Legislative Branch Unit Test Study Questions

Note: In parentheses under each question is guidance from me as to where you can look up the answer to the
question. Most of the time it is to the original reading assignment where you first learned about the term/concept
and/or the eKadence folder for the day we reviewed that concept in class. Please be aware there are more resources
than just those listed! Use all resources you have!
 1. Which voters is the Senate supposed to represent? The House?
(
Answer can be found in 10/21 reading assignment: The Structure
of Congress
.)
 2. How do the different chamber sizes impact debate?
(See the 11/10 assignment How A Bill Becomes a Law or the
review handout given in class on 11/14 or the 11/15 folder.)
 3. How do their different terms (2 vs 6 years) affect each chamber?
(
Answer can be found in 10/21 reading assignment: The Structure
of Congress
.)
4. What are the enumerated powers of Congress? (What economic powers does
Congress have? What war powers does Congress have?)
(See the assignment “The Powers of Congress” or the 10/31 folder)
 5. What are implied powers?
(See the assignment “The Powers of Congress” or the 10/31
folder)
 6. What are the chamber-specific procedures, rules, and roles
that impact the lawmaking process? (How does the law-making
process differ in the Senate and the House)
(See the 11/10 assignment How A Bill Becomes a Law or the
review handout given in class on 11/14 or the 11/15 folder.)
7. Identify the various roles played by committees in Congress?
See the the 11/2 reading assignment The Structure of Congress and the 11/9 folder
and the 11/14 handout How a Bill Becomes a law.
 8. What powers do the different leaderships in both chambers
have and how can they impact the lawmaking process?
See the the 11/2 reading assignment The Structure of Congress and the 11/3 and 11/4
folders in eKadence.
 9. How do pork barrel legislation and logrolling affect the lawmaking process?
(See the 11/2 reading assignment The Structure of Congress or the 11/10 folder)
10. How do ideological divisions in Congress lead to gridlock?
(See the the 11/2 reading assignment The Structure of Congress or the
11/14 reading assignment: Influences on Congress)
 11. Explain the Court’s decisions in
Baker v. Carr and Shaw v. Reno?
(See 10/25-10/27 folders in eKadence or your case briefs)
 12. How do gerrymandering and redistricting contribute to
unequal representation in the House?
(See in-class reading and 10/26-10/28 folders and this video.
 13. What have been the consequences of polarization on Congress?
(See the the 11/2 reading assignment The Structure of Congress or the
11/14 reading assignment: Influences on Congress)
14. What’s the difference between a trustee, delegate and politico?
(See 11/14 reading assignment: Influences on Congress)
 15. How can Congress check the President?
(Multiple ways were learned through the unit - how many can
you name?)
16. How can the President check Congress? (You know at least
one way - can you think of any others?)
17. How does Congress generate a budget? What are the types
of spending and what can Congress do to cut the costs of
entitlement programs? What can Congress do to cut the deficit
or debt?
(See Nearpod Notes from 11/14)