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WorksheetsAP gov midterm
Total questions: 158
Worksheet time: 1hrs 19mins
Which of the following statements regarding political parties is true based on the graphic?
The Democratic Party has consistently favored states’ rights.
The Republican Party initially emerged as an antislavery political party.
Regional interests have not played a major role in any of the party systems.
The Democratic and Republican Parties were the two major parties during the First Party System.
The graphic illustrates which of the following statements about political parties?
Federalism leads to a multiparty system in which at least three parties generally compete for control of local, state, and national governments.
The founders refused to join political parties because they agreed that parties were contrary to the public interests, so parties did not form until well after the ratification of the Constitution.
There is an ongoing debate between political parties over the power and scope of the federal government, even as economic and demographic changes have altered party coalitions.
The Constitution settled the debate over the power of the federal government, but political parties formed nonetheless to help Congress organize itself over regional interests.
Which of the following is a limitation of the data when drawing a conclusion about the most important problem facing the country in 2017 ?
The results are incomplete, as only 3% of respondents were taken into account when the list was compiled.
The data were collected in a short time frame, which does not reveal full-year trends.
The data were compiled from an exit poll; therefore, the data reflect only the views of registered voters.
Respondents were presented with a list of problems from which they could choose more than one.
Which of the following represents the most likely way the information in the table will be used?
The media will use the data to present horse race coverage of elections.
Political action committees (PACs) will use the data to determine which candidates for elected office they will support.
Congress will use the data to suggest that there is support for their legislative proposals.
Social movements will use this data in their legal briefings before the federal courts.
Using both of the maps, which of the following best explains the role that ideology has played in the shaping of corporate tax rates?
The maps indicate that there is no correlation between corporate tax rates and a state’s ideology.
The maps indicate that states that have high corporate tax rates are more likely to enact liberal policies.
The maps indicate that states with high corporate tax rates are more likely to hold libertarian positions.
The maps indicate that states with high corporate tax rates do not have an ideological preference.
There is an ongoing debate over the role of money in elections. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002 banned soft money and restricted advertisements in the weeks before an election. Parts of this act were challenged and struck down in the Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010). Which of the following was a consequence of that ruling?
The Federal Election Commission cannot place any restrictions on political advertisements because they are protected by the freedom of speech.
PACs may spend unlimited funds on advertisements that are not coordinated with the campaign because they are protected by the freedom of speech.
Advertisements produced in coordination between campaigns and PACs cannot be restricted because they are protected by the freedom of speech.
The Federal Election Commission can place restrictions on all advertisements because they are not protected by the freedom of speech.
A chief executive officer (CEO) of a corporation believes that the Republican candidate for president will enact policies that are more beneficial to her business. The CEO donated the maximum amount allowed by law directly to the candidate’s campaign fund. To increase the candidate's chances for election, the CEO also directed her corporation to donate funds to an independent political action committee to create ads criticizing the opposing candidate. According to the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), which provision of the Constitution protects her actions?
Reserved powers in the Tenth Amendment
Due process clause in the Fifth Amendment
Freedom of association in the First Amendment
Freedom of speech in the First Amendment
The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to [operate their business] would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume authority which could safely be trusted, not to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who [was so arrogant to think] himself fit to exercise it.
To . . . direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals . . . in almost all cases [is] a useless or hurtful regulation. If the produce of domestic [industry] can be brought there as cheap as that of foreign industry, the regulation is evidently useless. If it cannot, it must generally be hurtful.
Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations, 1776
Which of the following positions on the government’s role in the marketplace is most influenced by the idea expressed in the passage?
Economic equality should be the goal of public policy.
Government should use its fiscal powers to address economic cycles.
Government intervention in the free market should be avoided.
A central banking system or federal reserve is necessary to control the money supply.
Critics of the winner-take-all aspect of the electoral college are most likely to make which of the following arguments?
The winner-take-all system of the electoral college undermines the rights of states.
A state's presidential election results rarely mirror a state's congressional election results.
The winner-take-all system of the electoral college drives presidential candidates to focus on winning states that are considered to be part of their core supporters.
The winner-take-all system of the electoral college encourages presidential candidates to focus their time and effort disproportionately on battleground states with larger populations.
Which of the following best describes the difference between an open and closed primary?
Voters must pay a poll tax to vote in a closed primary, but not in an open primary.
Voters are allowed to split their ticket in a closed primary but not in an open primary.
Only voters who register as members of a political party may vote in that party’s closed primary, while independents and others may be eligible to vote in open primaries.
Open primaries require a run-off system, while closed primaries do not.
Which of the following scenarios is most closely related to the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) ?
A member of Congress establishes a political action committee to gain influence within the chamber.
A labor union spends millions of dollars to independently run negative advertisements about a presidential candidate shortly before the election.
A state senator receives a large cash donation from a corporate executive in exchange for specific political favors.
A lobbyist writes the language of a bill that is later introduced into both chambers of Congress.
Using both maps, which of the following best explains how states without capital punishment voted in the 2016 presidential election?
States without capital punishment were more likely to vote for the Republican in the 2016 election.
Support for or opposition to capital punishment had no correlation to how a state voted in 2016
States without capital punishment were more likely to cast their ballots for the Democrat in the 2016 election
States without capital punishment were just as likely to vote for Hillary Clinton as they were to vote for Republican
Which of the following amendments is most closely related to the information on the maps?
First Amendment
Eighth Amendment
Fifth Amendment
Fourth Amendment
Using both maps, which of the following explains how states with capital punishment voted in the 2016 election?
The maps show that states with capital punishment were more likely to vote for the Republican in the 2016 election.
The maps show that support for or opposition to capital punishment had no correlation to how a state voted in the 2016 election.
The maps show that states with capital punishment were more likely to cast their ballots for the Democrat in the 2016 election.
The maps show that states with capital punishment were just as likely to vote for the Democrat as they were to vote for the Republican.
“If we resort to violence then one of two things will happen: either the violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths on both sides, or there will be total demoralization of the workers.
“Nonviolence has exactly the opposite effect. If, for every violent act committed against us, we respond with nonviolence, we attract people’s support. We can gather the support of millions who have a conscience and would rather see a nonviolent resolution to problems. We are convinced that when people are faced with a direct appeal from the poor struggling nonviolently against great odds, they will react positively. The American people and people everywhere still yearn for justice. It is to that yearning that we appeal.
“. . . When victory comes through violence, it is a victory with strings attached. If we beat the growers at the expense of violence, victory would come at the expense of injury and perhaps death. Such a thing would have a tremendous impact on us. We would lose regard for human beings. Then the struggle would become a mechanical thing. When you lose your sense of life and justice, you lose your strength.”
César Chávez, “He Showed Us the Way,” 1978
Which of the following best describes César Chávez’ view on the use of violence versus nonviolence?
The use of violence should be the primary tactic as it will address the feelings of frustration and anger throughout the movement
The use of violence will motivate the American people as people everywhere still yearn for justice
The use of nonviolent actions, such as demonstrations and marches, does not bring honor to the cause and will negatively impact the movement
The use of nonviolent actions allows more people to be involved in the movement and effect change
Two interest groups are competing for influence in Congress. One group represents banking institutions, while the other advocates for consumer protections.
A critic of the influence of interest groups would make which of the following claims?
The interest groups will nominate a slate of candidates for office to compete against each other in the next election in order to determine which interests prevail
The consumer protection group will appeal only to Republican leaders, while the banking interests will appeal only to Democratic leaders
The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group
The consumer protection group is prohibited by federal regulations from direct lobbying.
Which of the following makes a correct comparison between political parties and interest groups in the United States?
Political parties recruit and run candidates in elections.
Interest groups seek to influence public policy.
Political parties have small constituencies and thus try to win elections by energizing their base to vote for them.
Interest groups alert and educate voters regarding pending legislation.
Political parties have organizations that donate money to candidates for public office.
Interest groups are barred by law from donating money to political campaigns.
Political parties achieve the bulk of the changes they seek through the use of the courts.
Interest groups build relationships with congressional committees and the bureaucracy to form iron triangles.
If a researcher were interested in understanding how much the NRA spent in each state, what visual could be created to accurately display this information in the bar graph?
A table that gives details about the home states of candidates receiving money from the NRA in 1994
An infographic that explains how the NRA has helped candidates win elections in the South
A pie chart that shows the amount of money the NRA spent in each state since 1992
A map showing the dollar amounts spent by the NRA in each state since 1992
For which of the following tasks would using the bar graph as currently designed be the LEAST helpful?
Comparing whether the National Rifle Association (NRA) prefers Democrats or Republicans
Tracking the campaign spending of the NRA over time
Calculating the election cycle spending based on the intervals shown on the vertical axis
Determining which years the NRA spent the most money on elections
A member of Congress who advocates for a more Keynesian approach to solving a recession will likely support which of the following policies?
Lowering taxes on the wealthy to increase business investment
Doing nothing and letting the recession work itself out
Increasing federal spending programs to improve transportation systems
Increasing interest rates to stimulate the economy
Which of the following public policies would Democrats be most likely to support?
Removing regulations in the marketplace
Securing a national public health care system
Reducing national government oversight of education policies in each state
Decreasing mandatory spending for entitlement programs like Medicare
Which of the following is the best explanation for the trend in voting behavior after the 2000 election?
Many states lowered their voting age after 2000, which led to an increase in Democratic Party voters
Most younger voters who were Democrats in the 1980s became more conservative as they grew older and ended up supporting Republicans after 2000
The events that shaped the generation turning 18 after the year 2000 tended to create more liberal-minded voters who supported Democrats
Most younger voters after 2000 adopted political positions that were opposed to their parents’ point of view
Which of the following statements is true based on the data in the line graph?
In 1988 and 1992, voters 18–29 years old favored the Democratic candidate more than voters 65 and older did
In the 2000 election, the gap between voters 65 and older and 18–29 years old was 2%, with voters older than 65 preferring the Democratic candidate
In 1972 and 1984, voters 65 and older favored the Democratic candidate more than voters 18–29 years old did
In the 2012 election, the gap between voters 65 and older and 18–29 years old was 8%, with 18–29-year-old voters preferring the Democratic candidate.
Which best describes a likely reason for the information depicted in the graph?
An increase in concerns over media bias
An increase in the median age of the population
A decrease in the number of media outlets
A decrease in ideological news coverage
Which of the following statements about Americans’ trust in the mass media is best supported by the data in the graph?
It generally increased over time.
It experienced its largest increase in 2013
It generally decreased over time
It experienced its largest decrease in 2016
Agree-Disagree v. Forced Choice Questions
Agree-Disagree
The best way to ensure peace is through military strength. (55% agree, 42% disagree)
Forced Choice
The best way to ensure peace is through military strength (33%)
OR
Diplomacy is the best way to ensure peace (55%)
Source: Pew Research Center, 1999.
Which of the following is the best conclusion a polling group might draw from the results of the two polls?
Including loaded phrases such as “military strength” in questions skews the results of the poll.
Asking the same question twice biases respondents, encouraging them to change their position.
Using an agree-or-disagree format encourages respondents to agree with the position.
A majority of Americans support using military force to ensure peace.
Agree-Disagree v. Forced Choice Questions
Agree-Disagree
The best way to ensure peace is through military strength. (55% agree, 42% disagree)
Forced Choice
The best way to ensure peace is through military strength (33%)
OR
Diplomacy is the best way to ensure peace (55%)
Source: Pew Research Center, 1999.
Based on the information provided, which of the following most likely explains the difference in result of the two polls?
Margin of error
Sampling method
Type of poll
Framing of question
Agree-Disagree v. Forced Choice Questions
Agree-Disagree
The best way to ensure peace is through military strength. (55% agree, 42% disagree)
Forced Choice
The best way to ensure peace is through military strength (33%)
OR
Diplomacy is the best way to ensure peace (55%)
Source: Pew Research Center, 1999.
Based on the outcome of the polls, which of the following is likely true about questions that use the agree-disagree format?
Questions that use the agree-disagree format increase the percentage of respondents who agree with the primary statement
Questions that use the agree-disagree format create confusion about what is being asked
Questions that use the agree-disagree format reduce support for the public policy that is being surveyed
Questions that use the agree-disagree promote considerations of other perspectives
Based on the line graph, which of the following statements about church attendance in 1972 is true?
In 1972, about 30% of people surveyed reported attending church monthly or less
In 1972, more people surveyed reported attending church weekly than reported attending rarely or never
In 1972, most people surveyed reported attending church yearly
In 1972, more people surveyed reported attending church yearly than reported attending weekly
One of the principal effects of 9/11 was instilling in Americans a fear that their personal security was at greater risk than ever before. Many aspects of the post-9/11 world are indeed new, but the fear it evokes echoes that felt by prior generations. At times the country has met those fears while still holding fast to its core democratic principles. Other times, fear has overruled American principles, especially the protection of individual freedoms. The most important legacy of the American experience following 9/11 will not be the novelty of fear, but rather how well the country copes with that fear while adhering to its constitutional framework.
Given how searing the 9/11 experience was, it is sometimes hard to remember that prior generations of Americans didn’t always sleep soundly either. Pearl Harbor is an often-cited example, but it joins many other moments of intense fear in U.S. history. During the 40-plus years of the Cold War, American school children practiced “duck and cover” drills the way today’s kids might practice school lock-downs. As a teenage in the 1980s, I joined Sting in hoping we could avert a nuclear holocaust if “the Russians love their children, too.”
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, other threats in the United States soon appeared: the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Park bombing, to name just a few. During the 1990s, some in the military liked to refer to the United States as a “homeland sanctuary;” after 9/11, many talk about the end of that sanctuary.
True, the country has experienced fewer external threats to its population than have most other nations. But it’s a misconception to think that the American sense of external threat is new.
Kathleen Hicks, “What Will Americans Do About Their Fear of Terrorism?” The Atlantic Monthly, 2016.
The experience of those who lived through 9/11 needs to create which of the following outcomes, according to the author of the passage?
Citizens should not let their fear of another terror attack override the country’s ability to adhere to the civil liberties protections outlined in the Constitution
Citizens need to acknowledge that the 9/11 attack was a unique event and work to develop a new strategy to combat future terror attacks
Citizens have to be willing to sacrifice some civil liberties in order to protect the country from future terroristic attacks
Citizens can rely on the government to develop plans to protect them in the event of a future attack on the United States
Which of the following explains how The Federalist 10 relates to the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) ?
Both regarded factions as destructive to liberty
In both, a limited approach to government regulation was argued for
In The Federalist 10, the author opted for stricter regulation of factions, whereas in Citizens United, petitioners argued that regulation was a violation of liberties
The Federalist 10 supports free speech, whereas the Citizens United decision opposes free speech.
“Any candidate using Facebook can put a campaign message promising one thing in front of one group of voters while simultaneously running an ad with a completely opposite message in front of a different group of voters. The ads themselves are not posted anywhere for the general public to see (this is what’s known as ‘dark advertising’), and chances are, no one will ever be the wiser.
That undermines the very idea of a ‘marketplace of ideas,’ says Ann Ravel, a former member of the Federal Election Commission who has long advocated stricter regulations on digital campaigning. ‘The way to have a robust democracy is for people to hear all these ideas and make decisions and discuss,” Ravel said. ‘With microtargeting, that is not happening.’”
Julia Carrie Wong, "'It Might Work Too Well:' the Dark Art of Political Advertising Online," The Guardian, March 19, 2018.
Which of the following scenarios reflects the most direct effect of the practice described in the passage on the electoral process?
State legislatures will redraw the boundaries of electoral districts to group like-minded voters together
Political parties will rely increasingly on social media advertising to reach different coalitions of voters
Political campaigns will operate with greater transparency regarding the sources of their financing and advertising
Political parties will play a greater role in recruiting qualified candidates capable of effectively communicating their party’s policy agenda to potential voters
“Any candidate using Facebook can put a campaign message promising one thing in front of one group of voters while simultaneously running an ad with a completely opposite message in front of a different group of voters. The ads themselves are not posted anywhere for the general public to see (this is what’s known as ‘dark advertising’), and chances are, no one will ever be the wiser.
That undermines the very idea of a ‘marketplace of ideas,’ says Ann Ravel, a former member of the Federal Election Commission who has long advocated stricter regulations on digital campaigning. ‘The way to have a robust democracy is for people to hear all these ideas and make decisions and discuss,” Ravel said. ‘With microtargeting, that is not happening.’”
Julia Carrie Wong, "'It Might Work Too Well:' the Dark Art of Political Advertising Online," The Guardian, March 19, 2018.
Which of the following political processes or behaviors is most directly affected by the development described in the passage?
Partisan voting in Congress
Voter mobilization
Campaign finance reform
Regional party realignments
“Any candidate using Facebook can put a campaign message promising one thing in front of one group of voters while simultaneously running an ad with a completely opposite message in front of a different group of voters. The ads themselves are not posted anywhere for the general public to see (this is what’s known as ‘dark advertising’), and chances are, no one will ever be the wiser.
That undermines the very idea of a ‘marketplace of ideas,’ says Ann Ravel, a former member of the Federal Election Commission who has long advocated stricter regulations on digital campaigning. ‘The way to have a robust democracy is for people to hear all these ideas and make decisions and discuss,” Ravel said. ‘With microtargeting, that is not happening.’”
Julia Carrie Wong, "'It Might Work Too Well:' the Dark Art of Political Advertising Online," The Guardian, March 19, 2018.
The practice of “microtargeting” described in the passage is an even more powerful campaign tool for parties if they are able to
command greater loyalty to their party platform
attract a large audience for their national party conventions
develop a unified message that appeals to a majority of voters
collect and manage large databases of information on specific groups of voters
Which of the following is an accurate comparison between the relative functions and electoral success of the two major political parties (Democratic and Republican) and third parties?
An important electoral function of the major parties is to sponsor primaries and caucuses during the nomination process.
Third parties frequently displace one of the major parties in presidential elections and become a major party themselves.
The rules of the electoral college favor the major-party candidates in presidential elections.
Winner-take-all voting districts hinder the electoral success of third-party candidates.
Major parties sometimes incorporate the issues promoted by third parties into the major-party platforms.
Third parties usually receive public funding to finance their campaigns during presidential elections.
Presidential nominees of the major parties often choose a third-party member as a running mate to balance the ticket.
Third-party candidates seldom experience electoral success, in part because voters do not believe they have a chance to win.
In 2014, a poll reported that 51 percent of Americans support legislation to reduce carbon emissions, while 47 percent oppose it. The reported margin of sampling error was +/- 4 percent.
Which of the following inferences can be made from the poll?
More people support legislation to reduce carbon emissions than oppose it
More states are passing laws to reduce carbon emissions
A majority of people under 35 years of age support legislation to reduce carbon emissions
It is unclear whether more people support legislation to reduce carbon emissions than oppose it
Which of the following statements is consistent with data shown in the bar graph?
Men are more likely than women to believe that there should be an increase in government spending to provide social services for the elderly
Conservatives are more likely than liberals to believe that spending on public transportation should be increased to connect citizens to employment opportunities
Republicans are more likely than Democrats to believe that there should be fewer regulations on businesses to promote economic growth and increase wages
Those with higher incomes are more likely than those with lower incomes to believe that education spending should be a federal responsibility to guarantee that each citizen has an equal chance at success
Which of the following statements is supported by data in the graph?
The higher the income, the more likely that the person will support smaller government
Liberals are less likely than conservatives to support bigger government
A decrease in income is likely to increase the possibility that a person will obtain a college degree
Women are more likely than men to be in favor of smaller government and fewer government services
Which of the following statements represents a trend supported by the data in the bar graph?
Both party caucuses in the House consisted of more moderate members in 2012 than in 2002
The Republican caucus consisted of more ideologically conservative members in 1982 than in 2012
The number of House members between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat decreased between 1982 and 2012.
The party caucuses in the Senate are more ideologically diverse than those in the House of Representatives
Too often, we take our form of government for granted, not fully appreciating its unique and exceptional qualities. The framers of our Constitution, having revolted against tyranny, bequeathed to the nation, and to us as its citizens, a form of government with checks and balances intended to assure that we would never, as a nation, be subject to the abuses we experienced as a colony under a monarchy. . . .
We should appreciate that the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution was modeled on the constitutions and declarations of the states, where the separation of powers was equally observed. Mirroring our U.S. Constitution, 40 state constitutions now specify that government is to be divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The separation of powers at the state level, with an independent executive, legislature, and judiciary, is also one of the fundamental tenets of our democracy.
What often gets lost in translation is how dynamic the competition among the branches of government has been, and how much stronger we are as a country because of that ongoing debate. It has been said that the Constitution is not just a historic document, but a living participant in who we are as a nation. Out of the continuing effort to assure the separation of powers, we have built a system of government that functions remarkably well. Although the powers ascribed to each of the three branches may sometimes appear to swing like a pendulum, we have continuously reconsidered and recentered our understanding of the authority and limitation of each of these branches.
Linda Leali, “Reflecting on the Great Gift of the Separation of Powers,” Daily Business Review, 2018
Which of the following is a consequence of the dynamic competition among branches of government described in the passage?
Many states have the decision-making powers of the legislative and executive branches fused together
The executive branch tends to increase at the expense of other branches
Effective policy change among governmental levels and branches occurs with little long-term abuse of authority
Many states do not have significant policy-making power since the federal government is effective in making policy for them
Too often, we take our form of government for granted, not fully appreciating its unique and exceptional qualities. The framers of our Constitution, having revolted against tyranny, bequeathed to the nation, and to us as its citizens, a form of government with checks and balances intended to assure that we would never, as a nation, be subject to the abuses we experienced as a colony under a monarchy. . . .
We should appreciate that the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution was modeled on the constitutions and declarations of the states, where the separation of powers was equally observed. Mirroring our U.S. Constitution, 40 state constitutions now specify that government is to be divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The separation of powers at the state level, with an independent executive, legislature, and judiciary, is also one of the fundamental tenets of our democracy.
What often gets lost in translation is how dynamic the competition among the branches of government has been, and how much stronger we are as a country because of that ongoing debate. It has been said that the Constitution is not just a historic document, but a living participant in who we are as a nation. Out of the continuing effort to assure the separation of powers, we have built a system of government that functions remarkably well. Although the powers ascribed to each of the three branches may sometimes appear to swing like a pendulum, we have continuously reconsidered and recentered our understanding of the authority and limitation of each of these branches.
Linda Leali, “Reflecting on the Great Gift of the Separation of Powers,” Daily Business Review, 2018
The author explains that the powers given to each branch “sometimes appear to swing like a pendulum” from one branch to another. Which of the following best describes how these shifts ensure that constitutional government is functional?
Separation of powers divides responsibilities and authority between branches, which allows each branch to be checked by the other two branches to ensure accountability
The coequal branches have power evenly distributed between them and are not permitted to check another branch of government
The greatest power resides within the legislative branch of government, but the legislature can give this power to the executive branch
Each branch of government is elected by the people, which ensures that they all reflect the preferences of the population
Too often, we take our form of government for granted, not fully appreciating its unique and exceptional qualities. The framers of our Constitution, having revolted against tyranny, bequeathed to the nation, and to us as its citizens, a form of government with checks and balances intended to assure that we would never, as a nation, be subject to the abuses we experienced as a colony under a monarchy. . . .
We should appreciate that the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution was modeled on the constitutions and declarations of the states, where the separation of powers was equally observed. Mirroring our U.S. Constitution, 40 state constitutions now specify that government is to be divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The separation of powers at the state level, with an independent executive, legislature, and judiciary, is also one of the fundamental tenets of our democracy.
What often gets lost in translation is how dynamic the competition among the branches of government has been, and how much stronger we are as a country because of that ongoing debate. It has been said that the Constitution is not just a historic document, but a living participant in who we are as a nation. Out of the continuing effort to assure the separation of powers, we have built a system of government that functions remarkably well. Although the powers ascribed to each of the three branches may sometimes appear to swing like a pendulum, we have continuously reconsidered and recentered our understanding of the authority and limitation of each of these branches.
Linda Leali, “Reflecting on the Great Gift of the Separation of Powers,” Daily Business Review, 2018
Which of the following best explains how the view of the author of the passage compares with The Federalist 51 regarding separation of powers and checks and balances?
The author of the passage views the structure of government as providing a balance between the branches of government, whereas The Federalist 51 supports the idea of a powerful executive branch
The author of the passage views separation of powers as a limitation on the authority of government, whereas The Federalist 51 argues in favor of using separation of powers as a means to expand the role of government
Both the author of the passage and The Federalist 51 argue that elections are a sufficient means to ensure good government
Both the author of the passage and The Federalist 51 assert that the structure of government helps control ambitions among the branches in such a way as to promote effective government
Which of the following is true based on information on the map?
The number of people living in poverty is lower in Maine (ME) than in New Jersey (NJ).
Northern states tend to have higher poverty rates than Southern states
The poverty rate in the United States has increased since the last census was taken
The poverty rate in the United States varies by state and region
Which of the following characteristics best explains the data on the map?
The exclusive powers granted to the states in the Constitution allow them to determine health-care policy
Federalism creates differences between states on the implementation of health-care policy
The Tenth Amendment instructs Congress to make laws but guarantees the rights of states to implement federal policies, such as health-care policy
The incorporation of the Fourteenth Amendment has allowed the federal government to guarantee health care to all citizens, but some citizens may opt out
Which of the following statements is supported by the data on the map?
Michigan (MI) has a higher rate of uninsured people than Mississippi (MS)
Alaska (AK) has a lower rate of uninsured people than Hawaii (HI).
Wyoming (WY) has a lower rate of uninsured people than Idaho (ID)
Texas (TX) has a higher rate of uninsured people than New Jersey (NJ)
Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ?
The federal government exceeded its authority in establishing a national bank, and Maryland’s tax was unconstitutional
Maryland was within its authority to tax the federal government, but the Bank of the United States exceeded federal authority.
The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, but it had to pay Maryland’s tax
The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, and Maryland’s tax was unconstitutional.
Which of the following constitutional principles best explains why there is variation among states on the use of capital punishment?
Separation of powers
Judicial review
Checks and balances
Federalism
Which of the following is a correct comparison between the United States Constitution and the Articles of Confederation?
United States Constitution: Favored stronger national government
Articles of Confederation: Favored a federal system
United States Constitution: Granted Congress the power to levy taxes
Articles of Confederation: Granted states alone the power to levy taxes
United States Constitution: Required approval by three-fourths of Congress for a constitutional amendment
Articles of Confederation: Required unanimity of Congress to amend
United States Constitution: Granted Congress the power to declare war
Articles of Confederation: Granted the Congress power to regulate trade
Which of the following features of the United States Constitution would most concern the author of Brutus 1?
The Bill of Rights, which protects individual liberties and states’ rights
The reservation of any power not given to the federal government to the states
The two-year term for members of the House of Representatives
The supremacy clause, which gives the federal government supremacy over states
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the checks held by the legislative and judicial branches?
Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Impeaching and removing federal judges
Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Declaring an entire law unconstitutional
Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Confirming federal judges
Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Reviewing laws prior to enactment
Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Appointing federal judges
Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Striking down a portion of a law
Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Establishing the number of Supreme Court justices
Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Removing the Speaker of the House
Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon?
State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government’s mandates
State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states
State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent
The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities
Which of the following policies would the states most likely prefer according to the political cartoon?
Federal mandates
Regulatory preemption
Block grants
Categorical grants
“[A] pure democracy… can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction. . . . [S]uch democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths. . . .
The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended.
. . . [I]t may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. On the other hand, the effect may be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people.”
James Madison, The Federalist 10
Which of the following statements best reflects James Madison’s beliefs about political representation as expressed in the passage?
People would be best served by having a strong leader to make the decisions
People will not truly have a voice in government until they can vote on laws directly
People are best represented by a few politicians chosen to voice their issues
People should elect political representatives who are wealthy enough to avoid corruption
“[A] pure democracy… can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction. . . . [S]uch democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths. . . .
The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended.
. . . [I]t may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. On the other hand, the effect may be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people.”
James Madison, The Federalist 10
Which of the following best describes Madison’s primary concern about representative government?
Those who seek to represent the people may be tempted to act in their own interests instead
A truly representative government will quickly become too large to function effectively
Local government is ineffective because there are not enough competitive factions
Long term lengths may lead to political representatives who are disengaged from their constituents
“[A] pure democracy… can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction. . . . [S]uch democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths. . . .
The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended.
. . . [I]t may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. On the other hand, the effect may be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people.”
James Madison, The Federalist 10
Which of the following sections of the United States Constitution most concerns Madison according to the passage?
Article I, Section 10—“No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws. . . .”
Article II, Section 1—“No Person except a natural born Citizen . . . shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.”
Article III, Section 1—“The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.”
Article I, Section 2—“The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.”
Which of the following is an example of checks and balances?
An unpopular Supreme Court ruling can be overturned by a majority vote of both houses of Congress
A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
A filibuster in the Senate can be ended with a cloture motion that has the support of 60 senators
A treaty negotiated by the president with a foreign government must be approved by a majority vote of the House
Which of the following is an example of how separation of powers creates friction between the executive and legislative branches in the policy-making process?
The electoral college vote ends with no candidate receiving a majority of the votes, and the House of Representatives is delegated the task of selecting the next president
The Senate votes to impeach a sitting president for high crimes and misdemeanors
The secretary of state is dispatched along with a delegation of senators to negotiate a treaty with a foreign government
The president threatens to issue an executive order to address climate concerns if Congress continues to refuse to take action
Which of the following is a consequence of having concurrent powers within a federal system of government
The executive branch can expand its control of the policy agenda
States can pass laws that override the laws of the federal government
Citizens and interest groups seeking policy change can choose from multiple access points
Members of Congress can cultivate close relationships with power brokers in their regions
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of concurrent powers?
The president negotiates a treaty regarding climate change with foreign governments, but for the treaty to take effect, it requires approval by the Senate
As commander-in-chief of the military, the president orders troops to a foreign nation to address a potential threat to national security
A Senate committee holds a hearing to discuss potential misuse of funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs
The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the United States, while the other 75% of the funding comes from states
In The Federalist 10, James Madison argued that the new constitution would help control faction by doing which of the following?
By creating a large republic, the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to completely dominate
The new constitution had significant limits on the freedom of expression, thereby limiting the ability of factions to organize
The new constitution gave political parties specific powers in the government which limited their influence
The use of the electoral college and the indirect election of senators would limit the influence that factions could wield
Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) ?
The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because regulating arms is an enumerated power
The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because any interstate commerce is implied in the commerce clause
The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down as unconstitutional because it exceeded the commerce clause.
The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down because it exceeded the state’s power to regulate guns
The next most palpable defect of the subsisting Confederation, is the total want of a SANCTION to its laws. The United States, as now composed, have no powers to exact obedience, or punish disobedience to their resolutions, either by pecuniary [fines], by a suspension or divestiture of privileges, or by any other constitutional mode. There is no express delegation of authority to them to use force against delinquent members; and if such a right should be ascribed to the federal head, as resulting from the nature of the social compact between the States, it must be by inference and construction... There is, doubtless, a striking absurdity in supposing that a right of this kind does not exist. . .
Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21
Based on The Federalist 21, which of the following arguments about government would Hamilton likely agree with?
The national government, by natural right, has more power than the state governments
Separation of powers means that the national government is limited to passing only legislation that all the states want
Under federalism, the states retain more power than the national government
As a practical matter, the laws of the national government ought to have supremacy over state laws
The next most palpable defect of the subsisting Confederation, is the total want of a SANCTION to its laws. The United States, as now composed, have no powers to exact obedience, or punish disobedience to their resolutions, either by pecuniary [fines], by a suspension or divestiture of privileges, or by any other constitutional mode. There is no express delegation of authority to them to use force against delinquent members; and if such a right should be ascribed to the federal head, as resulting from the nature of the social compact between the States, it must be by inference and construction... There is, doubtless, a striking absurdity in supposing that a right of this kind does not exist. . .
Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21
In the passage, Hamilton is concerned that under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government does not have sufficient constitutional powers to gain compliance from state governments. Which of the following is a way that the Constitution allows the federal government to address this problem?
The state governments have reserved powers under the Tenth Amendment
The federal government is not permitted to coin money
The federal government can pass laws that allow it to fine or tax individuals directly
A Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution to protect individual civil liberties
The next most palpable defect of the subsisting Confederation, is the total want of a SANCTION to its laws. The United States, as now composed, have no powers to exact obedience, or punish disobedience to their resolutions, either by pecuniary [fines], by a suspension or divestiture of privileges, or by any other constitutional mode. There is no express delegation of authority to them to use force against delinquent members; and if such a right should be ascribed to the federal head, as resulting from the nature of the social compact between the States, it must be by inference and construction... There is, doubtless, a striking absurdity in supposing that a right of this kind does not exist. . .
Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21
Which of the following scenarios illustrates a solution for the problem of getting states to comply with federal government policies, as described in the passage?
The federal government can withhold highway funds from states that do not raise the age to drink alcohol to 21
The federal government can place a tax on any goods that an individual regularly transports across state borders
Both the states and the federal government have the power to issue income taxes
A constitutional amendment can be passed to override a Supreme Court decision
Which of the following ideals of democracy is reflected in the procedure for apportionment in the House of Representatives?
The federal government represents states equally
Government is based on the consent of the governed
Leaders in Congress are among the most well-informed in society
Political power is distributed between the national government and state governments
Which of the following pair of Supreme Court cases best illustrates how views of federalism have shifted in the United States?
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) & Baker v. Carr (1962)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) & United States v. Lopez (1995)
Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010) & McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
Schenck v. United States (1919) & New York Times v. United States (1971)
The House of Representatives impeaches the president. Which of the following scenarios represents how bicameralism is used as a check on the vote to impeach?
If the president is removed, the vice president will take office to finish the president’s current term.
The Senate deliberates the case and votes to determine the president’s guilt or innocence
The chief justice of the Supreme Court presides over the trial
After the impeachment, House managers will prepare a case to convict and remove the president from office
Brutus was an example of an Anti-Federalist because he
believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights
argued that a national military force was needed to deal with insurrections
argued that the laws passed by the national government were supreme over state laws
believed that compromise between the branches of government would ensure a limited government
Which of the following is commonly identified as a failure of the Articles of Confederation?
The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue
The executive branch was granted too much power over the legislature
The federal government had too much control over interstate commerce
The judicial branch was elected and did not consistently adhere to rule of law
In 1974, the House of Representatives approved a resolution granting the Judiciary Committee authority to investigate impeachment of President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Which constitutional ideal of democracy is demonstrated in this scenario?
Popular sovereignty
Judicial review
Limited government
Federalism
The process shown in the diagram is outlined in which of the following parts of the United States Constitution?
Article I
Article II
Article V
Article VI
The process in the diagram reflects which of the following about the perspective of the framers on constitutional government?
The system should be able to accommodate political change, but the process for change should incorporate checks and balances
Limited government is best achieved through a Constitution that limits the power of the federal government and expands the power of states
Citizens ought to determine for themselves by a simple majority the laws that govern a democracy
Multiple access points should exist for groups who want to participate in government, with the states acting as laboratories of democracy
In the early part of the twenty-first century, public opinion polls showed that a majority of Americans believed it should be illegal to burn the American flag. As a result, many members of Congress introduced amendments to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Which of the following statements best explains why these efforts have been unsuccessful?
Congress and the states have agreed to add this amendment; however, recent presidents have refused to sign it
The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights
The Supreme Court has stated such an amendment is unconstitutional, thus blocking its ratification
The framers specifically wrote the amendment process to prevent using it to limit freedom of expression
The Declaration of Independence states “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings. For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation?
Popular sovereignty
Federalism
Separation of power
Limited government
South Carolina passed a law to increase the state tax on gasoline to help fund repairs on highways and bridges. The state tax is in addition to the federal tax on every gallon of gasoline that is sold.
Which of the following constitutional provisions does this scenario illustrate?
Delegated powers
Reserved powers
Concurrent powers
Exclusive powers
In May of 2015, a federal appeals court ruled that the National Security Agency’s collection of Americans’ phone records was in violation of the USA PATRIOT Act. Which of the following debates is at the center of the national conversation regarding the surveillance program referred to in this scenario?
Liberty versus stability and order
Majority rule versus minority rights
States’ rights versus federal authority
Common good versus freedom of expression
Throughout most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, most African Americans were prevented from voting in many Southern states despite the Fifteenth Amendment, which extended the right to vote to African American males. Southern states were able to take this action because
the Fifteenth Amendment did not apply to all states
Congress passed legislation that restricted the application of the Fifteenth Amendment to placate Southerners
the framers allowed the individual states to create voting processes and voter qualifications
the Supreme Court had declared the Fifteenth Amendment unconstitutional
In 2005, the Utah legislature passed a law that allowed school districts to ignore parts of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), a law passed by Congress in 2001 that supported standards-based education reform. Utah did this despite the fact that it endangered losing $76 million in federal aid to Utah public schools. Which of the following statements best explains why Utah took this action?
Utah argued that because the majority of its citizens are Mormon, the No Child Left Behind Act infringed upon their free exercise rights.
The Supreme Court ruled several parts of the No Child Left Behind Act unconstitutional, so Utah had to create policy to address those areas
Since education is a policy clearly delegated to the states, the No Child Left Behind Act was a clear violation of the Constitution
Educational policy is not mentioned in the Constitution, which has created debate about the proper role for the national government in educational policy
The decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) reflected new ideas about federalism at the time that can be best characterized by which of the following?
A consolidation of power in the national government based on national supremacy
Acknowledgement of the limitations of national power and a recognition of the reserved power of the states
A delegation of power from the state governments to the federal government, increasing the power of the United States government
An increase in cooperative federalism, where power and duties are shared between the federal and state governments
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates delegated discretionary authority?
Congress giving the Environmental Protection Agency the power to establish national pollution standards
The chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce appointing the chair of the Environment subcommittee
The House of Representatives establishing the jurisdiction for the Committee on Energy and Commerce
The president nominating the attorney general of Ohio to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Which of the following possible actions illustrates a way Congress interacts with the bureaucracy to address the problem shown in the infographic?
Congress could raise money through gasoline taxes to address the issues shown in the infographic
Congress could request that an iron triangle be formed to ensure that all bureaucratic solutions are heard prior to taking action
Congress could remove the members of the cabinet who work on issues related to transportation
Congress could have members of the Department of Transportation testify before a committee to discuss the issue and potential solutions
A United States Supreme Court justice has announced his retirement at the end of the current Supreme Court term. What is the most likely presidential action in response to this announcement?
Confer with House leadership to discuss potential nominees
Confer with the chief justice to discuss potential nominees
Nominate a federal judge who shares the president’s ideology
Nominate a sitting senator of the majority party
Which of the following factors most likely led to shifts in Supreme Court decision making over time?
The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time
Rather than pass new legislation, Congress was inclined to refer civil rights legislation to the Supreme Court
After 1960, the Supreme Court deferred to the wishes of state and local governments rather than voting to expand the authority of the federal government
Constitutional amendments enabled the Supreme Court to issue more liberal decisions
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of checks on the legislative branch and checks on the executive branch?
Check on Legislative Branch: The president may veto bills passed by Congress
Check on Executive Branch: The Senate must confirm judicial nominees
Check on Legislative Branch: The president has the power to fund wars
Check on Executive Branch: The House of Representatives can pass articles of impeachment
Check on Legislative Branch: The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review
Check on Executive Branch: Congress can replace members of the president’s cabinet with their own nominee
Check on Legislative Branch: States may nullify federal laws that violate state constitutions
Check on Executive Branch: The Supreme Court can declare presidential actions unconstitutional if a case arises
Which of the following trends is best supported by the information in the table?
The number of treaties has increased over time
The number of treaties has decreased over time
The number of executive agreements has increased over time
The number of executive agreements has decreased over time
Which of the following is an example of how the innovation of social media can influence presidential behavior?
The president holds a press conference to discuss midterm election results
The president outlines the administration's legislative agenda in the State of the Union Address
The president hosts a White House dinner with a foreign head of state
The president announces the nomination of a cabinet secretary on the Internet
Which of the following is an action a president can take to rally public support for the administration's legislative agenda?
Use the State of the Union Address to pressure Congress to pass a bill lowering income taxes
Hold private meetings with key members of Congress to promote a compromise on the budget
Forge an executive agreement with another country regulating the safety of consumer products
Sign a bill into law that would provide increased aid to college students
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the rules for debate used by the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate?
House of Representatives: Debate is unlimited
Senate: Debate is unlimited
House of Representatives: Members can filibuster
Senate: Members cannot filibuster
House of Representatives: Debate is limited
Senate: Members can filibuster
House of Representatives: Members cannot filibuster
Senate: Only the majority leader can filibuster
Shortly after the 2008 election, President Obama appointed outspoken and controversial House member Rahm Emanuel to lead his White House as chief of staff, the head of the Executive Office of the President. The selection drew criticism from Republican leaders, including House minority leader John Boehner, who remarked that the selection “is an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil, and govern from the center.”
Which of the following explains how Congress could legitimately respond to the appointment?
The Senate could refuse to confirm the appointment
The House of Representatives could filibuster the nomination
The Rules Committee could refuse to release the bill that made the appointment
Members of Congress could issue statements opposing the appointment but have no formal power to block it
Parents have the greatest stake in the outcome of their child’s education. Accordingly, they should also have the power to make sure their child is getting the right education.
As Deven Carlson points out, there is little constituency in America for the top-down reforms that have been tried time and again. In order for any reform to truly work, it must attract and maintain the support of the people.
I have seen such support for parental empowerment. The more parents exercise it, the more they like it. This growing support is why states are responding to that demand one by one. . . .
Equal access to a quality education should be a right for every American and every parent should have the right to choose how their child is educated. Government exists to protect those rights, not usurp them.
So let’s face it: the opponents of [school choice] could repeal every voucher law, close every charter school, and defund every choice program across the country. But school choice still wouldn’t go away. There would still be school choice . . . for the affluent and the powerful.
Let’s empower the forgotten parents to decide where their children go to school. Let’s show some humility and trust all parents to know their kids’ needs better than we do.
Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, January 16, 2018
If the national government were united under a Democratic Congress and a Democratic president, which action would they most likely take in response to the goals expressed in the passage?
The Democratic Congress passes legislation that strengthens the role of the national government in determining how school choice programs would be most equitably implemented in each state
A Democratic president issues an executive order that gives control over the use of vouchers for school choice to the state level and decreases state accountability to of the national government
A Democratic president uses the State of the Union address to push for the elimination of the Department of Education, believing that there is too much involvement of the national government in education policy
A Democratic Congress delays action on legislation for school vouchers, fearing the president would veto the bill
Parents have the greatest stake in the outcome of their child’s education. Accordingly, they should also have the power to make sure their child is getting the right education.
As Deven Carlson points out, there is little constituency in America for the top-down reforms that have been tried time and again. In order for any reform to truly work, it must attract and maintain the support of the people.
I have seen such support for parental empowerment. The more parents exercise it, the more they like it. This growing support is why states are responding to that demand one by one. . . .
Equal access to a quality education should be a right for every American and every parent should have the right to choose how their child is educated. Government exists to protect those rights, not usurp them.
So let’s face it: the opponents of [school choice] could repeal every voucher law, close every charter school, and defund every choice program across the country. But school choice still wouldn’t go away. There would still be school choice . . . for the affluent and the powerful.
Let’s empower the forgotten parents to decide where their children go to school. Let’s show some humility and trust all parents to know their kids’ needs better than we do.
Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, January 16, 2018
Which of these statements reflects the message the author believes is most important about education?
Parents should be involved in decisions about where their children go to school
The national government should take greater control in deciding where students should go to school
School choice will not allow equal access for all students to a quality education
Vouchers will give an unfair advantage to the affluent and the powerful
Which of the following situations is an example of the president using the bully pulpit as a tool for agenda setting?
President Clinton invoking executive privilege in resisting a subpoena by the United States Senate during the Whitewater investigation
President Bush issuing a signing statement in the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 that considerably weakened its provisions
President Obama issuing an executive order delaying the deportation of at least five million undocumented immigrants
President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes
In which year did Congress pass all stand-alone appropriations (spending) bills on time?
1977
1980
1993
2012
Which of the following statements is true based on the bar graph?
In 1981, 25 percent of stand-alone appropriations bills were passed on time
From 2011 to 2016, no stand-alone appropriations bills were passed on time
From 1989 to 1991, 100 percent of stand-alone appropriations bills were passed on time
In 2017, 50 percent of stand-alone appropriations bills were passed on time.
Using both the maps, which of the following best explains how states with the highest corporate tax rates voted in the 2016 election?
The maps show that states with the highest corporate tax rates were more likely to vote for the Democrat in the 2016 election
The maps show that states with the highest corporate tax rates split their votes between the Democrat and the Republican in the 2016 election
The maps show that states with the highest corporate tax rates were more likely to vote for the Republican in the 2016 election
The maps show that there was no relationship between high corporate tax rates and which candidate a state was likely to vote for in the 2016 election
Using both of the maps, which of the following best explains how states with the lowest corporate tax rates voted in the 2016 election?
The maps show that states with the lowest corporate tax rates were more likely to vote for the Democrat in the 2016 election
The maps show that states with the lowest corporate tax rate had no distinct preference for either the Democrat or the Republican
The maps show that states with the lowest corporate tax rate were more likely to vote for the Republican in the 2016 election
The maps show that states with low corporate tax rates were just as likely to vote for the Democrat as they were for the Republican in the 2016 election
In November 2014, President Obama announced an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program through an executive order. The policy would protect over 700,000 more children of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Republican members of Congress denounced the order as an abuse of executive power. Previously, members of the House of Representatives had voted to defund the program. This scenario best illustrates which of the following?
A reluctant bureaucracy can hinder a president’s agenda
Public opinion can influence how Congress responds to a president
Iron triangles form between members of the president’s party and opponents in Congress
Presidents exert informal powers when their policy agenda conflicts with that of Congress
Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president?
Formal Power: Vetoing legislation to prevent a bill from becoming law
Informal Power: Using a pocket veto to prevent a bill from becoming law
Formal Power: Using the bully pulpit to influence public opinion
Informal Power: Appointing ambassadors and receiving diplomats from other nations
Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military
Informal Power: Signing executive agreements with foreign nations
Formal Power: Using the power of the purse to support government programs
Informal Power: Using signing statements to shape legislation
On September 29, 2020, after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Donald Trump, a Republican, nominated Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Many Democrats in the Senate feared that the appointment of Barrett would swing the Court in a more ideologically conservative direction and attempted to block her nomination. After a heated Senate confirmation hearing, Barrett was eventually confirmed by a 52 to 48 vote in the Senate.
The scenario best highlights which of the following statements about court appointees?
Life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for nominees to the Supreme Court
Judicial appointees tend to make controversial statements on important policy issues during their confirmation hearings to get confirmed
The merit system for hiring members of the bureaucracy extends to the vetting process for nominations to the Supreme Court
Presidents usually request that the Senate be slow and deliberate with judicial appointments to check the power of the judicial branch
A newly elected president faces a Senate controlled by the opposition party. Which of the following presidential appointments is the most likely to encounter difficulty with confirmation by the Senate?
Secretary of defense
Supreme Court justice
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors
Ambassador to Germany
Which of the following scenarios illustrates how social media has changed the way presidents relate to the public?
A president appearing on a late-night comedy talk show to make jokes about the news
A president announcing a major policy initiative via the Internet rather than calling a press conference
A president allowing film crews to cover a visit to a natural disaster area to highlight federal aid distribution
A president hosting a rally in a swing state to increase support for policies helping the working class
The Supreme Court upholds a law passed by Congress as constitutional. The chief justice states in the majority opinion that previous decisions supporting Congress’ power to make laws based on the commerce clause of the Constitution were the basis for the decision. Which of the following legal concepts did the chief justice apply in writing the opinion?
Compliance monitoring
Stare decisis
Overlapping jurisdiction
Judicial activism
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
To be sure, the President’s control over foreign affairs had been growing since the Theodore Roosevelt administration [1901–1909]. . . . [President Roosevelt’s] acquisition of the Panama Canal Zone preceded Woodrow Wilson’s decision to enter World War I, which was a prelude to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s management of the run-up to the victorious American effort in World War II. In the 1950s, Harry S. Truman’s response to the Soviet threat included the decision to fight in Korea without a Congressional declaration of war, and Dwight Eisenhower used the Central Intelligence Agency and brinkmanship to contain Communism. Nineteenth-century presidents had had to contend with Congressional influences in foreign affairs, and particularly with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But by the early 1960s, the president had become the undisputed architect of U.S. foreign policy.
One reason for this was the emergence of the United States as a great power with global obligations. Neither Wilson nor FDR could have imagined taking the country to war without a Congressional declaration, but the exigencies of the cold war in the 1950s heightened the country’s reliance on the president to defend its interests. Truman could enter the Korean conflict without having to seek Congressional approval simply by describing the deployment of U.S. troops as a police action taken in conjunction with the United Nations.
Robert Dallek, “Power and the Presidency, From Kennedy to Obama,” Smithsonian magazine, January 2011
Which of the following explains why the author believes presidential power has expanded?
Congress has passed legislation requesting that the president take on a stronger leadership role in foreign affairs
The media has influenced public opinion to support the president's unrestrained control of foreign policy
The United States has emerged as a global power, which has enhanced the power of the president in foreign affairs
The chief executive’s role as defender of freedom and democracy has promoted support for a more active presidency
To be sure, the President’s control over foreign affairs had been growing since the Theodore Roosevelt administration [1901–1909]. . . . [President Roosevelt’s] acquisition of the Panama Canal Zone preceded Woodrow Wilson’s decision to enter World War I, which was a prelude to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s management of the run-up to the victorious American effort in World War II. In the 1950s, Harry S. Truman’s response to the Soviet threat included the decision to fight in Korea without a Congressional declaration of war, and Dwight Eisenhower used the Central Intelligence Agency and brinkmanship to contain Communism. Nineteenth-century presidents had had to contend with Congressional influences in foreign affairs, and particularly with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But by the early 1960s, the president had become the undisputed architect of U.S. foreign policy.
One reason for this was the emergence of the United States as a great power with global obligations. Neither Wilson nor FDR could have imagined taking the country to war without a Congressional declaration, but the exigencies of the cold war in the 1950s heightened the country’s reliance on the president to defend its interests. Truman could enter the Korean conflict without having to seek Congressional approval simply by describing the deployment of U.S. troops as a police action taken in conjunction with the United Nations.
Robert Dallek, “Power and the Presidency, From Kennedy to Obama,” Smithsonian magazine, January 2011
Which of the following is a difference between the power of nineteenth-century presidents and that of the modern president according to the passage?
Presidents in the nineteenth century had to contend with congressional committees, which had significant powers in foreign affairs.
Modern presidents have acquired the power of the purse, which allows them to spend freely on foreign affairs
Modern presidents must win wars in order to keep members of Congress from criticizing their foreign policy
Presidents in the nineteenth century were more likely to support intervention in foreign affairs
To be sure, the President’s control over foreign affairs had been growing since the Theodore Roosevelt administration [1901–1909]. . . . [President Roosevelt’s] acquisition of the Panama Canal Zone preceded Woodrow Wilson’s decision to enter World War I, which was a prelude to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s management of the run-up to the victorious American effort in World War II. In the 1950s, Harry S. Truman’s response to the Soviet threat included the decision to fight in Korea without a Congressional declaration of war, and Dwight Eisenhower used the Central Intelligence Agency and brinkmanship to contain Communism. Nineteenth-century presidents had had to contend with Congressional influences in foreign affairs, and particularly with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But by the early 1960s, the president had become the undisputed architect of U.S. foreign policy.
One reason for this was the emergence of the United States as a great power with global obligations. Neither Wilson nor FDR could have imagined taking the country to war without a Congressional declaration, but the exigencies of the cold war in the 1950s heightened the country’s reliance on the president to defend its interests. Truman could enter the Korean conflict without having to seek Congressional approval simply by describing the deployment of U.S. troops as a police action taken in conjunction with the United Nations.
Robert Dallek, “Power and the Presidency, From Kennedy to Obama,” Smithsonian magazine, January 2011
Which of the following statements describes the author’s main argument in the passage?
Congress must reassert its responsibility to declare war in order to ensure a balance of power
Presidential power in foreign policy has expanded since the beginning of the twentieth century
The Korean War was a turning point in presidential power
The acquisition of the Panama Canal gave the president undisputed power over foreign policy
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the process of bureaucratic?
The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs considers the credentials of a person nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand
The president signs Executive Order 13777 intended to “lower regulatory burdens on the American people by implementing and enforcing regulatory reform
The Supreme Court denies a writ of certiorari in Freddie H. Mathis v David J. Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which focused on veterans’ disability claims
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate?
House of Representatives: represents the states equally
Senate: Designed to represent the people
House of Representatives: Initiates revenue bills
Senate: Nominates cabinet members
House of Representatives: Must approve Supreme Court nominees
Senate: Must approve treaties
House of Representatives: Debate on bills is limited
Senate: Debate on bills can be unlimited
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
Which of the following is an example of Congress using its implied powers?
Congress changing the tax code so that individuals making more than $350,000 per year have to pay higher taxes
Congress requesting that the Supreme Court review the constitutionality of a state gun-control law
Congress passing occupational safety regulations for the private sector
Congress ratifying a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada
On February 9, 2016, President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the 2017 fiscal year. Facing a Republican Congress, many declared the plan “dead on arrival.” Among the cited issues was Obama's request for $582.7 billion in discretionary spending for defense, which many Republicans believed was not enough.
Which of the following most accurately explains the interaction between the president and the Congress regarding the defense budget?
The Congress has the enumerated power to raise revenue, but it is forced to work with the president because the president has the power to determine spending for each department in the upcoming fiscal year
The president can create a budget for defense spending, but Congress has the power to execute laws and operate the government, which can affect how much money is actually spent
Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill
The president introduces a specific budget bill for defense spending, but Congress uses its power of legislative oversight to set up a negotiation process with the president
Which of the following statements is best supported by the line graph?
The number of vetoes has generally increased since 1945, even though the number of bills passed by Congress has decreased
The number of vetoes has generally decreased since 1945, but so has the number of bills passed by Congress
The number of vetoes has generally decreased since 1945, but the number of bills passed by Congress has increased
The number of vetoes has generally increased since 1945, but so has the number of bills passed by Congress
Which of the following is true based on the data in the line graph?
The number of bills passed by Congress decreased under G. H. W. Bush
The number of bills passed by Congress gradually increased under Nixon
The number of presidential vetoes under Johnson decreased over time
The number of presidential vetoes under Eisenhower increased over time
Which of the following statements accurately explains a limitation of the line graph?
The line graph does not take into account the views of those who identify as moderate
It is difficult to tell what the relationship is between ideology and the perception of the Federal Reserve
The line graph does not illustrate differences along party lines regarding the perception of the Federal Reserve
It is difficult to tell if there is a relationship between the two survey questions on the Federal Reserve
Which of the following descriptions is the information on the line graph too limited to support?
The more conservative an individual is, the less likely he or she is to believe that the Federal Reserve helps to stabilize the economy
The more liberal an individual is, the more likely he or she is to believe that the Federal Reserve helps stabilize the economy
About half of those who identify as very liberal believe that the Federal Reserve helped stabilize the economy
Most who identify as very conservative believe that the Federal Reserve should be abolished
The data in the line graph would be least useful to a researcher interested in finding out which of the following
Whether or not there are ideological differences in regards to job approval of the Federal Reserve
Whether or not there was a decrease in support for the Federal Reserve after the 2008 financial crisis
The percentage of people who identify as conservative who believe the Federal Reserve caused the 2008 financial crisis
If the Federal Reserve was an institution broadly supported by liberals
In 1998, Goodyear employee Lilly Ledbetter filed suit against her employer for pay discrimination based on her gender. Though Ledbetter was initially successful, Goodyear appealed the decision and the case went to the Supreme Court. In Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. (2007), the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that sex discrimination complaints must be made within 180 days “after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred,” which Ledbetter had failed to do.
Which of the following actions could be taken to reverse the impact of the decision?
Ledbetter could renew her appeal by seeking additional Supreme Court review
The president could sign an executive order to alter the Civil Rights Act
Ledbetter could pursue her case using the same arguments in state courts
Congress could enact legislation to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate?
House of Representatives: The majority and minority parties control legislative scheduling and rules equally
Senate: Minority party members can threaten to filibuster a bill the majority party wants to pass
House of Representatives: The Constitution’s framers intended it to reflect the will of the people
Senate: The Constitution’s framers designed it to represent the interests of the states
House of Representatives: Most legislative work takes place in the standing committees
Senate: Based on its size, it tends to have stricter rules affecting the legislative process
House of Representatives: Members serve two-year terms with a term limit of up to twelve years
Senate: Members serve six-year terms with no term limits.
It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case.
A black baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much.
This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics.
President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963
Which of the following expresses the most significant political concern in the passage?
Improved understanding of the flaws of the legal system
Greater funding for education in urban areas
Increased awareness of citizen inequalities that need to be addressed
Decreased partisanship in congressional policymaking
It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case.
A black baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much.
This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics.
President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963
Which of the following pieces of legislation was most likely a result of the passage?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972
It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case.
A black baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much.
This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics.
President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963
The issues identified in the passage reflect a failure to uphold which of the following constitutional clauses?
Necessary and Proper clause
Due Process clause
Reserved powers clause
Equal protection clause
Which of the following sections of the United States Constitution is most related to the case Marbury v. Madison (1803) ?
Article I
Article III
The First Amendment
The Tenth Amendment
Which of the following statements presents the most important limitation of the data in the graph?
The time frame for the data is misleading.
There is no information about the total number of state legislators
There are insufficient data points to detect a trend
The trend over time is potentially misleading and would be easier to read in a pie chart
Which of the following is most likely responsible for the increase in the number of southern African American state legislators between 1960 and 1992 as shown in the graph?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Nineteenth Amendment
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of rights protected and not protected by the First Amendment?
A
B
C
D
Which of the following scenarios best explains how the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has influenced political behavior?
Grassroots libertarian advocacy organizations have advocated in favor of less economic regulation of the marketplace
The Supreme Court has ruled that Fifth Amendment prohibition on double jeopardy was made applicable to the states
Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., cited constitutional arguments as a basis for opposing segregation and inequality
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s State of the Union address urged Congress to pass legislation that would ensure greater economic security for the American people.
“If we resort to violence then one of two things will happen: either the violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths on both sides, or there will be total demoralization of the workers.
“Nonviolence has exactly the opposite effect. If, for every violent act committed against us, we respond with nonviolence, we attract people’s support. We can gather the support of millions who have a conscience and would rather see a nonviolent resolution to problems. We are convinced that when people are faced with a direct appeal from the poor struggling nonviolently against great odds, they will react positively. The American people and people everywhere still yearn for justice. It is to that yearning that we appeal.
“. . . When victory comes through violence, it is a victory with strings attached. If we beat the growers at the expense of violence, victory would come at the expense of injury and perhaps death. Such a thing would have a tremendous impact on us. We would lose regard for human beings. Then the struggle would become a mechanical thing. When you lose your sense of life and justice, you lose your strength.”
César Chávez, “He Showed Us the Way,” 1978
Which of the following is a similarity between the views expressed in the excerpt and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s "Letter from Birmingham Jail"?
Unlike César Chávez, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. supported the use of violence after all other means had been exhausted
Unlike Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., César Chávez supported the use of violence as a means to start the movement
Both César Chávez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. argued for the continued use of nonviolence to further their causes
Both César Chávez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. argued for the use of nonviolence after standards of equality had been met
“If we resort to violence then one of two things will happen: either the violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths on both sides, or there will be total demoralization of the workers.
“Nonviolence has exactly the opposite effect. If, for every violent act committed against us, we respond with nonviolence, we attract people’s support. We can gather the support of millions who have a conscience and would rather see a nonviolent resolution to problems. We are convinced that when people are faced with a direct appeal from the poor struggling nonviolently against great odds, they will react positively. The American people and people everywhere still yearn for justice. It is to that yearning that we appeal.
“. . . When victory comes through violence, it is a victory with strings attached. If we beat the growers at the expense of violence, victory would come at the expense of injury and perhaps death. Such a thing would have a tremendous impact on us. We would lose regard for human beings. Then the struggle would become a mechanical thing. When you lose your sense of life and justice, you lose your strength.”
César Chávez, “He Showed Us the Way,” 1978
Which of the following best describes César Chávez’ view on the use of violence versus nonviolence?
The use of violence should be the primary tactic as it will address the feelings of frustration and anger throughout the movement
The use of violence will motivate the American people as people everywhere still yearn for justice
The use of nonviolent actions, such as demonstrations and marches, does not bring honor to the cause and will negatively impact the movement
The use of nonviolent actions allows more people to be involved in the movement and effect change
“If we resort to violence then one of two things will happen: either the violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths on both sides, or there will be total demoralization of the workers.
“Nonviolence has exactly the opposite effect. If, for every violent act committed against us, we respond with nonviolence, we attract people’s support. We can gather the support of millions who have a conscience and would rather see a nonviolent resolution to problems. We are convinced that when people are faced with a direct appeal from the poor struggling nonviolently against great odds, they will react positively. The American people and people everywhere still yearn for justice. It is to that yearning that we appeal.
“. . . When victory comes through violence, it is a victory with strings attached. If we beat the growers at the expense of violence, victory would come at the expense of injury and perhaps death. Such a thing would have a tremendous impact on us. We would lose regard for human beings. Then the struggle would become a mechanical thing. When you lose your sense of life and justice, you lose your strength.”
César Chávez, “He Showed Us the Way,” 1978
Which of the following provisions of the Bill of Rights could support the actions that César Chávez is encouraging the farmworkers to take?
The right to fair trial
The right to assemble
The right to bear arms
The right to an attorney
Which of the following illustrates a situation that would not be protected by the First Amendment due to time, place, and manner restrictions?
A student is expelled from school for wearing a black T-shirt expressing opposition to a law recently passed by the state legislature
An organization regarded as a hate group is not able to obtain a permit to march through a major city because of its message
Antibusiness protestors are arrested and prosecuted for shutting down major intersections in New York City’s Times Square during rush hour
An independent political advocacy organization is prevented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from running political advertisements on television
Writing for the court in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), a case weighing whether race can be considered in college admissions, Justice Lewis Powell wrote:
“Preferring members of any one group for no reason other than race or ethnic origin is discrimination for its own sake. This the Constitution forbids. . . . The . . . goal asserted by petitioner is the attainment of a diverse student body. This clearly is a constitutionally permissible goal for an institution of higher education. . . . The freedom of a university to make its own judgments as to education includes the selection of its student body."
According to the quote, what was the likely effect of the Court’s ruling in the Bakke case?
Colleges could have considered race but could not use strict racial quotas in admission practices
Affirmative action practices could include racial quotas in college admission decisions
As a result of the Bakke decision, colleges and universities stopped considering race as a factor in admissions
The Bakke decision affected the admissions practices only at private colleges, not at public universities
Which of the following is a doctrine based on the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution that was used in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) to limit the power of states and protect the right to keep and bear arms?
Symbolic speech
Equal protection
Judicial review
Selective incorporation
In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton argued that the federal judiciary “is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power.” Which of the following statements represents a reason he gave for this argument?
It has the power of the sword and the power of judgment but lacks the power of the purse
Each branch must be given the ability to defend its power and check the others
The federal government is further from the people and thus less accountable
It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions
During an investigation, police officers find illegal drugs while searching a home for which they did not acquire a warrant. Which of the following would prevent the drugs from being used as evidence at trial?
The writ of habeas corpus
The exclusionary rule
The Miranda warning
The protection against ex post facto
Which of the following statements is true regarding the right to privacy?
The right to privacy has not been the topic of Supreme Court cases
The right to privacy is explicitly named in the Bill of Rights
The right to privacy is not explicitly named in the Constitution
The right to privacy has been acknowledged as a core American value
In the case Wickard v. Filburn (1942), Roscoe Filburn was penalized for producing 12 acres of wheat above his allotment under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. The law, justified under Congress’ power to regulate interstate commerce, limited the amount of wheat an individual could grow. This regulation would keep prices from dropping and prevent farmers from going bankrupt. Filburn claimed that the excess wheat was for his own use, and challenged that no interstate commerce was involved. The Supreme Court ruled that the commerce clause allowed the government to regulate Filburn's personal wheat production, even though it was only indirectly related to interstate commerce.
Which of the following was a likely result of the decision in Wickard v. Filburn that contributed to the Court's later decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) ?
The Supreme Court is not elected, so unpopular decisions such as in the Wickard case cannot be overturned unless Congress acts upon it.
Laws passed by Congress are required to undergone judicial review by the Supreme Court to ensure that the commerce clause and other parts of the Constitution are interpreted correctly
The expansive interpretation of the commerce clause by the Supreme Court which greatly extended the power of Congress drew criticism that eventually led to a narrower interpretation
Rather than be regulated by Congress, many citizens and corporations opt instead to find loopholes so that the law does not apply to them
In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court stated that the plaintiffs “seek the aid of the courts in obtaining admission to the public schools of their community on a non-segregated basis. In each instance, they had been denied admission to schools attended by white children under laws requiring or permitting segregation according to race.” The Supreme Court ruled “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
Which of the following provisions of the United States Constitution did the Supreme Court use to strike down racial segregation in state public schools?
The due process clause of the Fifth Amendment
The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
The equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment
The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
The Supreme Court addressed policies related to government hiring practices and race in City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Company. In 1983, the local government in Richmond, Virginia enacted a regulation that required companies that received contracts from the city to subcontract at least 30 percent of that work to minority business enterprises. When the J.A. Croson Company lost a contract due to this regulation, they sued the city. The court found in favor of the business, reasoning that racial quotas were not protected by the Fourteenth Amendment and were an impermissible requirement for employment Which of the following issues was the primary concern in City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Company?
Policies supporting popular sovereignty at all levels of government, including state and local governments
Affirmative action policies intended to address workplace and educational disparities
Limited government policies, which restrict the involvement of local governments in the creation of regulations for government contracts
Free enterprise policies that require the intervention of government to ensure that all economic practices are fair.
In which case did the Supreme Court hold that race based school segregation violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Which of the following explains an action Congress can take that would have the most influence on the data on the graphs?
Members of Congress can increase congressional salaries, but only for the next Congress
Congress can pass legislation that influences the federal salary structure
Congress can cut funding for federal programs, which would lead to a decrease in salaries
Which of the following best describes how a president can influence the data in the graphs?
Through the role of chief executive officer of the executive branch, the president can determine salary grades of federal employees
The president has the power to formally introduce appropriations bills in the House of Representatives which can determine salary grades of federal employees
The president as commander in chief can issue executive orders to modify the salary grades of federal employees
The president has the authority to issue signing statements to determine the salary grades of federal employees
A school district in Seattle used the race of students as a tie-breaking factor to determine which students would be admitted to the more popular schools in an attempt to maintain racial diversity. In the case Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1 (2007), the Supreme Court ruled this plan unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment. Which of the following statements offers the most accurate comparison between this case and the decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ?
Both cases involved the use of affirmative action in public schools
Both cases ruled against the school district based on the equal protection clause
Both cases struck down plans to segregate students
Both cases ruled in favor of students based on the due process clause
In the case Boynton v. Virginia (1960), the Supreme Court ruled that segregation at a bus stop restaurant was illegal based on the Interstate Commerce Act. Which of the following explains how this case is similar to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ?
Both cases were related to school bussing
Both cases were primarily about the application of the commerce clause to address segregation
Both cases ruled that the federal government did not have the authority to address segregation
Both cases struck down local ordinances that prescribed segregation
In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton states, “A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning.” Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most relevant to this statement?
Baker v. Carr (1962)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Which of the following factors most likely led to shifts in Supreme Court decision making over time?
The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time
Rather than pass new legislation, Congress was inclined to refer civil rights legislation to the Supreme Court
After 1960, the Supreme Court deferred to the wishes of state and local governments rather than voting to expand the authority of the federal government
Constitutional amendments enabled the Supreme Court to issue more liberal decisions
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
Which of the following is most likely an effect of the trend in the line graph?
An increase in accountability of the bureaucracy
A decrease in the length of regulatory bills passed by Congress
A decrease in congressional oversight as a mechanism to control the bureaucracy
An increase in the authority of the House of Representatives over the bureaucracy
In the case Guey Heung Lee v. Johnson (1971), the parents of Chinese American students who attended a primarily Asian American school challenged San Francisco’s effort to desegregate the public schools, arguing that their culture and language would be diluted if their children were dispersed from their local school. The Supreme Court denied the challenge from the parents basing their decision on the Fourteenth Amendment. Which of the following cases was most likely used in the decision as a precedent?
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
The Supreme Court’s decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) relates to foundational documents in which of the following ways?
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution reserves powers to the states, and Marbury v. Madison deals with whether the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over state courts
The Declaration of Independence describes circumstances in which people may demand a redress of grievances, and Marbury v. Madison is about whether courts can resolve these crises
The Federalist 10 describes how the expanded scope of the national government can alleviate the problems of factions, and Marbury v. Madison uses the national government to negotiate a compromise between two rival factions
The Federalist 78 is about the power and role of the federal courts, and in Marbury v. Madison, Madison expands that role by giving the courts the power to determine whether laws or executive actions conflict with the Constitution
In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the Supreme Court used the power of judicial review established in Marbury v. Madison (1803) to strike down a Georgia state law that regulated the relationship between citizens of Georgia and members of the Cherokee Nation. President Andrew Jackson opposed the decision and challenged the Supreme Court to enforce it. This example illustrates which of the following?
The president can approve or veto decisions made by the Supreme Court
States are not required to follow the decisions of the national Supreme Court
Congress can prevent Supreme Court decisions from being enforced by appropriating money to the Department of Justice
Unpopular Supreme Court decisions can lead to debate about the court’s power
Which of the following headlines is most relevant to the political cartoon?
Supreme Court Refuses to Stop the Presses for National Security
Supreme Court Rules High School Students May Silently Protest Vietnam War
Supreme Court Hears Flag Burning Case
War Protestor Presented “Clear and Present Danger” Says Court
The facts of which of the following cases are most related to the political cartoon?
New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Schenck v. United States (1919)
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Which of the following attributes of the political cartoon would best represent the government’s use of prior restraint?
The steps of the building
The fallen pillars
The word “democracy” written on the building
The standing pillars
Which of the following parts of the United States Constitution is incorporated to the states based on the ruling in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) ?
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.”
“No person shall . . . be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.”
“[T]he right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
A woman is arrested for possessing illegal substances that were obtained after a warrantless search of her home by local police. Which of the following best explains whether the evidence could be used in a criminal trial?
The due process rights of the Fifth Amendment require that the evidence be reviewed by the prosecution before being admitted as evidence in court
The exclusionary rule, derived from the Fourth Amendment, prevents the evidence from being used against the suspect
Since the evidence obtained suggests illegal activity, the evidence may be used against the defendant in a criminal trial
If the case is in the state court system, the evidence can be used against the defendant
“The original understanding of the Second Amendment was neither an individual right to self-defense nor a collective right of the states, but rather a civic right that guaranteed that citizens would be able to keep and bear those arms needed to meet their legal obligation to participate in a well-regulated militia. Nothing better captured this constitutional ideal than the minuteman. Citizens had a legal obligation to outfit themselves with a musket at their own expense and were expected to turn out at a minute’s notice to defend their community, state, and eventually their nation.
Although each side in the modern debate claims to be faithful to the historical Second Amendment, a restoration of its original meaning, re-creating the world of the minuteman, would be a nightmare that neither side would welcome. It would certainly involve more intrusive gun regulation, not less. . . . Gun control advocates might blanch at the notion that all Americans would be required to receive firearms training and would certainly look askance at the idea of requiring all able-bodied citizens to purchase their own military-style assault weapons.”
Saul Cornell, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, Oxford University Press, 2006
Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most relevant to the topic of the article?
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Baker v. Carr (1962)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court ruling limited state action in segregating public school students based on their race, stating “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
The Court pointed to which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution to achieve this ruling?
The First Amendment
The Fifth Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment
The Supreme Court addressed the admissions policy of the University of Michigan Law School in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003). Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote for the court, “in the context of its individualized inquiry into the possible diversity contributions of all applicants, the Law School's race-conscious admissions program does not unduly harm nonminority applicants.” The primary issue in the Grutter v. Bollinger decision involves
national supremacy
judicial review
selective incorporation
affirmative action
