American government study guide

Unit 3 (Chapters 10 – 12)

Test on Friday, April 29th

Study guide due Friday Nov. 14th (All questions answered and on separate paper)

Chapter 10, section 1

  1. What does it mean when the book mentions that we have a bicameral legislature?
  2. How long is a term of Congress? According to the 20th Amendment, when should a term begin?
  3. How long is a session of Congress? What does it mean that Congress must adjourn sine die?
  4. Who can call a special session of Congress?
  5. Why might a special session of Congress be called?

Chapter 10, section 2

  1. How many members are in the House of Representatives?
  2. How is representation apportioned in the House of Representatives?
  3. How long is a term for a Representative?
  4. How often is the House of Representatives reapportioned?
  5. When do congressional elections occur?
  6. Describe the single member district arrangement.
  7. What is gerrymandering?
  8. What are the three formal qualifications for being a member of the House of Representatives?
  9. What is the long standing custom for being a representative for a district?

Chapter 10, section 3

  1. How many members are in the Senate?
  2. How did the 17th Amendment change the election of senators?
  3. How long is a term for a senator?
  4. Explain the idea that the senate is a continuous body?
  5. What is a constituency?
  6. What are the three qualifications for a senator?

Chapter 10, section 4

Describe the voting options of lawmakers when they act as the following.

  1. trustee
  2. delegate
  3. partisan
  1. What is the oversight function?

Chapter 11, section 1

  1. In what three ways does the Constitution grant power to Congress?
  2. What does the term strict constructionist mean? Who was one?
  3. What does the term loose constructionist mean? Who was one?

Chapter 11, section 2

  1. List the five expressed powers discussed in the section.

Chapter 11, section 3

  1. What are the other seven expressed powers mentioned in this section?

Chapter 11, section 4

  1. Explain the Necessary and Proper Clause.
  2. Describe the battle between Jefferson and Hamilton over implied powers.

Chapter 11, section 5

  1. According to the 12th Amendment, when and how does the House choose the President of the United States?
  2. Has the House of Representatives ever chosen a President before and if yes, when?
  3. What electoral duty does the Senate have?
  4. What does impeach mean?
  5. Who has the power of impeachment? What vote is necessary to impeach a person?
  6. According to your book, how many impeachments have there been?
  7. What is the Senate’s role in impeachment?
  8. Who are the two presidents in US history to be impeached?
  9. Who approves appointments made by the President?
  10. Describe the policy of senatorial courtesy.
  11. Who approves treaties made by the President?

Chapter 12, section 1

  1. What is the title given to the person who is elected the permanent presiding officer in the House of Representatives?
  2. Who is the president of the Senate?
  3. Who is the president pro tem?
  4. Describe the job of floor leaders. Describe the job of the party whips.
  5. Explain the seniority rule.

Chapter 12, section 2

  1. What type of business do standing committees handle?
  2. Who is the “traffic cop” in the House of Representatives?
  3. What is the purpose of a conference committee?

Chapter 12, section 3

51. What is a bill?

52. Where is most of the work on a bill done?

53. Describe debate on a bill in the House of Representatives.

Chapter 12, section 4

54. How is debate on a bill different in the Senate, compared to the House of Representatives?

55. What is a filibuster?

56. What is cloture?

57. What are the four actions a President can take when being presented with a bill?