Federalism Quiz

Which of the following is the best description of federalism?

• A supreme federal government grants certain powers to states.
• Different levels of government share authority over the same land and people.
• States delegate some of their powers to a national government.
• National, state, and local governments share equally in governing.

Which of the following is a power reserved to the states?

• printing money
• collecting taxes
• controlling public school systems
• establishing court systems

What is the meaning of the supremacy clause?

• States are supreme in all areas not delegated to the federal government.
• If federal and state laws conflict, federal laws take precedence so long as they are judged to be constitutional.
• The Supreme Court has the final word in all court cases in the United States.
• State judges have the final word in all cases arising under state law.

The main responsibility for resolving conflicts between the states and the federal government lies with which of the following?

• U.S. Supreme Court
• Congress
• president
• state supreme courts

According to the doctrine of nullification, states could

• refuse to obey or enforce federal laws with which they disagreed.
• appeal directly to the Supreme Court any act of Congress to which they objected.
• secede from the Union and form a new nation.
• cancel debts owed by their residents to citizens of other states.

Which of the following best defines federal mandates?

• grants-in-aid that require states to put up matching funds
• money provided to states with the requirement that it be used for a specific purpose
• requirements imposed by the federal government as a condition of receiving grant money
• anti-pollution regulations that affect states and localities

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have had what impact on federal power?

• Federal power has increased.
• Federal power has declined.
• Federal power has stopped.
• The attacks had no noticeable impact on federal power.

Which issue is handled by the states?

• Coining money

• Marriage

• Mail system

• Raising an army

What is Federalism

• A government principle in which, the people share the power

• A government principle in which, the national government has most of the power

• A government principle in which, power is shared between the national and state governments

• A government principle in which, the state government has most of the power

Why are checks and balances important?

• Easier for one person to take power

• It allows the executive branch the power to supervise the actions of the other two branches.

• It insures that the different branches will work together for the common good

• It prevents voter suppression