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SS: Federalism

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

According to the U.S. Constitution, the national government must guarantee that every state government...

a)

updates its laws regularly

b)

has a republican structure

c)

has a bicameral legislature

d)

limits governors to two terms

2.

"Powers shared by the national and state governments" is referred to as

a)

Expressed powers

b)

Concurrent powers

c)

Reserved powers

d)

All are correct

3.

"Powers reserved for state governments" is referred to as

a)

Expressed powers

b)

Concurrent powers

c)

Reserved powers

d)

All are correct

4.

Which of the following is considered a drawback of a federal system

a)

Lack of consistent laws and policies from state to state

b)

Teaching credentials are different from state to state

c)

No clear line on who should set policies

d)

All are correct

5.

From the court case of Gibbons v. Ogden, it was determined that "interstate commerce" the _____ has control

a)

National government

b)

State government

c)

Supreme court

d)

None are correct

6.

From the court case of Gibbons v. Ogden, it was determined that "intrastate commerce" the _____ has control

a)

National government

b)

State government

c)

Supreme court

d)

None are correct

7.

Which of these officeholders is typically a COUNTY government official?

a)

delegate

b)

Governor

c)

Senator

d)

Sheriff

8.

Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan both advocated a policy known as devolution. What was this policy aimed at?

a)

limiting taxes levied by states

b)

reducing federal grants to the states

c)

transferring power back to the states

d)

improving cooperation among states

9.

Which of these descriptions best defines gerrymandering?

a)

interpreting laws in a way that benefits the party in power

b)

enlarging a court by the addition of politically appointed judges

c)

drawing legislative district boundaries to give one group an advantage

d)

combining local governments into larger units to increase their influence

10.

Which of these terms refers to legislation the national government requires state or local governments to implement largely at their own expense?

a)

block grants

b)

grants-in-aid

c)

federal regulations

d)

unfunded mandates

11.

Which of these units of government is most likely to regulate water systems, cemeteries, hospitals, sewers, fire protection services, and schools?

a)

a city council

b)

a state legislature

c)

a special-purpose district

d)

a county board of supervisors

12.

Which of the following best defines the principle of popular sovereignty?

a)

The powers of a government are limited by the people.

b)

Government is based on laws that apply to all the people.

c)

The ultimate source of governmental authority is the people.

d)

Elected leaders work through government to serve the people.

13.

Which of these is the defining characteristic of a federal system of government?

a)

Elected representatives make decisions for the nation.

b)

Power is divided between central and regional bodies.

c)

Separate branches have different areas of responsibility.

d)

Legislative actions are limited by a set of written guidelines.

14.

Which of these is the best example of constitutional checks and balances?

a)

Treaties require Senate approval.

b)

The Constitution may be amended.

c)

The president is paid for his services.

d)

Courts decide conflicts between states.

15.

The process of amending the Constitution involves both

a)

the Congress and the states.

b)

the president and the Congress.

c)

the states and the Supreme Court.

d)

the Supreme Court and the president.