Q 01/05

How many branches make up the United States federal government?

A) Two

B) Four

C) Five

D) Three

Answer · why

D) Three

Three branches, set out in Articles I, II and III of the Constitution, each given powers to check the others.

Q 02/05

How many voting members does the US Congress have in total?

A) 535

B) 538

C) 541

D) 545

Answer · why

A) 535

535: 100 senators plus 435 voting representatives, a lower-chamber size in place since 1913; the delegates and the resident commissioner do not count.

Q 03/05

How many senators does each US state send to Washington?

A) Two

B) One

C) Three

D) It depends on population

Answer · why

A) Two

Two: Article I gives every state equal representation of two senators regardless of population, which is why the Senate has 100 members.

Q 04/05

How many justices sit on the US Supreme Court?

A) Seven

B) Eleven

C) Nine

D) Twelve

Answer · why

C) Nine

Nine: the Judiciary Act of 1869 fixed the Supreme Court at nine seats, the size it has had for more than 150 years.

Q 05/05

How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win the US presidency?

A) 270

B) 280

C) 300

D) 320

Answer · why

A) 270

270: a majority of the 538 electors, the total of 435 representatives, 100 senators and the District of Columbia's electors under the 23rd Amendment.