CIVICS - FINAL EXAM PRACTICE

In 2015, Denise Norton was issued a summons from the courts that described a lawsuit filed against her by her neighbor, Woodrow Thompson. The document stated that Thompson was suing Norton as a result of the “profound emotional distress” caused by Norton’s dog, Cawper’s, “raucously, wildly bellowing, howling and explosive barking” alleged to reach 128 decibels (sound volume of a jet engine).

48. In this case, Woodrow Thompson represents which side of the lawsuit?

• Complainant

• Defendant

• Prosecution

• Plaintiff

47. What does the table reveal about the political party system in the U.S. from 1988–2020?

• There are two main political parties in the United States. 

• Third party candidates often defeat major party candidates. 

• Only two parties are allowed on the ballots during elections. 

• The U.S. presidents have belonged to the same political party.

45. Which statement BEST explains what typically occurs when parties such as the Green Party gain popularity?

• 1. The donations to campaign funds are more limited. 

• Voter turnout for both parties often increases. 

• The major party candidates lose votes to third parties.   

• Moderate voters are less likely to participate.

The government in the United Kingdom is divided into three branches – an executive, a legislative, and a judiciary. The legislature, called Parliament, is divided into two houses - the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Members of the House of Commons are elected, while members of the House of Lords are appointed. The executive consists of the Prime Minister, the leader of the majority party in Parliament, and other ministers. All ministers are a part of the Parliament; thus, all people in the executive branch are also in the legislative branch. In some cases, these officials may also serve in the judiciary. The highest judicial power in the United Kingdom is the Supreme Court, which can overturn decisions if the violate the constitutional tenets of the nation. 

43. Based on the description provided, what is the difference between the government of the U.K. and the government of the U.S.?

• Both the U.K. & U.S. have a strong executive leader who makes decisions independent of the legislature

• The government in the U.S. is a representational democracy, whereas the U.K. has a direct democracy

• Both the U.K. & U.S. have bicameral legislatures in which houses are popularly elected

• The government in the U.K. lacks separation of powers, which is a central aspect of government in the U.S.

41. This table identifies congressional leaders at the opening of the 109th session. Based on this information, which statement about the 109th Congress is correct? 

• Republicans had more influence than Democrats about which bills to consider 

• Republicans members had been in Congress longer than Democratic members 

• Republicans could organize their members more easily than Democrats could 

• Republicans had fewer members serving as committee chairs than Democrats did

40. Which pair of responsibilities belongs to the U.S. Senate, not the House of Representatives? 

1. 1. Ratifying all treaties

2. 2. Introducing budget proposals

3. 3. Confirming presidential appointments

4. 4. Impeachment of executive officials

• 1, 2 

• 1, 3 

• 2, 3 

• 1, 4

“Redistricting is a dry concept with large implications. Gridlock, dysfunction, and increasing polarization have all been in part attributed to how we draw our congressional districts. Each district altered for political gain has the potential to change—for the worse—how accurately our representatives reflect the views of the populace.”

38. According to the passage, what is the danger with gerrymandering?

• It could increase taxes for most of the citizens

• It could allow for representation to not be reflective of the population 

• It allows bad candidates to win elections 

• It gives an advantage to the majority of the population during elections 

Although the federal system seems to strike a perfect balance of power between national and local needs, federations still have internal power struggles. Conflicts between national and state governments are common. In the case of the United States, the argument of state vs. federal power was a major underlying factor that led to the Civil War.--Excerpt from “Federalism,” from American Government

33. Based on the text, how can federalism affect relationships between the different levels of government?

• It can lead to disagreements between local and international governments.

• It can lead to power imbalances between governors and federal leaders. 

• It can lead to disagreements between state and national governments. 

• It can lead to frequent rivalries between states and local leaders. 

The term habeas corpus refers most commonly to the writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum, which directs the custodian of a prisoner to bring that prisoner before a court and explain the reasons for his or her confinement. A writ of habeas corpus is a challenge to the legality of a prisoner’s detention and does not directly or necessarily entail an inquiry into the prisoner’s guilt or innocence. After examining the reasons for confinement, the court that issued the writ may release the prisoner or remand the prisoner into custody. The “great writ of liberty,” as it is often called, is a judicial remedy aimed at preventing the arbitrary use of executive power to imprison individuals without just cause.--“Jurisdiction: Habeas Corpus,” Federal Justice Center

31. Based on the text, to what extent is the writ of habeas corpus consistent with the concept of limited government?

• To no extent—It increases the power of the government to detain an individual without cause. 

• To a slight extent—It ensures that an individual accused of a crime receives a fair trial. 

• 31. To a moderate extent—It prevents any level of government from detaining an individual unjustly. 

• To an extreme extent—It prevents an individual from being detained before a trial is complete.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.--U.S. Constitution, Amendment 14, Section 1

29. Based on the text, how did the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment affect U.S. citizenship?

• It guaranteed citizenship and benefits for all people born on U.S. soil before 1650.

• It limited citizenship to include all people who owned property on U.S. soil. 

• It gave states greater flexibility to determine the requirements for citizenship. 

• It gave the federal government more authority to change citizenship requirements and expand the definition of citizenship.