Answer Key
Three Branches of the United States Government
Vocabulary Quiz
J
1. Legislative Branch
F
2. Executive Branch
C
3. Judicial Branch
A
4. separation of powers
L
5. Checks and Balances
B
6. enumerated powers
G
7. implied powers
K
8. inherent powers
D
9. elastic clause
H
10. executive privilege
E
11. veto
A. a way of dividing power among three
branches of government: Legislative,
Executive, and Judicial in which each
is selected by and responsible for
distinct functions.
B. 17 specific powers granted to
Congress by the Constitution of
the United States
C. responsible for interpreting the laws
of the land as stated, or implied, by
the Constitution
D. a name given to the “necessary and
proper clause
E. the formal constitutional authority
of the President to reject bills passed
by both houses of Congress
preventing their becoming laws
without further Congressional
action
F. branch of government that is
responsible for overseeing the
management of the government
G. those powers not specifically listed in
the Constitution that can be inferred
from the enumerated powers.
For Example: the power to draft
people into the army
H. the doctrine that the President does
not have to share certain
information with Congress or the
Judicial Branch
I. a law or action that is unauthorized
by or inconsistent with the
Constitution of the United States
J. responsible for making the laws of
the country, represented by two
bodies: The House of Representatives
and the Senate
K. powers that do not have to be
granted by the Constitution; EX:
conducting foreign affairs
M
12. judicial review
I
13. unconstitutional
L. the constitutional doctrine in which
each branch of government shares
some of the powers of the other
branches in order to limit their
actions
M. the authority of a court to review the
acts of the legislature, the executive
branch, or state to determine the
constitutionality of these acts
14. ( 3 points) Identify the correct Article of the United States Constitution that
establishes the separate branches of the government.
Judicial Branch: Article III
Executive Branch: Article II
Legislative Branch: Article I
15. ( 8 points) Fill in the chart below with the correct information for each
office. If you fill in the entire chart correctly you will
automatically receive 1 bonus point.
Minimum Age
Qualifications as
citizen and
residency
7 years US citizen;
a resident of the
state from which
they are elected
Limits on Term of
Office
2 – years
Unlimited # of
terms
House of
Representative
25
Senate
30
9 years US citizen ;
a resident of the
state from which
they are elected
6 – year term
Unlimited # of
terms
President/Vice
President
35
14
Must be a natural
born citizen; and
resident for at least
14 years
4 – year term
2-term limit
Bonus Question: (5 points) In your opinion, is the doctrine of “checks and
balances” important? Give at least 3 reasons why you think so? You may use
the back of this paper to complete this question if needed.