Keystone Test Civics: U.S. Government Principles 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'federalism' mean in the context of U.S. government?
- The President has supreme authority over all laws
- Power is shared between the national and state governments (Correct answer)
- All laws must be approved by a federal court
- States have no independent governing power
Correct answer: Power is shared between the national and state governments
Federalism divides governmental authority between the national (federal) government and the individual states.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of the legislative branch checking the executive branch?
- The Supreme Court overturning a law
- Congress overriding a presidential veto (Correct answer)
- The President appointing federal judges
- States nullifying federal laws
Correct answer: Congress overriding a presidential veto
Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, limiting executive power.
Question 3: Under the U.S. Constitution, who has the power to ratify treaties negotiated by the President?
- The House of Representatives
- The Senate (Correct answer)
- The Supreme Court
- All three branches jointly
Correct answer: The Senate
The Senate must approve treaties by a two-thirds majority before they become binding law.
Question 4: What is the primary role of the executive branch?
- To write and pass laws
- To interpret the Constitution
- To enforce and implement laws (Correct answer)
- To approve the federal budget
Correct answer: To enforce and implement laws
The executive branch, led by the President, is responsible for enforcing and carrying out laws passed by Congress.
Question 5: Which constitutional principle holds that the federal government only has powers specifically granted to it?
- Implied powers
- Supremacy clause
- Limited government (Correct answer)
- Judicial review
Correct answer: Limited government
Limited government means the government can only exercise powers given to it by the Constitution.
Question 6: What is an 'amendment' to the U.S. Constitution?
- A presidential executive order
- A formal change or addition to the Constitution (Correct answer)
- A Supreme Court ruling on a law
- A temporary suspension of a constitutional right
Correct answer: A formal change or addition to the Constitution
An amendment is an official alteration or addition to the Constitution, requiring ratification by three-fourths of the states.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes 'popular sovereignty'?
- The monarch holds all governing power
- Government authority comes from the consent of the people (Correct answer)
- Courts have final say on all policy decisions
- Only landowners may participate in government
Correct answer: Government authority comes from the consent of the people
Popular sovereignty is the principle that the government's legitimate power derives from the will of the people.
Keystone Test Civics: U.S. Government Principles 3
What does 'federalism' mean in the context of U.S. government?