Government Branches Worksheet 3rd Grade Civics
The Three Branches of Government
Name:
Date:
Our Government Team: Remember the Big Three!
Legislative Congress • Makes Laws
Executive President • Enforces Laws
Judicial Supreme Court • Judges Laws
Directions: Read each question carefully and fill in the bubble next to the best answer.
1
What is the main job of the Legislative Branch (Congress)?
A. To write and vote on new laws
B. To decide if laws are fair in court
C. To choose city police officers
2
Who is the leader of the Executive Branch of the United States government?
A. The Chief Justice of the Court
B. The President of the United States
C. The Mayor of Washington, D.C.
3
Where do members of Congress meet to work, debate, and pass laws?
A. In the White House
B. In the U.S. Capitol Building
C. In the Supreme Court Building
4
What does the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) do when laws are challenged?
A. It collects taxes from citizens
B. It commands the army in battles
C. It decides if laws follow the Constitution
3rd Grade Social Studies • Three Branches Unit Page 1 of 2
Checks & Balances in Action
How the three branches work like a fair team
Student Name:
Checks and Balances means each branch has special powers to stop the other branches from getting too powerful. No single branch can rule all alone!
5
What special power does the President use to say "NO" to a bill passed by Congress?
A. The Veto power
B. The Election power
C. The Judicial power
6
Why did America’s leaders divide the government into three separate branches?
A. To make government work slower
B. So no single person or group has all the power
C. Because other countries asked them to
7
Which branch includes nine judges called Supreme Court Justices?
A. The Judicial Branch
B. The Legislative Branch
C. The Executive Branch
8
Who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of our nation's armed forces (military)?
A. The Chief Justice of the Court
B. The Speaker of the House
C. The President of the United States
Civics Match Challenge: Draw a line from each Branch to its Building!
1. Legislative Congress
2. Executive President
3. Judicial Supreme Court
A. The White House
B. Supreme Court Building
C. U.S. Capitol Building
3rd Grade Social Studies • Three Branches Unit Page 2 of 2
Government Branches Answer Key Educator Resource • Answer Key Grade 3 Civics
The Three Branches of Government (Answer Key)
Total Points: 11 pts
8 Multiple Choice + 3 Match
Correct student selections are highlighted in green with checkmarks. Brief teacher notes highlight common 3rd grade mix-ups to address during review.
1 What is the main job of the Legislative Branch (Congress)?
1 pt
A. Write and vote on laws
B. Decide if laws are fair
C. Choose city police
Teacher Note: Remind students that "Legislate" means to make laws. The two chambers are the Senate and House of Representatives.
2 Who is the leader of the Executive Branch?
1 pt
A. Chief Justice
B. President of the U.S.
C. Mayor of D.C.
Teacher Note: Students often think the President makes laws alone. Emphasize that the President enforces (carries out) the laws Congress makes.
3 Where do members of Congress meet to work, debate, and pass laws?
1 pt
A. The White House
B. U.S. Capitol Building
C. Supreme Court
Visual Clue: Point out the big white dome on the U.S. Capitol Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
4 What does the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) do when laws are challenged?
1 pt
A. Collects taxes
B. Commands the army
C. Checks Constitution
Key Concept: If a law goes against the Constitution, the Supreme Court can declare it unconstitutional.
Educator Answer Key • Grade 3 Government Page 1 of 2
Checks & Balances (Answer Key Continued)
Solutions for Questions 5-8 & Civics Challenge
Page 2 Solutions
5 What special power does the President use to say "NO" to a bill?
1 pt
A. The Veto power
B. Election power
C. Judicial power
Latin origin: "Veto" means "I forbid." Congress can override it with a 2/3 vote.
6 Why did America’s leaders divide the government into three branches?
Branches Review Slides Grade 3 Civics Review
Worksheet Answer Showdown
The Three Branches of Government
Let's check our answers together and see how our government works like an awesome team!
1. Legislative
2. Executive
3. Judicial
Get your pencil and worksheet ready!
Quick Refresher
The Big Three Team Members
Review Guide
Legislative
Congress (Senate & House)
MAKES LAWS
Meets inside the famous U.S. Capitol Building .
Executive
The President & Cabinet
ENFORCES LAWS
Lives and works inside the White House .
Judicial
9 Supreme Court Justices
JUDGES LAWS
Decides cases in the Supreme Court Building .
💡 Remember: Make it, Enforce it, Judge it!
Page 1
Questions 1 & 2 Review
Check Your Worksheet!
1
What is the main job of the Legislative Branch?
A. Write and vote on new laws
B. Decide if laws are fair in court
C. Choose city police officers
⭐ Why: "Legislate" means to create laws. Congress writes the rules for our nation!
2
Who is the leader of the Executive Branch?
A. Chief Justice of the Court
B. President of the United States
C. Mayor of Washington, D.C.
⭐ Why: The President is the Chief Executive who carries out and enforces the laws.
Give yourself a checkmark if you got both correct! 👍
Page 1
Questions 3 & 4 Review
Buildings & The Supreme Court
3
Where do members of Congress meet to pass laws?
A. In the White House
B. In the U.S. Capitol Building
C. In the Supreme Court Building
🏛️ Look for the Dome: The Capitol Building is where the House and Senate meet!
4
What does the Judicial Branch do when laws are challenged?
A. Collects taxes from citizens
B. Commands the army in battles
C. Decides if laws follow Constitution
⚖️ Fairness Rule: The Supreme Court protects the Constitution—our nation's supreme law!
