Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet POL/215 Version 4 1 University of Phoenix Material Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet Complete the chart below by identifying the three branches of government and their entities. U.S. Constitution True or False 1. The Tenth Amendment limits the power of states. True or False 2. The Constitution signed in 1787 contained the Bill of Rights. True or False 3. The Constitution created a system of dual sovereignty, meaning the federal government has exclusive power in interstate commerce. True or False 4. The president and vice president are part of the legislative branch. True or False 5. Congress can impose federal mandates, which require the state government to comply with its orders. True or False Multiple Choice 6. The concept of dual federalism a. ended about 1980 b. is analogous to the marble cake image of federalism c. limited state power d. viewed federal and state power as fixed 7. The Bill of Rights is a. contained in the Preamble to the Constitution b. Article I of the original Constitution c. the first 10 amendments to the Constitution 8. The legislative branch is composed of which of the following: a. The House of Representatives and Senate b. The president and vice president c. The Supreme Court d. All state constitutions 9. The First Amendment of the Constitution regards which of the following: a. The right to keep and bear arms b. The right to trial by jury in civil cases c. Limiting the power of the federal government d. Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and to petition 10. The modern-day structure of categorical federal grants-in-aid came into being a. at the end of World War II b. in the 1930s c. soon after the Civil War d. in the mid-1960s Short Answer Respond to each question in 75 to 100 words. 11. What are some of the historical events that shaped the formation of the U.S. federal government? Select one event you think had a major effect on the federal government. How does this event affect U.S. citizens today? 12. Who were some of the early philosophical contributors to U.S. government? How did their ideas help shape the current government of the United States? 13. Describe the historical role of the Supreme Court in federalism cases and the direction it has taken since 1990. 14. What is the main function of the legislative branch? What role does the executive branch play in the formation of laws? Summarize how these two branches work together. 15. What is the role of the judicial branch? Who elects members of this branch? Briefly describe the judicial process. Short Essay 16. In 250 to 300 words, define federalism and summarize its role relative to the current U.S. political climate. 3. 9. 8. 2. 7. 6. 5. 4. .

1. Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
POL/215 Version 4
1
University of Phoenix Material
Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
Complete the chart below by identifying the three branches of
government and their entities.
U.S. Constitution
True or False
1. The Tenth Amendment limits the power of states. True or
False
2. The Constitution signed in 1787 contained the Bill of Rights.

2. True or False
3. The Constitution created a system of dual sovereignty,
meaning the federal government has exclusive power in
interstate commerce. True or False
4. The president and vice president are part of the legislative
branch. True or False
5. Congress can impose federal mandates, which require the
state government to comply with its orders. True or False
Multiple Choice
6. The concept of dual federalism
a. ended about 1980
b. is analogous to the marble cake image of federalism
c. limited state power
d. viewed federal and state power as fixed
7. The Bill of Rights is
a. contained in the Preamble to the Constitution
b. Article I of the original Constitution
c. the first 10 amendments to the Constitution
8. The legislative branch is composed of which of the
following:
a. The House of Representatives and Senate
b. The president and vice president

3. c. The Supreme Court
d. All state constitutions
9. The First Amendment of the Constitution regards which of
the following:
a. The right to keep and bear arms
b. The right to trial by jury in civil cases
c. Limiting the power of the federal government
d. Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and
to petition
10. The modern-day structure of categorical federal grants-in-
aid came into being
a. at the end of World War II
b. in the 1930s
c. soon after the Civil War
d. in the mid-1960s
Short Answer
Respond to each question in 75 to 100 words.
11. What are some of the historical events that shaped the
formation of the U.S. federal government? Select one event you
think had a major effect on the federal government. How does
this event affect U.S. citizens today?
12. Who were some of the early philosophical contributors to
U.S. government? How did their ideas help shape the current
government of the United States?
13. Describe the historical role of the Supreme Court in
federalism cases and the direction it has taken since 1990.
14. What is the main function of the legislative branch? What
role does the executive branch play in the formation of laws?

4. Summarize how these two branches work together.
15. What is the role of the judicial branch? Who elects members
of this branch? Briefly describe the judicial process.
Short Essay
16. In 250 to 300 words, define federalism and summarize its
role relative to the current U.S. political climate.
3.
9.
8.
2.

5. 7.
6.
5.
4.