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WorksheetsThe Supreme Court of the United States
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 15mins
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) hears _______________ from the state, federal, tribal and military court systems.
appeals
complaints
new cases
old cases
The Supreme Court of the United States is the head of what court system?
State
Federal
Military
Tribal
Based on the data in the chart, which of the following is true?
The percentage of liberal decisions made by the federal district courts on civil rights and civil liberties cases increased between 1900 and 1928.
The percentage of liberal decisions made by the Supreme Court on civil rights and civil liberties cases decreased between 1964 and 1996.
The number of civil rights and civil liberties cases heard by the Supreme Court declined between 1944 and 1952.
The number of civil rights and civil liberties cases heard by the federal district courts decreased between 1972 and 1992.
In the case Twining v. New Jersey (1908), the Supreme Court held that the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination is not applicable to the states. In 1964 the Supreme Court overruled the decision in Malloy v. Hogan (1964) and held that the right was incorporated to the states. This scenario illustrates which of the following?
The Supreme Court oftentimes overrules lower court decisions.
Constitutional amendments can be used to overturn previous Supreme Court decisions.
The executive branch can sometimes evade Supreme Court decisions.
Ideological changes to the Supreme Court can lead to the overturning of precedent.
In Baker v. Carr (1962), the Supreme Court ruled that a state legislature would have to redraw their representative districts in order to comply with the Constitution. Which of the following potential difficulties could have resulted from this decision?
The state legislature could have refused to implement the decision, leading to a crisis in the legitimacy of the Supreme Court’s authority.
The United States Congress could have requested that funding be cut off from the redistricting program.
The president could have created an executive agreement with the state that overrode the Supreme Court’s decision.
A state appellate court could have issued a ruling that overturned the ruling of the United States Supreme Court.
Which of the following did the Supreme Court establish in Marbury v. Madison ?
The Supreme Court can declare federal legislation invalid if the legislation violates the Constitution.
Each state has the right to set up and run its own court system.
All the powers that are not explicitly given by the Constitution to Congress belong to the states.
Any president who commits treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors can be impeached.
The Constitution can only be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members of the House of Representatives.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the selection of the caseload for the United States Supreme Court?
The United States Constitution spells out all of the categories of cases that the Supreme Court must hear.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has the authority to select the cases that the Court will hear.
The Solicitor General in the Department of Justice determines the Supreme Court's agenda.
The Supreme Court is free to choose the cases it hears with only a few limitations.
The Attorney General screens cases for consideration by the Court.
When a lower court decision is appealed to the Supreme Court, which of the following is most likely to occur?
The Supreme Court will reconsider the case, and overturn the lower court decision.
The Supreme Court will reprimand the lower court judge for improperly deciding the case.
The plaintiffs or defendants will file motions for a change of venue.
The case will be retried at the lower court level.
The Supreme Court will not hear the appeal.
Which of the following best explains the principle of stare decisis?
It requires that at least four Supreme Court justices agree to hear a case.
It encourages presidents to take judicial experience into account when nominating judges.
It encourages judges to follow precedent when deciding cases.
It reinforces the philosophy of judicial activism.
It increases the number of cases judges are required to hear.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a case being decided based on precedent?
The Supreme Court bases its decision in a case involving the commerce clause on one of its earlier decisions involving the commerce clause.
The Supreme Court overturns a lower court decision in a case dealing with voter identification laws.
A state passes a law which contradicts federal law, causing the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the federal government.
The chief justice of the Supreme Court disagrees with the majority of the other justices and decides to declare a law passed by Congress as unconstitutional.
Which of the following is a primary function of the Senate Judiciary Committee?
Conducting oversight hearings on the Supreme Court budget
Conducting investigations into allegedly subversive activities
Conducting hearings on judicial appointments made by the president
Conducting investigations into wrongdoing by the executive branch
Initiating appointments to the Supreme Court
Those who believe that the Supreme Court in its rulings should defer to the elected institutions of government are advocating
"Social Darwinism"
"judicial activism"
"judicial restraint"
"incorporation"
"nullification"
What is the primary role of the Supreme Court of the United States?
To interpret the Constitution and federal laws
To create new laws
To enforce laws
To manage state courts
Which landmark case established the principle of judicial review in the United States?
Brown v. Board of Education
Roe v. Wade
Marbury v. Madison
Plessy v. Ferguson
How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court of the United States?
Seven
Nine
Eleven
Thirteen
