Unit 3: Structure of the US Government Study Guide
Unit Study Guide: Answer these questions on your own. This will help you prepare for quizzes/tests!
SOL 6a/6b/6d/10b Question: What is the structure of the national government as set out in the United
States Constitution?
1.
2.
What is Separation of Powers? The branches have different powers and different jobs!
Directions: Sort of the facts in the bank into the branch where they belong.
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Congress, Declares War, Approves the
annual budget, Raises revenue through
taxes and other levies, Makes laws for
the nation.
President, Chief Executive, Executes the
laws of the land, Prepares the annual
budget, Appoints cabinet officers,
ambassadors, and federal judges.
Supreme Court, Judicial review,
interprets the law.
Sorting Bank
Congress
Judicial review
Declares war
Approves the annual budget
interprets the law
Chief executive
President
Raises revenue through taxes and other levies
Supreme Court
Makes the laws of the nation
Executes the laws of the land
Prepares the annual budget
Appoints cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges
SOL 6a: What is the structure and powers of the national legislative branch in the United States?
3.
The formal powers of Congress are limited by the __US Constitution_________.
4.
The two types of powers given to Congress are _____express__ (listed) powers and
____implied_____ (not listed) powers.
SOL 6a/6d: What is the structure and powers of the national executive branch in the United States?
5.
The President’s job as chief of state is to____lead ceremonies_____.
6.
The President’s job as chief legislator is to__propose (ask/suggest) laws____.
7.
The President’s job as chief diplomat is to ____speak with other countries_____.
SOL 6a/10b: What is the structure and powers of the national judicial branch in the United States?
8.
What is judicial review? ___The power to determine constitutionality of laws and executive acts___.
9.
Who has the power to use judicial review? __Supreme Court___.
10. What Supreme Court case established this power? ___Marbury v. Madison__.
SOL 6b Question: Checks and Balances
11. What is Checks and Balances? __All 3 branches in the government are EQUAL in power______.
12. What is one way that the President can limit the power of the Supreme Court? __Appoint Federal Judges___.
13. What is one way that Congress can limit the power of the Supreme Court? _______Impeach Federal Judges_____.
14. What is one way that the President can limit the Power of Congress? _____Veto bills______.
15. What is one way that Congress can limit the power of the President? _____Override vetos______.
16. What is one way that the Supreme Court can limit the power of Congress? ______Declare laws unconstitutional______
17. What is one way that the Supreme Court can limit the power of the President? ___Declare executive acts unconstitutional.