AP Government Practice Exam

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of concurrent powers?

• The president negotiates a treaty regarding climate change with foreign governments, but for the treaty to take effect, it requires approval by the Senate.

• As commander-in-chief of the military, the president orders troops to a foreign nation to address a potential threat to national security.

• A Senate committee holds a hearing to discuss potential misuse of funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the US, while the other 75% of the funding comes from the states.

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CON-2A

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a member of Congress supporting pork barrel legislation?

• A senator from a coal-producing state voting against a job-training program for coal miners.

• A member of the House voting for urban renewal in exchange for increased funding for roads.

• A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his/her state.

• A member of the House Armed Services Committee marking up a bill that will increase funding for military bases.

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CON-3B

In which of the following situations would the Supreme Court be most likely to utilize the doctrine of selective incorporation?

• When an individual claims that a right protected by the Bill of Rights is infringed upon by a state.

• When there is a conflict among the branches of the national government.

• When a federal policy shifting oversight authority from a national agency to a state agency is challenged.

• When a former employee files a wrongful termination claim against a company headquartered in another state.

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LOR 3A

Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information?

• Investigative reporting dominates the news because it is less expensive than political commentary.

• Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.

• The media is increasingly controlled by the major political parties, who determine which stories are covered by the press.

• There has been an increase in social media and Internet news consumption by the public, causing the top five media conglomerates to have greater control over public opinion.

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PRD-3B

Which of the following statements is most accurately supported by the data in the table?

• President Clinton greatly reduced the use of presidential signing statements compared with his predecessors.

• While President George W Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's.

• President Clinton's brief access to the power of the line-item veto allowed him to issue fewer signing statements that raised concerns about legislation.

• President George W. Bush was forced to issue more signing statements as a direct result of the terrorist attacks of 9-11-01.

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CON-4B

Which of the following best explains a reason that a president might use a signing statement to express displeasure with a bill as opposed to issuing a veto?

• The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto.

• Congress has severely curtailed the power of the president to withhold funds for bills that have adopted.

• The Supreme Court is hesitant to acknowledge the president's power to veto legislation.

• The president wants to ensure executive agencies do not spend money appropriated by Congress.

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CON-4A

Which of the following describes the Twenty-Fourth Amendment?

• It desegregated places of public accomodations.

• It required elections for the US Senate.

• It reduced barriers to political participation on the basis of gender.

• It eliminated poll taxes.

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MPA-3A

On February 9, 2016, President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the 2017 fiscal year. Facing a Republican Congress, many declared the plan "dead on arrival". Among the cited issues was Obama's request for $582.7 billion in discretionary spending for defense which many Republicans believed was not enough. Which of the following explains the interaction between the president and Congress regarding the defense budget?

• The Congress has the enumerated power to raise revenue, but it is forced to work with the president because the president has the power to determine spending for each department in upcoming fiscal year.

• The president can create a budget for defense spending, but Congress has the power to execute laws and operate the government, which can affect how much money is actually spent.

• Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill.

• The president introduces a specific budget bill for defense spending, but Congress uses its power of legislative oversight to set up a negotiation process with the president.

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CON-4A

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

• State governments have used the 10th Amendment to override the federal government's mandates.

• State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states.

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

• The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities.

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CON-2A

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

• Federal mandates

• Regulatory preemption

• Block grants

• Categorical grants

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CON-2A