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Checks and Balances is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on how each branch of the US government checks the others, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Civ.1.3-5. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 13 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Checks and Balances

D2.Civ.1.3-5

NameDate

Circle the branch that answers each question.

1.Which branch can rule that a law is unconstitutional?
  • A.Executive (the President)
  • B.Legislative (Congress)
  • C.Judicial (the courts)
2.The President pardons a person convicted of a federal crime. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Judicial (the courts)
  • B.Legislative (Congress)
  • C.Executive (the President)
3.The President nominates a new Supreme Court justice. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Legislative (Congress)
  • B.Judicial (the courts)
  • C.Executive (the President)
4.Congress overrides a veto with a two-thirds vote in each house. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Judicial (the courts)
  • B.Executive (the President)
  • C.Legislative (Congress)
5.The Supreme Court rules that a law Congress passed is unconstitutional. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Legislative (Congress)
  • B.Judicial (the courts)
  • C.Executive (the President)
6.Which branch can veto a bill passed by Congress?
  • A.Legislative (Congress)
  • B.Judicial (the courts)
  • C.Executive (the President)
7.Which branch can remove a President from office after an impeachment trial?
  • A.Legislative (Congress)
  • B.Judicial (the courts)
  • C.Executive (the President)
8.A court rules that a President's order breaks the Constitution. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Legislative (Congress)
  • B.Judicial (the courts)
  • C.Executive (the President)

LessonPrint · D2.Civ.1.3-5 · Set 13 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Checks and Balances

Set 13. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Judicial (the courts)
  2. 2.Judicial (the courts)
  3. 3.Judicial (the courts)
  4. 4.Executive (the President)
  5. 5.Legislative (Congress)
  6. 6.Executive (the President)
  7. 7.Legislative (Congress)
  8. 8.Executive (the President)

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.Civ.1.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.