Separation of Powers: Three Branches of Government
Practice review questions
In the United States, the use of implied powers, the amending process, and Supreme Court interpretations have resulted
in
1.
2.
3.
4.
a general loss of individual rights
a strengthening of the principle of separation of powers
the Constitution being adapted to fit changing times
the limiting of Presidential power in domestic affairs
The system of checks and balances is best illustrated by the power of
1.
2.
3.
4.
the President to veto a bill passed by Congress
Congress to censure one of its members
a governor to send the National Guard to stop a riot
state and Federal gov-ernments to levy and collect taxes
Which Presidential action is an example of the unwritten constitution?
1.
2.
3.
4.
appointing Justices to the Supreme Court
granting pardons for Federal crimes
submitting a treaty to the Senate for ratification
consulting with the Cabinet
A lasting impact of the United States Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall is that the Court’s decisions
1.
2.
3.
4.
extended the Bill of Rights to enslaved persons
expanded the power of the Federal Government
restricted the authority of Congress
promoted the views of the President
Adherence to a strict interpretation of the Constitution would have prevented President Thomas Jefferson from
1.
2.
3.
4.
making the Louisiana Purchase
writing “State of the Union” messages
receiving ambassadors
commissioning military officers
The elastic clause, the amending process, and judicial review are all methods by which
1.
2.
3.
4.
Congress may check the power of the executive branch
the wording of the original Constitution may be altered
state governments may limit the power of the Federal Government
the Constitution may be adapted to meet changing conditions
“The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and
causing a panic.”
-Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes
Which interpretation of the Bill of Rights does this statement illustrate?
1.
2.
3.
4.
The needs of the government are more important than civil liberties.
Constitutional protections of liberty are not absolute.
The Supreme Court can eliminate freedoms listed in the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights does not safeguard individual liberties.
The flexibility of the original United States Constitution is due mainly to
1.
2.
3.
4.
its provision for the amending process and judicial interpretation
its guarantees of freedom and justice for all people
the ability to create new branches of government as needed
the willingness of the states to accept Federal control
The Supreme Court’s power of judicial review is a result of
1.
2.
3.
4.
an order by the President
the Court’s own interpretation of the Constitution
a provision in the Bill of Rights
the Court’s decision to hear appeals regarding taxation
Which historical event best demonstrates the operation of checks and balances?
1. President George Washington used the Army to suppress a tax rebellion by Pennsylvania farmers
2. South Carolina seceded from the Union over the issues of slavery and States rights.
3. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent Federal troops to enforce the integration of public schools in Little
Rock, Arkansas.
4. The Senate approved the appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.
Which method resulted in both "separate but equal" public facilities (1896) and Miranda warnings against selfincrimination (1966)?
1.
2.
3.
4.
decisions of the United States Supreme Court
proclamations of state governors
executive orders of the President
congressional actions
The clash between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the United States Supreme Court over New Deal laws
best illustrates the operation of
1.
2.
3.
4.
federalism
due process
checks and balances
the two-party system
The "clear and present danger" ruling in the Supreme Court case Schenck v. United States (1919) confirmed the
idea that
1.
2.
3.
4.
prayer in public schools is unconstitutional
racism in the United States is illegal
interstate commerce can be regulated by state governments
constitutional rights are not absolute
The significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison is that the decision
1.
2.
3.
4.
advanced civil rights for minorities
upheld the constitutionality of a national bank
limited Presidential control of foreign policy
established the power of judicial review
Which concept from the European Enlightenment was included in the United States Constitution?
1.
2.
3.
4.
absolutism
despotism
limited monarchy
consent of the governed
A system of checks and balances was included in the United States Constitution because the authors were
concerned about
1.
2.
3.
4.
one branch of government becoming too strong
the states having too much power
the people having a voice in government
the military gaining control of the United States
Which newspaper headline shows the operation of the system of checks and balances?
1.
2.
3.
4.
“Senate Rejects President’s Choice of Supreme Court Justice”
“Florida To Gain Two Seats in the United States House of Representatives”
“Albany County Receives $4 Million from Congress for Transportation Development”
“New York State Rejects Federal Regulations on Drug Testing”
• Congress proposes an amendment legalizing an income tax
• The Supreme Court rules that the income tax is unconstitutional. These events illustrate the use of
1.
2.
3.
4.
delegated powers
checks and balances
judicial legislation
the unwritten constitution
Which governmental action illustrates the system of checks and balances?
1.
2.
3.
4.
a senator helping a governor solve a state problem
the president negotiating a trade agreement with foreign diplomats
the Senate ratifying a peace treaty
Congress raising taxes to pay for federal programs
French Enlightenment philosopher Baron De Montesquieu praised the British political system because it
divided the power of government between the monarch and the two houses of Parliament. Which principle
included in the United States Constitution shows that the framers agreed with Montesquieu?
1.
2.
3.
4.
separation of powers
federal supremacy
implied powers
due process
The data in the table illustrate the operation of
1.
2.
3.
4.
executive privilege
checks and balances
congressional immunity
federal supremacy