Civics Practice Test 2: System of Government

Name the three branches of government.

1. Federal, state and local
2. Legislative, executive and judicial
3. Senate, House and Cabinet
4. President, Vice President and Speaker

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

1. The Senate and the Supreme Court
2. The House and the Cabinet
3. The Senate and the House of Representatives
4. The Electoral College and the Senate

Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?

1. To save money on salaries
2. To more closely follow public opinion
3. Because the House has fewer members
4. Because representatives are appointed, not elected

Why does each state have two senators?

1. Because large states asked for it
2. Because every state has two political parties
3. Equal representation for small states
4. Because each senator serves only half a term

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

1. Because of the state's population
2. Because of the state's land area
3. Because they joined the Union earlier
4. Because they pay more federal taxes

The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

1. Because of the Bill of Rights
2. Because of the 19th Amendment
3. Because George Washington signed a law limiting it
4. Because of the 22nd Amendment

Why is the Electoral College important?

1. It writes the federal budget
2. It approves Supreme Court justices
3. It counts the population
4. It decides who is elected president

What does the judicial branch do?

1. Decides if a law goes against the Constitution
2. Writes laws
3. Enforces laws
4. Declares war

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

1. Because they are elected by the people
2. To be independent of politics
3. To save the cost of elections
4. Because the Constitution sets no rules for judges

Name one power that is only for the states.

1. Print paper money
2. Make treaties
3. Declare war
4. Provide schooling and education

The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

What part of the federal government writes laws?

How many U.S. senators are there?

How long is a term for a U.S. senator?

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

How many senators does each state have?

The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?