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 tries impeachments, Luz asks?

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

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

   • The House
   • The Senate
   • The states
   • The president
4. 3.

   Who chooses federal judges, Noah asks?

   • The states' voters
   • The president, with the Senate
   • The judges themselves, by a vote
   • The House alone
5. 4.

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

   • Two-thirds of each house
   • One vote in each house
   • Three-fourths of the states
   • A simple majority
6. 5.

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

   • Two-thirds of senators present
   • The Supreme Court
   • A majority of the House of Representatives
   • Each state governor
7. 6.

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

   • No line
   • Line 2
   • Line 1
   • Line 3
8. 7.

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

   • Veto Congress's bills
   • Run the army
   • Choose the judges
   • Override vetoes; approve treaties
9. 8.

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

   • Trying impeachments
   • Firing judges at will
   • Vetoing court rulings
   • Choosing the judges
10. 9.

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

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

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

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