Branches of Government — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Maria wants to influence the legislative branch about a school funding bill. Which civic action best fits her goal?
A) Filing a lawsuit in federal court
B) Calling her Senator and Representative to share her views
C) Asking the President to issue a pardon
D) Voting for a new Supreme Court Justice
Contacting Congress is the most direct way to influence lawmakers who write bills.
2. A group of citizens believes a law is unconstitutional. Which civic action targets the judicial branch?
A) Voting in the next presidential election
B) Writing letters to their state senator
C) Filing a petition or lawsuit asking the courts to review the law
D) Joining the President's Cabinet
Petitions and lawsuits let citizens ask judges to apply judicial review.
3. Which civic action allows citizens to influence who leads the executive branch?
A) Voting in the presidential election every four years
B) Confirming Supreme Court Justices
C) Writing the next federal bill
D) Sitting on a Senate committee
Voting is the main way citizens choose the leader of the executive branch.
4. Hundreds of people gather peacefully outside city hall with signs about a local issue. Which right are they using?
A) The right to a fair trial
B) The right to peaceful protest
C) The right to veto a bill
D) The right to confirm judges
Peaceful protest is a constitutional right that lets citizens speak out together.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A person who is a member of a country with rights and duties is called a citizen.
Citizens have the power and responsibility to take part in government.
2. Voting in elections is the most basic civic duty in a democracy.
Civic duties help democracy work by giving every citizen a voice.
3. Citizens can sign a petition to ask leaders to change a policy or pass a new law.
Petitions show leaders that many citizens care about a particular issue.
4. A peaceful gathering to express opinions to the government is called a protest.
Peaceful protest is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
5. When citizens contact their Senator or Representative, they are influencing the legislative branch.
Legislators listen to constituents because voters choose them in elections.