AP Gov Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings Exam

(1.3/4.A) Which of the following is argued by James Madison in The Federalist paper number 10? A. A system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism. B. Small republics are better able to ensure individual liberty than are large republics. C. The presence of a few large factions helps to protect the rights of minorities. D. Participatory democracy is the surest way to prevent tyranny. E. The elimination of the causes of factionalism is the best protection against tyranny.

A. A system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism.

(1.7/1.D) Which of the following is the best example of a categorical grant? A. Money given to states for special education programs B. Money given to individuals in the form of tax rebates C. Money given to states unconditionally D. Money given to states to spend at their discretion on transportation E. Money given directly to private business for economic development

A. Money given to states for special education programs

(1.8/2.A) In McCulloch v. Maryland , the Supreme Court established which of the following principles? A. States cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government. B. The judicial branch cannot intervene in political disputes between the President and Congress. C. The federal Bill of Rights places no limitations on the states. D. The federal government has the power to regulate commerce. E. It is within the judiciary's authority to interpret the constitution.

A. States cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government.

(1.8/1.B) Of the following, which has been used most to expand the power of the national government? A. The commerce clause of the Constitution B. The habeas corpus clause of the Constitution C. The bill of attainder clause of the Constitution D. The First Amendment E. The Fifth Amendment

A. The commerce clause of the Constitution

(1.8/1.A) Which of the following clauses in the Constitution justifies the "implied powers doctrine" ? A. The necessary and proper clause B. The privileges and immunities clause C. The contract clause D. The debts and engagements clause E. The debts and engagements clause

A. The necessary and proper clause

(1.8/2.A) The following questions refer to the following excerpt from a United States Supreme Court decision. "We are unanimously of opinion, that the law passed by the legislature of Maryland, imposing a tax on the Bank of the United States, is unconstitutional and void...This is a tax on the operation of an instrument employed by the government of the Union to carry its powers into execution. Such a tax must be unconstitutional..." Which of the following resulted from this Supreme Court decision? A. The power of the national government was strengthened. B. The power of the Supreme Court was weakened. C. The power of state governments to tax individual citizens was clearly limited. D. Congress was given the power to coin money. E. Congress alone was given the power to charter banks.

A. The power of the national government was strengthened.

(1.1/1.A) The framers of the Constitution intended to establish A. a representative republic B. a direct democracy C. an authoritarian state D. a socialist democracy E. a parliamentary republic

A. a representative republic

(1.3/1.A) Brutus was an example of an Anti-Federalist because he A. believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights B. argued that a national military force was needed to deal with insurrections C. argued that the laws passed by the national government were supreme over state laws D. believed that compromise between the branches of government would ensure a limited government

A. believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights (Anti-Federalists believed that a centralized government would harm individual rights, a view which was espoused by Brutus)

All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT A. dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties B. fear for the stability of the central government C. desire to promote trade among the states D. the need to give the central government the power to levy taxes E. dissatisfaction with the central government's ability to provide for national defense

A. dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties

(1.8/1.A) The supremacy clause in the Constitution states that A. federal law takes precedence over state law when the laws conflict B. only Congress may declare war C. the Senate should have a greater role in foreign affairs than does the House of Representatives D. the federal government has the right to regulate interstate commerce E. the Supreme Court has the power to overturn decisions of lower courts

A. federal law takes precedence over state law when the laws conflict

(1.8/2.A) 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. A consolidation of power in the national government based on national supremacy B. A delegation of power from the federal government to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty C. A delegation of power from the state governments to the federal government, increasing the power of the United States government D. An increase in cooperative federalism, where power and duties are shared between the federal and state governments

B. A delegation of power from the federal government to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty (The Lopez decision stated that Congress had exceeded its authority to regulate all guns because the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 did not have a substantial impact on interstate commerce)

(1.8/2.C) Which of the following sets of Supreme Court cases best illustrates how views of federalism have shifted in the United States? A. Case 1: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954); Case 2: Baker v. Carr (1962) B. Case 1: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819); Case 2: United States v. Lopez C. Case 1: Roe v. Wade (1973); Case 2: McDonald v. Chicago (2010) D. Case 1: Schenck v. United States (1919); Case 2: New York Times v. United States (1971)

B. Case 1: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819); Case 2: United States v. Lopez (McCulloch v. Maryland established that states did not have the power to tax federal institutions, such as the Bank of the United States. United States v. Lopez demonstrated a shift in federal authority by ruling that the federal government could not establish gun- free zones under the commerce clause)

(1.2/1.C) Which of the following accurately characterizes the main difference between elite theories and pluralist theories of politics in the United States? A. Elite theories concentrate on the role of interest groups; pluralist theories emphasize the role of individuals. B. Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates politics in all policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete for power in different policy areas. C. Elite theories argue that social status is the major source of political power; pluralist theories argue that wealth is the major source. D. Elite theories emphasize the multiple access points that interest groups have to public officials; pluralist theories stress the limits in the number and effectiveness of such access points. E. Elite theories view government as efficient; pluralist theories view it as slow and wasteful.

B. Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates politics in all policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete for power in different policy areas.

(1.4/1.A) Under the Articles of Confederation, which of the following were true? I. Congress could not tax the states directly. II. The executive branch of government exercised more power than Congress. III. Congress was a unicameral body. IV. States were represented in Congress proportionally according to population. A. I and II B. I and III C. I and IV D. II and III E. II and IV

B. I and III

(1.7/1.D) Which of the following actions by the federal government best illustrates the concept of unfunded mandates? A. Requiring that polling booths remain open beyond the hours of the workday B. Requiring states and municipalities to provide certain services for their citizens without providing resources to pay for those services C. Requiring state governments to guarantee short-term bonds issued by large municipalities in their states D. Requiring all municipalities to impose a minimum property tax on all residential and business properties E. Requiring states and municipalities to privatize many previously publicly funded services

B. Requiring states and municipalities to provide certain services for their citizens without providing resources to pay for those services

(1.8/4.C) The following questions refer to the following clause from the Constitution: "The Congress shall have power...to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof." The practical effect of this clause has been to A. make the legislature the most powerful branch of the national government B. allow the national government to extend its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution C. allow the state governments to nullify federal laws within their borders D. give the President uncontested powers in the area of foreign policy E. ensure that any powers not delegated by the Constitution to the United States government are reserved to the states and the people

B. allow the national government to extend its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution

(1.5/1.B) The legislative process at the national level reflects the intent of the framers of the Constitution to create a legislature that would A. be less powerful than the executive B. be cautious and deliberate C. involve as many citizens as possible D. ensure that all groups be equally represented E. allow majorities virtually unlimited control over policy

B. be cautious and deliberate

(1.7/1.A)The framers of the United States Constitution left decisions on voting eligibility to the A. civil rights agencies B. individual states C. United States Supreme Court D. House of Representatives E. Senate

B. individual states

(1.7/1.A) In the United States political system, the term Federalism refers to A. limits on the powers of the state governments B. limits on the powers of the national government C. the division of powers between the levels of government D. the fundamental basis of law E. legal authority of the courts to hear cases

B. limits on the powers of the national government

(1.8/1.A) The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to A. prevent states from taxing agencies of the federal government B. reserve powers to the states C. restrict the application of judicial review D. allow for the burning of the flag as an expression of protest E. limit the use of the legislative veto

B. reserve powers to the states

(1.5/1.B) All of the following issues were decided at the Constitutional Convention EXCEPT A. representation in the legislature B. voting qualifications of the electorate C. method of electing the President D. congressional power to override a presidential veto E. qualifications for members of the House and Senate

B. voting qualifications of the electorate

(1.1/1.A) Which of the following describes the social contract theory as advanced by John Locke? A. It is an agreement between political actors to maintain their grip on power. B. It is an agreement in which the government promises to provide a minimum standard of living to citizens. C. It is an agreement in which the government promises to protect the natural rights of people. D. It is an agreement between economic elites to maintain a stable economy. E. It is an agreement in which the government outlines socially acceptable norms of political behavior.

C. It is an agreement in which the government promises to protect the natural rights of people.

(1.7/1.A) Cooperative federalism can best be described by which of the following statements? A. Different levels of government are involved in common policy areas. B. Government must have cooperation from the people in order to make legislative decisions. C. Local levels of government can make decisions on issues more efficiently than state and national governments can. D. The federal government must make regulations that can be applied across every state in the same way. E. Business and government can work together to more effectively accomplish shared goals.

C. Local levels of government can make decisions on issues more efficiently than state and national governments can.

(1.2/1.A) Which of the following statements reflects a pluralist theory of American politics? A. American politics is dominated by a small elite. B. Public policies emerge from cooperation among elites in business labor, and government. C. Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups D. American politics is dominated by cities at the expense of rural areas E. The American political arena is made up of isolated individuals who have few group affiliations outside the family.

C. Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups

(1.6/1.D) Which of the following is an example of the constitutional design of checks and balances? A. The federal government requires state governments to provide unemployment insurance. B. The Supreme Court overturns a lower court's ruling on the application of the Fourth Amendment. C. The Senate rejects a president's nomination for secretary of state. D. The Federal Communications Commission revokes the license of a radio station for hate speech. E. The Office of Management and Budget rejects a proposed regulation of air quality standards.

C. The Senate rejects a president's nomination for secretary of state.

(1.3/1.C) The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about which of the following issues? A. The right of the people to rebel B. The existence of slavery C. The scope of power of the central government D. The need to establish a standard currency E. The representation of large and small states

C. The scope of power of the central government

(1.7/1.A) States and localities have the most discretion in establishing policy when federal funding is derived from A. categorical grants B. matching grants C. block grants D. project grants E. grants-in-aid

C. block grants

(1.4/1.A) The importance of Shays' Rebellion to the development of the United States Constitution was that it A. revealed the necessity of both adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution and creating a new system of checks and balances B. demonstrated the intensity of antiratification sentiment within the thirteen states C. indicated that a strong, constitutionally designed national government was needed to protect property and maintain order D. convinced the delegates attending the Constitutional Convention to accept the Connecticut Plan E. reinforced the idea that slavery should be outlawed in the new Constitution

C. indicated that a strong, constitutionally designed national government was needed to protect property and maintain order

(1.2/1.A) The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in government, resulting in healthy democratic compromise and balance, is called A. elite powers politics B. socialism C. pluralism D. rational choice E. institutionalism

C. pluralism

(1.6/1.A) One example of constitutional checks and balances is A. the president declares war, but Congress appropriates military funds B. the president nominates cabinet members, and the House holds confirmation hearings C. the House can impeach federal judges and the president, and the Senate holds the impeachment trial D. Congress can override United States Supreme Court decisions on the constitutionality of laws E. presidential vetoes of laws can be overridden by a simple majority vote in both the House and the Senate

C. the House can impeach federal judges and the president, and the Senate holds the impeachment trial

(1.7/1.A) A prominent example of the process of returning more of the responsibilities of governing from the national level to the state level is A. immigration reform B. trade reform C. welfare reform D. campaign finance reform E. national security reform

C. welfare reform

(1.1/1.A) Which of the following is NOT a trait of a liberal democracy? A. Holding regular, frequent, and competitive elections B. Protecting minority rights C. Having a lively and free press D. Achieving income equality E. Guaranteeing equality in voting

D. Achieving income equality

(1.5/1.E) 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? A. Utah argued that because the majority of its citizens are Mormon, the No Child Left Behind Act infringed upon their free exercise rights. B. The Supreme Court ruled several parts of the No Child Left Behind Act unconstitutional, so Utah had to create policy to address those areas. C. Since education is a policy clearly delegated to the states, the No Child Left Behind Act was a clear violation of the Constitution. D. Educational policy is not mentioned in the Constitution, which has created debate about the proper role for the national government in educational policy.

D. Educational policy is not mentioned in the Constitution, which has created debate about the proper role for the national government in educational policy. (Educational policy is not mentioned in the Constitution, which has led to negotiations between the states and the national government over education)

(1.5/1.B) The Connecticut (Great) Compromise drafted at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 is significant for which of the following reasons? A. It established the presidential system and gave the United States Supreme Court power to serve as the ultimate arbiter of constitutional disputes. B. It allowed southern states to count each slave as three-fifths of one person for determining representation in the House of Representatives. C. It provided equality of representation among the states in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. D. It proposed a Senate with equal representation for each state and a House of Representatives with membership established according to the population of each state. E. It denied Congress the power to establish tariffs on exported merchandise.

D. It proposed a Senate with equal representation for each state and a House of Representatives with membership established according to the population of each state.

(1.4/1.B) Which of the following was the most important effect of replacing the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of 1787? A. The protection of free speech B. The guarantee of states' rights C. The establishment of direct democracy D. The creation of a strong national government E. The establishment of judicial review

D. The creation of a strong national government

(1.7/1.B) Concurrent powers have which of the following effects on the United States political system? A. They reinforce the expansion of the power of the national government and the supremacy of the national law. B. They eliminate disputes between the states and the national government by creating completely separate spheres of influence. C. They foster cooperation between the states and the national government by requiring that the two levels of government work together. D. They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy.

D. They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy. (Concurrent powers are powers that both states and the national government have. They make it possible for states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy)

(1.3/4.A) In The Federalist papers, James Madison expressed the view that political factions A. should be nurtured by a free nation B. should play a minor role in any free nation C. are central to the creation of a free nation D. are undesirable but inevitable in a free nation E. are necessary to control the masses in a free nation

D. are undesirable but inevitable in a free nation

(1.7/1.D) Giving state governments greater discretion in deciding how to achieve the specific goals of welfare reform is an example of A. an unfunded mandate B. implied powers C. dual federalism D. devolution E. affirmative action

D. devolution

(1.5/1.A) After a constitutional amendment has been proposed by both houses of Congress, its adoption requires A. official filing with the secretary of state B. support by a majority vote of the people C. signature by the president D. ratification by three-fourths of the states E. publication in the Federal Register

D. ratification by three-fourths of the states

(1.8/1.B) Which of the following is a correct statement about the federal government's role in interstate commerce? A. The federal government has no role in regulating interstate commerce. B. The federal government's role is limited to regulating activities that may lead to federal crimes. C. The federal government's role is limited to regulating commerce transported on interstate waterways such as the Mississippi River. D. The federal government's role is limited to regulating the transport of agricultural goods. E. The federal government's role has been greatly expanded through the interpretation of the interstate commerce clause.

E. The federal government's role has been greatly expanded through the interpretation of the interstate commerce clause.

(1.5/1.B) The procedure for formally amending the United States Constitution best illustrates which of the following? A. The dominance of the national government over the state governments B. The dominance of the state governments over the national government C. The Founding Fathers' desire to facilitate rapid constitutional revisions D. The Supreme Court's power to review constitutional amendments E. The federal structure of the United States government

E. The federal structure of the United States government

(1.7/1.A) The Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for the disabled, is an example of A. state supremacy B. horizontal federalism C. affirmative action D. dual federalism E. a federal mandate

E. a federal mandate

(1.7/1.A) The Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for the disabled, is an example of A. state supremacy B. horizontal federalism C. affirmative action D. dual federalism E. a federal mandate

E. a federal mandate

(1.2/1.A) American political culture is characterized by strong popular support for all of the following EXCEPT A. the rule of law B. limited government C. individual liberty D. equality of opportunity E. economic equality

E. economic equality

(1.7/1.A) The terms "fiscal federalism" and "cooperative federalism" refer to situations in which A. the federal government completely dominates state and local governments B. states are forbidden any activity that has not been specifically approved by the Supreme Court C. the federal judiciary uses its power of judicial review to ensure congressional dominance over state legislatures D. state, municipal, and local income taxes are pooled by special agreement and redistributed in accordance with individual need E. federal, state, and local governments work together to complete a project, with the federal government providing much of the project funding

E. federal, state, and local governments work together to complete a project, with the federal government providing much of the project funding

(1.7/1.B) The Americans with Disabilities Act was widely unpopular with governors and mayors because it A. required that people with disabilities be given equal access to public facilities B. required that buildings be retrofitted or remodeled to give equal access to people with disabilities C. did not go far enough to establish equal access to public facilities D. applied only to federal facilities and did nothing to accommodate people in municipal buildings E. required that states and cities pay for federally mandated construction and remodeling

E. required that states and cities pay for federally mandated construction and remodeling

(1.7/1.B) The most significant trend in federal-state relations during the 1980s was A. giving the federal government control over social welfare programs B. bringing about greater equality in the provision of social services in different states C. limiting state governments' ability to assess income taxes D. expanding the authority of county and municipal governments at the expense of state governments E. shifting the responsibilities and costs for many programs to state governments

E. shifting the responsibilities and costs for many programs to state governments

(1.2/4.A) In The Federalist papers, James Madison argues that political liberty is best protected by A. a written constitution B. a small republic with a parliamentary system C. a small democracy with a unitary government D. well-regulated militias controlled by state governments E. the fragmentation of political power in a large republic

E. the fragmentation of political power in a large republic