AP Government Semester Exam Review Quiz

The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to

• prevent states from taxing agencies of the federal government

• reserve powers to the states

• allow for the burning of the flag as an expression of protest

The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about which of the following issues?

• The existence of slavery

• The scope of power of the central government

• The right of the people to rebel

Which of the following is commonly identified as a failure of the Articles of Confederation?

• The judicial branch was elected and did not consistently adhere to rule of law.

• The executive branch was granted too much power over the legislature.

• The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue.

A liberal response to the “strained resources” of local government most likely would include

• a reduction of federal income taxes so that state and local governments can use those resources

• less federal regulation and more authority for local school boards to create curricula and standards

• an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities

Which of the following constitutional principles best explains why there is variation among states on the use of capital punishment?

• Checks and balances

• Federalism

• Separation of powers

Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon?

• State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government’s mandates.

• State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent.

Which of the following policies would the states most likely prefer according to the political cartoon?

• Categorical grants

• Block grants

• Federal mandates

Which of the following Supreme Court decisions allows public school students to wear T-shirts protesting a school board decision that eliminates funding for high school arts programs?

• Engel v. Vitale (1962)

• Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

The Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for the disabled, is an example of

• a federal mandate

• dual federalism

• state supremacy

The term “bicameralism” refers to the

• establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules

• checks that Congress has over the federal bureaucracy

• members of the House of Representatives having two-year terms