C963 Practice Quiz

The Supreme Court accepted a case in which a bakery was asked to create a cake for a same-sex wedding, but the owner declined to do so on the grounds that designing cakes for same-sex weddings violated their religious beliefs. Which of the following cases with the Supreme Court most likely reference when making their ruling? A. Burwell v. Hobby Lobby B. Gibbons v. Ogden C. Texas v. Johnson D. Miller v. California

A

The power to declare was and regulate interstate commerce are examples of the A. Enumerated powers of congress B. Implied powers of congress C. Reserved powers of the states D. Expressed powers of the president

A

What basic freedom was given more protection by the decision in Cohen v. California? A. Freedom of speech and expression gained protection from Cohen v. California B. Freedom of assembly gained protection from Cohen v. California C. Freedom of the press gained protection from Cohen v. California D. Free exercise of religion gained protection from Cohen v. California

A

What must a candidate do to be successful in the primaries? A. A candidate must align and commit him or herself to the ideology of their party B. A candidate must be sure to begin campaigning late in the campaign season to avoid media scrutiny C. A candidate must appeal for the support of independent voters D. A candidate must try to gain support from voters of both parties to win the election

A

What was the effect of the National Voter Registration Act (motor voter bill)" A. In increased voter registration, but not voter turnout B. It increased voter turnout, but not registration C. It had no effect on either turnout or registration D. It increased both voter registration and turnout

A

Which Supreme Court Case first established that spending in election campaigns is a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment? A. Buckley v. Valeo B. Citizens United v. FEC C. Shelby County v. Holder D. Crawford v. Marion County Election Board

A

Which statement is true regarding state representation in the House of Representatives? A. A states representation in the House of Representatives is allocated among the states, roughly proportional to state populations B. A states representation in the House of Representatives is equally proportioned among the states C. A states representation in the House of Representatives is based strictly on the party membership of voters D. A states representation in the House of Representatives is distributed proportionally according to a states share of the partisan vote for president

A

Which theory about the media suggests that what people see or read creates their own perception of reality? A. Cultivation theory B. Hypodermic theory C. Political education theory D. Filtering theory

A

The principles underlying the Declaration of Independence (e.g. natural rights) were rooted in the writings of A. Thomas Hobbes B. Daniel Shays C. James Madison D. John Locke

John Locke

The concept of ______ refers to instances when the government attempts to censor something before its publication A. Symbolic expression B. Prior restraint C. Strict scrutiny D. Gag order

B

The great compromise provided for A. A two-chamber legislature with equal representation for all states. B. A two-chamber legislature with equal representation for all states in one chamber and population-based representation in the other. C. A one-chamber legislature with representation based on population. D. A two-chamber legislature with representation based on population.

B

Under appellate jurisdiction, the Supreme Court hears cases: A. That involve disputes between the states B. That were previously heard in lower courts C. Referred by congress D. For the first time

B

What does the power of the judicial review permit the courts to do? A. Overturn an act of congress if it is unpopular with the public B. Determine the constitutionality of a congressional act C. Reverse a presidential pardon D. Review bills before they are voted on by the House and Senate

B

What is the biggest difference between a primary election and a caucus? A. Caucuses are used by a majority of states, while primary elections are fairly rare B. Primary elections involve casting a ballot, while caucuses involve in-person meetings C. Primary elections allow party members to choose their candidates, while caucuses allow non-party members to select their candidates

B

Which ideology would be most likely to support harsher punishments for crime? A. Modern liberalism B. Traditional conservatism C. Modern conservatism D. Classically liberalism

B

Which of the following is a public interest group? A. A teachers union lobbying for better pay and health benefits B. An environmental rights group advocating for cleaner air quality C. An organization representing gun manufacturers requesting fewer government regulations on firearms D. A group representing oil and gas companies working to expand exports of crude oil

B

Which of the following opened the door for corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money in elections on behalf of candidates (cannot donate directly to candidates)? A. Federal Election Campaign Act B. Citizens United v. FEC C. McCain-Feingold Act/Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act D. Buckley v. Valeo

B

Which of the following positions would the Federalists have agreed with? A. A strong national government would threaten state sovereignty B. Elected representatives would contain the problem of factions C. The judicial branch should be the most powerful branch of government D. The constitution offers little protection for liberty or natural rights

B

Who must approve an executive agreement? A. The majority vote by both houses of congress must approve an executive agreement B. The president and the foreign political leader who is involved are the only ones who must approve an executive agreement C. A majority vote of the Cabinet must approve an executive agreement D. A two-thirds vote of the senate must approve an executive agreement

B

What is the correct order of events in the presidential selection process? A. Electoral college, general election, nominating convention, primaries and caucuses B. Nominating convention, general election, primaries and caucuses, electoral college C. Primaries and caucuses, nominating conventions, general election, electoral college D. Nominating convention, primaries and caucuses, electoral college, general election

C

What makes the freedom of religion a civil liberty and not a civil right? A. It is listen in the bill of rights B. It is an absolute freedom C. It restricts the governments power D. It protects both the beliefs and practices of religion

C

What strategy do presidential campaigns use to win the presidency? A. They spend the same amount of time in each state to win the national popular vote B. They spend the most time in safe states to make sure their supporters come out C. They spend the most time in swing states to win undecided voters D. They spend the most time in states previously won by the other party to persuade voters to support them

C

Which clause of the constitution specifically prevents the government from interfering with a person's religious practices? A. Establishment clause B. Due process clause C. Free-exercise clause D. Exclusionary clause

C

Which presidential power is virtually unchecked? A. The power of the veto B. The power to appoint judges C. The power to pardon people convicted of federal crimes D. The power to negotiate treaties

C

Why did the defendant charged with burning an American flag have his conviction overturned? A. The original trial introduced illegally obtained evidence B. Since he burned his own flag, he could not be convicted C. The Supreme Court ruled that flag burning was protected by symbolic speech D. Only the national government could ban flag burning, not a state such as Texas.

C

With its ruling in the case Marbury v. Madison, the U.S. Supreme Court established A. The right of federal courts to hear state disputes B. The power of congress to create additional federal courts C. That the courts could review laws to determine whether they conflicted with the constitution D. The state courts could not apply federal laws. Use their power of judicial review

C

In Mapp v. Ohio, a case that involved the conviction of a woman for possession of obscene material found during an illegal search for a fugitive, the Supreme Court A. Ruled that illegally obtained evidence could be used in state courts but not in federal courts B. Refused to incorporate the illegal search and seizure protection under the 14th amendment C. Ruled that State police were not bound by due process guarantees D. Applied the Federal exclusionary rule to state courts

D

In just about all elections, but particularly in congressional elections, ______ enjoy great advantages and are difficult to defeat A. Challengers B. Independents C. Electors D. Incumbents

D

In the summer before the 2020 election, the media focused on the early victories of Joe Biden in the primary elections, which let to an increase in voter support for Biden. This story is an example of: A. Watchdog journalism B. Horse race journalism C. Market-driven journalism D. Bandwagon effect

D

What is an effect of gerrymandering districts? A. Voter turnout and political engagement increase B. Minority parties gain increased political influence C. House races become less partisan than Senate races D. One party receives an advantage in elections

D

What is an example of outside lobbying? A. A public education interest group hires a lobbyist to visit members of congressional committees that address education policy B. A public education interest group has its president meet with officials in the executive branch to implement comprehensive education reform C. A public education interest group filed an amicus brief in a Supreme Court case dealing with equal access to public schools D. A public education interest group creates "score cards" so the public knows how lawmakers fare on education reform

D

What is one disadvantage of our current presidential primary process? A. The voters have little control over who their parties nominees are B. It is a short process that does not allow voters enough time to make an informed decision C. Candidates spend too much time in "safe states" trying to shore up support D. The media focuses on candidates who do well early in the primary process, influencing the outcome of future primaries

D

Which law made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance? A. Age discrimination in employment act (1967) B. The equal pay act of 1963 C. Americans with disabilities act (ADA) D. Title IX (Education Amendments of 1972)

D

Which of the following types of discrimination would be subject to the rational basis test? A. A law that treats men differently than women B. An action by a state governor that treats Asian Americans differently from other citizens C. A law that treats whites differently from other citizens D. A law that treats 10-year-olds differently from 28- year-olds

D

Which of these is a concurrent power? A. Regulating commerce within a state B. Declaring war C. Conducting elections D. Collecting taxes

D

Which political belief is associated with modern conservatism? A. Increased spending on public housing B. Higher taxes C. Firm police action and swift punishment for criminals D. Less government regulation of business

D

Which statement is true about the general political beliefs of major American demographic groups? A. Younger people tend to be more politically conservative than senior citizens B. Catholics tend to be more politically liberal than most Americans C. African Americans are more likely to vote Republican than Asian Americans D. Women tend to be more liberal than men

D

True or false: The hypodermic theory assumes that people tend to reject information provided by the media

False

The Articles of Confederation failed for several reasons, including the fact that the new national government A. Did not get the approval of all thirteen colonies B. Had no power to tax C. Left the states with no authority D. Never appointed a president

Had no power to tax

After each census, seats in the House of Representatives are assigned based on recent population shifts among the states. What term defines this process? A. Redistributing B. Gerrymandering C. Population sorting D. Reapportionment

Reapportionment

Which event demonstrated that the Articles of Confederation was incapable of keeping order, leading to a new constitutional convention and movement toward a stronger national government? A. Shay's rebellion B. The Boston tea party C. Prohibition D. The war of 1812

Shay's rebellion

The idea of consent on the part of those who are governed is derived from which concept? A. State of nature B. Social contract theory C. Separation of powers D. Majoritarianism

Social contract theory

What was the central organizing political principle of the Articles of Confederation? A. Three branches with separate powers B. State sovereignty C. Checks and balances D. Bicamerals

State sovereignty

An executive order A. Is a check and balance the president exercises over the judicial branch B. Is a tool a president uses to shape how public policy is implemented by the executive branch C. Is a way that presidents officially veto legislation D. Is illegal according to the constitution

B

How did the Brown v. Board of Education cases overturn previous Supreme Court precedent? A. By upholding the earlier decision in Plessy v. Ferguson B. By ending the convention of separate but equal treatment by race C. By upholding the practice of affirmative action D. All of the above

B

In Lemon v. Kurtzman, the Supreme Court ruled that A. Governments could regulate the exercise of religion on a case by case basis, except in cases involving the free exercise of religion by minors B. Government involvement with religion must be secular in purpose, not advance nor inhibit religion, and not excessively entangle government and religion C. Government involvement with religion must pass the standard of strict scrutiny to pass constitutional muster D. Governments couldn't regulate the establishment of religion on cases that do not involve a compelling government interest

B

One news story presents Medicare cuts as "harming senior citizens" while another presents it as "reducing wasteful government spending." This is an example of ______ A. Priming B. Framing C. Prior restraint D. Pack journalism

B

Students demonstrating against school shootings by wearing T-Shirts with a "No Guns" logo as a symbolic protest would probably be protected under which case ruling? A. Griswold v. Connecticut B. Tinker v. Des Moines School District C. McDonald v. Chicago D. Lemon v. Kurtzman

B

The case of Gideon v. Wainwright affirmed that the state must A. Allow you to be tried by a jury if your peers B. Provide you with legal counsel C. Inform you of your constitutional rights before placing you under arrest D. Allow you to confront your accuser

B

The voter participation of African Americans did not increase significantly until which event? A. The passage of the fifteenth amendment B. The development of the grandfather clauses C. The implementation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 D. The legalization of literacy tests

C

A group of African-American students believes a College admissions test that is used by a public university discriminates against them. What legal standard should the courts use in deciding their case? A. Rational basis test B. Intermediate scrutiny C. Strict scrutiny D. Lemon test

C

Almost 20 years after the Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court allowed states to place more restrictions on abortion in which case? A. Griswold v. Connecticut B. Obergefell v. Hodges C. Planned Parenthood v. Casey D. Branzburg v. Hayes

C

As a "check" on the power of the Supreme Court, congress has the power to A. Nominate federal judges B. Grant pardons to people who members of congress think are innocent C. Confirm justices on the supreme court D. Override a supreme court decision (with 2/3 majority in the House and Senate)

C

How are the Plessy vs. Ferguson and the Brown vs. Board of Education cases related? A. They both expanded our 14th amendment right to equal protection under the law B. The Plessy case upheld de facto segregation, while the Brown case dismantled in the Public school system C. The Plessy case upheld the separate but equal doctrine, while the Brown case overturned it's application in Public schools D. They both dealt with issues of race in the U.S. Education system

C

If the Senate and the House versions of a bill differ, they are sent to a(n) _____, where legislatures from both chambers create a compromise version A. Standing committee B. Compromise committee C. Conference committee D. Joint committee

C

In 2010, the Supreme Court in McDonald v. Chicago, ruled in a 5-4 decision that an individuals right to bear arms A. Can be prohibited by state or local government B. Only is permitted if the individual is part of a state militia C. Cannot be prohibited by state or local government D. Only is permitted if the individual submits to a state background check

C

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court invoked which provision of the constitution? A. Tenth amendment B. Commerce clause C. Necessary and Proper clause D. Judicial review

C

One of the main ideas behind the New Jersey Plan was to A. Establish a bicameral legislature B. Create a national judiciary and one or more supreme courts C. Give states with large and small populations equal representation D. Create a template for the Bill of Rights

C

The Supreme Court and other federal courts often use the doctrine of _____, which is the tendency for courts to rely on established principles or precedents A. Judicial activism B. Amicus curiae C. State decisis D. Original jurisdiction

C

The ______ to the constitution prohibits states from denying the right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." A. Tenth amendment B. Fourteenth amendment C. Fifteenth amendment D. Twenty-second amendment

C

The number of electoral votes for each state is A. Distributed among the states, based on federal taxes B. A calculation based on the number of popular votes C. Equal to the sum of the states representatives and senate D. Determined by the states population

C

The power of the president to veto laws is an example of A. Federalism B. Implied powers C. Checks and balances D. Separation of powers

Checks and balances

A supporter of State's rights would be more likely to quote the A. Supremacy clause B. Necessary and Proper Clause C. Elastic clause D. Tenth Amendment

Tenth amendment