Unit 5 - Executive Branch

Question 1

Popular Vote

Answer 1

The votes cast by citizens in a presidential election.

Question 2

Elector

Answer 2

A person elected by the voters in a presidential election to be a member of the electoral college.

Question 3

Electoral College

Answer 3

The group of electors that cast the official votes that elect the president and vice president.

Question 4

Electoral Votes

Answer 4

The votes cast by the electoral college for president and vice president.

Question 5

Presidential Succession

Answer 5

The order in which the office of the president is to be filled if it becomes vacant.

Question 6

State of the Union Address

Answer 6

A yearly report by the president to Congress describing the nation’s condition and recommending programs and policies.

Question 7

Foreign Policy

Answer 7

A country’s plan for dealing with other countries of the world.

Question 8

Diplomacy

Answer 8

The art of dealing with foreign governments.

Question 9

Treaties

Answer 9

Written agreements between nations.

Question 10

Reprieve

Answer 10

A postponement in the carrying out of a prison sentence.

Question 11

Pardon

Answer 11

An official act by the president or by a governor forgiving a person convicted of a crime and freeing that person from serving out his/her sentence.

Question 12

Commutation

Answer 12

The act of making a convicted person’s sentence less severe.

Question 13

Secretary

Answer 13

An official who leads an executive department in the federal government.

Question 14

Attorney General

Answer 14

The chief legal officer of a nation or state.

Question 15

Ambassadors

Answer 15

The highest-ranking officials representing a government in a foreign country.

Question 16

Embassy

Answer 16

The official residence of an ambassador in a foreign country.

Question 17

Consul

Answer 17

An official who works to promote US commercial interest in a foreign country.

Question 18

Consulate

Answer 18

The office of a consul.

Question 19

Passports

Answer 19

Formal documents that allow US citizens to travel abroad.

Question 20

Visas

Answer 20

Documents that allow people from one country to visit another country.

Question 21

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Answer 21

The group made up of the highest-ranking officials from the army, navy, and air force that advises the president on military affairs.

Question 22

Department of Homeland Security

Answer 22

Executive department of the the federal government established after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 , to protect the US from future terrorist attacks.

Question 23

How old must the president be?

Answer 23

35 years

Question 24

President must be a __________ citizen.

Answer 24

Native-born

Question 25

How long must the president have lived in the US?

Answer 25

14 years

Question 26

How long is the president's term?

Answer 26

4 years

Question 27

How many terms can a president have?

Answer 27

2 terms

Question 28

What qualifications must the Vice President meet?

Answer 28

Same as the president.

Question 29

What are three responsibilities of the Vice President?

Answer 29

Leader of the Senate. Represents the U.S. overseas. Gathers support for presidential programs.

Question 30

What are the three major roles of the president?

Answer 30

Legislative Leader Commander in Chief Foreign Policy Leader

Question 31

Responsibilities of Legislative Leader:

Answer 31

Delivers state of union address. Sends budget to Congress. Vetoes or threatens to veto bills.

Question 32

Responsibilities of Commander in Chief:

Answer 32

Send U.S. forces anywhere in the world. (War Powers Resolution requires soldiers to be called back after thirty days.)

Question 33

Responsibilities of Foreign Policy Leader:

Answer 33

Appoint diplomats. Meets with leaders of representatives of other countries. Makes treaties with other countries (must be ratified by 2/3 Senate)

Question 34

Other major powers of President:

Answer 34

Appointing Supreme Court Justices. Granting reprieves and pardons.

Question 35

How is the number of electors per state determined?

Answer 35

Number of Senators + # of Representatives

Question 36

How many total electors make up the electoral college?

Answer 36

538 electors

Question 37

What is the "magic number" to win the electoral college?

Answer 37

270 votes

Question 38

What happens if there is a tie or no majority in the electoral college?

Answer 38

The House of Representatives chooses the President. The Senate chooses the Vice President.

Question 39

How does the Legislative branch check the power of the Executive branch?

Answer 39

Congress can override the president's veto with a 2/3 vote.

Question 40

How does the Judicial branch check the power of the Executive branch?

Answer 40

The Judicial branch can declare acts of the President unconstitutional.

Question 41

20th Amendment

Answer 41

Gives Congress the power to set the order or presidential succession if both the president and vice president die or leave office.

Question 42

22nd Amendment

Answer 42

Set a two-term limit.

Question 43

25th Amendment

Answer 43

Provides that if the president dies or resigns and is succeeded by the vice president, the new president will appoint a vice president.

Question 44

Order of Presidential Succession:

Answer 44

1. Vice President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President Pro Tempore 4-18. Members of the cabinet in the order that they were created.

Question 45

The executive branch started with ___ branches, but now has ___.

Answer 45

5, 15

Question 46

Main responsibilities of the Department of State

Answer 46

Advises the president and leads the nation in foreign policy issues.

Question 47

Main responsibilities of the Department of Defense

Answer 47

Provides the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of our country.

Question 48

Main responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security

Answer 48

Prevents terrorism and enhances security.

Question 49

Main responsibilities of the Treasury Department

Answer 49

Advising on domestic and international finances, enforces federal finance and tax laws.

Question 50

Main responsibilities of the Department of Justice

Answer 50

Enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice.

Question 51

Cabinet

Answer 51

The leaders of executive departments who also act as advisors to the president.