5.

A Separation of Powers
The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787. The states finally worked out their differences
and ratified the Constitution in 1788.
James Madison, the author of the Constitution, wanted a strong government with three
branches. These three branches balance each others power.
The executive branch is the office of the president. (It is also includes his or her
cabinet.) This branch enforces federal laws. It appoints federal officials. It deals with
foreign countries. The president is commander of the armed forces.
The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court. It also includes the lower Federal
Courts. It decides cases of law.
The legislative branch makes laws. It also amends and repeals laws and collects taxes.
One part of this branch is the Senate. It has 100 members, each state has two senators.
The other part is the House of Representaives. It has 435 members. Each state sends a
number of representatives based on its population.
How many representatives would there be? Madison said the number should reflect
how many people live in a state. New Jersey had few people. These people did not agree.
They said each state should have the same number of representatives. The people of
Connecticut wanted a compromise. They said the law-making branch should have two
parts. In one part, each state would have the same number of members. In the other part,
the number of members from a state would vary. Large states would have more members.
Small states would have fewer.

Main Idea
Answer

Score

M
B

15
5
5

1. Mark the main idea

Mark the statement that is too broad
Mark the statement that is too narrow
a. The U.S. Constitution provides for
Three branches of government.
b. The United States has a Constitution.
c. The Senate has 100 members.
Subject Matter
2. Another good title for this passage is
a. A Battle Between the States.
b. James Madison, American Hero.
c. Three Branches Equals One Government.
d. More than 200 Years Ago.
Supporting Details
3. The legislative branch deals mainly with

N
M
B
N

_____
_____
_____

a.
b.
c.
d.

the armed forces.

the making of laws.
the courses.
foreign policy.

Conslusion
4. Which statement best describes the final Constitution?
a. It uses only James Madisons ideas.
b. It is a compromise between the states.
c. It does not represent small states.
d. It gives most the power to the president.

Clariyfing Devices
5. In this passage, the words legislative branch are in italic type as an example of
a. a main title.
b. a quotation.
c. an authors byline.
d. an important item.

Vocabulary in Context
6. The word ratified in this passage means
a. formally and officially approved.
b. raised anothers child as ones own.
c. chosen for use in a classroom.
d. admired greatly.
Add your scores for questions 1 6. Enter the total here

Total Score

and on the graph on page 158

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