AP Gov Practice MCQ
Which of the following is generally the most important agent of political socialization? Responses A Family B The media C Place of birth D Social class
A Family
"If, therefore, the legislature pass any laws, inconsistent with the sense the judges put upon the constitution, they will declare it void; and therefore in this respect their power is superior to that of the legislature." Brutus 15 Which of the following cases is most related to the quote? Responses A Marbury v. Madison (1803) B McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) C McDonald v. Chicago (2010) D United States v. Lopez (1995)
A Marbury v. Madison (1803)
A The Constitution distributes power across national institutions. B The Constitution provides for equal representation of all citizens in Congress. C The Constitution requires a simple majority vote in Congress to overturn a veto. D The Constitution requires the Supreme Court to approve all legislation.
A The Constitution distributes power across national institutions.
A The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto. B Congress has severely curtailed the power of the president to withhold funds for bills that have been adopted. C The Supreme Court is hesitant to acknowledge the president's power to veto legislation. D The president wants to ensure executive agencies do not spend the money appropriated by Congress.
A The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto.
A The relationship between the national and state governments evolves over time and is flexible enough to permit new forms of interaction. B National policymaking is constrained by the sharing of power between the three branches of government. C The balance of power between the states and national government has been trending toward more national regulation and less state control. D Congress may use the commerce clause to address problems in public schools such as lack of resources and school safety.
A The relationship between the national and state governments evolves over time and is flexible enough to permit new forms of interaction.
congressional leadership chart A The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party. B The vice president is responsible for creating and setting the legislative agenda for the Senate. C The Speaker of the House has very little power to control members of the majority party in the House of Representatives. D The majority leaders in both chambers work to ensure that a bipartisan agenda is passed in the Congress.
A The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party.
In which of the following situations would the Supreme Court be most likely to utilize the doctrine of selective incorporation? Responses A When an individual claims that a right protected by the Bill of Rights is infringed upon by a state B When there is a conflict among the branches of the national government C When a federal policy shifting oversight authority from a national agency to a state agency is challenged D When a former employee files a wrongful termination claim against a company headquartered in another state
A When an individual claims that a right protected by the Bill of Rights is infringed upon by a state
Number of Residents per Electoral Vote bar chart A Wyoming B West Virginia C Alabama D California
A Wyoming
In The Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for Responses A a single executive who can respond quickly to crises B a president who has a good understanding of public policy C an electoral college in the selection of the president D a president who is youthful and assertive
A a single executive who can respond quickly to crises
A media organization is interested in reporting election results in a congressional election prior to the final tally of votes which will not occur until later in the evening. The organization randomly selects several polling places across the district asking voters whom they voted for. The type of poll being used in this scenario is known as Responses A an exit poll B a benchmark poll C an opinion poll D a tracking poll
A an exit poll
Which of the following makes a correct comparison between political parties and interest groups in the United States? Political PartiesInterest GroupsAPolitical parties recruit and run candidates in elections.Interest groups seek to influence public policy.BPolitical 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.CPolitical parties have organizations that donate money to candidates for public office.Interest groups are barred by law from donating money to political campaigns.DPolitical 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. Responses A A B B C C D D
A political parties recruit and run candidates in elections. Interest groups seek to influence public policy
A 2017 study in The American Economic Review found that watching Fox News during an election cycle increased a Democrat's chances of voting Republican by 28 percent. Conversely, by watching MSNBC Republicans were more inclined to vote Democrat by 8 percent. This scenario best illustrates which of the following about the media? Responses A Increased media choices tend to reinforce existing beliefs when citizens are offered ideological choices in programming. B Cable news programming is oftentimes ideologically driven and effective in persuading citizens to adopt their point of view. C The consumption of news tends to increase voter participation for Republicans but is less effective in increasing participation for Democrats. D Modern political parties have launched air campaigns to persuade voters by purchasing advertisements on 24-hour news networks.
B Cable news programming is oftentimes ideologically driven and effective in persuading citizens to adopt their point of view.
A Driving down the cost of education by removing ineffective teachers B Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education C Increasing school accountability by requiring schools to show evidence of improvement D Scaling back the role of the federal government and allowing state and local governments to take the lead in education policy
B Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education
Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information? Responses A Investigative reporting dominates the news because it is less expensive than political commentary. B Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption. C The media is increasingly controlled by the major political parties, who determine which stories are covered by the press. D There has been an increase in social media and Internet news consumption by the public, causing the top five media conglomerates to have greater control over public opinion.
B Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.
states with capital punishment map A Second Amendment B Eighth Amendment C Sixteenth Amendment D Twenty-Sixth Amendment
B Eighth Amendment
Number of Residents per Electoral Vote bar chart A Small states have fewer electoral votes than large states and therefore have no impact on presidential elections. B Individuals in small-population states have a greater impact on the electoral college than individuals in large-population states. C Candidates from states with a large number of electoral votes have a major advantage in the electoral college. D Smaller states have more electoral votes than larger states, which distorts the popular vote.
B Individuals in small-population states have a greater impact on the electoral college than individuals in large-population states.
Which of the following best explains how partisan differences between the president and Congress affect policymaking in the federal government? Responses A It would weaken the power of congressional party leadership in the House of Representatives because the rules require a majority of members to approve bills. B It reduces the chances of bills becoming law because the president and the majority party in Congress are from different parties. C It leads to fewer bills being introduced into Congress because it is less likely that these bills will make it through politically divided committees. D It reduces the incentive to work across party lines because legislation that is vetoed can be overridden with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
B It reduces the chances of bills becoming law because the president and the majority party in Congress are from different parties.
The majority party in the Senate is concerned that the Supreme Court has made a number of ideologically dangerous and controversial rulings. Which of the following actions could be taken by the Senate to limit the Supreme Court's power? Responses A Replace the chief justice of the Supreme Court with someone with whom they agree with ideologically B Pass legislation already passed by the House that would limit the impact of the Supreme Court's recent rulings C Ratify a constitutional amendment limiting the Supreme Court's power D Enforce term limits for justices on the Supreme Court
B Pass legislation already passed by the House that would limit the impact of the Supreme Court's recent rulings
A Political parties are likely to continue to stand by their traditional positions and not bother to appeal to groups that have not previously been included in their base. B Political parties will adapt their positions and find ways to appeal to voters from growing demographic groups. C Political parties will adapt by switching from candidate-centered campaigns to campaigns that strategically mobilize voters across the country with a consistent message. D Political parties will advocate for proportional representational systems so that groups with larger populations are able to win seats and be represented more fairly in government.
B Political parties will adapt their positions and find ways to appeal to voters from growing demographic groups.
A President Johnson believes that Congress will soon pass a bill on education reform, and he would like to be able to claim credit for it. B President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. C President Johnson is expecting the Supreme Court to soon rule on the constitutionality of a law passed by the previous administration. D President Johnson is issuing an executive order calling on local governments to increase training for teachers and address poverty among students.
B President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education.
A The Twenty-Sixth Amendment is not incorporated to the states. B States can create criteria for voting rights so long as they do not violate the United States Constitution. C The president is selected through the electoral college process, and therefore citizens do not actually have a real vote in presidential elections. D The Voting Rights Act guarantees that each state may determine its own procedures for elections.
B States can create criteria for voting rights so long as they do not violate the United States Constitution.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy? Responses A A lobbyist representing the National Rifle Association refusing to meet with employees from the Department of Homeland Security B The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee C The White House chief of staff being formally censured by the president for publicly speaking out against the president's policy goals D A federal judge being impeached for making legal decisions based on bribes
B The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee
number of african american southern state legislators graph what is it lacking Source: Kousser, 1999 A The time frame for the data is misleading. B There is no information about the total number of state legislators. C There are insufficient data points to detect a trend. D The trend over time is potentially misleading and would be easier to read in a pie chart.
B There is no information about the total number of state legislators.
A Washington Boasts of the Potential of the New Republic B Washington Warns of Dangerous Party Factions C Washington Endorses a Stronger Executive Branch D Washington Takes Negative View of Checks and Balances
B Washington Warns of Dangerous Party Factions
A President Clinton greatly reduced the use of presidential signing statements compared with his predecessors. B While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's. C President Clinton's brief access to the power of the line-item veto allowed him to issue fewer signing statements that raised concerns about legislation. D President George W. Bush was forced to issue more signing statements as a direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
B While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's.
Which of the following pair of Supreme Court cases best illustrates how views of federalism have shifted in the United States? Case 1Case 2ABrown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)Baker v. Carr (1962)BMcCulloch v. Maryland (1819)United States v. Lopez (1995)CCitizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010)McDonald v. Chicago (2010)DSchenck v. United States (1919)New York Times v. United States (1971) Responses A A B B C C D D
B mccoluch v maryland
Which of the following scenarios is an example of the trustee model of representation? Responses A The NAACP leadership sends representatives to Washington to lobby for changes to the Voting Rights Act. B Congress passes a bill allocating money to clean up nuclear waste sites after a wave of large-scale peaceful protests. C A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt. D A presidential candidate advocates using an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors.
C A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a member of Congress supporting pork-barrel legislation? Responses A A senator from a coal-producing state voting against a job-training program for coal miners B A member of the House voting for urban renewal in exchange for increased funding for roads C A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state D A member of the House Armed Services Committee marking up a bill that will increase funding for military bases
C A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state
A Federal mandates B Regulatory preemption C Block grants D Categorical grants
C Block grants
President Barack Obama fiscal year. Which of the following most accurately explains the interaction between the president and the Congress regarding the defense budget? A 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. B 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. C 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. D 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.
C 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.
A An increasing number of voters are not turning out to vote in elections. B Federalism can lead to different public policy outcomes between states. C Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock. D Members of the press fail to report on the illegal activities of certain members of the bureaucracy.
C Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock.
A All citizens over 18 years old are eligible to vote regardless of where they live, but only about 56% actually do vote. B Voters from 18 and 54 are far more likely to vote than voters over 54, but this can depend on which state they live in. C Over 75% of the population is eligible to vote, but only about half the electorate actually voted in the 2016 presidential election. D Voters ages 18-35 are less likely to vote because some states restrict voting only to citizens over the age of 21.
C Over 75% of the population is eligible to vote, but only about half the electorate actually voted in the 2016 presidential election.
A voter's decision to support the incumbent president in an upcoming election is based on recent economic growth and record low unemployment. Which of the following models of voting behavior best characterizes this voter's decision? Responses A Prospective voting B Straight ticket voting C Retrospective voting D Rational choice voting
C Retrospective voting
congressional leadership chart most powerful member of congress A President pro-tempore B Vice president C Speaker of the House D House majority leader
C Speaker of the House
A State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government's mandates. B State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states. C State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent. D The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities.
C State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent.
Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety? Responses A The Supreme Court will be asked to review the legislation annually. B States will be empowered to begin automobile manufacturing. C The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations. D Mandatory spending will be required in all future federal budgeting for the program. Answer C
C The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations.
chart showing number of african american southern state legislators increasing what explains this Source: Kousser, 1999 A The Civil Rights Act of 1964 B Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) C The Voting Rights Act of 1965 D The Nineteenth Amendment
C The Voting Rights Act of 1965
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? Responses A 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. B The consumer protection group will appeal only to Republican leaders, while the banking interests will appeal only to Democratic leaders. C The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group. D The consumer protection group is prohibited by federal regulations from direct lobbying.
C The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group.
Which of the following Supreme Court decisions allows public school students to wear T-shirts protesting a school board decision that eliminates funding for high school arts programs? Responses A Engel v. Vitale (1962) B Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) D New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
A There will be fewer restrictions placed on voting. B Voter turnout is likely to increase among non-Whites. C Voter turnout will likely become more diverse. D There will be more retrospective voting among young voters.
C Voter turnout will likely become more diverse.
A a reduction of federal income taxes so that state and local governments can use those resources B less federal regulation and more authority for local school boards to create curricula and standards C an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities D encouraging state and local governments to offer vouchers so that students can attend private or charter schools
C an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities
Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president? Formal PowerInformal PowerAVetoing legislation to prevent a bill from becoming lawUsing a pocket veto to prevent a bill from becoming lawBUsing the bully pulpit to influence public opinionAppointing ambassadors and receiving diplomats from other nationsCActing as commander in chief of the militarySigning executive agreements with foreign nationsDUsing the power of the purse to support government programsUsing signing statements to shape legislation Responses A A B B C C D D
C acting as commander in cheif and signing exec agreements
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of rights protected and not protected by the First Amendment? Protected by the First AmendmentNot Protected by the First Amendment ALibel/slanderFighting words BFreedom of religionFreedom of assembly CThe right to burn a flagObscenity DOnline newspapersThe right of a student to pray in school Responses A A B B C C D D
C the right to burn a flag protected obscenity not
Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution? Articles of ConfederationUnited States ConstitutionAProtection of individual libertiesNo protection of specific individual rightsBPowerful executive branchFederal government supreme over statesCUnicameral legislatureBicameral legislatureDAmendment requires unanimity of all statesAmendment requires the president's approval Responses A A B B C C D D
C unicameral legislature aoc bicameral legislature constitution
Which of the following congressional plans to create new district maps would most likely face a challenge in the Supreme Court based on precedent? Responses A A state legislature hires a private consulting group to fairly balance districts according to political ideology with the unintended consequence of having no districts that are majority Hispanic. B A district is drawn by a panel of judges to ensure more competitive elections but inadvertently creates more districts that are majority White than majority African American. C A square-shaped contiguous district in which the majority of voters are African American is drawn in a state, using similarity in geographic size as the predominant factor in its creation. D A district that has a majority of African American residents is drawn in a state, using race as the predominant factor in its creation.
D A district that has a majority of African American residents is drawn in a state, using race as the predominant factor in its creation.
states with capital punishment map A Separation of powers B Judicial review C Checks and balances D Federalism
D Federalism
Which of the following Supreme Court cases established that those accused of felonies who cannot afford legal counsel are entitled to legal counsel provided by the state? Responses A United States v. Lopez (1995) B McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) D Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
D Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Which of the following describes the Twenty-Fourth Amendment? Responses A It desegregated places of public accommodation. B It required elections for the United States Senate. C It reduced barriers to political participation on the basis of gender. D It eliminated poll taxes.
D It eliminated poll taxes.
In a public opinion poll, a polling company used an online survey tool to randomly contact respondents who did not have telephone lines in addition to contacting people over the phone. Which of the following best explains this decision? Responses A The company saved money because it did not need to hire as many telephone interviewers to conduct the poll. B The company was establishing a benchmark poll at the beginning of a campaign. C The company was interested in asking different questions to different individuals. D The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random.
D The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random.
An important Senate race takes place in the state of Georgia. Rather than focus on the issue positions taken by the candidates, a 24-hour cable news station instead focuses primarily on poll results and campaign strategies using a "big board" to show the counties where each candidate has the most support. Which of the following is an effect of this type of new coverage? Responses A The electorate will be increasingly divided along partisan lines. B The electorate will be more likely to turn out to vote on Election Day. C The electorate will be more likely to have expanded knowledge of the electoral process. D The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.
D The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.
The clause of the United States Constitution that was used in the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) was Responses A The due process clause B The necessary and proper clause C The free exercise clause D The equal protection clause
D The equal protection clause
A public school district implemented a policy that instructed students to recite a common, district approved meditation at the beginning of the school day. This policy was later found to be unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Which of the following clauses did the policy most likely violate? Responses A The interstate commerce clause B The free exercise clause C The supremacy clause D The establishment clause
D The establishment clause
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of concurrent powers? Responses A The president negotiates a treaty regarding climate change with foreign governments, but for the treaty to take effect, it requires approval by the Senate. B As commander-in-chief of the military, the president orders troops to a foreign nation to address a potential threat to national security. C A Senate committee holds a hearing to discuss potential misuse of funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs. D 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.
D 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.
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? Responses A 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. B The Senate votes to impeach a sitting president for high crimes and misdemeanors. C The secretary of state is dispatched along with a delegation of senators to negotiate a treaty with a foreign government. D The president threatens to issue an executive order to address climate concerns if Congress continues to refuse to take action.
D The president threatens to issue an executive order to address climate concerns if Congress continues to refuse to take action.
In the 1780s, proponents of the new Constitution cited Shays' Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? Responses A The national government did not provide sufficient protection of individual rights. B The lack of a centralized judiciary made enforcement of national laws difficult. C States with larger populations were underrepresented in Congress. D There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns.
D There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns.
