AP Government Unit 1 Exam

1. The constitution separates the national government’s powers among these three branches:

• president, Senate, House of Representatives

• federal, state, judicial

• legislative, executive, judicial

• governor, counties, courts

To prevent abuse of government power, the US constitution divides political power into three branches of government, each has its own duties and powers. This is called...

• judicial review.

• federalism.

• the separation of powers.

• the division of authority.

Which political philosopher is most known for describing the need to divide power between three independent branches of government?

• John Locke

• Galileo

• Baron de Montesquieu

• George Washington

• Abraham Lincoln

The US constitution provides for a system of ______________________, which gives each branch of government certain powers to limit and affect the powers of the other branches.

• checks & balances

• popular sovereignty

• amendments

• judicial review

• capitalism

The US constitution gives ____________________ the power to write laws for the nation.

• the president

• congress

• the Supreme Court

• the governor

Which story is the clearest example of checks & balances between separate branches of government in the US system?

• The Secretary of State quits her job in scandal.

• The Senate rejects a president’s appointment for the Supreme Court.

• The president orders the Justice Dept. to investigate medical marijuana in California.

• The president faces angry reporters at a news conference.

The power of judicial review:

• may be exercised by the Supreme Court.

• is a significant way the judicial branch checks the other branches of government.

• can lead to a law being thrown out or nullified.

• all of the above

 Which statement best explains the concept of popular sovereignty?

• Governments are not all-powerful.

• Power is divided among three branches of government.

• States cannot nullify acts of congress.

• Political power is ultimately with the people.

Which branch of government has the power to decide whether what the other two branches are doing is constitutional?

• legislative

• state

• executive

• judicial

• local

Who must approve the appointment of Supreme Court judges?

• the House of Representatives

• a majority of state legislatures

• the Senate

• the Vice President

• retired judges