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WorksheetsGovernment Unit 2 Assessment Review
Total questions: 48
Worksheet time: 24mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which Supreme Court case established that state legislative districts must have equal populations?
a)
a. Reynolds v. Simmons
b)
b. Reynolds v. Sims
c)
c. Sims v. Reynolds
d)
d. State v. Reynolds
2.
What unique characteristic distinguishes Nebraska's state legislature from all other states?
a)
a. It has the largest number of representatives
b)
b. It has a bicameral system
c)
c. It has a unicameral legislature
d)
d. It has the smallest senate
3.
In state legislatures, who typically presides over the state Senate?
a)
a. The Speaker
b)
b. The Senate Majority Leader
c)
c. The Lieutenant Governor
d)
d. The State Governor
4.
Which statement best describes state legislative campaign financing?
a)
a. All candidates spend roughly the same amount
b)
b. Campaign spending is strictly regulated across all districts
c)
c. Spending varies greatly depending on district importance and voter affiliations
d)
d. Only national parties can fund state legislative campaigns
5.
What is typically required to be a state Senator?
a)
a. Must be at least 21 years old and a district resident
b)
b. Must be at least 25 years old and a district resident
c)
c. Must be at least 30 years old and a state resident
d)
d. Must be at least 35 years old and a U.S. citizen
6.
Which of the following best describes expressed powers of Congress?
a)
a. Powers granted through reasonable deduction from other powers
b)
b. Powers granted explicitly in the Constitution
c)
c. Powers inherent to any national government
d)
d. Powers shared with state governments
7.
What is deficit financing?
a)
a. The total amount of money borrowed by the government
b)
b. A tax levied on imported goods
c)
c. Spending more money than received and borrowing to cover the difference
d)
d. The process of balancing the federal budget
8.
According to the Constitution, which limitation is placed on Congress's power to tax?
a)
a. Congress may tax both imports and exports
b)
b. Congress may tax for private benefits
c)
c. Direct taxes must be apportioned among counties
d)
d. Congress cannot tax exports
9.
What is the primary purpose of Congress's commerce power?
a)
a. To regulate interstate and foreign trade
b)
b. To print paper currency
c)
c. To establish post offices
d)
d. To declare bankruptcy
10.
Which of the following describes legal tender?
a)
a. A government contract for services
b)
b. Money that must be accepted by law for payment of debts
c)
c. Gold and silver coins only
d)
d. Foreign currency accepted in the U.S.
11.
What fraction of the Senate must vote to approve a constitutional amendment?
a)
a. Simple majority
b)
b. Three-fourths
c)
c. Two-thirds
d)
d. Unanimous consent
12.
In the case of no electoral college majority for Vice President, who decides the election?
a)
a. The House of Representatives
b)
b. The Supreme Court
c)
c. The Senate
d)
d. The state governors
13.
What is required for Congress to convict in an impeachment trial?
a)
a. Simple majority in both houses
b)
b. Three-fourths majority in the Senate
c)
c. Two-thirds vote of senators present
d)
d. Unanimous vote in the Senate
14.
Which is NOT a reason Congress conducts investigations?
a)
a. To gather information for legislation
b)
b. To oversee executive branch operations
c)
c. To determine Supreme Court decisions
d)
d. To expose questionable activities of officials
15.
What is "senatorial courtesy"?
a)
a. A formal rule in the Constitution
b)
b. The practice of rejecting appointments opposed by the President's party senator from that state
c)
c. The process of impeachment
d)
d. The procedure for passing bills
16.
How many Cabinet appointments have been declined throughout U.S. history?
a)
a. 25
b)
b. 50
c)
c. 12
d)
d. 100
17.
What fraction of senators must approve treaties?
a)
a. Simple majority
b)
b. Three-fourths
c)
c. One-third
d)
d. Two-thirds
18.
Which statement about Congress's oversight power is accurate?
a)
a. It is always consistently applied
b)
b. It only applies during wartime
c)
c. It is often used inconsistently
d)
d. It requires Supreme Court approval
19.
What is naturalization?
a)
a. The process of becoming a registered voter
b)
b. The process of foreign citizens becoming U.S. citizens
c)
c. The process of creating national parks
d)
d. The process of passing federal laws
20.
Which body has the sole power to impeach?
a)
a. The Senate
b)
b. The Supreme Court
c)
c. The House of Representatives
d)
d. The Cabinet
21.
What is a copyright?
a)
a. A government grant for land use
b)
b. The exclusive right to reproduce and sell creative work
c)
c. A type of federal tax
d)
d. A form of bankruptcy protection
22.
During emergencies, Congress has historically:
a)
a. Too much staff
b)
b. Too much voter interest
c)
c. Insufficient staff
d)
d. Excessive funding
23.
What is a key challenge in congressional oversight?
a)
a. Too much staff
b)
b. Too much voter interest
c)
c. Insufficient staff
d)
d. Excessive funding
24.
Which describes the line-item veto at the federal level?
a)
a. It is regularly used by the President
b)
b. It was recently approved by Congress
c)
c. It is only used for defense spending
d)
d. It is not available to the federal government
25.
How does partisan politics affect Congress-President relations?
a)
a. It has no effect on their relationship
b)
b. It only affects foreign policy
c)
c. It creates tension, especially when different parties control each branch
d)
d. It always leads to government shutdown
26.
What was the practical reason behind establishing a bicameral legislature in Congress?
a)
a. To mirror the British Parliament's structure
b)
b. To compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey plans of representation
c)
c. To create a check and balance system between houses
d)
d. To ensure faster passage of legislation
27.
Under the Constitution, what are the qualifications for becoming a U.S. Senator?
a)
a. Must be 25 years old, 7 years a citizen, and state resident
b)
b. Must be 35 years old, 9 years a citizen, and state resident
c)
c. Must be 30 years old, 9 years a citizen, and state resident
d)
d. Must be 30 years old, 7 years a citizen, and state resident
28.
What significant change did the Seventeenth Amendment bring to the Senate?
a)
a. It established six-year terms for senators
b)
b. It created the position of Senate Majority Leader
c)
c. It introduced popular election of senators
d)
d. It set the total number of senators at 100
29.
According to the Reapportionment Act of 1929, what is the "permanent" size of the House of Representatives?
a)
a. 535 members
b)
b. 100 members
c)
c. 450 members
d)
d. 435 members
30.
What is the primary function of the House Rules Committee?
a)
a. To investigate current matters
b)
b. To determine conditions for full House consideration of measures
c)
c. To resolve differences between House and Senate bills
d)
d. To organize party members
31.
Which statement accurately describes gerrymandering?
a)
a. The process of allocating House seats after each census
b)
b. Drawing district boundaries to benefit the controlling political party
c)
c. The system of electing representatives at-large
d)
d. The method of determining congressional sessions
32.
What makes the Senate a "continuous body"?
a)
a. It meets throughout the entire year
b)
b. All senators serve lifetime appointments
c)
c. Not all seats are up for election at the same time
d)
d. It can call special sessions independently
33.
What is the role of party whips in Congress?
a)
a. They preside over their respective chambers
b)
b. They serve as liaison between leadership and rank-and-file members
c)
c. They name members to conference committees
d)
d. They schedule all floor votes
34.
According to the seniority rule, how are committee chairs typically selected?
a)
a. By presidential appointment
b)
b. Through general election
c)
c. By the longest-serving majority party member on the committee
d)
d. By random selection among majority party members
35.
What is the primary purpose of a conference committee?
a)
a. To conduct public hearings
b)
b. To resolve differences between House and Senate versions of bills
c)
c. To investigate specific matters
d)
d. To oversee permanent standing committees
36.
What is a discharge petition used for in the House of Representatives?
a)
a. To force a bill out of committee when a majority of the House wants to consider it
b)
b. To schedule debates on the House floor
c)
c. To override a presidential veto
d)
d. To initiate a filibuster
37.
Which of the following is NOT one of the five calendars used before a bill goes to the House floor?
a)
a. The Calendar of the Committee of the Whole House
b)
b. The House Calendar
c)
c. The Emergency Calendar
d)
d. The Discharge Calendar
38.
What constitutes a successful cloture vote in the Senate?
a)
a. A simple majority of 51 senators
b)
b. At least 60 senators voting in favor
c)
c. A two-thirds majority of senators present
d)
d. 75% of all senators
39.
When a President receives a bill, which of these is NOT one of their constitutional options?
a)
a. Sign the bill into law
b)
b. Return the bill to only the Senate for revision
c)
c. Veto the bill
d)
d. Take no action for 10 days while Congress is in session
40.
How do tax bills differ in the House versus the Senate?
a)
a. Only the Senate can initiate tax bills
b)
b. The House uses an open rule for tax bills
c)
c. The Senate allows amendments while the House uses a closed rule
d)
d. Neither chamber allows amendments to tax bills
41.
What percentage of GDP does the United States collect in taxes compared to other countries mentioned?
a)
a. 44%
b)
b. 50%
c)
c. 34%
d)
d. 30%
42.
What is the primary function of caseworkers in Congress?
a)
a. To write new legislation
b)
b. To handle constituent problems
c)
c. To manage campaign finances
d)
d. To oversee committee hearings
43.
How can a presidential veto be overridden?
a)
a. By a simple majority vote in both houses
b)
b. By a three-fourths vote in both houses
c)
c. By a two-thirds vote of members present in each house
d)
d. By a unanimous vote in the Senate only
44.
What happens during a pocket veto?
a)
a. The bill automatically becomes law after 10 days
b)
b. The bill dies if Congress adjourns within 10 days and the President doesn't sign
c)
c. The bill returns to committee for revision
d)
d. The Supreme Court must review the bill
45.
What is logrolling in the context of Congress?
a)
a. A method of counting votes
b)
b. A type of filibuster
c)
c. Trading votes to support each other's bills
d)
d. A way to override committee decisions
46.
Which committee in Congress is responsible for reconciling differences in legislation passed by the House and Senate?
a)
a. Standing Committee
b)
b. Conference Committee
c)
c. Select Committee
d)
d. Rules Committee
47.
What is the main purpose of a filibuster in the Senate?
a)
d. To override a presidential veto
b)
c. To appoint committee chairs
c)
b. To delay or block legislative action
d)
a. To speed up the passage of a bill
48.
Who has the authority to break a tie vote in the United States Senate?
a)
a. The Speaker of the House
b)
b. The Senate Majority Leader
c)
c. The Vice President
d)
d. The Chief Justice
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