US Government
Executive Branch Test
Name_________________________
1. What is the Executive Branch?
2. What is the Electoral College system?
3. Why did the founders want the Electoral College system in place, rather than
a popular vote?
4. Who are the typical electors?
5. Most United States Presidents have been:
6. In order to be elected, a candidate should have:
7. In order to run for President you must be
8. What happens if neither candidate receives 270 votes?
9. Why do some criticize the winner take all approach to the Electoral College?
10. What role does the Senate have in selecting the President’s cabinet?
11. What causes the President to not use some cabinet members?
12. The inner cabinet is described as:
13. What is the role of the Executive Office?
14. Who is the current White House Chief of Staff?
15. What is an informal power?
16. What are the sources of informal powers?
17. What are the expressed constitutional powers of the President?
18. Which of the following is an expressed constitutional power of the President?
19. What is an argument against the War Powers Act of 1973?
20. What is executive privilege?
21. Why do bureaucrats make “rules?”
22. How do the people limit the power of the President?
23. How do the courts limit the power of the President?
24. How does congress limit the power of the President?
Short Answers:
25. How is the following quote both true and false? “I had more power over national
affairs in a few years in the White House than I could if I spent the rest of my life in
the Senate.” (two points)
26. What factors does the president consider when selecting his Cabinet? (3 points)
27. What is one Bureaucratic department that benefits you? How so? (2 points)
28. Why is it important for the President to be able to understand the public?
29. Why is it important for the President to be able to compromise?
Section III: Classify each Executive action under the appropriate Executive role.
_____1. The President pardon’s a criminal
_____2. The President makes an Executive agreement
_____3. The President makes a speech on behalf of a congressman
_____4. The President issues an Executive order
_____5. The President throws the first pitch of a baseball game
_____6. The President orders troops to fire on an enemy base
_____7. The President Vetoes a bill
_____8. The President Impounds funds delegated by congress
_____9. The President signs a peace treaty
_____10. The President submits an annual budget to congress