Students apply checks and balances to three scenarios — the judicial branch stopping a speech-limiting law, Congress overriding a veto, and Senate confirmation of a Supreme Court nominee. Part B has five fill-in-the-blank problems about judicial review, presidential term limits, and impeachment.
Applying checks and balances to real government scenarios — identifying which branch checks which and how — is the highest-order constitutional reasoning skill at Grade 5 and directly prepares students for middle school civics.
Style:
US Constitution
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Congress passes a law that limits freedom of speech. Which branch can stop this law?
A) The executive branch by signing an order
B) The judicial branch by declaring it unconstitutional
C) The legislative branch by holding a new election
D) No branch can stop a law once it is passed
2. The President vetoes a popular bill. What can Congress do to make it a law anyway?
A) Ask the Supreme Court to sign the bill instead
B) Override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses
C) Wait until a new President takes office to try again
D) Change the Constitution to remove the veto power
3. The President nominates a new Supreme Court justice. What must happen before the justice can serve?
A) The House of Representatives must approve the choice
B) The other justices must vote to accept the nominee
C) The Senate must confirm the nomination
D) The justice must win a national election
4. Why did the Founders create three separate branches of government instead of one?
A) One branch would be cheaper to run than three branches
B) Splitting power prevents any single group from controlling the government
C) Three branches can pass laws faster than one branch alone
D) The king of England required them to create three branches
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The power of judicial review lets the Supreme Court check the legislative branch.
2. A President can serve a maximum of two terms in office.
3. If the President breaks the law, the House can impeach the President.
4. Senators serve six-year terms before they must run for reelection.
5. The President leads the executive branch of the US government.
US Constitution
★ Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Congress passes a law that limits freedom of speech. Which branch can stop this law?
A) The executive branch by signing an order
B) The judicial branch by declaring it unconstitutional
C) The legislative branch by holding a new election
D) No branch can stop a law once it is passed
2. The President vetoes a popular bill. What can Congress do to make it a law anyway?
A) Ask the Supreme Court to sign the bill instead
B) Override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses
C) Wait until a new President takes office to try again
D) Change the Constitution to remove the veto power
3. The President nominates a new Supreme Court justice. What must happen before the justice can serve?
A) The House of Representatives must approve the choice
B) The other justices must vote to accept the nominee
C) The Senate must confirm the nomination
D) The justice must win a national election
4. Why did the Founders create three separate branches of government instead of one?
A) One branch would be cheaper to run than three branches
B) Splitting power prevents any single group from controlling the government
C) Three branches can pass laws faster than one branch alone
D) The king of England required them to create three branches
★ Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1) The power of judicial review lets the Supreme Court check the legislative branch.
2) A President can serve a maximum of two terms in office.
3) If the President breaks the law, the House can impeach the President.
4) Senators serve six-year terms before they must run for reelection.
5) The President leads the executive branch of the US government.
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9 Questions
12-18 minutes
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