128 Civics Questions and Answers

• Two (2) years

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26. Why do U.S.
representatives serve
shorter terms than U.S.
senators?

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• To more closely follow public
opinion

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27. How many senators does
each state have?

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• Two (2)

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28. Why does each state
have two senators?

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• Equal representation (for small states)
• The Great Compromise (Connecticut
Compromise)

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29. Name your U.S.
representative.

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• Answers will vary. [Residents of territories
with nonvoting Delegates or Resident
Commissioners may provide the name of that
Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable
is any statement that the territory has no
(voting) representatives in Congress.]

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30. What is the name of
the Speaker of the House
of Representatives now? *

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• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/
testupdates for the name of
the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.

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31. Who does a U.S. senator
represent?

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• Citizens of their state

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32. Who elects U.S.
senators?

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• Citizens from their state

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33. Who does a
member of the House
of Representatives
represent?

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• Citizens in their (congressional) district
• Citizens in their district

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34. Who elects members
of the House of
Representatives?

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• Citizens from their (congressional)
district

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35. Some states have more
representatives than other
states. Why?

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• (Because of) the state’s population
• (Because) they have more people
• (Because) some states have more people

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36. The President of the
United States is elected
for how many years? *

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• Four (4) years

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37. The President of the
United States can serve
only two terms. Why?

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• (Because of) the 22nd
Amendment
• To keep the president from
becoming too powerful

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38. What is the name
of the President of the
United States now? *

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• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/
testupdates for the name of the
President of the United States.

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39. What is the name of
the Vice President of the
United States now? *

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• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/
testupdates for the name of the
Vice President of the United
States.

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40. If the president can
no longer serve, who
becomes president?

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• The Vice President (of the
United States)

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41. Name one power of the
president.

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• Signs bills into law
• Vetoes bills
• Enforces laws
• Commander in Chief (of the military)
• Chief diplomat

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42. Who is Commander
in Chief of the U.S.
military?

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• The President (of the United
States)

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43. Who signs bills to
become laws?

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• The President (of the United States)

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44. Who vetoes bills? *

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• The President (of the United States)

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45. Who appoints federal
judges?

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• The President (of the United States)

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46. The executive branch
has many parts. Name
one.

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• President (of the United States)
• Cabinet
• Federal departments and agencies

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47. What does the
President’s Cabinet do?

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• Advises the President (of the United
States)

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48. What are two
Cabinet-level positions?

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• Attorney General • Secretary of Housing and
• Secretary of Agriculture Urban Development
• Secretary of Commerce
• Secretary of Defense • Secretary of the Interior
• Secretary of Education
• Secretary of Energy • Secretary of Labor
• Secretary of Health and
• Secretary of State
Human Services
• Secretary of Homeland • Secretary of Transportation

Security • Secretary of the Treasury

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• Vice President (of the
United States)

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49. Why is the Electoral
College important?

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• It decides who is elected president.
• It provides a compromise between
the popular election of the president
and congressional selection.

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50. What is one part of
the judicial branch?

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