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WorksheetsAP Unit 2 Review
Total questions: 88
Worksheet time: 44mins
Describe the different structures, powers, and functions of each house of Congress.
The Senate and the House of Representatives have different structures, powers, and functions. The Senate represents states equally and is more formal, while the House represents the people and is less formal. The Senate has 100 members, and the House has 435 members.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have the same number of members and identical powers.
The House of Representatives represents states equally, while the Senate represents the people and is less formal.
The Senate has 435 members, and the House has 100 members, with no difference in their powers.
Republicanism, the democratic principle that the will of the people is reflected in government debates and decisions by their representatives, is shown in the bicameral structure of Congress. Which chamber is designed to represent states equally?
The House of Representatives
The Senate
Both chambers
Neither chamber
Debate in the House of Representatives, which has 435 members, is more formal than in the Senate, which has 100 members.
True
False
The Senate is a ______ legislative body because only one-third of its members are elected every two years.
continuous
temporary
rotating
annual
The enumerated and implied powers in the Constitution allow Congress to participate in the public policy process by (i) passing a federal budget, raising revenue by laying and collecting taxes, borrowing money, and coining money, and (ii) declaring war and providing the funds necessary to maintain the armed forces. Which of the following is NOT a power of Congress?
Passing a federal budget
Declaring war
Appointing Supreme Court justices
Raising revenue
Describe the process by which people can become citizens of the U.S. (naturalization).
Determining the process for naturalization by which people can become citizens of the U.S.
Applying for a tourist visa to visit the U.S.
Being born in another country to non-U.S. citizens.
Serving in the military of a foreign country.
What is the term for the regulation of trade between states?
Regulating interstate commerce
Federal taxation
State legislation
International trade
What is the process of establishing federal courts and their jurisdictions called?
Creating federal courts and their jurisdictions
Judicial review
Passing federal laws
Appointing Supreme Court justices
What is it called when Congress enacts legislation under the authority of the necessary and proper clause?
Enacting legislation under the authority of the necessary and proper clause
Judicial review
Executive order
Veto power
What is the term for Congress overseeing the executive branch, including federal agencies in the bureaucracy?
Conducting oversight of the executive branch, including federal agencies in the bureaucracy
Passing appropriations bills for the executive branch
Appointing federal judges
Vetoing executive orders
Explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policymaking process.
The structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policymaking process by determining how bills are introduced, debated, and passed, as well as how leadership and committees operate within each chamber.
The structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress have no impact on the policymaking process and all decisions are made by the President.
The policymaking process is only affected by the Supreme Court, not by the structure, powers, or functions of Congress.
Only the Senate affects the policymaking process, while the House of Representatives has no role.
Which chamber of Congress is the Speaker elected by a majority of members and presides over legislative work?
Senate
House of Representatives
Supreme Court
Executive Branch
All revenue bills must originate in which chamber of Congress?
Senate
House of Representatives
Supreme Court
Executive Branch
In the Senate, a Senator can use the filibuster to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill.
True
False
Leadership in committees is determined by the ________ political party.
majority
minority
independent
coalition
Which committee in the House establishes rules for debate on bills?
Rules Committee
Finance Committee
Judiciary Committee
Ethics Committee
The structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policymaking process by:
Shaping how laws are proposed, debated, and passed through distinct roles and procedures in each house.
Ensuring that only the Senate can create laws while the House approves budgets.
Allowing both houses to have identical powers and responsibilities in all matters.
Limiting the policymaking process to committee decisions only.
When a bill passed by both chambers on the same topic has variation in its wording, what committee meets to reconcile those differences?
Appropriations Committee
Conference Committee
Rules Committee
Ways and Means Committee
Congress must generate a budget that addresses both ________ and ________ spending.
mandatory; discretionary
capital; operational
fixed; variable
public; private
Which of the following is required by law for entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?
Discretionary spending
Mandatory spending
Pork-barrel legislation
Logrolling
Discretionary spending is approved on an annual basis for which of the following?
Defense spending
Education
Infrastructure
All of the above
Pork-barrel legislation and logrolling affect the legislative process in both chambers.
True
False
Explain how congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government.
Congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government.
Congressional behavior is only influenced by the president's decisions.
Congressional behavior is unaffected by election processes or partisanship.
Congressional behavior is determined solely by the Supreme Court.
Congressional behavior and governing effectiveness are influenced by ________ divisions between political parties.
ideological
geographical
economic
generational
Which role conception involves a representative voting on issues based on their own knowledge and judgement?
Trustee
Delegate
Politico
None of the above
A representative acting as an ______ sees themselves as an agent of those who elected them and will vote on issues based on the interests of their constituents.
delegate
trustee
partisan
politico
Which role conception uses a combination of trustee and delegate approaches?
Trustee
Delegate
Politico
None of the above
Explain how the president can implement a policy agenda.
The president can implement a policy agenda by using powers and performing functions of the office, with support from the Vice-President, Cabinet, and Executive Office of the President.
The president can implement a policy agenda by passing laws directly without Congress.
The president can implement a policy agenda by appointing Supreme Court justices to make policy decisions.
The president can implement a policy agenda by issuing executive orders that override the Constitution.
Which of the following is a formal power that enables the president to check Congress?
Executive agreements
Vetoes and pocket vetoes
Signing statements
Bargaining and persuasion
Foreign policy powers that influence relations with foreign nations are both ______ and ______.
formal (commander-in-chief and treaties) and informal (executive agreements)
domestic (legislation) and judicial (court rulings)
economic (trade agreements) and military (deployments)
legislative (passing laws) and diplomatic (ambassadors)
Bargaining and persuasion are informal powers that enable the president to secure congressional action.
True
False
Executive orders allow the president to manage the federal government and are implied by the president’s vested executive power or by power delegated by Congress.
True
False
Signing statements are informal powers that inform Congress and the public of the president’s interpretation of laws passed by Congress and signed by the president.
True
False
Explain how the president’s agenda can create tension and frequent confrontations with Congress.
The president’s agenda can create tension and frequent confrontations with Congress when policy conflicts arise, leading the president to use executive orders and directives to address their own agenda items.
The president’s agenda always aligns with Congress, resulting in smooth policy implementation without any disagreements.
The president’s agenda is only ceremonial and does not influence legislative processes or cause any confrontations with Congress.
The president’s agenda is determined entirely by Congress, so there is never any tension between the two branches.
Which of the following is NOT a position for which Senate confirmation is required for presidential appointments?
Cabinet members
Ambassadors
Supreme Court Justices
Members of Congress
Senate confirmation is an important check on appointment powers, but the president’s longest lasting influence lies in ________ appointments.
life-tenured judicial
cabinet
ambassadorial
temporary executive
The president can use executive orders and directives to the bureaucracy to address their own agenda items when there are policy conflicts with the congressional agenda.
True
False
Explain how presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers.
Presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers by referencing constitutional authority, historical precedent, and the necessity to address national issues.
Presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers solely by following the advice of Congress.
Presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers by ignoring historical precedent and relying only on public opinion.
Presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers by delegating all decisions to the Supreme Court.
Federalist No. 70 offers justification for a single executive by arguing a strong executive is 'essential to the protection of the country against foreign attacks, to the steady administration of the laws, to the protection of property, and to the security of liberty.' What document is being referenced here?
The Bill of Rights
Federalist No. 70
The Twenty-Second Amendment
The Emancipation Proclamation
Passage of the Twenty-Second Amendment, which established presidential term limits, demonstrates concern about the expansion of presidential power. What did the Twenty-Second Amendment establish?
Presidential term limits
Voting rights for women
Abolition of slavery
Direct election of senators
Different perspectives on the presidential role, ranging from a limited to a more expansive interpretation and use of power, continue to be debated in the context of contemporary events. What is being debated regarding the presidential role?
The scope and interpretation of presidential power
The number of states in the union
The process of electing senators
The role of the Supreme Court
Communication technology has changed the president’s relationship with the national constituency and other branches by:
Increasing direct communication and public engagement
Reducing transparency and accountability
Limiting the president’s ability to address the nation
Decreasing the influence of media coverage
Which of the following is an impact of advances in communication technology on presidential communication?
It has slowed down responses to political issues.
It allows for rapid responses to political issues.
It prevents the president from setting the agenda.
It reduces the president's influence on public views.
Nationally broadcast State of the Union messages and the president’s bully pulpit are tools for _______ that use the media to influence public views about which policies are the most important.
agenda setting
gerrymandering
judicial review
filibustering
President Reagan’s televised “Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction” (1981) is an example of:
The use of social media
The use of the president’s bully pulpit
A private communication
A legislative act
Explain the principle of judicial review and how it checks the power of other branches.
Judicial review is the power of the courts to interpret the Constitution and to invalidate laws and government actions that are contrary to the Constitution, thereby checking the power of the legislative and executive branches.
Judicial review is the process by which the executive branch can veto laws passed by the legislature.
Judicial review is the ability of the legislature to amend the Constitution without oversight.
Judicial review is the power of the courts to enforce laws passed by the legislature without interpretation.
Which of the following documents set forth the foundation for the powers of the judicial branch?
Article I of the Constitution
Article III of the Constitution
Federalist No. 10
Federalist No. 78
Federalist No. 78 argues for the independence of which branch of government?
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
State
Explain the role of legal precedent in judicial decision making.
Legal precedent guides judicial decision making by ensuring courts follow previous rulings in similar cases, promoting consistency and stability in the law.
Legal precedent allows judges to ignore previous rulings and make decisions based solely on personal beliefs.
Legal precedent requires courts to always overturn previous decisions regardless of the case details.
Legal precedent prevents courts from considering any past cases when making decisions.
What is stare decisis and why is it important in judicial decision making?
The process of appointing judges
The legal doctrine under which courts follow legal precedents when deciding cases with similar facts
The power of Congress to make laws
The process of judicial review
Ideological changes in the composition of the Supreme Court due to presidential appointments have led to the Court's establishing new or rejecting existing precedents.
True
False
Explain how life tenure can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power.
Life tenure can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power because it allows justices to make decisions independent of the current political climate, which can result in controversial or unpopular rulings.
Life tenure ensures that justices always agree with the majority opinion in Congress, reducing debate about the Supreme Court’s power.
Life tenure means justices must retire after a set number of years, which limits their influence and reduces debate about the Supreme Court’s power.
Life tenure allows the President to remove justices at any time, which increases accountability and reduces debate about the Supreme Court’s power.
Life tenure for justices allows the court to function independent of the current political climate.
True
False
Explain how the exercise of judicial review can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power.
Judicial review can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power because it allows the courts to overturn or invalidate legislative or executive acts, raising questions about the limits of judicial authority.
Judicial review can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power because it only allows Congress to interpret the Constitution, limiting the Court’s influence.
Judicial review can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power because it prevents the Court from hearing cases involving the federal government.
Judicial review can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power because it requires all decisions to be approved by the President before they are final.
Which of the following best describes judicial activism?
Judicial review should be constrained to decisions that adhere to current Constitutional and case precedent.
Judicial review allows the courts to overturn current Constitutional and case precedent or invalidate legislative or executive acts.
Judicial review is not used by the Supreme Court.
Judicial review is only used for criminal cases.
Judicial restraint asserts that judicial review should be constrained to decisions that adhere to current Constitutional and case precedent.
True
False
Explain how other branches in the government can limit the Supreme Court’s power.
Other branches can limit the Supreme Court’s power through congressional legislation, ratification of constitutional amendments, judicial appointments and confirmations, delaying implementation of decisions, and enacting legislation to limit the court’s jurisdiction.
Other branches can limit the Supreme Court’s power by vetoing its decisions directly.
Other branches can limit the Supreme Court’s power by dissolving the court whenever they disagree with its rulings.
Other branches can limit the Supreme Court’s power by appointing justices without any confirmation process.
Which of the following is NOT a way Congress can restrict the Supreme Court?
Modifying the impact of prior Supreme Court decisions through legislation
Ratifying a Constitutional amendment
Judicial appointments and confirmations
Ignoring Supreme Court decisions entirely
Ratification of a ________ can restrict the Supreme Court’s power.
Constitutional amendment
Federal law
Executive order
Judicial opinion
Judicial appointments and confirmations may shift the ideological balance of the court.
True
False
Name one illustrative example of a check on the judicial branch from the list provided.
Franklin Roosevelt’s court-packing plan
Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (1970)
Milliken v. Bradley (1974)
Sixteenth Amendment and federal income tax
The bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government by:
implementing and enforcing laws and policies
making laws independently of Congress
serving as elected representatives
setting the federal budget without oversight
Which of the following is NOT an example of a federal bureaucracy agency?
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Transportation Safety Administration (TSA)
Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)
Supreme Court
The federal bureaucracy is composed of departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations that implement policy by:
Writing and enforcing regulations
Issuing fines
Testifying before Congress
Forming iron triangles
Creating issue networks
The civil service primarily uses a ______ system that prioritizes hiring and promotion based on professionalism, specialization, and neutrality.
merit
seniority
patronage
random
Bureaucratic jobs are always politically appointed.
True
False
Match the following federal bureaucracy agencies with their functions:
Regulates interstate and international communications
A-1
Provides security for transportation systems
B-2
Established the merit system for federal employment
C-3
Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rulemaking and implementation.
The federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority to interpret and implement policies as directed by Congress.
The federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority to create laws independently of Congress.
The federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority to enforce only judicial decisions.
The federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority to manage private businesses.
Which of the following is an example of a federal bureaucratic agency that utilizes discretionary authority to create and enforce regulations?
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Commerce
Department of Agriculture
Department of Energy
The Department of Transportation is a federal bureaucratic agency that utilizes ________ authority to create and enforce regulations.
discretionary
judicial
legislative
executive
The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for utilizing discretionary authority to create and enforce ________.
regulations
budgets
appointments
treaties
The Department of Education is a federal bureaucratic agency that can interpret and implement policies through ________ authority.
discretionary
judicial
legislative
executive
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an example of a federal agency with ________ authority delegated by Congress.
discretionary
judicial
legislative
ceremonial
The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) is a federal agency that enforces regulations related to ________.
elections
education
transportation
healthcare
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a federal agency that enforces regulations related to ________.
securities and exchange
food and drug safety
environmental protection
transportation safety
What is the main purpose of discretionary authority as used by federal bureaucratic agencies?
To interpret and implement policies delegated by Congress and create and enforce regulations.
To elect members of Congress and the President.
To draft legislation for Congress to vote on.
To oversee the judicial branch and make court decisions.
Congressional oversight of the bureaucracy to ensure that legislation is implemented as intended includes review, monitoring, and supervision of ________ agencies.
bureaucratic
judicial
legislative
executive
Investigation and committee hearings of ________ activity are part of congressional oversight.
bureaucratic
judicial
legislative
executive
The ability of Congress to check the bureaucracy by appropriating or withholding funds is known as the power of the ________.
purse
veto
bench
gavel
As a means to curtail the use of presidential power, congressional oversight serves as a check of ________ authorization.
executive
judicial
legislative
military
Presidential ideology, authority, and influence affect how executive branch agencies carry out the ________ of the administration.
goals
meetings
budgets
laws
Compliance monitoring ensures that funds are being used properly and regulations are being followed. Compliance monitoring can pose a challenge to ________ implementation.
policy
budget
technology
training
Congress uses its oversight power in its relationship with the executive branch by:
reviewing and monitoring executive actions and programs
appointing executive officials directly
passing executive orders
enforcing laws without judicial review
The president ensures that executive branch agencies and departments carry out their responsibilities in concert with the goals of the administration by:
issuing executive orders and directives
passing laws directly
appointing members of Congress
vetoing Supreme Court decisions
Explain the extent to which governmental branches can hold the bureaucracy accountable given the competing interests of Congress, the president, and the federal courts.
Governmental branches can hold the bureaucracy accountable through both formal and informal powers, considering the competing interests of Congress, the president, and the federal courts.
Governmental branches have no means to hold the bureaucracy accountable due to the separation of powers.
Only Congress can hold the bureaucracy accountable, while the president and federal courts have no influence.
The bureaucracy operates independently and is not subject to accountability by any governmental branch.
Explain how the distribution of powers among the three branches of government impacts policymaking.
The distribution of powers among the three branches of government impacts policymaking by creating multiple access points for stakeholders and institutions to influence public policy and by constraining national policymaking through the sharing of powers.
The distribution of powers among the three branches of government impacts policymaking by allowing only the executive branch to make all policy decisions without oversight.
The distribution of powers among the three branches of government impacts policymaking by eliminating any checks and balances between the branches.
The distribution of powers among the three branches of government impacts policymaking by concentrating all authority in the legislative branch.
Formal and informal powers of Congress, the president, and the courts over the bureaucracy are used to maintain its accountability.
True
False
National policymaking is constrained by the sharing of powers between the three branches.
True
False
