Government Review Questions

The passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a significant political event because it (A) scaled back the provisions of the Fifteenth Amendment (B) was used to emancipate southern African Americans (C) was declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno in 1993 (D) was instrumental in increasing the number of African Americans and other minority voters

• scaled back the provisions of the Fifteenth Amendment

• was used to emancipate southern African Americans

• was declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno in 1993

• was instrumental in increasing the number of African Americans and other minority voters

Which of the following an example of "horse-race journalism”?

• A news anchor reports an event before the station's rivals.

• A news story focuses on a politician's scandals rather than achievements.

• A reporter announces which candidate leads in a public opinion poll.

• A newspaper editor prints stories about long-term political developments.

Which of the following best defines civil liberties?

• Those features of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution that pertain to the actions of individuals and groups

• Laws passed by Congress to define the powers and privileges of individuals

• Provisions in the Bill of Rights that provide guarantees against arbitrary interference by government

• The freedom to refuse to obey laws an individual considers to be immoral violations of civil rights

Which of the following best articulates an argument made by James Madison in The Federalist No. 10?

• Honest politicians can prevent factions from developing.

• Factions are more likely to occur in large republics than in small ones.

• The negative effects of factionalism can be reduced by a republican government.

• Free elections are the people's best defense against factionalism

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise provided for (A) An electoral college and rules for the removal of the president (B) A bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation (C) All revenue bills to originate in the Senate (D) All judicial appointments to be nominated by the president

• An electoral college and rules for the removal of the president

• A bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation

• All revenue bills to originate in the Senate

• All judicial appointments to be nominated by the president

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an example of

• an independent agency

• a government corporation

• a government department

• a regulatory agency

Which of the following best describes gerrymandering?

• The party in power wins four of five surrounding districts by very small margins

• By polling voters, party officials are able to determine how citizens will vote

• The party in control of the state legislature draws district boundaries in such a way as to favor its own candidates in subsequent elections

• The Supreme Court requires that state legislatures must adopt the doctrine of one person, one vote

Which of the following is generally understood to be the purpose of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution?

• It grants voting rights to all American women.

• It reserves powers to the states.

• It lowers the legal voting age from 21 to 18.

• It allows for trial by jury in common-law cases.

A presidential veto would most likely be overturned in which of the following situations?

• The president's successful reelection campaign advocated bipartisanship.

• The chief justice of the Supreme Court was appointed by the president.

• The majority of American citizens support the proposed legislation.

• Approximately 30% of the senators and representatives are members of the president's political party.

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects which of the following rights of American citizens?

• To petition the government for a redress of grievances

• The right to keep and bear arms