WorksheetsExit Ticket 4.1-4.3
Total questions: 18
Worksheet time: 9mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Why did the Constitution provide that the total number of seats in the House of Representatives should be apportioned among the States based on population, rather than being set at a fixed number?
a)
so that larger States are able to make decisions on important issues
b)
in order to provide for fair representation for all citizens
c)
because establishing a fixed number was less accurate
d)
so that a large group of representatives are able to serve
2.
The party that holds the presidency often loses seats in the off-year elections. What can you infer is the cause of this loss?
a)
The opposition party might obtain votes from citizens dissatisfied with the current administration.
b)
The party in power might not be interested in campaigning so soon after a big election.
c)
The party in power might be overly confident about their support from voters.
d)
The opposition party might have more money to spend on an impressive campaign.
3.
Why does the Constitution provide procedures by which the Senate can judge the conduct of its members?
a)
so that senators who refuse to follow their party's recommendations can be dismissed
b)
so that voters' dissatisfaction with their representatives can be addressed in a timely way
c)
so that a high standard of ethical behavior is maintained by the nation's lawmakers
d)
so that regular attendance to all Senate meetings is ensured
4.
How did the 17th Amendment effect a change that more closely matched the original goals of the Framers?
a)
Senators are now elected by, and held accountable to, their State legislatures.
b)
Senators are now appointed by, and held accountable to, their State representatives.
c)
Senators are now appointed by, and held accountable to, their State executive branch.
d)
Senators are now elected by, and held accountable to, the citizens of their State.
5.
Gerrymandering can thwart the purpose of single-member district elections because
a)
districts can be drawn with little regard for partisanship.
b)
districts can be drawn favoring one political party.
c)
districts can be drawn based solely on race or religion.
d)
districts can be drawn based solely on property value.
6.
James Madison saw the organization of Congress as "a necessary fence" against the "fickleness and passion" of the House of Representatives. How does this view compare with that of the Framers?
a)
Both would agree on the importance of representatives' shorter term of office, allowing them to be more enlightened and responsible about their constituents' issues.
b)
Both would agree on the importance of senators' longer term of office, as they are more passionate about their constituents' concerns.
c)
Both would agree on the importance of senators' longer term of office, with a broader constituency, allowing them to be less affected by popular opinion.
d)
Both would agree on the importance of representatives' diligent attention to their constituents' broad range of opinions on issues.
7.
How do provisions in the Constitution address shifts in population?
a)
Article I directs Congress to alter the time, place, and manner in which Congressional elections are held in order to accommodate the number of voters.
b)
Article I directs Congress to set the total number of seats in the House, which are apportioned among the States based on total area of each State.
c)
Article I directs that each State is guaranteed at least one seat, regardless of its population, leaving some areas with only a delegate or a resident commissioner.
d)
Article I directs Congress to reapportion seats, which are increased and decreased according to population size.
8.
Elections for congress occur...
a)
November 5th each year
b)
Tuesday following the first Monday in November
c)
Elections do not have a specific date the election board chooses a random date in November
d)
Elections occur every other year to elect Senators and the President
9.
What was the purpose of the Framers granting Congress the power to tax?
a)
to ensure that the Federal Government would obtain revenue
b)
to ensure that the States would be able to use the revenue
c)
to ensure that the States would remain impotent
d)
to ensure that wealth was evenly distributed among the States
10.
According to the power of eminent domain, which of the following actions can Congress take?
a)
Offer the owner of a vacant lot a fair price for a stretch of land needed for a new interstate highway ramp.
b)
Notify the owner of a warehouse that his building is going to be turned into a library.
c)
Purchase a block of homes at the price of undeveloped land to tear down and build a private university.
d)
Require an owner to tear down an apartment building in order to create a new public park.
11.
Which of the following BEST characterizes how Congress and the President share power in the fields of foreign affairs, war, and national defense?
a)
Congress' war and foreign policy powers defer to the President's expressed powers in these areas.
b)
The Constitution grants all of the war powers to the President, and all of the foreign policy powers to Congress.
c)
The War Powers Resolution granted equal war and foreign policy powers to Congress and the President.
d)
The President can use military forces in response to an attack, but only Congress can declare war.
12.
The law currently states that when each state draws their congressional districts it must meet what three criteria? The district should meet all of the following EXCEPT
a)
be a contiguous territory
b)
have roughly an equal number of Inhabitants
c)
proportionally represent the number of Democrats and Republicans in the state.
d)
be a compact territory
13.
What was the primary purpose of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
a)
To reduce corruption and increase public control over the election of Senators.
b)
To give state legislatures more power in federal government.
c)
To establish term limits for U.S. Senators.
d)
To allow Senators to serve unlimited terms.
14.
A poll showed that voters prefer to have members of Congress vote as delegates. This information probably influences representatives more than senators because
a)
they know that it is most important to research issues and vote accordingly.
b)
they know their term in office means an election is right around the corner.
c)
they know that they must remain in line with their party's position on issues.
d)
they represent a diverse constituency, and have a long six-year term in office.
15.
Representative Jones votes for a bill favored by his constituents, although he does not support it. Senator Miller votes against the bill, although his constituents favor it. What effect might each man's term length have had on his decision?
a)
Term length makes Senator Miller unwilling to cast an unpopular vote.
b)
Term length makes Rep. Jones feel pressured to cast a popular vote.
c)
Term length makes Rep. Jones unconcerned about casting an unpopular vote.
d)
Term length makes Senator Miller unwilling to cast an unpopular vote
16.
Congress, through its committees, uses its oversight function
a)
to ensure that legislative agencies are carrying out the policies it has set.
b)
to assist the judicial branch in interpreting constitutional law.
c)
as a means of overriding presidential vetoes.
d)
as a system of checks and balances on the executive branch. Making sure the executive branch carries out the laws.
17.
What is the primary role of congressional committees in the legislative process?
a)
To directly vote on bills and pass them into law
b)
To draft, review, and modify bills before they reach the floor for consideration
c)
To enforce laws passed by Congress
d)
To oversee the judicial branch of government
18.
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
(a)
100 %
