Which of these is our Vice President and what is her name? 

Our Vice President is pictured on the left and her name is Kamala Harris. 

This is Angus King.   What is his title? 

Angus King’s title is U.S. Senator (from Maine).

Who is this and what is the main purpose of his job?

This is Joe Biden and the main purpose of his job is to carry out (enforce) the laws made by Congress.

What is this woman’s title and how many other people hold the same title as she does today?

This woman’s title is US Representative (from Maine) and there are 434 other people who hold that title today.

Her name is Chellie Pingree.

Name these two people, the branch they work in, and the main purpose of their jobs?

The man in Rep. Jared Golden and the woman is Sen. Susan Collins.  They both work in the legislative branch.  Their job is to make laws.

What building is this and what branch of government is it associated with? 

This is the Capitol Building and it is associated with the legislative branch.

In general, what kind of work goes on in this building?

In general, legal cases are decided in this building by the Supreme Court.  They interpret laws and the Constitution.

In which national building do Senators and Representatives do most of their work?

Senators and Representatives do most of their work in the Capitol Building.

Which of these is not the White House?    

How many executive departments meet with the President in the White House?  

The brick building is not the White House.  It is Wells Junior High.

The White House has a curved “portico” (entrance area) on one side and a rectangular entrance on the other.  It does not have a dome like the Capitol Building.  It has less columns and stairs in front than does the Supreme Court.

Pick any or all of these words/phrases that describe all three of these buildings:

• federal
• white
• privately owned
• in Washington, DC

Each of these buildings is a federal building; each is white in color; each is in Washington, DC.

If they were privately owned they would not be federal buildings because federal means…of the central or national government.

What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

The Preamble

How many articles does the US Constitution have?

The Constitution has seven articles.  

          7

What are the first ten amendments of the Constitution called?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution are called The Bill of Rights.  

100 points for each correct answer:

# of amendments

# of chief executives at one time

# of Senators per state

# of Supreme Court Justices

There are 27 amendments, one chief executive at a time (the President), two Senators per state, and nine Supreme Court Justices.

What is the purpose of the US Constitution?

The purpose of the US Constitution is to tell the rules and laws for how our government works and to list  the rights of the people, the states, and the federal government.

What is an amendment? 

An amendment is a change, as in a change to the Constitution.

What is the definition of majority?  

A majority is at least half plus one. 

What is the term for the written explanation of a decision made by the Supreme Court?

The written explanation of a decision made by the Supreme Court is called an opinion. 

What does it mean to be naturalized?

If someone is naturalized it means that he or she has become a citizen, even though he or she was not born in the USA.  To be naturalized you must live in the US for a certain length of time, take classes, and pass a citizenship test.

Upon what occasion is the President’s inaugural address given?  

The President’s inaugural speech is given on the day that he or she is sworn into office.  

This is known as  inauguration day. 

How many Senators are there in the legislative branch of the US government?

There are 100 Senators in the legislative branch of the US government.

With which branch does the cabinet work?

The cabinet works with the executive branch.

Describe the basic idea of federalism. 

Federalism is a system where the national and state governments share powers so that neither one becomes too powerful.  

For 200 each :  Give one example of a way that Congress can check the power of the President.  

Give one example of a way the President can check the power of Congress.

Answers will vary. 

Some examples are: 

Congress can check the powers of the President by having to approve appointments of ambassadors and Supreme Court Justices. 

Also, Congress can impeach a President.

The President can check the power of Congress by vetoing a law.

Why does the USA have a separation of powers into three branches?

The USA has a separation of powers into three branches so that one branch of government does not get too powerful and have the ability to abuse its power. 

With checks and balances, we make sure that no ONE branch is free to do whatever they want.  This is one way that citizens are protected from unfairness and poor decisions that may be made by our leaders.

The Teacher will provide the question.  

The Teacher will judge the answer.