System of government: the President, the courts and the states
Four separate questions on the 2025 list have the same answer, the President: who is Commander in Chief, who signs bills, who vetoes bills and who appoints federal judges.
This unit covers the rest of the System of Government section: the President and the Cabinet, the courts, and the split between federal and state power. It holds 27 questions on the 2025 list, numbers 36 to 62, more than any other unit in this course, and six of them are starred for 65/20 applicants.
The President
The President is elected for four years (question 36, starred) and can serve only two terms because of the 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, which keeps a president from becoming too powerful (question 37). Presidential elections are held in November, a starred question on the 2008 test. If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes President (question 40). The 2008 test adds the next step: if both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, the Speaker of the House becomes President.
Questions 41 to 45 are about the President’s powers. The President signs bills into law, vetoes bills, enforces laws, is Commander in Chief of the military, acts as chief diplomat and appoints federal judges. Notice that four separate questions have the same answer, the President: who is Commander in Chief, who signs bills to become laws, who vetoes bills (starred) and who appoints federal judges.
The executive branch includes the President, the Cabinet and the federal departments and agencies (question 46). The Cabinet advises the President (question 47). Question 48 asks for two Cabinet-level positions; Secretary of State and Attorney General are short and easy to say. The 2025 list writes Secretary of War (Defense), while the 2008 list writes Secretary of Defense. The Electoral College decides who is elected president, and the list calls it a compromise between the popular election of the president and selection by Congress (question 49).
The courts
The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and the federal courts (question 50). It reviews and explains laws, resolves disputes about the law and decides whether a law goes against the Constitution (question 51). The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States (question 52, starred). It has nine seats (question 53), and five justices, a majority, are usually needed to decide a case (question 54). Justices serve for life, or until they retire, so that they are independent of politics and outside influence (questions 55 and 56).
Federal and state powers
The Constitution gives some powers only to the federal government, such as printing paper money, minting coins, declaring war, creating an army, making treaties and setting foreign policy (question 58). Others belong to the states: schooling and education, police, fire departments, driver’s licenses, and zoning and land use (question 59). The 10th Amendment says powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people (question 60). Question 62 asks for your state capital, and question 61, starred, for your governor.
| The President of the United States is elected for how many years? | • Four (4) years 2025 list, no. 36, 65/20 |
| The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why? | • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment • To keep the president from becoming too powerful 2025 list, no. 37 |
| What is the name of the President of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2025 list, no. 38, 65/20 |
| What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2025 list, no. 39, 65/20 |
| If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president? | • The Vice President (of the United States) 2025 list, no. 40 |
| Name one power of the president. | • Signs bills into law • Vetoes bills • Enforces laws • Commander in Chief (of the military) • Chief diplomat • Appoints federal judges 2025 list, no. 41 |
| Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? | • The President (of the United States) 2025 list, no. 42 |
| Who signs bills to become laws? | • The President (of the United States) 2025 list, no. 43 |
| Who vetoes bills? | • The President (of the United States) 2025 list, no. 44, 65/20 |
| Who appoints federal judges? | • The President (of the United States) 2025 list, no. 45 |
| The executive branch has many parts. Name one. | • President (of the United States) • Cabinet • Federal departments and agencies 2025 list, no. 46 |
| What does the President’s Cabinet do? | • Advises the President (of the United States) 2025 list, no. 47 |
| What are two Cabinet-level positions? | • Attorney General • Secretary of Agriculture • Secretary of Commerce • Secretary of Education • Secretary of Energy • Secretary of Health and Human Services • Secretary of Homeland Security • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development • Secretary of the Interior • Secretary of Labor • Secretary of State • Secretary of Transportation • Secretary of the Treasury • Secretary of Veterans Affairs • Secretary of War (Defense) • Vice-President • Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency • Administrator of the Small Business Administration • Director of the Central Intelligence Agency • Director of the Office of Management and Budget • Director of National Intelligence • United States Trade Representative 2025 list, no. 48 |
| Why is the Electoral College important? | • It decides who is elected president. • It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection. 2025 list, no. 49 |
| What is one part of the judicial branch? | • Supreme Court • Federal Courts 2025 list, no. 50 |
| What does the judicial branch do? | • Reviews laws • Explains laws • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution 2025 list, no. 51 |
| What is the highest court in the United States? | • Supreme Court 2025 list, no. 52, 65/20 |
| How many seats are on the Supreme Court? | • Nine (9) 2025 list, no. 53 |
| How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case? | • Five (5) 2025 list, no. 54 |
| How long do Supreme Court justices serve? | • (For) life • Lifetime appointment • (Until) retirement 2025 list, no. 55 |
| Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why? | • To be independent (of politics) • To limit outside (political) influence 2025 list, no. 56 |
| Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2025 list, no. 57 |
| Name one power that is only for the federal government. | • Print paper money • Mint coins • Declare war • Create an army • Make treaties • Set foreign policy 2025 list, no. 58 |
| Name one power that is only for the states. | • Provide schooling and education • Provide protection (police) • Provide safety (fire departments) • Give a driver’s license • Approve zoning and land use 2025 list, no. 59 |
| What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment? | • (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people. 2025 list, no. 60 |
| Who is the governor of your state now? | • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.] Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2025 list, no. 61, 65/20 |
| What is the capital of your state? | • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.] 2025 list, no. 62 |
2008 version: questions 26 to 47
| We elect a President for how many years? | • four (4) 2008 list, no. 26 |
| In what month do we vote for President? | • November 2008 list, no. 27, 65/20 |
| What is the name of the President of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 28, 65/20 |
| What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 29 |
| If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? | • the Vice President 2008 list, no. 30 |
| If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? | • the Speaker of the House 2008 list, no. 31 |
| Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? | • the President 2008 list, no. 32 |
| Who signs bills to become laws? | • the President 2008 list, no. 33 |
| Who vetoes bills? | • the President 2008 list, no. 34 |
| What does the President’s Cabinet do? | • advises the President 2008 list, no. 35 |
| What are two Cabinet-level positions? | • Secretary of Agriculture • Secretary of Commerce • Secretary of Defense • Secretary of Education • Secretary of Energy • Secretary of Health and Human Services • Secretary of Homeland Security • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development • Secretary of the Interior • Secretary of Labor • Secretary of State • Secretary of Transportation • Secretary of the Treasury • Secretary of Veterans Affairs • Attorney General • Vice President 2008 list, no. 36 |
| What does the judicial branch do? | • reviews laws • explains laws • resolves disputes (disagreements) • decides if a law goes against the Constitution 2008 list, no. 37 |
| What is the highest court in the United States? | • the Supreme Court 2008 list, no. 38 |
| How many justices are on the Supreme Court? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the number of justices on the Supreme Court. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 39 |
| Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 40 |
| Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? | • to print money • to declare war • to create an army • to make treaties 2008 list, no. 41 |
| Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? | • provide schooling and education • provide protection (police) • provide safety (fire departments) • give a driver’s license • approve zoning and land use 2008 list, no. 42 |
| Who is the Governor of your state now? | • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.] Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 43 |
| What is the capital of your state? | • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.] 2008 list, no. 44, 65/20 |
| What are the two major political parties in the United States? | • Democratic and Republican 2008 list, no. 45, 65/20 |
| What is the political party of the President now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the political party of the President. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 46 |
| What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 47 |
- The President of the United States is elected for how many years? Four years. · 2025 no. 36, starred
- The President can serve only two terms. Why? Because of the 22nd Amendment. · 2025 no. 37
- If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president? The Vice President. · 2025 no. 40
- Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? The President. · 2025 no. 42
- What does the President’s Cabinet do? It advises the President. · 2025 no. 47
- How many seats are on the Supreme Court? Nine. · 2025 no. 53
- Name one power that is only for the federal government. Declare war. · 2025 no. 58
- Name one power that is only for the states. Give a driver’s license. · 2025 no. 59
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
- The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
- The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
- Because of the 22nd Amendment
- Because of the 10th Amendment
- Because of the Bill of Rights
- If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
- The Vice President
- The Speaker of the House
- The Chief Justice
- Who vetoes bills?
- The President
- The Senate
- The Supreme Court
- Who appoints federal judges?
- The President
- The governors
- The voters
- What does the President’s Cabinet do?
- Advises the President
- Writes laws
- Decides court cases
- Which of these is a Cabinet-level position on the official list?
- Attorney General
- Chief Justice
- Speaker of the House
- Why is the Electoral College important?
- It decides who is elected president
- It writes the federal budget
- It appoints the Cabinet
- How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
- How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
- Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
- To be independent of politics
- To save on elections
- Because the President asks them to
- Name one power that is only for the states.
- Provide schooling and education
- Print paper money
- Make treaties
- What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
- Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people
- It sets the voting age at 18
- It limits the President to two terms
- President: 4-year term, two terms (22nd Amendment); signs, vetoes, commands, appoints judges.
- Supreme Court: 9 seats, 5 to decide, justices serve for life.
- 10th Amendment: other powers go to the states or the people.