The Three Branches of Government
Lesson Details
Student Worksheet: The Three Branches of Government
Teacher Note: Students can watch the video lesson above and answer the questions. Click the “Teacher Answer Key” dropdown below when you are ready to review the solutions!
Key Concepts:
• Legislative Branch: Congress. Writes the laws — the rules of the game for the whole country.
• Executive Branch: Led by the President. Enforces the laws and makes sure people follow them.
• Judicial Branch: The courts, with the Supreme Court at the top. Makes sure the laws are fair and decides if they’ve been broken.
Instructions: Read each question carefully and write your answer in the space provided.
- Question 1: Which branch of government writes the laws?
- Question 2: Who leads the executive branch, and what is their job?
- Question 3: What is the judicial branch made up of?
- Question 4: Why is the government split into three branches instead of having one person in charge?
- Question 5: In the video’s team analogy, which branch is compared to “referees”? Why does that comparison make sense?
- Question 6: What does it mean that “no single branch is the boss”?
Click to reveal Teacher Answer Key
1. The legislative branch (Congress). @ 0:23
2. The President; enforces the laws and makes sure people follow them. @ 0:30
3. The courts, with the Supreme Court at the top. @ 0:39
4. So no single group or person has too much power over the whole country.
5. The judicial branch — like referees, courts decide if the rules were followed fairly and settle disputes. @ 0:39
6. All three branches work together and keep an eye on each other, rather than one branch controlling everything.
Disclaimer: This worksheet was generated with AI assistance based on original video content. It is intended for educational reference only. Teachers are encouraged to review and adjust questions to fit their curriculum standards before classroom use.
🎯 Extension Activity: Give students 6 scenarios (e.g., "Congress passes a new speed limit law," "A court decides a law is unfair," "The President signs an order to enforce a law") and have them label which branch is acting in each one.