U.S. Government Midterm Review Slides

Multiple Select

Select ALL correct answers

Three factors to determine is a source is credible

• Author's financial interest

• Author's degree & work experience

• Author's arguments that use stereotypes & bias

• Author's position is logical & consistent

• Author's evidence is cited

Multiple Choice

What are the key questions to consider when determining the credibility of a source of information?

• Qualifications of the writer

• Supporting evidence

• Consistency with other sources

• Bias or unstated assumptions

Multiple Choice

Citizens must decide whether to build a new city auditorium or repair the old one. Supporters of the new building say their plan is more cost-effective. To judge whether this claim is trustworthy, what information should citizens focus on?

• How many events the auditorium hosts each year

• How much money supporters spend promoting their plan

• How popular the supporters are in the community

• Cost estimates from architects and financial experts

Multiple Choice

Who would give the most reliable description of life under a dictatorship?

• A high-ranking official who works for the dictator

• A political prisoner who was recently jailed by the regime

• A historian who interviewed many citizens living under the dictator

• A leader of a country that is a close ally of the dictator

Multiple Choice

What are the key points of compromise in a disagreement?

• Each side wins completely

• Ending the conflict is less important

• Both sides give something up

• The decision is one-sided

Multiple Choice

people on both sides of an issue giving up something to reach an agreement

• Compromise

• Preamble

• consult

• authority

Multiple Choice

Some Americans want the government to remove TV shows they believe teach harmful values to kids, while TV stations say they should choose their own programs. Which action represents a reasonable compromise?

• Allow stations full freedom to air anything

• Ban all programs that some viewers find inappropriate

• Schedule questionable programs late at night when children are unlikely to watch

• Survey children and only air shows they choose

Multiple Choice

When two sides each give up something to reach an agreement, what method of conflict resolution is being used — the same method that helped large and small states settle disputes during the Constitutional Convention?

• Compromise

• Negotiation

• Consensus Building

• Persuasion

Multiple Choice

Which part of the Declaration of Independence are listed below?

*The British quartered their troops in colonists' homes.

*The King dissolved colonial legislatures.

*The King took away the colonists' right to a trial by jury.

*British troops attacked colonial towns.

Which phrase completes the diagram?

• Preamble/Introduction

• Natural Rights/law

• Grievances/complaints-Explaining why Indepence from Great Britain was necessary

• Resolution for Independence

Multiple Choice

The concept that people have to agree to be governed. If the government fails to protect their rights, people can revolt and abolish the government.

• Separation of powers

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of religion

• Social Contract

Multiple Choice

What did Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke argue?

• That universal laws could not be discovered

• That they should rebel against King John of France

• That governments must protect the natural rights of the people

• That absolute monarchies were the best form of government

Multiple Choice

What are the key differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan regarding representation in Congress?

• Virginia Plan: Unicameral

• New Jersey Plan: Bicameral

• Virginia Plan: Population-based representation and the New Jersey Plan: State-based representation

Multiple Choice

How did the Connecticut (Great) Compromise resolve the conflict between large and small states about representation in Congress?

• It created one house based on population and another with equal representation for each state

• It created separate governments for large and small states

• It required Connecticut to provide the most representatives

• It kept the same representation system used under the Articles of Confederation

Multiple Choice

The Framers created a __________ legislature with one house based on population and one with equal representation.

• Unicameral

• Gerrymandered

• Equal

• Bicameral

Multiple Choice

Determine if the statement reflects a view of a Federalist or Anti-Federalist:

The Supremacy Clauses puts too much power in the national government.

• Federalist

• Anti-Federalist

Categorize

Options (16)

Wanted the Bill of Rights before they would agree to ratify the Constitution

Supported adding the elastic clause to the Constitution

Group supported the states having power in the government

Favored the creation of the federal bank

Wanted a strong federal government

Wanted to get rid of the Articles of Confederation & create the Constitution

Worried that the Constitution made federal laws “the supreme law of the land”

Worried the federal government would use their powers to take freedoms away from citizens

Thought a president was necessary for the federal government to help protect the country

Favored the creation of three branches of government

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay

Supporters: Property owners, wealthy merchants in northern states

more commonly found in urban areas

Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Patrick Henry, John Hancock

Supporters: Small farmers, shopkeepers, workers

more commonly found in rural areas

Can you identify Federalist or Anti-Federalist?

Anti-Federalists

Federalists

Multiple Choice

Determine if the statement reflects a view of a Federalist or Anti-Federalist:

Including a Bill of Rights is necessary to limit the government.

• Federalist

• Anti-Federalist

Multiple Choice

Determine if the statement reflects a view of a Federalist or Anti-Federalist:

The welfare of the country is a greater than individual state sovereignty

• Federalist

• Anti-Federalist

Multiple Choice

Determine if the statement reflects a view of a Federalist or Anti-Federalist: Strong national government is needed to address the problems under the Articles of Confederation

• Federalist

• Anti-Federalist

Multiple Choice

Determine if the statement reflects a view of a Federalist or Anti-Federalist: Powers of the national government should be limited relative to the powers of the state govenrments

• Federalist

• Anti-Federalist

Multiple Choice

What was the original Federalist position on adding a Bill of Rights?

• Additional protections were necessary

• Adding a Bill of Rights was risky and might delay ratification

• A Bill of Rights was needed to protect national sovereignty

• No Bill of Rights was needed because the Constitution already limited government power

Multiple Choice

What were the main arguments of the Federalists in support of the Constitution?

• A strong national government was necessary

• Separation of Powers would keep the government under control

• Supported the Necessary and Proper Clause

Multiple Choice

Why did Federalists support adding the Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause to the Constitution?

• To increase citizen participation in choosing officials

• To allow the national government to operate effectively

• To guarantee state sovereignty

• To protect individual rights

Multiple Choice

"We the People”—represents the constitutional principle of:

• limited government

• checks and balances

• popular sovereignty

• separation of powers

Multiple Choice

What is popular sovereignty?

• Where sovereignty (the power to make the decision) is left to the government to decide

• Where sovereignty (the power to make the decision) is left to the people to decide by voting.

Multiple Choice

Alexander Hamilton's quote at the New york state ratification convention highlights which Constitutional principle?

"Here [in the U.S. House of Representatives], sir, the people govern; here they act by their imediate representatives.

• Federalism

• Limited Government

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

What is the correct order of the first three articles of the Constitution?

• Legislative, Executive, Judicial

• Judicial, Legislative, Executive

• Legislative, Judicial, Executive

• Judicial, Executive, Legislative

Multiple Choice

Which government principle is illustrated in this diagram?

• Federalism

• Popular Sovereignty

• Republicanism

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Article III establishes the Supreme Court and allows for:

• Local courts created by city governments

• State courts created by state governments

• Lower courts created by Congress

• International courts created by treaties

Multiple Choice

Each branch of government has specific powers. Which power belongs to the Judicial Branch?

• Enforcing laws

• Interpreting laws

• Impeaching and removing officials

• Passing laws

• Nominating judges

Multiple Choice

Select the Branch of Government:

Determines if laws are Constitutional/Unconstitutional

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

Multiple Choice

Select the Branch of Government:

Can impeach the President, Vice-President, or civil officers

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

Multiple Choice

Select the Branch of Government: Can Enforce Laws

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

Multiple Choice

Select the Branch of Government: Appoints Ambassadors

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

Multiple Choice

Select the Branch of Government: Appoints Federal Judges

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

Multiple Choice

Select the Branch of Government: Writes Laws

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

Multiple Choice

After the Affordable Care Act was passed, which branch was responsible for enforcing it?

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• Congress

Multiple Choice

Which part of the Constitution settles conflicts when a state law and a national law disagree?

• Supremacy Clause

• Bill of Rights

• Necessary and Proper Clause

• Full Faith and Credit Clause

Multiple Choice

The Tenth Amendment reserves certain powers for the states. Which Constitutional principle does this best represent?

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

• Rule of Law/Limited Government

Multiple Choice

Identify the Principle of Government

Congress shall make no law respecting an extablisment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...

• Limited Government

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Identify the Principle of Government

Representatives shall be approptioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State.

• Limited Government

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Identify the Principle of Government

Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualifed, declaring who shall then act as President...

• Limited Government

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

President Clinton was impeached by the House, and the Senate held the trial. What Constitutional idea does this process illustrate?

• One branch checking another

• Separation of powers between legislative and executive branches

• Expansion of popular sovereignty

• Judicial review

Multiple Choice

Which match between description and Constitutional principle is incorrect?

• Authority comes from the people — Popular Sovereignty

• Power divided between national and state governments — Federalism

• Branches can limit each other — Checks and Balances

• Power divided between national and state governments — Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Which option best describes gerrymandering?

• Senators speaking endlessly to block a vote

• The House impeaches; the Senate holds the trial

• State legislatures drawing districts to favor one party

• An elector voting against the popular vote

Multiple Choice

This nationwide count occurs every ten years to determine population changes and whether states gain or lose House seats:

• Filibuster

• Census

• Impeachment

• Gerrymandering

Multiple Choice

What are the reasons for having a bicameral legislature?

• To ensure equal representation

• To make both large and small states happy

• To limit the power of the President

• To increase the number of laws passed

Multiple Choice

Which body represents the entire state rather than a single district?

• House

• Senate

• Supreme Court

• Electoral College

Multiple Choice

Which group has the Constitutional power to approve (ratify) treaties made by the President?

• Supreme Court

• House of Representatives

• U.S. Senate

• Vice President

Multiple Choice

Before Sonia Sotomayor could join the Supreme Court, her nomination needed approval from:

• The U.S. Senate

• The Supreme Court

• The President's Cabinet

• The House of Representatives

Multiple Choice

In impeachment proceedings, the House may _____, but the Senate must _____.

• convict / impeach

• impeach / convict and remove

• remove / impeach

• impeach / accuse

Multiple Choice

Congress’s expressed lawmaking powers come from

• Article I

• Article II

• Article III

• The Declaration of Independence

Multiple Choice

What best describes Congress’s expressed powers?

• Powers not written in the Constitution but enforced through funding

• Powers clearly listed in the Constitution

• Powers given only to the states

• Powers not listed but allowed through the Elastic Clause

Multiple Choice

When Congress expands its authority using the Elastic Clause, which group loses power?

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

• State Governments

• House of Representatives

Multiple Choice

The Elastic Clause allows Congress to:

• Regulate interstate trade

• Override a presidential veto

• Expand its powers as needed

• Declare war

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT a qualification for serving in the House of Representatives?

• At least 25 years old

• Must live in the state they represent

• Must have been a U.S. citizen for 9 years

• Must have been a U.S. citizen for 7 years

Multiple Choice

What is the most powerful leadership position in the U.S. Senate?

• Speaker of the Senate

• President of the Senate

• President Pro Tempore

• Senate Majority Leader

Multiple Choice

If the Senate is split 50–50 between Democrats and Republicans, how is the majority party determined?

• There is no majority party

• The House majority determines it

• The party of the Vice President becomes the majority as he/she is the tie-breaking vote

• The previous majority remains in power

Multiple Choice

Which position does NOT come from the legislative branch?

• Speaker of the House

• House Minority Leader

• President Pro Tempore

• President of the Senate

Multiple Choice

Which is a Constitutional requirement for becoming President?

• Must have held another elected office

• Must be at least 35 years old

• Must have been a U.S. resident for at least 35 years

• Must have served in the military

Multiple Choice

Which item would not be found in Article II of the Constitution?

• Length of the President’s term

• Presidential qualifications

• Presidential powers

• The Powers for impeachment and removal

Multiple Choice

Candidate A wins 2,552,250 votes; Candidate B wins 2,600,000 votes in Ohio (17 electoral votes). How many electoral votes does Candidate A receive?

• 17

• 9

• 0

• A percentage equal to their share of the popular vote

Multiple Choice

Which of the following could NOT happen in a modern presidential election?

• A candidate wins the popular vote but loses the electoral vote

• The House chooses the President if no one gets 270

• A candidate receives 271 electoral votes and still loses

• Maine or Nebraska split their electoral votes

Multiple Choice

If Candidate A has 268 electoral votes, Candidate B has 267, and Candidate C has 3, how is the President chosen?

• Candidate A wins automatically

• The House of Representatives chooses the President

• The popular vote winner becomes President

• The candidate who won the most states wins

Multiple Choice

The 23rd Amendment gave Washington D.C. electoral votes. How many did it grant?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 2

Multiple Choice

Which statement about presidential terms is true today?

• Presidents may run for more than two terms, but it is discouraged

• Presidents regularly serve more than two terms

• After FDR’s four terms, the Constitution was amended to limit future Presidents to two terms

• Presidents are limited to one term only

Multiple Choice

Which Executive Department oversees the federal pardon process?

• Health and Human Services

• Defense

• Justice

• State

Multiple Choice

If wealthy individuals bribe college officials to admit their children, which Executive Department investigates and brings charges?

• Defense

• State

• Justice

• Education

Multiple Choice

Which statement about U.S. military power is the most accurate under the Constitution?

• The President declares war and makes major strategic decisions

• Congress serves as Commander-in-Chief

• The President can deploy troops for up to 60 days before needing congressional approval

• The President controls military funding

Multiple Choice

Which law was passed to limit the President’s military powers after the Vietnam War?

• Marbury v. Madison

• War Powers Act of 1973

• 25th Amendment

• Elastic Clause