1. 7 - 1.8 Multiple Choice Questions

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

• state supremacy

• horizontal federalism

• dual federalism

• a federal mandate

Answer explanation

Federal mandates require states to comply with a federal directive, sometimes with the reward of funds and sometimes—in unfunded mandates—without.

States and localities have the most discretion in establishing policy when federal funding is derived from

• categorical grants

• matching grants

• block grants

• grants-in-aid

Answer explanation

Block grants, which refers to federal money given to states for broadly defined reasons, differ from categorical grants in that they offer larger sums of money to the states without the strings of the categorical grants.

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 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.

Answer explanation

The cartoon suggests that states want federal money, depicted by the money bag offered by Uncle Sam, but do not want federal oversight, depicted by the gesture of rejection given by the “states’ rights” advocate to the paper that says “federal authority” held by Uncle Sam.

Which of the following characteristics best explains the data on the map?

• The exclusive powers granted to the states in the Constitution allow them to determine health-care policy.

• Federalism creates differences between states on the implementation of health-care policy.

• The Tenth Amendment instructs Congress to make laws but guarantees the rights of states to implement federal policies, such as health-care policy.

• The Tenth Amendment instructs Congress to make laws but guarantees the rights of states to implement federal policies, such as health-care policy.

  The incorporation of the Fourteenth Amendment has allowed the federal government to guarantee health care to all citizens, but some citizens may opt out.

Answer explanation

Federalism allows for policies to be implemented differently across states, explaining why some states have more uninsured citizens than others.

Identify the two clauses found in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution that have allowed the federal government to increase its power over time? (Answer in full sentences, restarting the prompt (or question) then identifying your answer.

Which of the following statements is supported by the data on the map?

• Michigan (MI) has a higher rate of uninsured people than Mississippi (MS).

• Alaska (AK) has a lower rate of uninsured people than Hawaii (HI).

• Wyoming (WY) has a lower rate of uninsured people than Idaho (ID).

• Texas (TX) has a higher rate of uninsured people than New Jersey (NJ).

Which of the following powers allows both the federal and state governments to make policies involving taxation?

• Concurrent powers

• Exclusive powers

• Implied powers

• Enumerated powers

Concurrent powers have which of the following effects on the United States political system?

• They reinforce the expansion of the power of the national government and the supremacy of the national law.

• They eliminate disputes between the states and the national government by creating completely separate spheres of influence.

• They foster cooperation between the states and the national government by requiring that the two levels of government work together.

• They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy.

Which of the following is a consequence of having concurrent powers within a federal system of government?

• The executive branch can expand its control of the policy agenda.

• States can pass laws that override the laws of the federal government.

• Citizens and interest groups seeking policy change can choose from multiple access points.

• Members of Congress can cultivate close relationships with power brokers in their regions.

Answer explanation

The system of concurrent powers means that there are many different parts of government with power over a specific issue, affording several access points to those citizens who are interested in policy change.

South Carolina passed a law to increase the state tax on gasoline to help fund repairs on highways and bridges. The state tax is in addition to the federal tax on every gallon of gasoline that is sold. Which of the following constitutional provisions does this scenario illustrate?

• Delegated Powers

• Reserved Powers

• Exclusive Powers

• Concurrent Powers

Answer explanation

he scenario illustrates a scenario in which both a state and the federal government have the power to tax gasoline, which is an example of concurrent powers.