Government AIR practice test

Federalism is one of the basic principles established in the U.S. Constitution.

Describe how government in the United States reflects a federal structure.

• The US has different levels of government (national, state and local) with most power being held at the national level.

• States have most of the power in a federal system.

• The US is a unitary system of government.

• The Articles of Confederation allowed for power to be vested at the national level.

Which branch interprets laws and hands down punishments to those convicted of crimes?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

Which branch enforces (also called executing or carrying out) laws?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

Which branch of government makes laws?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

The Necessary and Proper Clause is shown below:

"The Congress shall have Power ... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."

Why did Federalists want to include this clause in the Constitution?

• To protect the individual liberties of all citizens.

• To provide a guarantee of sovereignty to individual states.

• To allow the national government to efficiently run the country.

• To give citizens more opportunities to select government officials.

Which statement summarizes the original Federalists position on the Bill of Rights?

• Additional amendments were needed given the Constitutions lack of individual protections.

• Adopting the Bill of Rights was too risky because it might threaten ratification of the Constitution.

• The Bill of Rights should be adopted because national sovereignty should always come before states' rights.

• No amendments were needed, as the Constitution already has protections against excessive government power.

The Federal Reserve purchases and sells government securities, adjusts the reserve requirement, and adjusts the discount rate to produce certain economic outcomes.

What is one outcome the Federal Reserve might want to produce when purchasing government securities?

• Increasing interest rates

• Reducing the money supply

• Fostering economic expansion

• Fostering economic contraction

Identify some of the powers that the judicial branch holds. (Multiple answers)

• Interpret laws

• Declare war

• Sentence offenders

• Make taxes

• Establish judicial procedures

Which concept was at the center of the Anti-Federalist position as expressed in the "Anti-Federalist Papers"?

• Standing Army

• Limited Government

• Checks and balances

• Strong central government

How can a bill become a law, even after a President veto's it? 

• 2/3 vote of all state legislators
• 2/3 vote of Congress
• Survey the citizens of the country and see if they would like the bill passed
• 2/3 vote of the Supreme Court