Benchmark Questions

In which of the following situations would the Supreme Court be most likely to utilize the doctrine of selective incorporation? (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

32. 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 (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

31. Which of the following provides the most accurate explanation of how consumer-driven media increases partisan polarization? (A) Consumer-driven media tends to avoid discussing controversial political topics. (B) Consumer-driven media reinforces existing political biases in individuals. (C) Consumer-driven media relies heavily on corporate advertising. (D) Consumer-driven media is overwhelmingly conservative.

(B) Consumer-driven media reinforces existing political biases in individuals.

Which of the following policies would an individual who identifies as a Democrat most likely support? (A) Reducing regulations on Wall Street to stimulate economic growth (B) Decreasing the role of the federal government to ensure access to health care (C) Increasing federal enforcement of immigration laws (D) Strengthening anti-discrimination policies for married gay couples

(B) Decreasing the role of the federal government to ensure access to health care

Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information? (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.

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? (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)

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? (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.

A public school district implemented a policy that allowed students to vote on whether they wanted a student-led prayer to be read at football games. 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? (A) The interstate commerce clause (B) The free exercise clause (C) The supremacy clause (D) The establishment clause

(D) The establishment clause

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.

The Supreme Court issued a ruling that was unpopular with a majority of Americans. The president and Congress might be able to lessen the impact of the decision by... (A) reducing the pay of the justices to pressure them to reverse their decision (B) overruling the Supreme Court's decision by a two-thirds vote in Congress (C) impeaching the justices in the majority (D) refusing to actively enforce the decision

(D) refusing to actively enforce the decision

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy? (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