WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.750 Part 2 of 4. The three branches. In this part you will learn 8 key words from the U.S. civics test. For each word, you will hear a simple meaning, an example and a memory tip. At the end there are three quick questions. 00:00:15.950 --> 00:00:17.900 branch 00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:20.875 One main part of the government. 00:00:21.075 --> 00:00:26.075 For example: The United States has three branches of government. 00:00:26.275 --> 00:00:33.675 Memory tip: A branch is one part of a tree. A government branch is one part of the government. 00:00:33.875 --> 00:00:36.350 checks and balances 00:00:36.550 --> 00:00:40.050 Each branch can limit the other branches. 00:00:40.250 --> 00:00:46.225 For example: The branches check each other, so no part becomes too powerful. 00:00:46.425 --> 00:00:51.800 Memory tip: Each branch checks the other two. That keeps things fair. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:54.225 legislative 00:00:54.425 --> 00:00:57.575 The branch that makes laws (Congress). 00:00:57.775 --> 00:01:03.325 For example: Congress is the legislative branch. It writes the laws. 00:01:03.525 --> 00:01:08.125 Memory tip: Legislative starts with L, like laws. 00:01:08.325 --> 00:01:10.475 executive 00:01:10.675 --> 00:01:14.475 The branch that carries out laws (the President). 00:01:14.675 --> 00:01:19.875 For example: The President is in charge of the executive branch. 00:01:20.075 --> 00:01:26.650 Memory tip: Executive sounds like execute. The President carries out the laws. 00:01:26.850 --> 00:01:28.800 judicial 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:32.275 The branch that explains laws in court. 00:01:32.475 --> 00:01:37.325 For example: The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch. 00:01:37.525 --> 00:01:43.625 Memory tip: Judicial sounds like judge. Judges decide what the law means. 00:01:43.825 --> 00:01:45.800 Congress 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:49.925 The Senate and the House of Representatives together. 00:01:50.125 --> 00:01:56.250 For example: Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. 00:01:56.450 --> 00:02:02.625 Memory tip: Congress is the Senate plus the House. Two parts, one Congress. 00:02:02.825 --> 00:02:04.775 senator 00:02:04.975 --> 00:02:08.625 A member of the Senate. There are 100. 00:02:08.825 --> 00:02:12.550 For example: Each state has two senators. 00:02:12.750 --> 00:02:18.700 Memory tip: There are 100 senators: two for each of the 50 states. 00:02:18.900 --> 00:02:21.150 representative 00:02:21.350 --> 00:02:26.700 A member of the House. There are 435 voting members. 00:02:26.900 --> 00:02:32.875 For example: A representative speaks for the people of one congressional district. 00:02:33.075 --> 00:02:41.375 Memory tip: There are 435 voting representatives. A state with more people has more of them. 00:02:41.575 --> 00:02:52.775 Quick review. Look at each word and say it out loud: branch, checks and balances, legislative, executive, judicial, Congress, senator, representative. 00:02:52.975 --> 00:03:01.675 Time for a quick quiz. Three questions about the words in this part. After each question, you will have five seconds to think. 00:03:01.875 --> 00:03:18.425 Question 1. The United States has three branches of government. Why? A. To make laws pass faster. B. So one part does not become too powerful. C. So each region has its own branch. D. To lower the cost of government. 00:03:23.625 --> 00:03:31.900 The answer is B. So one part does not become too powerful. Separating powers creates checks and balances. 00:03:32.100 --> 00:03:47.050 Question 2. The President is in charge of which branch of government? A. The executive branch. B. The legislative branch. C. None; the President only leads the military. D. The judicial branch. 00:03:52.250 --> 00:04:00.350 The answer is A. The executive branch. The President heads the executive branch, which enforces laws. 00:04:00.550 --> 00:04:15.175 Question 3. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? A. The Senate and the House of Representatives. B. The House and the Supreme Court. C. The Senate and the Electoral College. D. The Senate and the Cabinet. 00:04:20.375 --> 00:04:28.200 The answer is A. The Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress is bicameral: Senate plus House. 00:04:28.400 --> 00:04:38.225 That is the end of this part. Try the sample questions on our website, and say each word out loud in English. Good luck with your study.