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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 16 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.The President nominates a new Supreme Court justice. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Executive (the President)
  • B.Judicial (the courts)
  • C.Legislative (Congress)
2.The Supreme Court rules that a law Congress passed is unconstitutional. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Judicial (the courts)
  • B.Executive (the President)
  • C.Legislative (Congress)
3.Which branch approves or rejects the President's choices for federal judges?
  • A.Legislative (Congress)
  • B.Executive (the President)
  • C.Judicial (the courts)
4.The House impeaches a federal judge. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Legislative (Congress)
  • B.Executive (the President)
  • C.Judicial (the courts)
5.The President pardons a person convicted of a federal crime. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Judicial (the courts)
  • B.Executive (the President)
  • C.Legislative (Congress)
6.The Senate votes down a person the President picked for the Cabinet. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Executive (the President)
  • B.Judicial (the courts)
  • C.Legislative (Congress)
7.The President vetoes a bill. Which branch is being checked?
  • A.Legislative (Congress)
  • B.Judicial (the courts)
  • C.Executive (the President)
8.Which branch can override a President's veto?
  • A.Judicial (the courts)
  • B.Legislative (Congress)
  • C.Executive (the President)

LessonPrint · D2.Civ.1.3-5 · Set 16 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Checks and Balances

Set 16. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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