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Social Studies Grade 4-5 Answer Key

Social Studies: Branches of Government

Learning the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

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Social Studies: Branches of Government

Learning the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Social Studies - Grade 4-5

Instructions: Read each problem carefully. Answer in complete sentences when needed. Show your thinking in the space provided.
  1. 1

    Name the three branches of the United States government.

    Think about the branch that makes laws, the branch that carries out laws, and the branch that explains laws.

    The three branches of the United States government are the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.
  2. 2

    Which branch of government makes laws?

    The legislative branch makes laws.
  3. 3

    Which branch of government carries out and enforces laws?

    This branch includes the President.

    The executive branch carries out and enforces laws.
  4. 4

    Which branch of government explains laws and decides if laws follow the Constitution?

    The judicial branch explains laws and decides if laws follow the Constitution.
  5. 5

    The President is part of which branch of government?

    This branch is responsible for carrying out laws.

    The President is part of the executive branch.
  6. 6

    Congress is part of which branch of government?

    Congress is part of the legislative branch.
  7. 7

    The Supreme Court is part of which branch of government?

    This branch is made up of courts.

    The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch.
  8. 8

    A new rule for schools is being written into law by Congress. Which branch is doing this job?

    The legislative branch is doing this job because Congress writes and makes laws.
  9. 9

    The President signs a bill into law. Which branch is involved?

    Think about the branch led by the President.

    The executive branch is involved because the President is part of the executive branch and signs bills into law.
  10. 10

    A court decides that a law does not follow the Constitution. Which branch made that decision?

    The judicial branch made that decision because courts review laws and decide whether they follow the Constitution.
  11. 11

    Match the branch to the job: makes laws, carries out laws, explains laws.

    Use all three branch names in your answer.

    The legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch carries out laws, and the judicial branch explains laws.
  12. 12

    Why is it helpful for the government to have three branches instead of just one?

    It is helpful to have three branches so power is shared. This helps prevent one group from having too much control.
  13. 13

    If someone says a law is unfair and asks a court to review it, which branch will hear the case?

    Think about judges and courts.

    The judicial branch will hear the case because courts review laws and legal problems.
  14. 14

    Write one sentence that tells what the legislative branch does.

    The legislative branch makes laws for the country.
  15. 15

    Write one sentence that tells what the executive branch does, and one sentence that tells what the judicial branch does.

    Include one sentence for each branch named in the question.

    The executive branch carries out and enforces laws. The judicial branch explains laws and decides whether they follow the Constitution.
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