GED Social Studies: Structure of U.S. Government Concepts
Importance ★★★★★ · 30% (estimate)
Overview
This chapter explains how the U.S. government is built. The Constitution splits power among three branches and between the national and state governments, so no single group can hold all power. This is the biggest topic on the test, because civics and government is about half of it.
Congress, the legislative branch, makes laws. It has two parts: the Senate, with two senators from each state serving 6-year terms, and the House of Representatives, with seats based on population and 2-year terms. The President leads the executive branch and carries out laws for 4-year terms. The courts, led by the Supreme Court, form the judicial branch and interpret laws.
Each branch can check the others. The President can veto bills, and Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. The Senate confirms judges and Cabinet members. Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws (judicial review). The House impeaches officials and the Senate holds the trial.
Some powers belong only to the federal government, such as printing money and declaring war. Others belong to the states, such as issuing driver's licenses. Some, such as taxing, are shared. Amending the Constitution usually takes a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
Key concepts
Three branches
Legislative (Congress) makes laws; executive (President) carries them out; judicial (courts) interprets them.
Memory tipMake, enforce, interpret.
Veto and override
The President can veto a bill. Congress can override it with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
Memory tipOverride = 2/3 of both chambers.
Source: U.S. Constitution · as of 2026
Judicial review
Courts can strike down laws or actions that break the Constitution. Established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).
Memory tipCourt rules a law unconstitutional = judicial check.
Impeachment
The House votes to impeach (charge) an official. The Senate holds the trial; two-thirds of senators present are needed to convict.
Memory tipHouse charges, Senate judges.
Source: U.S. Constitution · as of 2026
Amendment process
Usually two-thirds of both houses of Congress propose, and three-fourths of the states ratify.
Memory tipPropose 2/3, ratify 3/4.
Source: U.S. Constitution · as of 2026
Federal, state, shared powers
Federal only: money, war, treaties. State: licenses, schools, local police. Shared: taxes, borrowing, courts.
Memory tipShared powers are also called concurrent powers.
Often tested
- Senate: 2 per state, 6-year terms. House: based on population, 2-year terms. President: 4-year terms.
- The Speaker of the House leads the House; the Vice President is President of the Senate.
- The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states or the people.
- The President nominates judges and Cabinet members; the Senate confirms them.
Easy to confuse: Checks and balances
| Branch | Checks on others |
|---|---|
| Legislative | Override vetoes, confirm appointments, impeach, approve budgets |
| Executive | Veto bills, nominate judges |
| Judicial | Declare laws or actions unconstitutional |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. Which branch of the federal government makes laws?
- ① The Federal Reserve
- ② The judicial branch (the courts)
- ③ The legislative branch (Congress)
- ④ The executive branch (the President)
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Answer: ③ The legislative branch (Congress)
Key point: Legislative branch = Congress = makes laws
Article I of the Constitution gives the power to make federal laws to Congress, the legislative branch. Congress has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Wrong choices
- The Federal Reserve: The Federal Reserve is the nation's central bank. It manages money and interest rates, not laws.
- The judicial branch (the courts): The judicial branch interprets laws and decides cases.
- The executive branch (the President): The executive branch carries out and enforces laws. It does not pass them.
Question 2. Which branch of the federal government carries out (enforces) the laws and is led by the President?
- ① The executive branch
- ② The legislative branch
- ③ The judicial branch
- ④ The Senate
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Answer: ① The executive branch
Key point: Executive branch = President = carries out laws
The executive branch is led by the President, along with the Vice President and the Cabinet. It carries out laws through federal departments and agencies, such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Education.
Wrong choices
- The legislative branch: The legislative branch (Congress) makes the laws.
- The judicial branch: The judicial branch interprets laws and decides cases.
- The Senate: The Senate is one part of Congress, which is the legislative branch.
Question 3. Congress is made up of which two parts?
- ① The Senate and the Supreme Court
- ② The House of Representatives and the Cabinet
- ③ The President and the Vice President
- ④ The Senate and the House of Representatives
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Answer: ④ The Senate and the House of Representatives
Key point: Congress = Senate + House of Representatives
Congress has two chambers (it is bicameral). The Senate has 100 members, two from each state. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, divided among the states by population.
Wrong choices
- The Senate and the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch, not Congress.
- The House of Representatives and the Cabinet: The Cabinet advises the President and is part of the executive branch.
- The President and the Vice President: The President and Vice President lead the executive branch.
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