Government Review Questions

Front

The passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a significant political event because it was instrumental in increasing the number of African Americans and other minority voters.

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The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was instrumental in increasing the number of African Americans and other minority voters.

Front

Which of the following an example of "horse-race journalism"? A news anchor reports an event before the station's rivals. A news story focuses on a politician's scandals rather than achievements. A reporter announces which candidate leads in a public opinion poll. A newspaper editor prints stories about long-term political developments.

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A reporter announces which candidate leads in a public opinion poll.

Front

Which of the following best defines civil liberties?

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Provisions in the Bill of Rights that provide guarantees against arbitrary interference by government

Front

Which of the following best articulates an argument made by James Madison in The Federalist No. 10?
Options: Honest politicians can prevent factions from developing., Factions are more likely to occur in large republics than in small ones., The negative effects of factionalism can be reduced by a republican government., Free elections are the people's best defense against factionalism

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The negative effects of factionalism can be reduced by a republican government.

Front

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise provided for: A bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation

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A bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation

Front

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an example of

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an independent agency

Front

Which of the following best describes gerrymandering?

Back

The party in control of the state legislature draws district boundaries in such a way as to favor its own candidates in subsequent elections.

Front

Which of the following is generally understood to be the purpose of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution?
Options:
It grants voting rights to all American women.
It reserves powers to the states.
It lowers the legal voting age from 21 to 18.
It allows for trial by jury in common-law cases.

Back

It reserves powers to the states.

Front

A presidential veto would most likely be overturned in which of the following situations? The president's successful reelection campaign advocated bipartisanship. The chief justice of the Supreme Court was appointed by the president. The majority of American citizens support the proposed legislation. Approximately 30% of the senators and representatives are members of the president's political party.

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Approximately 30% of the senators and representatives are members of the president's political party.

Front

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects which of the following rights of American citizens? To petition the government for a redress of grievances, The right to keep and bear arms

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To petition the government for a redress of grievances