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WorksheetsGovernment Mid Term
Total questions: 125
Worksheet time: 1hrs 3mins
What weakness in the Articles of Confederation made it difficult for Congress to raise an army?
Congress was denied the power to declare war
The states refused to train troops
Only the states could coin money
Congress had no power to levy taxes
One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was________________________________
The ability of Congress to coin money.
The inability of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
The ability of Congress to tax.
The ability of Congress to create courts.
Which of the following was a power of congress established under the Articles of Confederation?
levy taxes on the states
prohibit states from conducting foreign affairs
regulate interstate commerce
declare war and make peace
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could only pass a law if ___ out of 13 states agreed.
9
5
7
13
Under the Articles of Confederation, the government consisted of ___ branch(s) of government
1
2
3
4
Interstate commerce means ___________________.
trade among other nations
trade inside of one state
trade between the states
trade along the highway
Check ALL of the following that the Great Compromise created for the American Government. YOU MUST CHECK ALL CORRECT CHOICES FOR credit.
Creating a two house legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate
The executive branch has all the power over the Congress
House of representatives represents population (people) based on population
Senate represents the states: 2 per state
The United States Congress may pass laws, and they go into effect if the President signs the law. However the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional. This is an example of
separation of powers
checks and balances
veto power
federalism
Check ALL of the following problems of the Articles of Confederation
ALL states had to agree in order to amend articles
Did not recognize the difference in population in states
Had no power to tax or create national currency
Too strong of a national government over the states
This states that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people
10th Amendment
11th Amendment
Federalist Papers
Article 4
This part of the Constitution states that the Constitution and any laws or treaties passed under the Constitution are the supreme law of the land
necessary and proper clause
establishment clause
sovereignty clause
supremacy clause
Principle of the Constitution that states the powers of government are distributed between a national government and regional governments
divisionalism
separation of powers
confederalism
federalism
Power of the courts to determine whether government actions are constitutional
judicial review
deposition
adjudication
judicial appeal
Landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review
Olmstead v United States
McCulloch v Maryland
Plessy v Ferguson
Marbury v Madison
Theory that power should be divided among three branches of government
divided government
balance of power
checks and balances
separation of powers
Idea that all members of society, including rulers and government officials, must obey the law
constitutionalism
legal constructivism
judicial review
rule of law
The principle that the powers and functions of government are restricted by the U.S. Constitution
limited government
popular sovereignty
constitutional review
limited sovereignty
The idea that the people are the ultimate source of government authority
federalism
national sovereignty
popular sovereignty
rule of law
You must check all that apply to get credit. Partial credit will not be given. The EOC exams have many questions like this and we need to become accustomed to this
The main parts of the Constitution include:
Preamble
Amendments
Prologue
Synopsis
Articles
Who has the power to make rules about interstate trade?
the Federal Government
the State Governments
both the Federal & State Government
Who has the power to declare war?
both the Federal & State Government
the Federal Government
the State Governments
Who has the power to collect taxes?
the State Governments
both the Federal & State Government
the Federal Government
Who has the power to use any power the Constitution doesn't give the federal government?
both the Federal & State Government
the Federal Government
the State Governments
Who has the power to make treaties and deal with foreign countries?
the Federal Government
the State Governments
both the Federal & State Government
Who has the power to conduct elections?
both the Federal & State Government
the State Governments
the Federal Government
These powers are not given to the Federal government, so they belong to the States.
implied powers
concurrent powers
delegated powers
reserved powers
In the Constitution, the implied powers of Congress come from the
Relative Clause
Due Process Clause
Supremacy Clause
Elastic Clause or Necessary and Proper Clause
Powers of the Federal Government that are stated in the Constitution
concurrent
reserved
implied
enumerated
The division of power between the federal government and state governments is called
federalism
popular sovereignty
checks and balances
separation of powers
The implied power to regulate commercial airlines comes from the expressed power to
declare war
to establish lower courts
regulate interstate commerce
When a judicial nominee is not approved for the job, the _______________branch is checking on the______________branch
judicial, executive
legislative, judicial
judicial, legislative
legislative, executive
executive, judicial
Judges being appointed for life is the __________ branch checking on the ______________branch
judicial, legislative
judicial, executive
executive, legislative
legislative, judicial
legislative, executive
Which of these is an implied power?
regulating the weight of semi trucks on interstate highways
Declare War
Regulate Interstate Commerce
Make a foreign treaty
An implied power...
is listed in the constitution
is never constitutional.
is allowed under the elastic clause and relates to an enumerated power
is reserved for the states
is allowed under the elastic clause and relates to an enumerated power
a non-legislative power.
an implied power
an enumerated power.
an elastic power.
Make treaties and deals with foreign countries
concurrent
State
Federal
The power of judicial review was granted to the Supreme Court by
passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789
decision in the Supreme Court Case McCulloch v Maryland in 1819
explicit power granted to the Court in Article III of the Constitution
decision in the 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison
If a power is not listed or implied for the federal government, it is reserved for
the President
Congress
the states under the 10th Amendment
the Federal Court System
What is the job of the Supreme Court
enforce the law
To make new laws
To make new laws
To decided if laws or government actions are unconstitutional
What branch of the government appoints members to the Supreme Court?
Judicial
Executive
all of the above
Legislative
How does the system of Checks and Balances protect people?
it keeps any of the branches from fighting so the people are safe
it keeps one branch in power and destroys the rights of people
it keeps all branches in power so as to destroy the rights of people
it keeps any of the branches from over powering the other so as not to destroy the rights of people
The first 3 words of the Constitution are "We the people...", this statement is an example of
Popular sovereignty
Limited government
Federalism
Judicial review
Article III of the US Constitution briefly describes the structure and function of this branch of government, which interprets the nation's laws using judges and courts.
Presidential Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Review applies to
federal courts
none of these choices
state courts
both state and federal courts
What part of the Constitution allows for the legislature to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its function?
elastic clause
concurrent powers
checks and balances
reserved powers
Powers of Congress that are stated in the Constitution
reserved
concurrent
expressed
An additional Federal District Court is created
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the executive branch is checking on the judicial branch
In an effort to end an unpopular military action, funding for that mission is dramatically reduced
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
In 1935, the NIRA and AAA New Deal programs (laws) were declared unconstitutional
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the executive branch is checking on the judicial branch
Alcee Hastings, a federal judge from Florida, was removed from his duties on October 20, 1989
the executive branch is checking on the judicial branch
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
When a bill gets vetoed
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
Federal judges are appointed for life
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
A special session of Congress is called
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
the executive branch is checking on the judicial branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
Articles of impeachment are brought against a federal judge
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
A presidential act is declared unconstitutional
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the executive branch is checking on the judicial branch
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
A nominee for the Supreme Court is not confirmed for the position
the executive branch is checking on the judicial branch
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
A law is declared unconstitutional
the executive branch is checking on the judicial branch
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the legislative branch is checking on the judicial branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
A person is nominated to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court
the executive branch is checking on the judicial branch
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
When articles of impeachment are brought against the President...
the legislative branch is checking on the executive branch
the judicial branch is checking on the legislative branch
the executive branch is checking on the legislative branch
the judicial branch is checking on the executive branch
Which term refers to a special type of act that Congress uses to set aside funds for specific purposes?
apportionment
oversight
appropriation
impeachmentt
Which Constitutional "plan" created the House of Representatives?
Georgia Plan
Virginia Plan
Connecticut Plan
The distribution of House seats among the states based on population is called
gerrymandering
apportionment
the census
appropriation
If no candidate for Vice President gets a majority of votes in the electoral college
The House has the sole power to choose the Vice President
the Supreme Court has the sole power to choose the Vice President
a national run off election is held
the Senate has the sole power to choose the Vice President
If no candidate for President gets a majority of votes in the electoral college
the Supreme Court has the sole power to choose the President
the House of Representatives has the sole power to choose the President
there will be a national run off election
the Senate has the sole power to choose the President
Which of these correctly outlines the impeachment process of the president?
House of Representatives votes for impeachment, Supreme Court holds a trial, Senate votes to acquit or find guilty
The Supreme Court presides over all proceedings of an impeachment
House of Representatives votes for impeachment, Senate holds a trial, 2/3 vote of the Senate required to convict.
Senate votes for impeachment, House of Representatives holds a trial with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presiding over the trial
The proposal of Constitutional Amendments requires a vote of _____ in _____.
2/3, each house of Congress
3/5, each house of Congress
simple majority, each house of Congress
3/4, each house of Congress
Which Supreme Court Case was centered on the issue of implied powers?
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Scott v. Sanford (1857)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
In the early days of the nation, those who felt that the Necessary and Proper Clause should be used vigorously were called
liberal
conservative
strict constructionist
loose constructionist
In the early days of the nation, those who felt that Congress should only exercise those powers clearly granted by the Constitution were called
strict constructionist
conservative
loose constructionist
liberal
Which of these is not an expressed power granted to Congress?
the power to declare war
the postal power to create post offices and laws regulating the mail
the power to set weights and measures
the power to create a national school system and national standards for teaching and learning
A legal document that requires a person to testify is called a
bill of attainder
writ of habeas corpus
warrant
subpoena
A law that punishes a person without a trial is called a
ex post facto law
writ of habeas corpus
bill of attainder
subpoena
A court order that forces police to present a person in court to face charges and prevent the government from holding people in secret or without charge is called a
warrant
bill of attainder
subpoena
writ of habeas corpus
A law that criminalizes an action that took place in the past that was legal at the time is called
an ex post facto law
a bill of attainder
none of these choices
a writ of habeas corpus
Clause of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce
chamber of commerce clause
interstate trade clause
full faith and credit clause
commerce clause
If a person thinks that Congress had the power to charter the 2nd Bank of the United States, that person would believe in
limited use of implied powers
a strict construction of the Constitution
a loose construction of the Constitution
conservative economic policy
In the court case McCulloch v Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that
Congress could not charter the Second Bank of the United States.
Congress may take a very broad interpretation of the necessary and proper clause
the State of Maryland had the power to tax the Second Bank of the United States
Congress must take a strict constructionist view of the Constitution
The Supreme Court case McCulloch v Maryland set the precedent (rule going forward) that
judicial review is the function and purpose of the court
implied powers do exist
state law is superior to federal law
Congress has the power to regulate commerce
The power to propose amendments to the Constitution is held by
the states, but only if 2/3 of the states approve
the Congress, but only with a 3/4 vote
the President, but only with the advice and consent of the Senate
the Congress, but only with a 2/3 vote in both chambers
The power of Congress to define how tax money is used is the
appropriation power
taxing power
commerce power
currency power
States are represented in the Senate by
a number of senators determined by the state's population
two senators who both represent the entire state
two senators, one representing half a state and the other representing the other half
one senator per state
A member of the House of Representatives represents
a state
a single-member district
all of the above
a county
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
535
435
100
250
A committee that involves members from both chambers of Congress is called a
joint committee
bipartisan committee
bicameral committee
select committee
A group of congressmen who concentrate on a specific area of public policy is called a
caucus
department
bureau
committee
Rules for the House of Representatives are
determined by a joint committee of Congress
made by the members of the House
detailed in Article I of the Constitution
detailed in the 11th Amendment of the Constitution
A meeting of all the members of the House from a particular political party is called
caucus
joint committee
select committee
committee
Who's job is it to convince other members of the House to vote a certain way, or to support a certain Bill?
The Speaker of the House
The Whip
Committee Chairperson
Floor Leader
This person serves as the assistant to the Speaker of the House
Majority Leader
Assistant Speaker
Party Whip
Vice Speaker
Bills, or proposed laws, are assigned to committees by
the Speaker of the House
party caucus
the Floor Leader
the Whip
The highest position in the House is chosen by
seniority
appointed by the President
election by members of the House
election by the people of the U.S.
The highest position in the House of Representatives is called
The Majority Leader
The Speaker of the House
Floor Leader
The Whip
When districts are drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature, this is called
Cheating
Partisan redistricting
Gerrymandering
Political redistricting
What is the importance of the Census when it relates to the House of Representatives?
The Constitution provides for a census every 20 years in order to get an accurate count of the population.
The Constitution establishes a Census to distribute the seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate
The Constitution uses the Census to determine the number of Senators that each state should have.
The Constitution provides for a census every ten years in order to reapportion seats fairly.
To be a member of the House one must have the following qualifications:
at least 21 years of age, a U.S. citizen for at least 5 years, and a resident of the state he or she represents
at least 25 years of age, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and a resident of the state he or she represents
at least 30 years of age, a U.S. citizen for at least 10 years, and a resident of the state he or she represents
at least 27 years of age, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and a resident of the state he or she represents
How long is a House member's term?
4 years
2 years
8 years
6 years
To address issues common to both chambers of Congress, a committee is made up of members of both chambers and called a
select committee
joint committee
committee caucus
political action committee
The person responsible for managing their party's strategy is the
Party Chairman
Floor Leader
Speaker of the House
Party Whip
Every 10 years, the House must undergo _________________________, a process that uses the results to redistribute House seats among the states.
reapportionment
appropriation
gerrymandering
reappropriation
Which of the following would disqualify someone from serving as a Representative for the state of Missouri in the House?
25 years of age
U.S. citizen for 7 years
lives in the state he or she wants to represent, but not in the district to be represented
U.S. citizen for 5 years
When a senator wants to keep debate open on a pending bill to prevent it from coming to a vote, the senator will engage in a process known as __________?
Unanimous Consent
Cloture
Filibuster
Congressional Speaking
The process of advice and consent begins
in Senate caucuses
on the floor of the Senate
in Senate committees
in conference committees
The most powerful position in the Senate is the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Speaker of the Senate
Senate Majority Leader
President of the Senate
When Senate membership is equally divided, the party affiliation of the ___________________ determines which party is in the majority.
Vice President
Speaker of the Senate
President Pro Tempore
Majority Leader
How did the Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution create a more democratic Senate?
by allowing senators to have franking privileges to keep their constituents informed
by establishing strict rules for a person running for the senate to follow.
by allowing the constituents to directly elect the person running for senate.
by limiting the terms that a person could serve
The presiding officer of the Senate is
President Pro Tempore
Vice President of the U.S.
Speaker
Senate Majority Leader
Prior to 1913, Senators were chosen by
their respective state's legislature
the House of Representatives
national election
the Governor of their state
Senators serve a term of
4 years
8 years
2 years
6 years
The formal qualifications to serve in the U.S. Senate are
30 years of age or older, 10 or more years as a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the state they represent
30 years of age or older, 9 or more years as a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the state they represent
35 years of age or older, 8 or more years as a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the state they represent
40 years of age or older,7 or more years as a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the state they represent
Duties that are unique to the Senate include
approving appointments and treaties made by the President of the U.S.
voting to bring charges of impeachment on a government official
electing the President of the U.S. if their is no clear majority in the electoral college
making final approval of a bill before sending it to the President of the U.S for signature
Who presides over the Senate in the absence of the President of the Senate?
Majority Leader
Vice-President of the U.S
President Pro Tempore
Vice President of the Senate
The Senate is called a "continuous body" because
1/3 of its members are elected every 6 years
2/3 of it's members are elected every 2 years
1/4 of its members are elected every 4 years
only 1/3 of it's members are elected every 2 years
Which of the following would disqualify one from serving in the Senate?
U.S. citizen for 10 years
37 years of age
U.S. citizen for 8 years
30 years of age
What do Senators represent?
The district that elects them
The United States
Half of a state's districts
The entire state they are from
How are the number of Senators determined?
There are two from each state
By population
There is one from each state
By the House of Representatives
If the President vetoes a bill...
Congress may override the veto if 3/5 of each chamber of Congress votes to override
Congress may override the veto if 2/3 of each chamber of Congress votes to override
Congress may override if 2/3 of the full Congress votes to override
a unanimous vote of Congress is required to override the veto
The President of the U.S chooses not to sign a bill, but also not veto the bill, while Congress is in session. If during the course of 10 days Congress adjourns, then the bill_______________________. This is called a ___________________
does not become law; discharged bill
is automatically reintroduced in Congress to repeat the process; executive order
does not become law; pocket veto
becomes law; pocket veto
The President of the U.S chooses not to sign a bill, but also not veto the bill, while Congress is in session. After 10 days the bill____________________
is automatically considered vetoed
be returned to the Chamber from which it began for rewriting
none of these choices
will become law
Any bill that comes out of a conference committee must do this before the President may sign it.
pass a vote in both the House and the Senate
all of these choices
be reviewed by the Supreme Court to ensure it does not violate the Constitution
be signed off by the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
If a bill passes both chambers, but not with exact wording, it will be referred to
back to both chambers of Congress
discharge committee
conference committee
committee of the whole
In the House of Representatives, all bills must go through _____________________ before reaching the full House
Rules Committee
a roll call vote
Committee of the Whole
quorum call
Committee members vote on how to report a bill to the full chamber after
a discharge petition
the markup process
none of these choices
debate on the floor of the chamber
After a bill is introduced it will be
marked up for prior to floor action
assigned to the agenda for floor action
referred to a committee
put through the discharge petition process
This type of bill is required to begin in the House of Representatives
revenue or tax bills
bills approving any treaties made by the President of the U.S.
bills pertaining to national security
all of these choices
