Unit 2 Review - Period 1

After a national census has been taken, changes in population distribution cause the changing of congressional seats among states. This effect is commonly called

• congressional districting

• apportionment

• gerrymandering

• reapportionment

Which of the following best describes a nonlegislative power of Congress?

• power to declare war

• power to tax

• impeachment power

• power to regulate commerce

After a presidential veto of a bill, Congress may

• sign the bill and it becomes a law

• override the bill if one house of Congress approves it

• override the president's veto with a two-thirds vote of both house of Congress

• pocket veto the bill, thereby allowing it to become law without the president's signature

If the president becomes disabled and cannot perform his duties, how may the vice president take over the office of the president?

• The president may write a letter to the chief justice of the Supreme Court stating his inability to perform the duties of office.

• Congress removes the president.

• The Speaker of the House and president pro tempore of the Senate may remove the president.

• The vice president and a majority of the cabinet may inform Congress of the president's disability.

Members of the president's cabinet are usually individuals with great ability but little or no political power. Which of the following best describes this statement?

• The Senate must approve all appointments made by the president.

• The primary functions of cabinet members are to effectively run a department of government and advise the president.

• Cabinet members serve as long as the president remains in office.

• Cabinet members serve as an informal advisory body.

Which power is used by the president for enforcement of federal law?

• general executive power

• veto power

• executive agreements

• patronage

Under the guidelines of the Constitution, which of the following is NOT within the jurisdiction of the federal courts?

• cases involving federal law

• cases involving interpretation of state constitutions

• cases involving interpretation of the federal Constitution

• treaties

When making an appointment to the Supreme Court, presidents

• remain impartial by refusing candidate endorsements from members of the Supreme Court

• often select a candidate who is neither decidedly liberal or conservative

• tend to ignore race as a consideration for selecting a judge

• tend to choose judges from their own political party

Which term best describes the Supreme Court's issuance of an order directing a lower court to send up its record for review?

• certificate

• rule of four

• amicus curiae

• writ of certiorari

The majority opinion, issued by the Supreme Court as the final decision in the case, becomes the standard or guide that will be followed in decidedly similar cases in the future. This standard or guide is known as a

• precedent

• brief

• argument

• decision