EOC Practice

In 1876, Congress passed a law that stated that post office employees “shall be appointed and may be removed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall hold their offices for four years unless sooner removed or suspended according to law.” In the 1926 Supreme Court case Myers v. United States, the law was ruled unconstitutional. The Supreme Court found that the president has exclusive power to remove officials from the executive branch.How did the Supreme Court’s decision in Myers v. United States impact the constitutional principle of separation of powers?

• It clarified the power of the presidency relative to the Senate

• It increased the power of the Senate relative to the presidency

• It decreased the power of the Supreme Court relative to the Senate

• It clarified the power of the Supreme Court relative to the presidency

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court's decision in Myers v. United States clarified that the president has the exclusive power to remove executive officials, reinforcing the separation of powers by limiting Senate influence over executive appointments.

The Bill of Rights was adopted to address Anti-Federalist concerns about the U.S. Constitution. One of the amendments from the Bill of Rights is shown.In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed...What was an Anti-Federalist concern about the U.S. Constitution that was addressed by this amendment?

• The U.S. Constitution would reduce the power of the federal government

• The U.S. Constitution would produce state courts that were more powerful than federal courts

• The U.S. Constitution failed to give sufficient powers to the executive branch

• The U.S. Constitution failed to adequately protect the civil liberties of individuals

Answer explanation

The amendment ensures the right to a speedy and public trial, addressing Anti-Federalist concerns that the U.S. Constitution did not adequately protect individual civil liberties, which they feared could be compromised.

Which power can the U.S. Supreme Court exercise with reference to the U.S. Constitution?

• Provide clarification and/or extend the meaning of constitutional provisions on a case-by-case basis

• Formally add new constitutional language by rendering decisions, interpretations and rulings on a case-by-case basis

• Propose, alter, approve, and craft constitutional amendments

• Veto proposed constitutional amendments before they are ratified

Answer explanation

The U.S. Supreme Court can provide clarification and extend the meaning of constitutional provisions through its interpretations in specific cases, ensuring the Constitution is applied to contemporary issues.

How was the U.S. Constitution amended to expand participation in federal elections to the District of Columbia?

• By lowering the voting age in the District of Columbia to 21

• By allowing residents of the District of Columbia to elect a mayor

• By granting the District of Columbia representation in the U.S. Senate

• By giving the District of Columbia representation in the Electoral College

Answer explanation

The U.S. Constitution was amended to give the District of Columbia representation in the Electoral College, allowing its residents to participate in federal elections, unlike the other options listed.

An excerpt from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is shownNo person acting under color of law shall…in determining whether any individual is qualified under State law or laws to vote in any Federal election, apply any standard, practice, or procedure different from the standards, practices, or procedures applied under such law or laws to other individuals within the same country, parish, or similar political subdivision who have been found by State officials to be qualified to vote…Civil Rights Act, July 2, 1964Which basic principle of the U.S. Constitution was reinforced as a result of this act?

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Church and State

• Checks and Balances

• Separation of Powers

Answer explanation

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 reinforced the principle of Separation of Powers by ensuring that state laws regarding voting qualifications are applied equally, preventing discrimination and upholding individual rights.

How were voting qualifications for national elections changed by a constitutional amendment?

• By lowering the minimum age to vote

• By adding a poll tax requirement prior to voting

• By making citizens over a specific age pass a test to vote

• By limiting general election voting to those who voted in the primary elections

Answer explanation

The constitutional amendment lowered the minimum age to vote, expanding access to national elections. This change allowed younger citizens to participate, contrasting with other options that imposed restrictions.

The government has enacted a law requiring the installation of seat belts in new cars. What is the intended benefit of this type of increased government regulation?

• to increase tax revenue

• to enhance consumer protections

• to promote economic growth

• to reduce private-sector profits

Answer explanation

The intended benefit of requiring seat belts in new cars is to enhance consumer protections by improving safety and reducing injuries in accidents, thereby prioritizing public health over other economic factors.

Maria’s local government is considering an ordinance that would require all residents to separate their trash into two containers before putting it out for collection. One container would be for materials that can be recycled and the other would be for trash. Maria thinks this is a good idea.Which action could Maria take to most effectively encourage the passage of this ordinance?

• Writing to her United States senators to express her opinion and urge them to vote for it

• Attending a public comment session of the city council and giving reasons for her support

• Volunteering to work on the campaign of a candidate for governor who supports recycling

• Organizing people in her community to express their support to the Ohio General Assembly

Answer explanation

Attending a public comment session allows Maria to directly express her support to the city council, who will vote on the ordinance. This action is more effective than writing to senators or organizing community support.

Which phrase describes the system of federalism established by the U.S. Constitution?

• The restriction of the government to exercise only the powers granted to it by the people

• The division of powers between the national government and the states

• The ability of one branch of government to restrain the powers of the other branches

• The distribution of powers among independent branches of government

Answer explanation

The phrase "the division of powers between the national government and the states" accurately describes federalism in the U.S. Constitution, which establishes a system where power is shared and divided.

How did the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments address the aftermath of the Civil War?

• By passing Jim Crow voting restrictions into law

• By providing Southern states with Reconstruction funds

• By extending freedoms and rights to African Americans

• By guaranteeing free land and education to former slaves

Answer explanation

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were crucial in extending freedoms and rights to African Americans, abolishing slavery, granting citizenship, and ensuring voting rights, thus addressing the injustices faced after the Civil War.