benchmark 1-4 U.S. Government

benchmark/final exam

what is the supreme law of the land?

The constitution

What does the Constitution do?

sets up the government,defines the government, and protects basic rights of Americans

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

“We the people”

What is an amendment?

a change to the constitution

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

The bill of rights

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

Speech

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

27

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Became free from great Britain

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, and liberty

What is freedom of religion?

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

What is the economic system in the United States?

capitalist economy and market economy

What is the “rule of law”?

everyone must follow the law

Name one branch or part of the government.

Congress 

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Checks and balances

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

The President

Who makes federal laws?

Congress, house of representatives, and senate 

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

Senate and the house of representatives

How many U.S. Senators are there?

100

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

6

Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?

Residents of U.S. territories

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

435

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

2

Name your U.S. Representative.

William R. Timmons