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WorksheetsGovernment Practice Exam F20
Total questions: 91
Worksheet time: 46mins
Why is a social contract important to the Enlightenment view of government?
It represents the idea that the people- the governed- give consent to their government to lead and manage them and society.
Hobbes saw it as a promise to the people that government would protect them.
A government provides this to its people so that they can understand how their government functions and what powers it has.
It is the document that defines a given system of government for a specific group of people.
A key complaint by colonists against the British government in the Declaration of Independence was:
It had dissolved colonial legislatures, therefore depriving colonists of self-government.
It had forced colonists to fight the French during the French and Indian War.
It had declared war on the colonists after the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
King George III had refused to allow the colonies to become independent.
One of the major debates that took place during the writing of the Articles of Confederation was over
How representation between states would be determined
How the president would be chosen.
How senators would be selected, and how often.
How foreign treaties should be negotiated and ratified.
Which was the Virginia Plan?
Proposed a bicameral legislature based on population
Proposed a unicameral legislature with one vote per state
Proposed a bicameral legislature with one vote per state in one house and the other house based on population
Which was the New Jersey Plan?
Proposed a unicameral legislature with one vote per state
Proposed a bicameral legislature based on population
Proposed a bicameral legislature with one vote per state in one house and the other house based on population
Which was the Connecticut Plan, a.k.a. The Great Compromise?
Proposed a bicameral legislature with one vote per state in one house and the other house based on population
Proposed a bicameral legislature based on population
Proposed a unicameral legislature with one vote per state
How does the Constitution balance between small and large states with regards to legislative power?
The bicameral nature of Congress provides for representation by state and by population.
Congress must be unanimous in deciding on new laws, thus requiring all states to agree.
The presidential veto exists to check the power of large states over small ones.
It does not; legislative power is based on population, and those states with largers populations will have more legislative power.
A key problem experienced under the Articles of Confederation was
Congress had to rely on sometimes unwilling states for tax revenue.
Only a simple majority was needed to pass laws.
Congress could go around state governments and act directly on individual citizens.
No term limits on the president or members of Congress.
The Bill of Rights was not part of the original Constitution; however, it was added in 1791
As a compromise between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
As the first legislative act of the first Congress.
Because George Washington demanded that it be added.
As a result of a second constitutional convention.
Amending the Constitution is a difficult political process that becomes increasingly difficult at each step. Why is this so?
The Constitution, being the supreme law of the land, should not be changed without significant considering and consensus.
The Framers were confident that their work was adequate and would not likely require many, or any, changes.
Interest groups make significant legislative action very difficult.
Altering the Constitution is no more difficult than passing a law.
Why is the Magna Carta considered such an important document to the U.S. government?
It is a clear example of an agreement that limited the power of government.
It created a system of separated powers.
It guarantees voting rights for citizens.
In it is found the earliest argument for natural rights.
The U.S. Constitution created the Supreme Court of the United States. How are other federal courts created?
Through acts of Congress
By order of the President
By the states
By the Supreme Court
The primary function of Congress is to
Make laws
Ratify treaties
Investigate members of the executive branch when necessary
Provide information to constituents about what's going on in Washington
Representation in Congress is determined in this manner:
House: population of state; Senate: equal between states
House: GDP of state; Senate: population
House: GDP of state; Senate: population
House: geographical size of state; Senate: equal between states
The Framers envisioned that the Legislative Branch
Would be the most responsive to the American people.
Would be the most secluded branch of government from the American people.
Is the most powerful branch of government.
Is the weakest branch of government.
Which of the following best explains why the U.S. Constitution gives the power of regulating taxation to the Congress, rather than to the President?
The colonists wanted taxation to be determined by an elected body.
The Articles of Confederation had given the Congress the same power.
This power protects the President because "the power to tax equals the power to destroy."
Because Congress had bigger vaults to hold the money.
The Judicial Branch has only this one very significant check over the other two branches:
It can declare the actions of either other branch to be unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court can change the wording of the Constitution.
It can override a presidential veto, which would also impact the Legislative Branch.
It has original jurisdiction over all cases involving federal officials or states.
How does the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution limit the power of the federal government?
It reserves all unspecified powers to the states and the people.
It prevents the federal government from entering into treaties.
It places upper limits on government salaries.
It prevents the federal government from passing taxation laws.
In addition to legislating, Congress has all of the following duties EXCEPT
Selecting federal judges
Impeaching federal officials
Ratifying treaties
Declaring war
The powers of Congress can be found listed in
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution
The proceedings of the House of Representatives
The Congressional Record
The Declaration of Independence
Why is the term for House members only two years?
The short term was meant to provide citizens with a regular check on congressional power through elections
The short term provides members with a regular option to run for higher office, like the Senate
This term is modeled after the British House of Commons, from which the Founders drew many of their ideas
House terms were meant to coincide with presidential elections
Article I, Section 8 provides Congress with the power to have an army and navy; how then, does the Constitution allow for the U.S. Air Force?
The preamble talks of "providing for the common defense," and the "necessary and proper" or "elastic" clause provides it as an implied power.
Section 8 also includes a provision to defend the United States by any means, which would include air power.
Technically, it is not constitutional, but accepted since it helps with national defense and the Founders could not have forecast the invention of airplanes.
The U.S. Air Force is technically part of the militia, which is allowed in Article I, Section 8.
Of all the slogans and ideas of the American Revolution, that of "no taxation without representation" is reflected in Congress in this way:
The House, directly representing the people, is where all tax bills must begin
The Senate, representing the states, had the power to determine who was taxed, on what, and how much
Congress was given, in the Constitution, the power to tax the citizens of the United States
The House and Senate elect a special "revenue committee" to determine tax policy
Congressional districts within states are redrawn
Every 10 years, after each census is completed
In the year before each presidential election
Whenever members of Congress vote, by two-thirds majority, to have them changed
Never; they are decided when a state joins the country
Representation in Congress is determined in this manner:
House: population of state; Senate: equal between states
House: GDP of state; Senate: population
House: population of state; Senate: population of state
House: geographical size of state; Senate: equal between states
What is the age requirement difference between the House and Senate?
The Senate has a higher age requirement
There is no age requirement to serve in the House or Senate
The House has a higher age requirement
They are not different
Districts are based on
Population- all Congressional districts are supposed to be as close to the same size as possible
Square mileage- they are all the same size
Rural-urban balance- each district must include both types of areas
The voting decisions of members of Congress, who work together to choose their sizes and locations
These powers are unique to the Senate except:
The power to investigate executive agencies or officials
Confirmation of presidential appointments
Ratification of treaties
Conducts the trial of impeached federal officials
Different from members of the House, Senators represent:
Both Senators equally represent their entire state
Half their state, with the other half represented by the other Senator
A balance of rural and urban districts with their state
Only the people who voted for them
Why did the Framers give the power to ratify treaties to the Senate and not the House?
States are represented equally in the Senate, giving an equal voice to all parts of the country over legislation that would affect the whole country.
The Senate has a higher age requirement and therefore Senators tend to be more experienced and mature than House members.
House members, responsible for representing the citizens in their districts, are too busy with other work to handle ratifying treaties.
Treaties are referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, which the House does not have.
The Vice President has this title and role in the Senate:
President of the Senate; breaks tie votes
President pro tempore; breaks tie votes
Vice President; regular voting member
President pro tempore; regular voting member
The Senate gets to provide "advice and consent" to the president when it comes to international treaties. What does this mean?
The Senate will vote whether or not to ratify, or accept, any treaty the president signs.
The Senate creates a special committee to conduct international treaty negotiations.
The president must first obtain the Senate's permission before negotiating any treaty.
Senators can have parts of treaties changed if they don't like them.
What is an example of an implied power of Congress?
The authority to create a national bank
The power to coin money
The power of impeachment
The power to raise an army and navy
When the Senate acts as the jury in the case of impeachment, what must the vote be in order to convict the accused official?
Two-thirds majority
60 votes
50%+1 of those present
51% of the Senate
If the House and Senate adopt different versions of the same bill, which one can the president sign?
Neither; Congress must convene a conference committee to reconcile the two bills into a single version.
Either; based on his/her judgement of which is better.
The House version; since House members directly represent the people.
The Senate version; since that version was drafted equally among the states.
To qualify to become president, a person must be a natural born citizen, which means
the person must have been born in the United States or its jurisdiction.
the person must have been born naturally.
the person must have been born in a country that is friendly with the United States.
the person must have lived in the United States at least 14 years old.
What is the role of the Chief Diplomat?
The main author of America's foreign policy
The leader of the armed forces
The main author of public policy
The symbolic head of the government
What is the role of the Commander-in-Chief?
The leader of the armed forces
The main author of America's foreign policy
The main author of public policy
The symbolic head of the government
What is the role of the Chief Legislator?
The main author of public policy
The main author of America's foreign policy
The leader of the armed forces
The symbolic head of the government
What is the role of the Chief of State?
The symbolic head of the government
The main author of America's foreign policy
The leader of the armed forces
The main author of public policy
What is the role of the Chief Executive?
The executive power in both domestic and foreign affairs
The leader of the political party
The representative of all the people of the United States
The head of the Executive Branch of the federal government
What is the role of the Chief of Party?
The leader of the political party
The executive power in both domestic and foreign affairs
The representative of all the people of the United States
The head of the Executive Branch of the federal government
What is the role of the Chief Citizen?
The representative of all the people of the United States
The executive power in both domestic and foreign affairs
The leader of the political party
The head of the Executive Branch of the federal government
What is the role of the Chief Administrator?
The head of the Executive Branch of the federal government
The executive power in both domestic and foreign affairs
The leader of the political party
The representative of all the people of the United States
The official rulebook for the government is
The Constitution
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation
The Federalist Papers
The President must set an agenda "from time to time to the Congress" and explain that vision to the leaders of our government and the people. This is called
The State of the Union
Setting the Agenda
The Letter to Congress
The Oath of Office
The purpose of the President's Cabinet is to
Advise the President on the different government departments.
Assist the President is selecting the most appropriate china for state dinners.
Tell the President how to run the country.
Decide how to proceed with national events.
The White House is the
official residence and office of the President
official office of the President and Vice President
official residence of the President and Vice President.
official residence and office of the Vice President
Which of the following agencies and departments is the Executive Branch NOT in charge of
Congressional Committees
Department of Defense
The White House
Department of Education
Any agency within the President's Cabinet is given the name
Department
Office
Division
Commission
What is the purpose of the Department of Justice?
Represents the United States in all legal matters
Oversees issues regarding foreign policy
Oversees all agencies and functions directly dealing with national security and the United States Armed Forces
Principal economic advisor to the President
What is the purpose of the Department of State?
Oversees issues regarding foreign policy
Represents the United States in all legal matters
Oversees all agencies and functions directly dealing with national security and the United States Armed Forces
Principal economic advisor to the President
What is the purpose of the Department of Defense?
Oversees all agencies and functions directly dealing with national security and the United States Armed Forces
Represents the United States in all legal matters
Oversees issues regarding foreign policy
Principal economic advisor to the President
What is the purpose of the Department of Treasury?
Principal economic advisor to the President
Represents the United States in all legal matters
Oversees issues regarding foreign policy
Oversees all agencies and functions directly dealing with national security and the United States Armed Forces
How are Cabinet members selected for their position?
The President selects them and the Senate confirms them
The Supreme Court selects and approves them
The President selects them
The Senate selects them and the President confirms them
The U.S. Constitution created the Supreme Court of the United States. How were the other courts created
Through acts of Congress
By order of the President
By the states
By the Supreme Court
What were the Framers intentions when creating a federal court system?
To ensure the laws of the Constitution would be upheld
To test the power of the Constitution against all sitting presidents
To create boundaries for the individual states
To uphold the rights of the people
Which type of court hears over 80% of all cases in the federal caseload?
District courts
Courts of Appeal
Supreme Court
U.S. Tax Court
If a case is appealed after being heard in the District Federal Court for the District of Nevada, the case goes to
United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of Nevada
Regional Justice Center
Which is the highest court in the country?
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Nevada
U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
Regional Justice Center
Which court decides appeals from the district courts within its federal circuit?
United States Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of Nevada
U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
Regional Justice Center
Which court is the highest court in Nevada?
Supreme Court of Nevada
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
Regional Justice Center
Which court is the Federal district court for the State of Nevada?
U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Nevada
Regional Justice Center
Which is the district court for Clark County, Nevada?
District court for Clark County, Nevada
Highest court in the country
Decides appeals from the district courts within its federal circuit
Highest court in Nevada
Federal district court for the State of Nevada
Which court case established the power of judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
Roe v. Wade
McCulloch v. Maryland
Gibbons v. Ogden
The formal validation of a proposed law means
Ratification
Federalism
Checks and balances
Popular sovereignty
The relationship between the state governments and federal government is called...
Federalism
Checks and balances
Popular sovereignty
Separation of powers
The system of overlapping powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to permit each branch to check the actions of the others is called...
Checks and balances
Popular sovereignty
Separation of powers
Ratification
The basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power, and government can exist only with the consent of the governed is ...
Popular sovereignty
Separation of powers
Ratification
Federalism
The basic principle of American government that the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided among three independent and coequal branches of government is called...
Separation of powers
Ratification
Federalism
Popular sovereignty
Which is a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration?
Bill
Committee
Filibuster
Oversight
Which is a group of people appointed for a specific function?
Committee
Bill
Filibuster
Oversight
Which is the use of any "dilatory or obstructive tactics to block a measure by preventing it from coming to a vote"?
Filibuster
Bill
Committee
Oversight
What is Congressional power to ensure the Executive carries out the responsibilities properly?
Oversight
Bill
Committee
Filibuster
What is a gridlock?
Inaction to complete a task
A body of high-ranking state officials, of top leaders of the executive branch
A general term for an officer commanding any armed forces unit
An official representing a country abroad
What is the President's Cabinet?
A body of high-ranking state officials, of top leaders of the executive branch
Inaction to complete a task
A general term for an officer commanding any armed forces unit
An official representing a country abroad
What is a commander?
A general term for an officer commanding any armed forces unit
Inaction to complete a task
A body of high-ranking state officials, of top leaders of the executive branch
An official representing a country abroad
What is a diplomat?
An official representing a country abroad
Inaction to complete a task
A body of high-ranking state officials, of top leaders of the executive branch
A general term for an officer commanding any armed forces unit
What is a group of people or agencies entrusted with making and carrying out laws?
Government
Social contract
Natural rights
Direct democracy
Indirect democracy
What is the system that the people and leaders freely enter into?
Social contract
Government
Direct democracy
Indirect democracy
What are the rights that individuals are naturally entitled to?
Natural rights
Direct democracy
Indirect democracy
Government
The type of government where the people and not elected representatives determine the laws which to be governed is called...
Direct democracy
Natural rights
Social contract
Government
The type of government where the people elect representatives to run the government and express their interest is called...
Indirect democracy
Natural rights
Social contract
Government
Judicial review is...
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a government action
A list of cases to be heard
The authority of a court to hear a case
A court that hears a case on appeal from a lower court
Docket is...
A list of cases to be heard
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a government action
The authority of a court to hear a case
A court that hears a case on appeal from a lower court
Jurisdiction is...
The authority of a court to hear a case
A court that hears a case on appeal from a lower court
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a government action
A list of cases to be heard
Appellate jurisdiction is...
A court that hears a case on appeal from a lower court
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a government action
A list of cases to be heard
The authority of a court to hear a case
Read the following excerpt, then answer the following question.
Standing Committees Standing committees are permanent committees. These committees determine which batches of legislation will be sent to either chamber for a full vote. All bills that Congress debates have been screened by at least one committee and possibly more if the legislation is controversial or expensive.
Special Committees To conduct special investigations during national crises or study particular issues of national importance, Congress uses select or special committees. Less powerful than standing committees, special committees need congressional approval each year to exist and cannot introduce or pass legislation. Often, a special committee develops into a standing committee if the problem that led to its rise remains important to the American people and Congress...
A "standing" committee differs from a "special" committee in that:
It is a permanent committee.
Standing committees only exist in the House.
It is made up of members of both the House and Senate.
It has the power to conduct investigations.
What is the first substantive difference in the law making process between the House and the Senate?
House bills go to the House Rules Committee before the House debates the bill.
Senate bills are assigned to subcommittees before committees.
The Senate can filibuster a bill during the floor debate.
The House Budget Committee must review all bills.
According to the chart above, which agencies fall under the Executive Office?
National Security Council
Office of the First Lady
Federal Trade Commission
Council of Economic Advisors
Read the following excerpt from the reference article on separation of powers, then answer the question.
Separation of powers- the division of government power into different branches-is critical for the existence and proper functioning of this other core system of U.S. Government:
Checks and balances
The bicameral Congress
Federalism
Due process
