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AP Exam Review

Total questions: 94

Worksheet time: 2hrs 32mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A writ of habeas corpus refers to

a)

a person’s right to know the reasons for his or her imprisonment

b)

a person’s right to not be charged for an action committed before that action was a crime

c)

a person’s right to trial by jury

d)

the protection against cruel and unusual punishment

e)

a demand from one state to extradite a suspect from another state

2.

Which of the following would most likely be protected by the First Amendment?

a)

A reporter knowingly publishes a false story that injures the subject’s reputation.

b)

A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war.

c)

An individual issues a threat against another individual on social media.

d)

An individual spray paints graffiti on a public building to protest a government action.

3.

Interest groups are protected under the Constitution by the

a)

provisions of Article I, Section 8

b)

First Amendment

c)

Ninth Amendment

d)

Tenth Amendment

e)

Fourteenth Amendment

4.

Which of the following scenarios illustrates an action that would be protected by the free exercise clause in the First Amendment?

a)

A student wears a T-shirt to public school portraying an illegal substance.

b)

A person legally purchases a firearm for the purpose of self-defense.

c)

A person wears a necklace bearing a Christian cross to work.

d)

A state mandates the reading of a prayer at the beginning of the school day.

5.

Which of the following scenarios, related to the First Amendment, best illustrates the “right . . . to petition the Government . . .” ?

a)

A newspaper prints an editorial supporting executive action by the president.

b)

A student sues a public school that institutes a mandatory prayer ceremony.

c)

A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill.

d)

A religious group practices a religious ritual that is in conflict with a local law.

6.

The Constitution and its amendments expressly prohibit all of the following EXCEPT

a)

slavery

b)

double jeopardy

c)

cruel and unusual punishment

d)

unreasonable searches and seizures

e)

sex discrimination in employment

7.

Which of the following best defines civil liberties?

a)

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

b)

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

c)

Precedents pertaining to criminal procedure that are set by the Supreme Court that are upheld in the lower courts

d)

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

e)

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

8.

Which of the following is a principle underlying the Bill of Rights?

a)

The people should control all aspects of governance.

b)

Some rights are fundamental and should not be subject to majoritarian control.

c)

The legislature should be the most powerful branch of government.

d)

All people should be guaranteed the same rights, whether they are citizens or not.

e)

It is groups rather than individuals that have fundamental rights and immunities.

9.

Which of the following is one of the central concerns of the First Amendment?

a)

The supremacy of the national over the state governments

b)

The right of citizens to bear arms

c)

The division of powers among the three branches of government

d)

The right of citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances

e)

The protection of the rights of those accused of committing a crime

10.

A prominent example of the process of returning more of the responsibilities of governing from the national level to the state level is

a)

immigration reform

b)

trade reform

c)

welfare reform

d)

campaign finance reform

e)

national security reform

11.

According to James Madison, which of the following best controls the effects of faction?

a)

Direct democracy

b)

The popular election of state judges

c)

A large republic

d)

Property requirements for eligibility to work

e)

The creation of a merit-based civil service

12.

After a constitutional amendment has been proposed by both houses of Congress, its adoption requires

a)

official filing with the secretary of state

b)

support by a majority vote of the people

c)

signature by the president

d)

ratification by three-fourths of the states

e)

publication in the Federal Register

13.

All of the following are consequences of the federal system in the United States EXCEPT

a)

inequality in government services across subnational entities

b)

opportunities for experimentation in government programs

c)

multiple points of access for interest groups

d)

decentralization of political conflict

e)

a strict division of power among levels of government

14.

All of the following are ways that the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT:

a)

Congress may remove the president through its impeachment and conviction powers.

b)

Congress may override a presidential veto.

c)

Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional.

d)

The Senate may refuse to approve a presidential appointment.

e)

The Senate may refuse to approve a treaty negotiated by the president.

15.

All of the following issues were decided at the Constitutional Convention EXCEPT

a)

representation in the legislature

b)

voting qualifications of the electorate

c)

method of electing the President

d)

congressional power to override a presidential veto

e)

qualifications for members of the House and Senate

16.

All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT

a)

dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties

b)

fear for the stability of the central government

c)

desire to promote trade among the states

d)

the need to give the central government the power to levy taxes

e)

dissatisfaction with the central government’s ability to provide for national defense

17.

In the early part of the twenty-first century, public opinion polls showed that a majority of Americans believed it should be illegal to burn the American flag. As a result, many members of Congress introduced amendments to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Which of the following statements best explains why these efforts have been unsuccessful?

a)

Congress and the states have agreed to add this amendment; however, recent presidents have refused to sign it.

b)

The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights.

c)

The Supreme Court has stated such an amendment is unconstitutional, thus blocking its ratification.

d)

The framers specifically wrote the amendment process to prevent using it to limit freedom of expression.

18.
The passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a significant event because it
a)
scaled back the provisions of the 15th Amendment
b)
was used to emancipate south African Americans
c)
was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Shaw v Reno
d)
was instrumental in increasing the number of African American and other minority voters
19.
Party identification in the United States is most successfully transmitted by which of the following?
a)
workplace
b)
church
c)
educational system
d)
family
20.
Which of the following is NOT an explanation for low voter turnout?
a)
registration requirements
b)
low political efficacy among many voters
c)
laws protecting minority voting rights
d)
frequent elections at the state and local level
21.
In the United States political system, the term Federalism refers to
a)
limits on the powers of the state governments
b)
limits on the powers of the national government
c)
division of powers between the levels of government
d)
legal authority of the courts to hear cases
22.
Rules and regulations created by an agency such as the Federal Communications Commission are called
a)
constitutional law
b)
statutory law
c)
common law
d)
administrative law
23.
Which of the following committees plays a major role in the House in shaping tax policy?
a)
Finance
b)
Ways and Means
c)
Commerce
d)
Appropriations
24.
Which of the following best describes a purpose of the Establishment Clause?
a)
Gives Congress the power to protect civil rights & liberties
b)
Prohibits Congress from establishing a state religion
c)
Empowers Congress to create a national bank
d)
Prevents Congress from prohibiting the possession of guns on school grounds
25.
Which of the following powers is shared by the House of Representatives and the Senate?
a)
Holding trials of impeachment
b)
Establishing federal courts
c)
Approving treaties
d)
Holding confirmation hearings
26.
What is the term for applying the Bill of Rights to the States?
a)
apportionment
b)
application
c)
redistricting
d)
incorporation
27.
Which of the following cases held that the Bill of Rights could NOT be applied to the states?
a)
Baker v. Carr
b)
Reynolds v. Sims
c)
Kelo v. New London
d)
Barron v. Baltimore
28.
Which of the following amendments led the Supreme Court to begin applying the Bill of Rights to the States?
a)
5th
b)
10th
c)
14th
d)
22nd
29.
This Supreme Court Case determined that contraception was protected by the "right to marital privacy" implied in the Bill of Rights...
a)
Kelo v. New London
b)
Griswold v. Connecticut
c)
Barron v. Baltimore
d)
Reynolds v. Simms
30.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee
a)
ruled that the McCain-Feingold Act unconstitutional
b)
ruled that money and television ads were considered freedom of speech
c)
ruled that the bill of rights should be applied to corporations
d)
all of the above
31.
What subject is Federalist #10 primarily about?
a)
The Bill of Rights
b)
Factions
c)
The Constitution
d)
The seperation of church and state
32.
Known as the "Privacy Amendment" which amendment says No search and seizure without a warrant and probable cause?
a)
1st
b)
2nd
c)
3rd
d)
4th
33.
Which amendment banned poll tax and literacy tests?
a)
23rd
b)
18th
c)
10th
d)
24th
34.
  Which amendment gave women suffrage?
a)
18th
b)
19th
c)
10th
d)
12th
35.
The number of members in the Senate is:
a)
Based upon population
b)
Equal for all states
c)
Decided upon by the voters
d)
Depends on the ruling party
36.
Who is the presiding officer of the Senate and can be brought in the cast a tie breaking vote if needed?
a)
The Chief Justice
b)
The Vice President
c)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
d)
Secretary of State
37.
These types of committees are temporary and deal with special issues that have to be taken care of from time to time. 
a)
Select
b)
Standing
c)
Joint
d)
Judicial
38.
Senators or Representatives who are already holding office are
a)
Constituents 
b)
Lobbyist 
c)
Incumbents
d)
Independents
39.
These committees include members from both the Senate and the House. They are formed occasionally for certain issues.
a)
Standing
b)
Joint
c)
Select
d)
Optional
40.
How old must you be in order to run for President?
a)
25
b)
35
c)
30
d)
40
41.
Who would become president if the President and Vice President can no longer carrying out their duties?
a)
Speaker of the House
b)
Secretary of the State
c)
First Lady
d)
Mr. Radi 
42.
1st Amendment right to free speech is NOT absolute during wartime.
a)
Schenck v. U.S. 
b)
McCulloch v. Maryland
c)
Korematsu v. U.S. 
d)
Miranda v. Arizona 
43.
Japanese internment camps did not violate 14th Amendment and civil rights.
a)
Dred Scott v. Sanford 
b)
Gideon v. Wainwright 
c)
Korematsu v. U.S.
d)
Engle v. Vitale 
44.
Used the elastic clause to justify national Supremacy established under "necessary and proper clause" in regards to banks.
a)
Engel v. Vitale 
b)
McCulloch v. Maryland 
c)
Schenck v. U.S. 
d)
Gideon v. Wainwright 
45.
Upheld the 4th Amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure.
a)
Engel v. Vitale 
b)
McCulloch v. Maryland 
c)
Mapp v. Ohio 
d)
Koramatsu v. U.S. 
46.
Black arm bands worn in school as protest were protected on the first amendment right to free speech.
a)
Tinker v. Des Moines
b)
Mapp v. Ohio 
c)
Schenck v. U.S.
d)
Miranda v. Arizona 
47.
Lawyers in criminal courts are required based on 6th and 14th Amendment rights to due process
a)
Plessy v. Ferguson 
b)
Dred Scott v. Sanford
c)
Miranda v. Arizona 
d)
Gideon v. Wainwright
48.
The Federal Reserve Board is responsible for controlling what?
a)
Taxation
b)
Campaign finance
c)
The federal budget
d)
Interest rates
49.
A Supreme Court decision based on a similar previous case is made based on what concept?
a)
Certiorari
b)
Stare decisis
c)
Amicus curiae
d)
In pauperis
50.
A committee that reconciles different versions of a bill passed in the House and Senate is called a ______ committee.
a)
Conference
b)
Joint
c)
Standing
d)
Select
51.
Which of these correctly describes impeachment?
a)
2/3 of the House
b)
2/3 of the Senate
c)
Simple majority of the House
d)
Simple majority of the Senate
52.
Which court decision stated that aid to church-related schools must be for secular purposes only, and cannot be used to advance or inhibit religion?
a)
Engel v. Vitale
b)
Mapp v. Ohio
c)
Gideon v. Wainwright
d)
Lemon v. Kurtzman
53.
Incorporation doctrine involves
a)
application of the Bill of Rights to the states
b)
the governments power to regulate corporations
c)
the extension of judicial review to state courts
d)
the interpretation of the commerce clause
54.
Where are American civil liberties found?
a)
the Preamble
b)
the Bill of Rights
c)
the Declaration of Independence
d)
Article IV
55.
Which of the following is an exclusive power of the Senate?
a)
Approve treaties
b)
Declare war
c)
Propose an amendment
d)
Set naturalization laws
56.
Which of the following is NOT a voting amendment?
a)
15
b)
19
c)
22
d)
26
57.
Which of the following grants in aid allow states the most power in decision making?
a)
Block Grants
b)
Categorical Grants
c)
Mandates
d)
Programmatic Requests
58.
The "just compensation" clause associated with Eminent Domain is found in which of the following amendments?
a)
1
b)
4
c)
5
d)
6
59.
What was the outcome of Title IX?
a)
High voter registration among minorities.
b)
Greater accessibility for the handicap to local businesses
c)
Increased funding for women's sports in schools
d)
Banned public businesses from refusing services to customers based on race
60.
Which of the following is true of of the case University of California v Bakke?
a)
It dealt with the incorporation of the 4th amendment
b)
It ruled racial quotas for college admissions were unconstitutional
c)
The court issued its ruling in 2016
d)
It ruled that there is no such thing as reverse discrimination
61.
All of the following are true of the Articles of Confederation except
a)
There was no national executive branch
b)
The national government was much more powerful than the states
c)
All of the states had to agree before it could be amended
d)
The national government could not tax
62.
The clause in the United States Constitution that states that federal law will prevail in the event of a conflict between federal and state law is known as the 
a)
Necessary and Proper clause 
b)
Supremacy Clause
c)
equal protection clause 
d)
confrontation clause 
63.
In Roe v. Wade, the majority of Supreme Court justices determined that 
a)
a constitutional right to privacy necessitated making contraceptives legal 
b)
abortions could be performed only during the first twelve weeks of a pregnancy 
c)
homosexuality is unconstitutional
d)
the United States Constitution implies a right to privacy and thus made abortions legal 
64.
Voter turnout tends to be highest among 
a)
college-educated voters 
b)
working-class voters
c)
African American voters 
d)
young voters 
65.
Legislation forbidding flag burning was deemed unconstitutional because it violated the 
a)
First Amendment’s free exercise clause
b)
First Amendment’s protection of expression 
c)
Fourteenth Amendment’s definition of citizenship
d)
First Amendment’s establishment clause 
66.
Which of the following constitutional provisions broadened the power of Congress? 
a)
The necessary and proper clause 
b)
The equal protection clause
c)
The Tenth Amendment
d)
The Ninth Amendment 
67.
The Pocket Veto can be used only when
a)
Congress is in session.
b)
Congress is adjourned.
c)
when a new president is about to take office.
d)
the President forgets about the bill.
68.
The War Powers Resolution was passed as a reaction to
a)
The Korean War
b)
WWII
c)
The War of Northern Agression
d)
The Vietnam War
69.
The president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public.  
a)
Lame Duck 
b)
Bully pulpit
c)
cabinet 
d)
electoral college 
70.
Which amendment limits presidents to have two terms?
a)
19
b)
22
c)
21
d)
20
71.
This passage is from the U.S. Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines (1969).
In our system, state-operated schools may not be enclaves of totalitarianism.  School officials do not possess absolute authority over their students.  Students in school as well as out of school are "persons" under our Constitution.  They are possessed of fundamental rights . . . In the absence of a specific showing of constitutionally valid reasons to regulate their speech, students are entitled to freedom of expression of their views. 
Based on this reasoning, what did the U.S. Supreme Court conclude? 
a)
Students have the right to wear armbands in school to express their political beliefs.
b)
Students can express their political views in student newspapers but not in classrooms.
c)
Students will cause too much disruption if they wear armbands to school.
d)
Students have the right to express their political opinions at home but not in school. 
72.
What is Judicial Review?
a)
The Supreme Court shaping polices by addressing social and political issues
b)
The Supreme Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions
c)
A clause stating that no state may deprive a person of life, liberty, or property.
d)
The Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional 
73.
Which court ruling allowed "separate but equal"
a)
Grutter v. Bollinger
b)
Plessy v. Ferguson
c)
Brown v. Board of Education
d)
Dred Scott v.Sanford
74.
What is an order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the record in a given case for its review?
a)
Writ of mandamus
b)
amicus curiae
c)
writ of certiorari
d)
docket
75.
What is a court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody?
a)
original jurisdiction
b)
writ of certiorari
c)
writ of mandamus
d)
writ of habeas corpus
76.
What lesson did state courts learn from the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright? 
a)
Minors are entitled to many of the same "due process" rights as adults.
b)
Evidence cannot be presented in a court trial if obtained by police in an unlawful search.
c)
Suspects must be informed of their 5th and 6th Amendment rights prior to police interrogation. 
d)
A person accused of a felony who cannot afford an attorney is entitled to have one appointed by the court. 
77.
Which statement identifies the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
a)
It overturned racial segregation in public schools. 
b)
It overturned the earlier decision of Gideon v. Wainwright.
c)
It upheld state laws requiring the payment of poll taxes to vote.
d)
It upheld state laws requiring racial segregation on railroad cars. 
78.
Which statement identifies the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
a)
It overturned racial segregation in public schools. 
b)
It overturned the earlier decision of Gideon v. Wainwright.
c)
It upheld state laws requiring the payment of poll taxes to vote.
d)
It upheld state laws requiring racial segregation on railroad cars. 
79.
The “rule of four” refers to
a)
the number of Supreme Court Justices that must agree to hear a case
b)
the number of times a litigant can petition an appellate court for review
c)
the percent of committee members that must agree to an amendment to add it to a bill
d)
cases that reach the Supreme Court through a state system rather than through the federal system
80.
Supreme Court ruling eclared that the government had the right to keep Japanese Americans in internment camps due“national security threat”
a)
Korematsu v. United States
b)
Dred Scott v. Sandford
c)
Marbury v. Madison 
d)
Plessy v. Ferguson
81.

Supreme Court ruling freedom of speech can be denied when there is a “clear and present danger”
a)
Marbury v. Madison 
b)
Schenck v. United States
c)
Plessy v. Ferguson
d)
Brown v. Board of Education 
82.
What was the Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case?
a)
That slavery diminished the national character.
b)
That African American rights were protected by the Constitution.
c)
That African Americans did not have the right to sue in federal court because they were not citizens
d)
That slavery should be abolished by executive order
83.

How did the composition of Congress change between 1950 and 2011?

a)

There was no change in the number of ethnic minorities, but the number of women increased

b)

There was no change in the number of women, but the number of African Americans increased

c)

The percentage of African Americans in Congress is similar to the percentage of African Americans in the country as a whole

d)

Although representation does not mirror the population as a whole, there are more minorities and women

84.

What of the following statements best describe the impact of divided government on Congress?

a)

Divided government occurs when the president and Congress disagree about an issue. Therefore, it is more likely that the president will veto legislation

b)

Divided government occurs when the majority of one or both houses of Congress are from a party different from the president’s. This slows the passage of the most far-reaching and costly legislation

c)

Divided government has little effect on the ability of Congress to pass legislation

d)

Divided government occurs when the majority of one or both houses of Congress are from a party different from the president’s. This makes it very difficult for any legislation pass

85.

A filibuster in the Senate can be used to talk a bill to death. A cloture vote can end a filibuster. Taken together, what is the impact of these practices?

a)

Neither political party can control the Senate unless it has at least sixty votes

b)

A party which fifty-one votes can get most of its legislative agenda passed

c)

The Senate rarely passes legislation on controversial issues

d)

Most important decisions are made in committees because it is difficult to pass a bill in the Senate as a whole

86.

What was the main point of disagreement between supporters of the Virginia and New Jersey plans?

a)

whether or not they should keep the Articles of Confederation

b)

how the States should be represented in Congress

c)

whether or not there should be an executive branch

d)

how they would present the completed Constitution to the States

87.

A federal project or grant that is made available in a congressional district or state

a)

Casework

b)

Credit

c)

Funding

d)

Pork Barrel

88.

Senate bills are subject to unlimited debate unless 3/5 of the Senate (60 Senators) votes for _________ to stop it

a)

Filibuster

b)

a Hold

c)

Pigeonhole

d)

Cloture

89.

Gerrymandering is

a)

legislation passed in southern states to limit African American participation in elections.

b)

the drawing of legislative district boundary lines to give the dominant party an advantage.

c)

known to give the minority party an electoral advantage at the expense of the dominant party.

d)

a process that attempts to limit debate on a bill in the Senate.

90.

The Necessary and Proper Clause

a)

has provided the basis for an expanded role of the national government.

b)

has greatly expanded the presidential powers.

c)

was in the original Constitution, but was eliminated as a consequence of the Twenty-Seventh Amendment.

d)

is located in the Constitution in the text of the Tenth Amendment.

91.

The Necessary and Proper Clause

a)

has provided the basis for an expanded role of the national government.

b)

has greatly expanded the presidential powers.

c)

was in the original Constitution, but was eliminated as a consequence of the Twenty-Seventh Amendment.

d)

is located in the Constitution in the text of the Tenth Amendment.

92.
Party identification in the United States is most successfully transmitted by which of the following?
a)
workplace
b)
church
c)
educational system
d)
family
93.
The decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) was important because it -
a)
upheld the constitutionality of the National Bank
b)
restricted Congress's power to use the "elastic clause"
c)
established the Supreme Court's power to judge the constitutionality of laws
94.

Considered as a single group, the Small Business Administration, the Small Business committees in the House and Senate, and small business advocacy groups are an example of...

a)

an iron triangle

b)

a conference committee

c)

a regulatory agency

d)

issues network