Worked example
The President returns a bill unsigned with objections under the constitutional veto process. Which action is this?
Answer & why
Answer: presidential veto
The veto gives the executive a check within the lawmaking process.
Grade 11 · Social studies
Recognize selected federal checks and balances
Distinguish a branch’s ordinary role from a power that checks another branch in a simplified constitutional example.
6 authored questions + worked example
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All questions
All 6 authored questions for this skill.
Question 1
The Senate considers whether to confirm a President’s Supreme Court nominee. Which power is involved?
- congressional veto override
- an ordinary legislative action
- presidential veto
- Senate advice and consent
A hint
Checks and balances give different institutions ways to limit one another.
Answer & why
Answer: Senate advice and consent
The Senate has an advice-and-consent role for this appointment.
Question 2
The House debates the wording of a proposed bill before voting. Which action is described?
- congressional veto override
- Senate advice and consent
- an ordinary legislative action
- presidential veto
A hint
Checks and balances give different institutions ways to limit one another.
Answer & why
Answer: an ordinary legislative action
Debating a bill is part of legislative work rather than the specified cross-branch checks.
Question 3
A President objects to a bill and formally uses the return process to prevent it becoming law unless Congress overrides. Which action fits?
- presidential veto
- an ordinary legislative action
- congressional veto override
- Senate advice and consent
A hint
Checks and balances give different institutions ways to limit one another.
Answer & why
Answer: presidential veto
The scenario describes the constitutional veto process.
Question 4
A federal judicial nominee receives a Senate confirmation vote. Which power is being exercised?
- Senate advice and consent
- congressional veto override
- presidential veto
- an ordinary legislative action
A hint
Checks and balances give different institutions ways to limit one another.
Answer & why
Answer: Senate advice and consent
Senate confirmation is part of the advice-and-consent process for such appointments.
Question 5
The President returns a bill unsigned with objections under the constitutional veto process. Which action is this?
- Senate advice and consent
- presidential veto
- an ordinary legislative action
- congressional veto override
A hint
Checks and balances give different institutions ways to limit one another.
Answer & why
Answer: presidential veto
The veto gives the executive a check within the lawmaking process.
Question 6
Each chamber of Congress reaches the required two-thirds vote to enact a bill over presidential objections. Which action is this?
- presidential veto
- Senate advice and consent
- an ordinary legislative action
- congressional veto override
A hint
Checks and balances give different institutions ways to limit one another.
Answer & why
Answer: congressional veto override
Congress uses its constitutional override power after a veto.