United States Senate

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/united-states-senate

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How long is United States Senate?6 years (staggered terms)
2. When was United States Senate built?March 4, 1789
3. What is the location?Washington, D.C
4. What is the number of members?100 senators
5. How are senators chosen?Since 1913, senators are elected by the people of each state. Before that, state legislatures chose them.
6. Why does each state have only two senators?The Constitution gave each state two senators so that small states have an equal voice with larger states. This keeps the Senate balanced.

Bicameral Legislature: A government system with two legislative chambers, like the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Advice and Consent: The Senate's constitutional power to review and approve or reject certain presidential nominations and treaties.
Filibuster: A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate.
Cloture: A Senate procedure used to end a filibuster, requiring a supermajority vote.