American Government Principles and Structure 1 Flashcards
6 cards from real US practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 American Government Principles and Structure 1 flashcards as text
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Answer: The Senate and the House of Representatives
The U.S. Congress is the legislative branch and is made up of two chambers: the Senate (100 senators, 2 per state) and the House of Representatives (435 members, based on state population).
Who serves as the Commander in Chief of the United States military?
Answer: The President
The U.S. Constitution designates the President as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, making the President the highest-ranking authority over the armed forces.
What is the primary function of the legislative branch?
Answer: To make laws
The legislative branch — Congress — is responsible for writing and passing laws. The executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets them.
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution currently have?
Answer: 27
The Constitution has been amended 27 times. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791, and the most recent (27th) was ratified in 1992.
What does the system of 'checks and balances' do in the U.S. government?
Answer: It allows each branch to limit the powers of the other branches
Checks and balances is a design principle in the Constitution that prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful by giving each branch specific powers to oversee and limit the others.
Which branch of the U.S. government has the power to declare war?
Answer: The legislative branch (Congress)
The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to formally declare war. While the President commands the military, only Congress can make an official declaration of war.