Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Constitution Test Parts 1 and 2
True and False and Numbers
40
Social Studies
8th Grade
02/16/2012

Additional Social Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

16. Where and when does Congress meet?

 

Definition

Washington, D.C.

            Each year beginning Jan. 3 unless Congress sets a different date

Term

17. Who may call for a special meeting of Congress?

         

Definition
 President can call Congress back into special session.
Term

  20. How many representatives does each state have?

         

Definition

There is at least 1 representative for every 750,000-1,000,000 people

 

Term

21. What are the districts called from which the representatives are elected?

         

Definition
Congressional district
Term

     25. How are vacancies filled in the House of Representatives?

         

 

Definition
The governor of the state orders a special election to fill the vacant seat.
Term

     26. Who presides over the House of Representatives?

           

Definition
Speaker of the House – he/she is chosen by his/her fellow House representatives
Term

     27. Does the Speaker of the House have the right to vote on issues before the

           House?

           

Definition
Yes, because he/she is a member of the House
Term

     33. How are senators elected?

         

Definition

They are elected by the qualified voters of the entire state.

 

Term

     35. Who presides over the Senate? Does he have the right to vote on issues before

           the Senate?

         

Definition
Vice President of the U.S. – he does not vote except in case of a tie
Term

43. Can members of Congress be impeached?

 

Definition
 No, they can be expelled by a 2/3 vote of their fellow members
Term

47. Each house of Congress keeps a record of its proceedings. What is this record

           called?

  

Definition
 Congressional Record – it is a journal of its meetings and it is published daily
Term

48. What are some of the important powers of Congress?

     

Definition

Levy & collect taxes     raise an army     coin money     declare war     regulate trade     naturalization

                                                                                                                                  Make an alien a citizen

Term

53. May members of Congress hold more than one job?

              

Definition
They can NOT hold more than 1 government job.
Term

     57. Who may introduce a bill?

 

Definition
 Any member of Congress ( Senator or Representative)
Term

     63. Who governs the District of Columbia?

             

Definition
Congress makes laws concerning D.C.
Term

 66. List the qualifications to be the President of the United States.

Definition

·         Age – must be at least 35 years old

·         Citizenship – must be a natural born citizen (born in the U.S. or born to U.S. citizens

Residency – must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 yrs.                          elsewhere)

Term

78. Who is the Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy?

                 

Definition
 President
Term

81. How do cabinet officers get their positions?

   

Definition
 They are appointed by the Pres. & approved by the Senate
Term

 90. How are the Supreme Court justices appointed?

              

Definition
They are appointed by the President & approved by the Senate
Term

 92. What is meant by: a). original jurisdiction?

                                             b).   appellate jurisdiction?

                                         

Definition

a.)  To hear cases that must go first to a particular court

  b.) To hear cases appealed from a lower court                                        

Term

 99. What was the name given to the first 10 amendments?

                

Definition

 Bill of Rights

 

Term

     100. Why was the Bill of Rights placed in the Constitution?

                

Definition

 The Bill of Rights was placed in the Constitution because the states remembered suffering

                      losses under British rule and they wanted to insure the same rights for everyone.

Term

103. Is religion a qualification for any public office?

                  

Definition
 No
Term

107. What is meant by eminent domain?

                

    

Definition
Government takes over private property for public use – owner must be compensated for it
Term

     112. What are the powers reserved for the states?

                

Definition

 All powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people

                      (10th amendment)

Term

     113. Can a citizen of one state sue a citizen in another state?

                 

Definition
 Yes
Term
Who has the power to pardon someone?
Definition
Both the President and a state Governor have the power to pardon someone.
Term
Which clause in the Constitution allows the Constitution to be interpreted to fit the times?
Definition
“The Necessary and Proper Clause” is also known as “The Elastic Clause” and also as “The Implied Powers Clause”. These are three names for the same clause in the Constitution that allows the Constitution to be interpreted to fit the times.
Term
What's the difference between a general election and an off-year election?
Definition
A general election includes electing the President. An off-year election does not include the President.
Term
absentee vote
Definition
to receive a ballot & vote prior to the election if you’re unable to go to the poll
Term
gerrymandering
Definition
re-drawing a voting area so as to unfairly favor a candidate
Term
lame duck
Definition
an office holder who has been defeated but is still in office until his successor is sworn in
Term
precinct
Definition
an election area – the smallest political unit
Term
split ticket
Definition
a ballot on which a voter votes for candidates of more than one party
Term
straight ticket
Definition
a ballot on which a voter votes for all candidates of the same party
Term
ratify
Definition
to approve or agree
Term
quorum
Definition
a simple majority, ½ + 1
the number needed in Congress to do any business
Term
veto
Definition
to forbid or disagree
Term
patent
Definition
legal protection for inventors – assuring them the right to sell their inventions
Term
copyright
Definition
legal protection for authors & artists – assuring them the right to sell their covers, artwork, books, trademarks, etc.
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