(CNN) -- As President Obama's second-term Cabinet starts to take shape, we can see some of the outlines of what the White House hopes to do in the next four years.

The major theme is that Obama is prepared to defend his turf, tooth and nail. This is a Cabinet whose strength is defense rather than offense.

Gone are the hopes of bipartisanship. Now it's time to really engage the partisan battle. Obama won't be pushing for many watershed changes in the next four years, but he is not going to make it easy for Republicans to make any deep inroads into what he has accomplished.

During the last two weeks, the president rolled out his nominations on national security -- Sen. John Kerry for secretary of state, Sen. Chuck Hagel for secretary of defense, and John Brennan to direct the CIA. He then nominated his chief of staff, Jack Lew, to be secretary of the treasury.

We must be careful not to infer too much from presidential appointments, since these people ultimately serve the interests of the president rather than vice versa -- but still, the identities of the members of the new Cabinet provide important hints.

This is a team with experience and deep roots in Washington. It is clear that Obama, sobered after four brutal years of fighting with Republicans in Congress, realizes that he needs leaders who have clout in Congress.

On national security, this is a team with deep experience that can protect the existing policies the administration has adopted. Obama has selected two Senate veterans who are also military veterans, Kerry and Hagel, with the hope of using their connections with legislators and their knowledge of the ways and means of the legislative process.

Based on the article and the following list of answers, write a list of questions.

1. Obama
2. Cabinet
3. second-term
4. defense rather than offense.
5. no
6. Sen. Chuck Hagel
7. John Brennan
8. During the last two weeks, the president rolled out his nominations on national security -- Sen. John Kerry for secretary of state, Sen. Chuck Hagel for secretary of defense, and John Brennan to direct the CIA. He then nominated his chief of staff, Jack Lew, to be secretary of the treasury.
9. of the president
10. experience
11. Republicans
12. four
13. brutal
14. secretary of the treasury.
15. chief of staff
16. no
17. protect the existing policies the administration has adopted
18. Kerry and Hagel
19. using their connections with legislators and their knowledge
20. knowledge of the ways and means of the legislative process.
1. Who is ready to defend their turf?
2. What is starting to take shape for him?
3. What term?
4. What is the Cabinet's strong suit?
5. Is there a possibility of bipartisanship?
6. Who did he nominate for Secretary of Defense?
7. Who is likely to be the director of the CIA?
8. Over how long has Obama been presenting his selections for the Cabinet?
9. Who's interests do these nominees serve?
10. Are these Presidential appointees newbies or do they represent experience?
11. Who has the president been battling with for a long time?
12. For how long?
13. Has this been easy on him?
14. Who is Jack Lew?
15. What other position did he hold?
16. Is Obama making it easy for the Republicans?
17. what does he feel that this team can do for the administration?
18. What two nominees are Senate and Military vets?
19. What does the president want to use that these two have?
20. Lastly, what do these leaders have in Congress that is beneficial to Obama?