Amendment: an Official Change to the Constitution

Matching Section: Define the following words to prepare for the matching section on the test.

Amendment: An official change to the Constitution.

Federalism: The balance of power between state and federal government.

Ratification: Officially approving a document or treaty

Congress: The lawmaking body of a government made up of representatives.

Bill of Rights: The first ten amendment to the US Constitution that guarantee basic rights to the people.

Senate: The elite group of congress made up equally of two representatives from each state for a total of 100 senators.

House of Representatives: The group of congress based on population of each state with a total of 435 representatives.

Legislation: A law that has been proposed, discussed, or approved by Congress

Legislative Branch: The branch with the duty of making laws, approving treaties, and passing a budget.

President: The chief of the executive branch.

Executive Branch The branch with the duty of executing and enforcing laws.

Cabinet: The heads of each department who advise the president directly.

Judicial Branch: The branch responsible for interpreting laws.

Appeal: To disagree with a ruling that was made in court.

Foreign Policy: How a country deals with other countries.

Multiple Choice: Answer the following questions. On the test, this section will be multiple choice instead of short answer.

What is the purpose of the United States Constitution?

It establishes the rules and structure of the US Government

For a bill to become a law, what part(s) of congress must approve it?

The House of Representatives and the Senate must approve it.

According to the Constitution, federal/national laws are to state laws.

Superior

What is the difference betweenexpressed and implied powers?

Expressed is a federal power that is clearly written, implied is a power that isn’t written but makes sense

What are the strengths of a federal system of government?

There is national unity, but power with local
governments, citizens have more chances to
be heard. /

When can Congress ignore the Constitution?

Never

Why is it important for representatives to listen to the voters?

Voters can kick out representatives by not reelecting them

What role does the Cabinet play in the Executive Branch?

It is made up for the President’s fifteen closest advisors.

What is the President’s role in the lawmaking process?

Signing a bill Congress has approved

Define US Foreign Policy:

This country’s actions, words, and beliefs toward other countries

What is a requirement for a case to go through the Court of Appeals?

One side would have to disagree with a ruling in a lower court

How do courts help resolve conflicts?

Provides equal access to justice for all

Which amendment outlaws the use of cruel and unusual punishments?

8th Amendment /

Do judges have to listen to the rulings of other judges when making a decision of their own?

Yes, they must obey prior rulings

What are the three branches of government?

Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Fill in the Blank: Fill in the table below.

Section / Answers these questions…
Preamble / What does the Constitution do? What is the purpose of government?
Article I / How does the legislative branch create laws?
Article II / How does the executive branch execute laws?
Article III / How does the judicial branch interpret the laws?
Article IV / How should the states get along with each other?
Article V / How can the Constitution be amended, or changed?
Article VI / How does federalism work? Which law is supreme?
Article VII / What steps have to be taken to make the Constitution law of the land?
Amendments / What changes have been made to the constitution?
Amendments / The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights

Bonus Section: There will be two bonus questions. Check with Mr. Rerko or Mrs. Bronstein to see what their bonus questions will be, if they are feeling nice enough to tell you what they are planning to do. Muwahahahaha.

Questions:

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