Worked examples
Two examples
Example 1
- Check the three requirements in Article II, one at a time: a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and at least 14 years living in the United States.
- Born in the Bronx: she has been a citizen from birth. That one is met.
- Lived here all her life: 33 years, more than 14. That one is met.
- Age 33: the Constitution says at least 35. That one is not met. Her years in the State Senate do not change the age rule.
- So she cannot be president yet. In two years she can.
Answer: No, she is too young.
Example 2
- Name the power first. Making treaties is one of the president’s powers, in Article II, Section 2.
- Now look for the limit. Almost every power of the president comes with one. Article II says the president makes treaties “provided two thirds of the Senators present concur.” (Provided means on the condition that. Concur means agree.)
- So two-thirds of the senators present must vote to approve it.
- It is not a majority of the Senate: a majority is the rule for confirming appointments. And the House has no vote on treaties.
Answer: Two-thirds of the senators present must approve it.
Where this is taught: Civics, Chapter 5: The president and the executive branch · Civics, Chapter 5: The president’s powers, and their limits · Civics, Chapter 5: The cabinet and the executive departments · The Civics Flyover, Question 2
In your Kaplan book: Unit 3, Chapter 3, Lesson 3: Levels and Branches of Government · Map of the Terrain, topic 17: The president and the executive branch
The drill
Ten questions
Tap your answer to each one. A few questions ask you to choose words from a drop-down instead, the way the GED test does. Then press Check my answers at the bottom.Circle your answer to each one; where there are brackets, circle the choice that fits. The answer key, with the reasoning, is on the last page.