Answer Key
The Legislative Branch This branch is called Congress and is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Requirements
Term
Powers
Limits on Powers
To be a member of the House of Representatives you must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for the past 7 years, and you must live in the state you want to represent. To be a member of the Senate you must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for the past 9 years, and you must live in the state you want to represent.
A member of the House of Representatives serves for two years. A member of the Senate serves for 6 years. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
To make laws To tax the people To declare war To coin money To regulate trade between states and between the U.S. and other countries 6. To impeach government officials for wrong-doing 7. Senate: approves treaties and people appointed to jobs by the President
1. Cannot make unfair laws such as those that would limit a person’s right to freedom of speech or religion 2. The Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional 3. The President can veto a law
Answer Key
The Executive Branch
This branch is made up of the President, the VicePresident, of the President’s Cabinet such as the Secretary of Defense, and officials of independent agencies that help carry out policy such as the CIA.
To be the President you must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen of the United Requirements States, and you must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
Term
Powers
Limits on Powers
The President serves a term of four years and may only serve a total of two . 1. To serve as Head of State when meeting with leaders of other countries 2. To act as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces 3. To make treaties with other countries 4. To appoint judges to the Supreme Court 5. To conduct a war 6. To recommend legislation to Congress 7. To sign or veto a bill from Congress 1. The President can conduct a war, but only Congress can declare war 2. The President controls the armed forces, but Congress controls the money needed to the armed forces 3. The Senate must approve the people the President appoints to certain jobs 4. The President can be impeached by Congress for wrong-doing
Answer Key
The Judicial Branch This branch is made up of the Supreme Court ,which has 9 Justices, and the lower federal courts and their judges. There are no requirements but to this date all Supreme Court Justices have been trained in the Requirements law. Many have served as of Congress, governors, or of a President’s Cabinet.
Term
Supreme Court Justices serve for life unless they resign, retire or are impeached by the House of Representatives and convicted by the Senate.
Powers
1. To declare a law made by Congress unconstitutional 2. To declare an action of the President unconstitutional 3. To declare a state law unconstitutional if it conflicts with the laws made by Congress or with the Constitution
Limits on Powers
1. Congress has the power to impeach, try and remove Supreme Court Justices and federal judges from office. 2. Courts do not have the power to enforce their decisions. The President is responsible for this.
This branch is called Congress and is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. There are no requirements but to this date all Supreme Court Justices have been trained in the law. Many have served as of Congress, governors, or of a President’s Cabinet. 1. To serve as Head of State when meeting with leaders of other countries 2. To act as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces 3. To make treaties with other countries 4. To appoint judges to the Supreme Court 5. To conduct a war 6. To recommend legislation to Congress 7. To sign or veto a bill from Congress
1. Cannot make unfair laws such as those that would limit a person’s right to freedom of speech or religion 2. The Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional 3. The President can veto a law 1. Congress has the power to impeach, try and remove Supreme Court Justices and federal judges from office. 2. Courts do not have the power to enforce their decisions. The President is responsible for this.
The President serves a term of four years and may only serve a total of two .
Puzzle Pieces
This branch is made up of the President, the VicePresident, of the President’s Cabinet such as the Secretary of Defense, and officials of independent agencies that help carry out policy such as the CIA.
1. To declare a law made by Congress unconstitutional 2. To declare an action of the President unconstitutional 3. To declare a state law unconstitutional if it conflicts with the laws made by Congress or with the Constitution To be a member of the House of Representatives you must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for the past 7 years, and you must live in the state you want to represent. To be a member of the Senate you must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for the past 9 years, and you must live in the state you want to represent.
A member of the House of Representatives serves for two years. A member of the Senate serves for 6 years. This branch is made up of the Supreme Court ,which has 9 Justices, and the lower federal courts and their judges. Supreme Court Justices serve for life unless they resign, retire or are impeached by the House of Representatives and convicted by the Senate. To be the President you must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen of the United States, and you must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
Puzzle Pieces
Puzzle Pieces 1. 2.
3. 4.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The President can conduct a war, but only Congress can declare war The President controls the armed forces, but Congress controls the money needed to the armed forces The Senate must approve the people the President appoints to certain jobs The President can be impeached by Congress for wrong-doing
To make laws To tax the people To declare war To coin money To regulate trade between states and between the U.S. and other countries 6. To impeach government officials for wrong-doing 7. Senate: approves treaties and people appointed to jobs by the President
The Legislative Branch
Requirements
Term
Powers
Limits on Powers
The Executive Branch
Requirements
Term
Powers
Limits on Powers
The Judicial Branch
Requirements
Term
Powers
Limits on Powers
Directions 1. Have students cut out the graphic organizer puzzle pieces. 2. Students find where the puzzle pieces belong on the blank graphic organizers. 3. Discuss answers as a class or display answer key and have students glue correct puzzle pieces in place.