and encouraging political participation

Answer

Educating the public about political candidates and issues

Question 21

What is the core principle upon which popular sovereignty is based?

Accepted Answer

The government derives its authority from the consent of the governed

Answer

The majority has the right to make decisions for the minority

Answer

The government has absolute power over its citizens

Question 22

Which of the following is a characteristic of a representative democracy?

Accepted Answer

Citizens elect officials to represent their interests and make decisions on their behalf

Answer

All citizens participate directly in making political decisions

Answer

The government is not accountable to the people

Question 23

What is the primary purpose of the Electoral College in the American presidential election?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that each state has a proportional voice in electing the President

Answer

To prevent candidates from winning the presidency without majority support

Answer

To simplify the election process and reduce the influence of special interest groups

Question 24

In what primary way does the separation of powers contribute to the stability and effectiveness of the American political system?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that no one branch of government can become too powerful.

Answer

It guarantees that each branch of government will always cooperate seamlessly.

Answer

It ensures that the government is always responsive to the will of the people.

Answer

It allows each branch of government to dominate the other branches.

Question 25

Which of the following is a key function of the legislative branch?

Accepted Answer

Proposing and passing laws

Answer

Enforcing laws

Answer

Interpreting laws

Answer

Appointing judges

Question 26

Who holds the position of head of the executive branch?

Accepted Answer

President

Answer

Vice President

Answer

Speaker of the House

Answer

Chief Justice

Question 27

Which court has the ultimate authority to interpret the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

District Courts

Answer

Circuit Courts

Answer

Appellate Courts

Question 28

What is the main purpose of the system of checks and balances?

Accepted Answer

To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful

Answer

To ensure equal representation for all citizens

Answer

To promote cooperation between the branches

Answer

To interpret laws

Question 29

Which body has the authority to declare war?

Accepted Answer

Congress

Answer

Senate

Answer

House of Representatives

Answer

President

Question 30

Who is responsible for nominating the members of the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

President

Answer

Congress

Answer

Judicial Selection Commission

Answer

Supreme Court Justices

Question 31

What is the length of a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

2 years

Answer

4 years

Answer

6 years

Answer

8 years

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a power delegated to the federal government by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Regulate domestic affairs of states

Answer

Provide for national defense

Answer

Establish a national bank

Answer

Declare war

Question 33

What principle requires the government to treat all citizens equally under the law?

Accepted Answer

Equal protection

Answer

Due process

Answer

Separation of powers

Answer

Checks and balances

Question 34

The primary responsibility for interpreting the laws of the United States rests with which branch of government?

Accepted Answer

Judicial

Answer

Legislative

Answer

Executive

Answer

Administrative

Question 35

Which term describes the system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches?

Accepted Answer

Checks and balances

Answer

Separation of powers

Answer

Rule of law

Answer

Federalism

Question 36

The impeachment process is designed for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Removing a president or other high official from office for serious misconduct

Answer

Confirming a presidential appointment

Answer

Passing new laws

Answer

Interpreting the Constitution

Question 37

Which of the following principles is fundamental to the American political system?

Accepted Answer

Limited government

Answer

Majority rule

Answer

Divine right

Answer

Absolute monarchy

Question 38

The highest law of the land in the United States is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Constitution

Answer

Declaration of Independence

Answer

Bill of Rights

Answer

Articles of Confederation

Question 39

Enforcing laws is a primary responsibility of which branch of government?

Accepted Answer

Executive

Answer

Legislative

Answer

Judicial

Answer

Administrative

Question 40

The system of federalism in the United States serves primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Distribute power between the national and state governments.

Answer

Guarantee equal representation for all citizens.

Answer

Prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Answer

Ensure that all laws are passed by a majority of both houses of Congress.

Question 41

Which amendment to the Constitution prohibits states from denying citizens the right to vote based on race?

Accepted Answer

Fifteenth Amendment

Answer

First Amendment

Answer

Thirteenth Amendment

Answer

Nineteenth Amendment

Question 42

In the American political system, the primary role of the Supreme Court is to:

Accepted Answer

Interpret the Constitution

Answer

Resolve disputes between the states

Answer

Create laws

Answer

Execute laws

Question 43

Which responsibility does NOT belong to the legislative branch of the U.S. government?

Accepted Answer

Executing laws

Answer

Approving treaties

Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Raising revenue

Question 44

Which branch of government is responsible for writing and passing laws?

Accepted Answer

Legislative

Answer

Bureaucratic

Answer

Judicial

Answer

Executive

Question 45

Who serves as the leader of the executive branch?

Accepted Answer

President

Answer

Secretary of State

Answer

Chief Justice

Answer

Speaker of the House

Question 46

Which court holds the final authority to interpret the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

State Supreme Court

Answer

Court of Appeals

Answer

District Court

Question 47

What fundamental principle ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful?

Accepted Answer

Checks and Balances

Answer

Popular Sovereignty

Answer

Federalism

Answer

Separation of Powers

Question 48

What is the primary purpose of the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Interpret the law

Answer

Oversee the executive branch

Answer

Enact legislation

Answer

Enforce the law

Question 49

Which feature is characteristic of a federal system of government?

Accepted Answer

Power is divided between national and state governments

Answer

Power is centralized in a single government

Answer

There is no separation of powers

Question 50

What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

To protect individual liberties

Answer

To establish the structure of government

Answer

To regulate commerce between states

Answer

To define the powers of the federal government

Question 51

Which amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery?

Accepted Answer

13th Amendment

Answer

5th Amendment

Answer

1st Amendment

Question 52

Which court is the highest judicial authority within each state?

Accepted Answer

State Supreme Court

Answer

Federal Supreme Court

Answer

District Court

Answer

Court of Appeals