Civics 3rd Quarter Exam Review
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
The problems caused by the ___________________ ____ _____________________ showed
the Founders the need for a strong executive to respond to problems, enforce laws, and carry
out the acts of Congress. - Correct Answer- ~Articles of Confederation
The Founders did not want people to take a direct role in decision making and wanted a
strong ____________________ to hold the ______________________ in check. - Correct
Answer- ~Executive
~Legislature
Article II of the Constitution says that the executive power is given to a
_______________________, who has the power to execute laws, ________ legislation,
command the military, and engage with foreign leaders. - Correct Answer- ~President
~Veto
Although the _________________ can make treaties with foreign nations and appoint
ambassadors and federal judges, these activities must be approved by the
________________. - Correct Answer- ~President
~Senate
Over the years, presidents have enlarged their authority through claims of
_________________ _______________ not clearly expressed in the Constitution. - Correct
Answer- ~Inherent powers
Congress and the courts may accept or limit a president's use of ____________
______________, and at times the Supreme Court has ruled those presidential actions
_________________________. - Correct Answer- ~Inherent power
~Unconstitutional
In times of _____________ or other crisis, presidents may use these powers to deal with the
difficulties. - Correct Answer- ~War
,Presidents also claim the power of __________________ ___________________, or the
right to withhold from Congress or the courts information about communications between the
president and his advisers. - Correct Answer- ~Executive privilege
Presidents like to claim that, because they won the election, they have a
___________________ from the people to pursue their ideas and policies. - Correct Answer-
~Mandate
A significant safeguard against presidential abuse of power is the power of the House and
Senate to ________________ the president. - Correct Answer- ~Impeach
The seven main roles of the president are head of state, chief ___________________,
commander in chief, chief diplomat, ____________________ leader, economic planner, and
party leader. - Correct Answer- ~Executive
~Legislative
*How did Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt each increase the
power and role of the president? - Correct Answer- ~Thomas Jefferson used inherent powers
to purchase the Louisiana Territory from France.
~Abraham Lincoln claimed inherent powers to do what was necessary to preserve the union
including suspending some rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
~Theodore Roosevelt used inherent powers in order to break up trusts and intervene in labor
disputes.
What is the overall task of the president as head of state? - Correct Answer- As head of state,
the president represents the nation and performs many ceremonial roles.
What are three specific tasks the president must perform as head of state? - Correct Answer-
The president must receive Ambassadors and other public ministers. To fulfill that duty, the
president hosts such dignitaries as kings, queens, and heads of foreign governments.
President plays an important role in natural disasters. He represents the nation by bringing
comfort to victims of tragedy, he throws the first pitch at baseball games, meets Olympic
athletes, etc.
What is the overall task of the president as chief executive? - Correct Answer- The president
leads the executive branch of government that carries out the laws that Congress passes and
runs the programs Congress creates.
,What does it mean to "faithfully execute" the laws? - Correct Answer- When Congress passes
a law, it is the presidents responsibility to put that law into action. Congress cannot provide
enough details in every law to explain exactly how it should be implemented. He is to make
practical decisions on how the laws are to be implemented.
What officials does the president appoint? - Correct Answer- 2,200 top level federal officials
who run executive branch, officials who share same political beliefs, all federal judges
(Justices of the Supreme Court).
How does the Senate limit the president's power to appoint? - Correct Answer- It must be
approved by Senate and must confirm many top-level appointments.
What are executive orders and what limits a president's use of them? - Correct Answer-
Executive orders do not need congressional approval. It is a rule issued by the president that
has the force of law. President is given broad limits by courts when it comes to orders relating
to foreign policy and the military. Executive order has to be related to some power given to
him by Constitution or Congress.
How did President Nixon's use of the power to impound funds lead to limits on that power? -
Correct Answer- After President Nixon impounded huge sums for programs he opposed,
groups that would have benefited from the programs took Nixon to court. The court then
ordered the president to spend the appropriated money. Congress later passed legislation to
prevent such large-scale impounding without congressional approval and strengthened the
budget authority of Congress.
Why would a person being punished for a federal crime prefer a pardon to a reprieve? -
Correct Answer- A pardon releases a person from legal punishment while a reprieve
postpones legal punishment.
*How does the president's power as chief executive provide the opportunity to shape
implementation of laws passed by Congress and to affect court decisions for years to come? -
Correct Answer- President appoints a lot of officials that run executive branch with Senate
approval. These individuals are going to share in his political beliefs. Therefore, they are
likely going to implement programs that the president wants implemented. He also appoints
judges (including justices from the Supreme Court which will be there for a long time). This
can affect court decisions by their beliefs.
, In the role of _________________________ _____ _____________________ of the United
States armed forces, a president may use federal troops to control rioting in American cities. -
Correct Answer- ~Commander in chief
The role of commander in chief is limited because _____________________ retains the
power to declare __________ and to provide the funds to pay for the military. - Correct
Answer- ~Congress
~War
In 1973 Congress passed the _____________________ ________________ ______ to limit
the president's ability to make war without a declaration by Congress. - Correct Answer-
~War Powers Act
Although the president is a __________________________, in the role of commander in
chief, the president is responsible for key military decisions that define military policy and
strategy. - Correct Answer- ~Civilian
Because many "___________________ ____________________" activities are classified, it
may be difficult to hold public officials accountable. - Correct Answer- ~Shadow War
During a war, presidents often claim increased _______________ to protect the nation. -
Correct Answer- ~Power
The USA Patriot Act, passed by Congress after 9/11, gave the president and executive branch
increased powers to fight terrorism and protect __________________
_______________________. - Correct Answer- ~National security
The Supreme Court has limited some presidential power to fight terrorism, such as in the
2006 decision that rejected the use of _______________________ __________________ to
put suspected terrorists on trial. - Correct Answer- ~Military tribunals
While the president, in the role of chief diplomat, has sole power to negotiate and sign
_____________________, two-thirds of the ___________________ must approve them
before they can go into effect. - Correct Answer- ~Treaties
~Senate
