Government Unit 2 Test Review Constitution

What principle gives the Supreme Court the power to check the actions of the legislative and executive branches to ensure they follow the Constitution?

• Federalism

• Judicial Review

• Popular Soverignty

• Limited Government

Answer explanation

The principle of Judicial Review allows the Supreme Court to evaluate the actions of the legislative and executive branches, ensuring they comply with the Constitution. This power is essential for maintaining the rule of law.

The Framers of the Constitution wanted to limit the powers of the federal government to only those listed in the Constitution. What are these powers called?

• Expressed/Delegated

• Reserved

• Concurrent

• Denied

Answer explanation

The powers that the Framers wanted to limit to the federal government are called Expressed or Delegated powers. These are specifically listed in the Constitution, distinguishing them from other types of powers.

These powers are shared by both the national and state governments.

• Delegated powers

• Inherent Powers

• Reserved Powers

• Concurrent Powers

Answer explanation

Concurrent powers are those powers that are shared by both the national and state governments, allowing them to operate simultaneously in certain areas, such as taxation and law enforcement.

This gives Congress the right to make all laws "necessary and proper" (implied powers).

• Expressed powers

• Judicial Review

• Elastic Clause

• Jurisdiction

Answer explanation

The Elastic Clause, found in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, grants Congress the authority to create laws that are necessary and proper for executing its expressed powers, thus allowing for implied powers.

This makes the laws and Constitution of the United States paramount (superior) to those of the states.

• Elastic Clause

• Necessary and Proper Clause

• Supremacy Clause

• Concurrent Powers

Answer explanation

The Supremacy Clause establishes that the laws and Constitution of the United States take precedence over state laws, ensuring federal authority is paramount.

Which best describes a characteristic of the federal government established by the Framers of the U.S. Constitution?

• The powers of the national government are limited

• The federal courts have less authority than state courts

• In a conflict, state laws are supreme over federal laws

• A belief that the government must be all-powerful over the people

Answer explanation

The Framers designed the federal government with limited powers to prevent tyranny. This ensures that the national government does not overpower states or infringe on individual rights, making 'The powers of the national government are limited' the correct choice.

Federalism is the division of power between the

• President and Vice-President

• U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives

• National and state levels of government

• three branches of federal government

Answer explanation

Federalism refers to the division of power between the national and state levels of government, allowing both to operate independently within their own spheres of authority.

"There can be no liberty if the same man or same group has executive, legislative, and judicial control." Which principle of the U.S. Constitution does this support?

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Popular Sovereignty

Answer explanation

The quote emphasizes that liberty is compromised when one entity holds all powers. This supports the principle of Separation of Powers, which divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one group from gaining too much control.

Which principle of the U.S. Constitution includes the ideas of reserved powers, delegated powers, and concurrent powers?

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

Answer explanation

Federalism is the principle of the U.S. Constitution that divides powers between the national and state governments, including reserved powers (states), delegated powers (national), and concurrent powers (shared).

Which statement reflects the Federalists' philosophy regarding the power of the federal government?

• The government which governs least governs best

• The federal government should cede most of its power to the state governments

• The executive branch has only those powers given it by the Supreme Court

• The government may exercise all powers that are "Necessary and Proper" to meet its responsibilities under the Constitution

Answer explanation

The Federalists believed in a strong federal government that could exercise all powers deemed "Necessary and Proper" to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, contrasting with the other options that advocate for limited government power.