Branch Battles Worksheet
Civics & Government Series
Three Branches of Government
Comprehension Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Class / Period:
Directions: Carefully read the informational text describing the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Use specific evidence from the passage to answer all 15 questions.
PART 1
Key Facts & Structures (Questions 1–5)
1. Which branch of the United States government is headed by the President?
A Legislative branch B Judicial branch C Executive branch D Electoral branch
2. Which two legislative bodies combine to form the United States Congress?
A House of Representatives & Senate B Supreme Court & Cabinet C Senate & Presidential Cabinet D Federal Courts & Oval Office
3. What is the highest court in the United States judicial branch?
A The Congressional Court B The Supreme Court C The Court of Appeals D The Cabinet Tribunal
4. What fraction of representatives is required for Congress to override a presidential veto?
A A simple one-half majority B A three-fourths majority C A two-thirds majority D A unanimous agreement
5. According to the text, what are executive orders?
A Treaties negotiated with foreign allies B Pardons granted to convicted federal offenders C Formal bills passed by both houses of Congress D Rules from the president that don't need Congress's approval
PART 2
Branch Powers & Roles (Questions 6–8)
6. Which branch of government holds the specific power to declare war?
Answer:
7. When the President makes treaties or appoints judges and ambassadors, which body must approve them?
Answer:
8. What is the special term used for the President's official group of advisors?
Answer:
Power Balance Series • Student Handout Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Page 2 →
Three Branches of Government • Part II
Student Name:
PART 2 (CONT.)
Branch Powers Classification (Questions 9–10)
9. What official declaration can the Supreme Court make if it decides an act of Congress or the President violates the Constitution?
Answer:
10. Identify which branch holds each power. Write Executive, Legislative, or Judicial on each line:
a. Grants pardons to federal offenders:
b. Writes, debates, and revises bills to send to the President:
c. Hears cases whose rulings in lower courts have been challenged:
PART 3
Checks & Balances Analysis (Questions 11–15)
11. If the President vetoes a bill passed by Congress, how can the legislative branch "check" that decision and still turn the bill into law?
12. How does the judicial branch serve as a constitutional check on both the President and Congress?
13. The President selects judges and ambassadors, but cannot seat them alone. Explain how another branch checks this executive appointment power.
14. Under what specific condition does the President have the constitutional power to call Congress into session?
15. Scenario Analysis: Suppose Congress votes a bill into law and the President signs it. However, many citizens believe the law violates their constitutional rights and file a lawsuit. Based on the passage, which branch will resolve this dispute, and what authority do they have?
Power Balance Series • Student Handout Page 2 of 2 • End of Assignment
Branch Battles Answer Key
Teacher Resource • Scoring Guide
Three Branches Answer Key
Total: 20 Points
Part 1 (Q1–5): 5 pts (1 pt each)
Part 2 (Q6–10): 5 pts (Q6–9: 1 pt; Q10: 1.5 pts)
Part 3 (Q11–15): 10 pts (2 pts each)
PART 1
Multiple Choice Answer Key (1 pt each)
C) Executive branch
Text Evidence: "The president is the head of the executive branch and the country."
A) House of Representatives & Senate
Text Evidence: "The legislative branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress."
B) The Supreme Court
Text Evidence: "The court system in the United States is known as the judicial branch. The Supreme Court is the highest court in this system."
C) A two-thirds majority
Text Evidence: "Overrides the president’s vetoes with a two-thirds majority."
D) Rules from the president that don't need Congress's approval
Text Evidence: "Issues executive orders, rules that don’t need Congress’s approval."
PART 2
Branch Powers Answers (Questions 6–8)
6. Power to declare war: Legislative branch (or Congress)
Text Evidence: Listed directly under "Powers of Congress: Declares war."
7. Body that approves treaties & appointments: The Senate (Legislative branch)
Text Evidence: "Makes treaties (that must be approved by the Senate); Appoints judges and ambassadors (who must be approved by the Senate)."
8. President's group of official advisors: The Cabinet
Text Evidence: "This branch also includes the vice president and the president’s group of advisors, known as the Cabinet."
Power Balance Series • Teacher Key Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Page 2 →
Three Branches Answer Key • Part II
Teacher Grading Guide
PART 2 (CONT.)
Questions 9 & 10 Key
9. Official Supreme Court declaration: Declares them "unconstitutional" (also accept: illegal / unconstitutional).
Text Evidence: "Declares acts from the president and Congress 'unconstitutional'."
10. Branch Classification:
a. Pardons: Executive
b. Writes bills: Legislative
c. Lower court cases: Judicial
PART 3
Checks & Balances Analysis (2 pts each)
11. Congressional Veto Override: 2 pts
Congress can override the President's veto if two-thirds (2/3) of the representatives vote in favor of the bill, making it law despite the veto.
12. Judicial Check on Both Branches: 2 pts
The Supreme Court decides if laws passed by Congress or executive orders signed by the President are legal, and can declare acts from either branch "unconstitutional."
13. Check on Presidential Appointments: 2 pts
The Senate (Legislative branch) must confirm or reject the President's appointments, preventing the President from single-handedly placing judges or ambassadors in power.
14. Calling Congress into Session: 2 pts
The President may call Congress into session during "extraordinary occasions" (emergencies or special circumstances).
15. Scenario Analysis Evaluation: 2 pts
The Judicial branch (the Supreme Court) resolves the dispute. If the case is challenged and brought up from lower courts, the Supreme Court determines whether the law is constitutional and legal; if it violates the Constitution, they declare it unconstitutional, striking it down.
Grading Advice for Written Responses (Questions 11–15):
Award 2 points for complete explanations referencing the constitutional mechanism and branch names. Award 1 point for partially complete answers that identify the correct branch but omit the specific threshold (e.g., leaving out "two-thirds majority" in Q11) or mechanism.
Power Balance Series • Teacher Key Page 2 of 2 • End of Key
