Checks and balances, and powers shared between the nation and the states

Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Checks and balances in the Constitution

   Box Congress (legislative branch): the House can impeach (charge) officials; the Senate tries impeachments; the Senate approves treaties by two-thirds. Box President (executive branch): can veto a bill; makes treaties, with the Senate's consent. Box Courts (judicial branch): judges are chosen by the president with the Senate's consent. Arrows: from President to Congress: vetoes bills; from Congress to President: overrides vetoes; approves treaties; from President to Courts: chooses judges. Line 1 (Constitution (1787), Article I, Section 7, clause 2; as printed in 1840, p. 7): "If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that House, it shall become a law." Line 2 (Constitution (1787), Article II, Section 2, clause 2; as printed in 1840, p. 11): "He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present, concur…" Line 3 (Constitution (1787), Article I, Section 3, clause 6; as printed in 1840, p. 6): "The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments."

2. 1.

   Who can impeach, or charge, officials, Milo asks?

   • The Senate
   • The states
   • The House
   • The president
3. 2.

   By line 1, what vote does each house need to pass a bill over a veto, Pia asks?

   • A simple majority
   • One vote in each house
   • Two-thirds of each house
   • Three-fourths of the states
4. 3.

   By line 2, who must agree before the president makes a treaty, Ren asks?

   • The Supreme Court
   • A majority of the House of Representatives
   • Each state governor
   • Two-thirds of senators present
5. 4.

   Which line gives the Senate the sole power to try impeachments, Tala asks?

   • Line 2
   • Line 1
   • No line
   • Line 3
6. 5.

   Which check does Congress have on the president, by the arrows, Zee asks?

   • Run the army
   • Override vetoes; approve treaties
   • Veto Congress's bills
   • Choose the judges
7. 6.

   Which check does the president have on Congress, Ari asks?

   • Approving treaties
   • Trying impeachments
   • The override
   • The veto
8. 7.

   Which check does the president have on the courts, Bo asks?

   • Trying impeachments
   • Firing judges at will
   • Vetoing court rulings
   • Choosing the judges
9. 8.

   The president vetoes a bill. Then two-thirds of each house votes for it. What happens, Esme asks?

   • It goes to the states
   • It becomes law
   • The courts must sign it
   • It can not pass after that
10. 9.

    A treaty gets the votes of half the senators present. Is it approved, Jun asks?

    • No; the courts decide
    • No; two-thirds is needed
    • Yes; half is enough
    • Yes; the House decides
11. 10.

    Why do impeachment powers sit in two different houses, Kira asks?

    • So the president can try himself
    • So it can not happen
    • One house charges; the other tries
    • So the courts are skipped