System of Government
Sistema de gobierno
The three branches, Congress, the President, the courts, and what belongs to the states.
Las tres ramas, el Congreso, el presidente, los tribunales y lo que les toca a los estados.
Three branches, one Constitution
The Constitution splits power into three branches so that no one person or group has all of it. Each branch can stop the others in some way. This is called separation of powers and checks and balances.
La Constitución divide el poder en tres ramas para que nadie lo tenga todo. Cada rama puede frenar a las otras. Esto se llama separación de poderes y pesos y contrapesos.
How a bill becomes a law
Cómo un proyecto se convierte en ley
Watch checks and balances in action. Choose what the President does, then press Play.
Mira los pesos y contrapesos en acción. Elige qué hace el presidente y presiona Play.
Congress: the Senate and the House
Congress has two parts. The Senate gives every state the same voice: 2 senators each, 100 in total, elected for 6 years. The House of Representatives follows population: 435 voting members, elected for 2 years, so bigger states get more.
El Senado da la misma voz a cada estado: 2 senadores, 100 en total, por 6 años. La Cámara sigue la población: 435 miembros con voto, por 2 años; los estados grandes tienen más.
The President and the executive branch
The President is elected for 4 years and can serve only two terms (22nd Amendment). The President signs or vetoes bills, enforces laws, commands the military and appoints federal judges. The Cabinet advises the President. If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President takes over.
El presidente se elige por 4 años y solo puede servir dos períodos (Enmienda 22). Firma o veta leyes, las hace cumplir, manda las fuerzas armadas y nombra a los jueces federales. El Gabinete lo asesora.
The courts
The Supreme Court is the highest court. It has 9 seats, and usually 5 justices (a majority) decide a case. Justices serve for life so they can decide without political pressure. The courts review and explain laws and decide if a law goes against the Constitution.
La Corte Suprema es el tribunal más alto: 9 puestos, se decide normalmente con 5. Los jueces sirven de por vida para ser independientes.
Federal or state?
Some powers belong only to the federal government, some only to the states. The 10th Amendment says powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Algunos poderes son solo del gobierno federal y otros solo de los estados. La Enmienda 10 dice que lo que no es federal pertenece a los estados o al pueblo.
Four questions depend on your address, and some names change after elections. Write yours here; this page remembers them on this device. Check current names at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.
Practice like the interview
The officer asks out loud and you answer out loud. Press 🔊 to hear the question, say your answer, then check it honestly. The real test stops at 12 correct (pass) or 9 wrong.
El oficial pregunta en voz alta y tú respondes en voz alta. Usa 🔊, responde y califícate con honestidad.