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 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1.The President pardons a person convicted of a federal crime. Which branch is being checked?
A.Executive (the President)
B.Legislative (Congress)
C.Judicial (the courts)
2.The House impeaches a federal judge. Which branch is being checked?
A.Executive (the President)
B.Judicial (the courts)
C.Legislative (Congress)
3.Which branch can override a President's veto?
A.Legislative (Congress)
B.Judicial (the courts)
C.Executive (the President)
4.The President nominates a new Supreme Court justice. Which branch is being checked?
A.Legislative (Congress)
B.Executive (the President)
C.Judicial (the courts)
5.Congress refuses to pay for a program the President wants. 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.Judicial (the courts)
B.Legislative (Congress)
C.Executive (the President)
7.Which branch can rule that a law is unconstitutional?
A.Legislative (Congress)
B.Executive (the President)
C.Judicial (the courts)
8.The President vetoes a bill. Which branch is being checked?
A.Legislative (Congress)
B.Executive (the President)
C.Judicial (the courts)
LessonPrint · D2.Civ.1.3-5 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Checks and Balances
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.Judicial (the courts)
2.Judicial (the courts)
3.Legislative (Congress)
4.Judicial (the courts)
5.Executive (the President)
6.Executive (the President)
7.Judicial (the courts)
8.Legislative (Congress)
Questions about Checks and Balances
What does the Checks and Balances worksheet cover?
It practices how each branch of the US government checks the others — 8 questions for Grade 3 to Grade 5, all on C3 Framework D2.Civ.1.3-5: Tell apart what officials at different levels of government can and cannot do. The instruction to students is “Circle the branch that answers each question”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which C3 Framework indicator does Checks and Balances practice?
D2.Civ.1.3-5, under Civics for Grade 3 to Grade 5. The published indicator reads: “Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places.” The worksheet assesses that indicator rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Checks and Balances is written for Grade 3 to Grade 5, typically ages 40-41. It is one of the sheets on D2.Civ.1.3-5, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Checks and Balances come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Checks and Balances can I print?
25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Checks and Balances free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Checks and Balances, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for D2.Civ.1.3-5
Tell apart what officials at different levels of government can and cannot do.