EOC Review

Read the following scenario and answer the question below:

An interstate highway runs through a town in a county in Florida. It has potholes and cracks after years of use.

Which group would be responsible for the repairs?

• U.S. Department of Transportation

• Florida Department of Transportation

•   the county's roads department

  a)     the town's roads department

•     the town's roads department

Answer explanation

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is responsible for maintaining highways in the state, including the interstate running through the town in Florida. Therefore, they would handle repairs like fixing potholes and cracks.

Use the chart to answer the question that follows.

 

Which governments provide garbage collection services to homes and business?

•     I

• II

• III

Answer explanation

County and municipal governments provide garbage collection services to homes and businesses because they are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation within their respective jurisdictions.

Which statement identifies a similarity between the U.S. and Florida constitutions?

• Both guarantee individual freedoms.

• Both have the same amendment process.

• Both outline the process for obtaining citizenship.

• Both outline the framework for state and local governments.

Answer explanation

Both the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution contain provisions that guarantee certain individual freedoms and rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. These protections are fundamental principles shared by both constitutions, reflecting a similarity between the two documents.

The diagram shows some of the steps involved in passing a Florida state law. 

Which step comes next in the diagram?

•    The Governor signs the bill into law.

• The bill goes to the Senate for action.

• The people vote on the bill in an election.

• The bill goes to the Supreme Court for a hearing.

Answer explanation

In the legislative process of passing a bill in Florida, after it has been approved by the House of Representatives, it moves on to the Senate for consideration. The Senate reviews and debates the bill, potentially making amendments before voting on it. Therefore, option b) is the next logical step in the process. Remember, in order for a Bill to move forward, it needs to go through both houses first before going to the governor. The supreme court is part of the Judicial branch thus not involved in the law making process as that is the role of the Legislative Branch to get approved or vetoed by the Executive Branch.

Why do federal judges enjoy lifetime tenure?

• to ensure the system of checks and balances

•    to strengthen their jurisdiction over state courts

•    to limit power of the legislative and executive branches

• to maintain their independence from political and popular pressures

Answer explanation

Federal judges get to keep their jobs for life so that they can make fair decisions without being pressured by politics or what most people think. This way, they can focus on following the law and Constitution, rather than worrying about what politicians or the public want. Options a, b, and c don't really talk about this main reason for lifetime tenure, which is to make sure judges can do their job fairly and independently.

Study the diagram and answer the question below.

Which level in the court system completes the diagram?

•     U.S. Court of Federal Claims

• U.S. Courts of Appeals

• State Appeals Court

• State Trial Courts

Answer explanation

The diagram shows the path from U.S. District Courts to a blank space, indicating the next step in the court system. The completion of the diagram would be the U.S. Courts of Appeals. This is where cases from the U.S. District Courts can be appealed for review. The other answer choices are not correct because they do not fit into the federal court system illustrated in the diagram. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims deals with claims against the government, while State Appeals Courts and State Trial Courts are part of the state-level court system, not the federal one.

What is one responsibility of the executive branch of government?

• to make the laws

• to judge the laws

• to enforce the laws

•   to interpret the laws

Answer explanation

The executive branch makes sure laws are followed. It carries out the laws created by the legislative branch. This means it puts policies and rules into action to make sure people obey the laws properly. The executive branch's job is to enforce the laws across the country, unlike the legislative branch, which makes the laws, and the judicial branch, which interprets them. So, option c) to enforce the laws is the right answer because it describes what the executive branch does best.

Read the following scenario and answer the question below.

After a period of increasing hostilities, North Korea invades Guam, a U.S. territory.

Congress is adjourned, and the president must act.

Which action would be the president most likely take?

•   The president can order Congress to a special session for a war resolution.

• The president can send the military immediately in the case of national emergencies

• The president can commit the military temporarily until he can obtain permission at a later date.

• a)     The president must wait for Congress to resume its legislative session in order to get authorization.

Answer explanation

The president would most likely take action b) and send the military immediately in the case of national emergencies. This is because if there is a sudden attack on a U.S. territory like Guam, the president has the authority to respond quickly to protect the country's interests and citizens. Waiting for Congress to reconvene (option d) could waste valuable time and put the nation at risk. While the president can call Congress into a special session for a war resolution (option a), in the case of an immediate threat, waiting for such a session could also be risky. Option c, committing the military temporarily until permission is obtained later, might not be feasible in a situation where immediate action is needed to defend against an invasion. So, sending the military immediately in response to a national emergency aligns with the president's role as commander-in-chief and ensures a swift response to protect U.S. territories and interests.

Read the following scenario and answer the question below:

The president makes a television appearance and announces that the government needs more money to pay for government services and domestic policies.

The president then drafts an executive order for a new payroll tax. However, the Supreme Court rules the order to be

unconstitutional.

Which statement justifies the Supreme Court ruling?

•   Domestic policies are made by the Senate.

• The power to tax belongs to the legislative branch.

• Executive orders are approved by the judicial branch.

•    The power to increases government services belongs to the Congress.

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court ruled the executive order for a new payroll tax unconstitutional because, according to the Constitution, the authority to create new taxes rests with the legislative branch, which is Congress. This means that only Congress, not the president, has the power to impose taxes or change existing tax laws. So, when the president tried to create a new payroll tax through an executive order, the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional because it overstepped the president's authority. Options a, c, and d are incorrect because they don't address the specific issue of taxation and the separation of powers between branches of government as outlined in the Constitution.

Which part of the federal government can impeach the president?

• the Cabinet

• the Supreme Court

• the House of Representatives

• the National Security Council

Answer explanation

The House of Representatives has the sole power to impeach the president, which means they can accuse the president of wrongdoing. Impeachment is like charging someone with a crime. If the House votes to impeach the president, the case then moves to the Senate, where a trial is held. During the trial, Senators act as jurors, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the proceedings. If the Senate finds the president guilty by a two-thirds majority vote, then the president can be removed from office. So, it's the House of Representatives that starts the impeachment process by bringing charges against the president. Options a, b, and d are incorrect because they don't have the authority to impeach the president; that power lies solely with the House of Representatives.