Government exam 1
In a confederal system of government, the central government has which of the following? Almost no real power Almost all the power Supreme power over the states/provinces Equal power with the states/provinces Almost no real power except during times of war
Almost no real power
Which of the following is known as the transfer of government power from the national government to state governments? Cooperative federalism Revolution Devolution Dual federalism Regression
Devolution
States are now obligated to protect most provisions of the Bill of Rights as a result of the Supreme Court's interpretation of which Fourteenth Amendment clause? Due process Incorporation Equal protection Prior restraint Free exercise
Due process
Which of the following clauses or doctrines prohibits the national government from supporting an official religion? Free exercise clause Religious conviction Separation doctrine Incorporation clause Establishment clause
Establishment clause
Which 1868 amendment's passage allowed the potential for the application of the Bill of Rights to the states which adds several restrictions on what the states can do? Fifteenth Fourteenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth
Fourteenth
The Lemon test includes determining whether a law does which of the following? The government or individuals face harm. Government involvement advances a particular religion. Government involvement meets the standards of rational basis review. The government has a compelling state interest. The government has the ability to tax religious property.
Government involvement advances a particular religion.
What is the notification that police must give a person being arrested that she or he has a right to remain silent and a right to legal counsel commonly known as? First amendment protection Gideon's Trumpet Griswald rights Taking the fifth Miranda rights
Miranda rights
In what year did women get the right to vote nationally? 1920 1897 1911 1973 1967
1920
In an autocracy, leaders typically rely on which of the following to maintain order? A strong army or secret police force Reappointment by the national legislature A team of problem solvers that listen to the people and their needs Free and fair elections A popularly elected group of sheriffs
A strong army or secret police force
A university uses an admissions policy that gives special consideration to traditionally disadvantaged groups to overcome the present effects of past discrimination. The university is applying which of the following? White primaries Civil liberties Legislative mandate Strict scrutiny Affirmative action
Affirmative action
The case of New York Times v. United States was responsible for which of the following? Upholding the government's right to control what information the public could have about Vietnam Punishing the New York Times for publishing secret documents Affirming the no-prior-restraint doctrine in the Pentagon Papers case while punishing the New York Times for publishing secret documents Affirming the no-prior-restraint doctrine in the Pentagon Papers case Affirming the free speech of students in public schools
Affirming the no-prior-restraint doctrine in the Pentagon Papers case
The Articles of Confederation established a voluntary association of independent states that did which of the following? Did not collect tariffs on goods coming into the state Were represented on the basis of population in the Confederate assembly Paid a yearly levy to the national government to enforce state laws Agreed to only limited restraint on their freedom of action Relied on the national government to resolve all regional conflicts
Agreed to only limited restraint on their freedom of action
Equality of opportunity can be understood to mean which of the following? All citizens will be treated equally before the law. All citizens will experience the same standard of living. All citizens must equally participate in government. All citizens will be both happy and free. All citizens have the right to vote.
All citizens will be treated equally before the law.
The Constitution would not have been ratified in several important states if the Federalists had not assured the states of which of the following? Amendments to the Constitution would be passed to protect individual liberties against incursions by the national government. An amendment to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and consumption of liquor would be passed. Amendments to the Constitution would be passed to protect the rights of states against incursions by the national government. Slaves that had escaped to free states would not have to be returned to their owners in slave states. A ban on the importation of slaves would be a focus of the first Congress.
Amendments to the Constitution would be passed to protect individual liberties against incursions by the national government.
As Madison and the other Founders noted, the best check on excesses of power that threaten a fair and just government is which of the following? Knowledgeable bureaucrats An engaged public A bipartisan Congress An activist Supreme Court A powerful executive
An engaged public
The lack of a Bill of Rights was a problem for which of the following groups during the ratification debates? Federalists Republicans Democrats Antifederalists Democratic Republicans
Antifederalists
The general welfare clause is found in which of the following parts of the Constitution? Article III Article II Article I Article V Article IV
Article I
When state governments and the national government are seen as separate entities, how is dual federalism best characterized? As a layer cake As an angel food cake As a marble cake As a devil's food cake As a cupcake
As a layer cake
The Twenty-Fourth Amendment, ratified in 1964, did which of the following? Banned racial discrimination in the rental and sale of most housing Empowered the attorney general to register potential voters Banned poll taxes in primary and general elections for national office Gave state courts the lawful refusal to follow a Supreme Court order Gave women the right to vote
Banned poll taxes in primary and general elections for national office
What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution collectively known as? Magna Carta Rules of law Bill of Rights Code of Rights Articles of Confederation
Bill of Rights
Which of the following are given to state or local governments for specific programs or projects? Mandates Inherent powers Categorical grants Block grants Expressed powers
Categorical grants
Which of the following terms refers specifically to the rights of all Americans to equal treatment under the law? Civil liberties Natural rights Civil rights Inalienable rights Common law rights
Civil rights
What First Amendment test requires the state to prove there is a high likelihood that the speech in question would lead to a danger that Congress has the right to prevent? Equal protection test Miller test Necessary and proper test Lemon test Clear and present danger test
Clear and present danger test
In a federal system, which of the following powers are held jointly by the national and state governments? Concurrent powers Reserved powers Cooperative powers Inherent powers Statutory powers
Concurrent powers
Which of the following types of system consists of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers, and a central government with limited powers? Confederal Bicameral Authoritarian Federal Unitary
Confederal
Which of the following political ideologies has traditionally favored state governments over the federal government? Liberals Conservatives Federalists Traditionalists Socialists
Conservatives
Which of the following terms describes how state governments and the national government work together to solve the nation's problems? Categorical Distinctive Collaborative Cooperative Dual
Cooperative
A government program that is funded by the national government but run and managed by state governments is emblematic of which of the following? Cooperative federalism Dual federalism Enumerated powers Reserved powers The supremacy clause
Cooperative federalism
The guarantee against cruel and unusual punishment is found in which of the following constitutional amendments? Sixth Eighth Second First Fourth
Eighth
Cruel and unusual punishment is prohibited by which of the following? Separation of powers Judicial review First Amendment Fifth Amendment Eighth Amendment
Eighth Amendment
Which of the following is the power to coin money, create naturalization laws, admit new states, and declare war? Inferred Reserved Enumerated Inherent Implied
Enumerated
What is the expectation that citizens may not be discriminated against on account of race, gender, or national background and should have an equal chance to succeed in life called? Equality of opportunity Equality of circumstance Equality of outcome Equality of government Equality of chance
Equality of opportunity
Which clause of the Constitution is the basis for the separation of church and state? Free exercise Supremacy Establishment Necessary and proper Due process
Establishment
What is the system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between the national and state governments? Nationalism Federalism Socialism States' rights Confederal system
Federalism
Which of the following systems of government usually has a written constitution and divided authority between the central government and states? Oligarchy Unitary system Federalism Confederal system Monarchy
Federalism
Which of the following amendments protects the rights of the criminally accused? Tenth Fifth Third Ninth First
Fifth
Which amendment forbade the states from denying any person "equal protection under the law"? Fourteenth Twelfth Tenth Fifteenth Thirteenth
Fourteenth
What is the constitutional protection that ensures unqualified religious freedom? Freedom of association Clear and present danger test Elastic clause Symbolic speech Free exercise clause
Free exercise clause
Inciting a crowd to violence is not protected speech because it can lead to which of the following? Prior restraint Evil Obscenity Extra spending by police forces on crowd control Imminent lawless action
Imminent lawless action
Where can the provision which states that all persons born in the United States are citizens be found? In the Nineteenth Amendment In the Declaration of Independence In the Fourteenth Amendment In the Thirteenth Amendment In the Fifteenth Amendment
In the Fourteenth Amendment
Pluralist theory proposes that people's interests are protected by which of the following? Political parties Elites Elected representatives Interest groups The majority
Interest groups
In 1863, during the Civil War, what did President Abraham Lincoln do to make slavery illegal? Issued the Emancipation Proclamation Vetoed the Kansas-Nebraska Act Passed the Eleventh Amendment Signed the Missouri Compromise Declared martial law
Issued the Emancipation Proclamation
Which of the following is a characteristic of elite theory? It implies that the president must come from the party that holds the majority in Congress. It is viewed by political scientists as a theory that works well as a description of both how democracies should function and how democracies actually do function. It indicates that a single ruler controls all aspects of the government, but not economic and social institutions. It emphasizes governmental control over economic policy, but not social institutions. It is the perspective that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interests.
It is the perspective that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interests.
What does the incorporation doctrine do? It provides for congressional oversight into multinational corporations. It allows companies to incorporate through government application. It is the view that the provisions of the Bill of Rights are extended to individuals for protection against action by states. It provides for government oversight to corporations doing business with the government. It holds the view that most of the protections of the Bill of Rights apply to foreign government activities through the Fourteenth Amendment.
It is the view that the provisions of the Bill of Rights are extended to individuals for protection against action by states.
The power of the Supreme Court to declare actions of the other branches of government to be unconstitutional is known as which of the following? Judicial activism Judicial review The supremacy doctrine Legislative ratification The Madisonian model
Judicial review
Which of the following did President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal include? A hands-off approach to regulating labor relations Policies that strictly followed the interpretation of commerce in the Constitution Large-scale emergency antipoverty programs Open competition among businesses to improve the economy A laissez-faire plan to address unemployment and poverty issues
Large-scale emergency antipoverty programs
What are Jim Crow laws? Laws that established slavery and contract law regulating the slave trade Laws that the North enforced in the South during the Reconstruction era Laws that justified slavery and set specific codes for the behavior of slaves Laws that sought to end segregation by bringing the races into closer contact with one another Laws that were enacted by southern whites in the late nineteenth century to establish segregation policies
Laws that were enacted by southern whites in the late nineteenth century to establish segregation policies
Which of the following metaphors best describes dual federalism? Pineapple upside down cake Marble cake Fruit cake Layer cake Sponge cake
Layer cake
The case of Gideon v. Wainwright affirmed that the state must provide which of the following to criminal defendants? Trial by a jury of peers Opportunity to confront their accuser A sentence without cruel and unusual punishment Legal counsel Information about their constitutional rights
Legal counsel
The American system, with multiple points at which powers can block action, often leads to which of the following? A call for new elections Effective government Impeachment of government officials Caretaker government Limited government
Limited government
What did the Bill of Rights do as originally presented in the Constitution? Limited only the power of the national government, not that of the states Protected citizens from the national and state governments, but not from local governments Protected citizens from all forms of government Contained no language on religion Limited only the power of state governments
Limited only the power of the national government, not that of the states
What was the main reason the Brown family brought a lawsuit against the Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas? Linda Brown allowed a black student to sit next to her in the school lunchroom. Linda Brown was not allowed to ride the same bus as the white children even though they all went to the same school. Linda Brown boarded a bus that was for black students only. Linda Brown was refused admittance to a white-only school because she was black. Linda Brown was not allowed to get a drink of water out of the only drinking fountain at the school because she was not white.
Linda Brown was refused admittance to a white-only school because she was black.
What were the tests commonly administered as a precondition for voting called? Constitutional exams Literacy tests Poll tests Registration tests Primary tests
Literacy tests
In Griswold v. Connecticut, the Court invalidated a state law that did which of the following? Forbid the purchase of alcohol on Sunday afternoons Required women to seek the permission of their husbands before obtaining an abortion Made the use of birth control devices a crime Banned pornographic literature Regulated gambling that took place within private residences
Made the use of birth control devices a crime
Which of the following metaphors best describes cooperative federalism? Fruit cake Sponge cake Marble cake Bundt cake Layer cake
Marble cake
The Supreme Court first declared that the courts have the power to overturn government acts that conflict with the Constitution in which of the following cases? Hamilton v. Burr Dred Scott v. Sandford McCullough v. Maryland Gideon v. Wainwright Marbury v. Madison
Marbury v. Madison
Which of the following was true of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention? Most represented a cross-section of American society. Very few were members of the upper class. Most were members of the upper class, and a majority came from professional backgrounds. Most were senior statesmen with governmental experience. Only a few came from professional backgrounds.
Most were members of the upper class, and a majority came from professional backgrounds.
Which of the following is true regarding the civil rights legislation that was passed by Congress after the Civil War? Much of it was very ineffective and parts were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. It prevented African Americans from being extended equal public accommodations. All of these are correct. It played a major role in creating equality for African Americans. It was accepted by the American public.
Much of it was very ineffective and parts were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
When adopted, the Bill of Rights imposed limits on which of the following? National government All levels of government except national All levels of government Individuals State government
National government
By August 1920, with effective lobbying by suffragist groups, three-quarters of the states ratified which amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote in the November 1920 presidential election? Thirteenth Fifteenth Fourteenth Twenty-First Nineteenth
Nineteenth
Where can the right to privacy be found in the Constitution? Article I, Section 8 Not explicitly referenced in the Constitution Article X The Preamble First Amendment
Not explicitly referenced in the Constitution
In which of the following cases did the Supreme Court hold that segregation alone did not violate the Constitution? Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Bakke v. California Lawrence v. Texas Scott v. Sandford Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson
A major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was a lack of which of the following? Power to tax exports A bicameral legislature A national system of courts Power to raise funds for the militia State-supported currencies
Power to raise funds for the militia
The establishment clause of the First Amendment does which of the following? Prevents the government from interfering with the exercise of religion Keeps Congress from making other amendments official without a Supreme Court ruling Establishes Protestantism as the official religion of the United States Prohibits government from sponsoring or supporting religious activity Forbids the establishment of restrictions on free speech
Prohibits government from sponsoring or supporting religious activity
What was the goal of the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention? Debate the possibility of seceding from the United States to restrictions on slave trade Create a women's manifesto discussing temperance, abolition, and suffrage Plan strategies that would advance rights for homosexual individuals and same-sex couples Promote issues based on the notion that men and women are created equal Discuss strategies for the abolition of slavery
Promote issues based on the notion that men and women are created equal
If a state denied a specific group, such as citizens of mixed race, the right to vote, this would be an example of which of the following? Strict scrutiny Social choice Public discrimination Private choice Private discrimination Question 2
Public discrimination
What did the Equal Pay Act of 1963 do? Allow for either men or women with the same job responsibilities to be paid more if they are the primary wage earner for their families All of these are correct. Require that employers promote more women into managerial positions Require employers to re-grade the pay scales for comparable but different jobs held by women and men to make them more equitable Require employers to provide equal pay for substantially equal work
Require employers to provide equal pay for substantially equal work
To what does prior restraint refer? Ability of police to detain people when riots appear imminent Restraining an activity, such as expression, before that activity has actually occurred Prohibition of judges from legislating from the bench Methods used by the government to get terrorists to talk Closed sessions of hearings by Congress
Restraining an activity, such as expression, before that activity has actually occurred
Madison and the other Framers realized that the role of the new Constitution was to do which of the following? Create access to power for government officials Spell out the natural rights of citizens Strictly limit the power of government Serve as a gatekeeper to power Define what is meant by "citizen" and "rights"
Serve as a gatekeeper to power
In the late 1940s, if homeowners in a neighborhood agreed not to sell their houses to non-whites, this would have been permissible according to a 1948 Supreme Court ruling, unless it involved which of the following? Significant forethought Significant state action Significant discrete action Significant malice Significant private action
Significant state action
The advantages of a federal system of government include which of the following? All Americans gain the benefit of uniform social services policies in every state. The federal government becomes the focal point of political dissatisfaction for most citizens. It is more practical to locate most power in one place. State governments are frequently testing grounds for new governmental initiatives. Smaller political units, such as states and cities, are less likely to be dominated by a single political group.
State governments are frequently testing grounds for new governmental initiatives.
Which of the following did the Fifteenth Amendment do? Provide equal protection under the law State that the right to vote shall not be abridged on account of race Give women the right to vote Outlaw slavery Give 18-year-olds the right to vote
State that the right to vote shall not be abridged on account of race
The Court has created three standards of review to determine if a law is discriminatory. What is the toughest of these standards, requiring that a law be narrowly tailored, called? Heightened scrutiny Rational basis Strict scrutiny Elevated scrutiny Normal basis
Strict scrutiny
What is the constitutional provision that allows federal laws to take precedent over state laws? Elastic clause Reserve powers Concurrent powers Supremacy clause Commerce clause
Supremacy clause
Which of the following terms is used for certain types of nonverbal activities, such as flag burning or students wearing black armbands to school that the Supreme Court has ruled were protected under the First Amendment? Public speech Symbolic speech or expression Hate speech Direct speech Fighting words
Symbolic speech or expression
Which of the following does the final provision in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, sometimes known as the elastic clause, state? The inherent powers of Congress A flexible procedure for immediate removal of the president from office Five ways that enumerated powers can be carried out That Congress can make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers That Congress can declare war in situations that can be characterized as demanding flexibility
That Congress can make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers
The separate-but-equal doctrine contends that separate-but-equal facilities do not violate which of the following? The strict scrutiny standard The due process of law restriction The idea of affirmative action The equal protection clause The principle of reverse discrimination
The equal protection clause
The basis of freedom of religion is found in which two principles in the Bill of Rights? The supremacy clause and the free exercise clause The general welfare clause and the supremacy clause The establishment clause and the general welfare clause The free exercise clause and the general welfare clause The establishment clause and the free exercise clause
The establishment clause and the free exercise clause
If you feel that you are not receiving equal protection under the law, you might go to a civil rights organization for assistance. That organization will most likely turn to which element of the government for help in establishing legal equality? The executive branch of the state government Congress The judiciary The state legislature The executive branch of the federal government
The judiciary
In a unitary system of government, the ultimate government authority is located on which of the following levels? The local or municipal level The regional level The state or provincial level and the local or municipal level The national or central level The state or provincial level
The national or central level
When examining the Constitution, why are reserved powers not clearly defined? The majority of power was to be retained by the people with individual rights taking priority over those of the state governments. The states had all the power when the Constitution was written because of the Articles of Confederation. The issue of slavery prevented a list of specific powers from being drafted by the founders. The national government was developing a detailed list but preferred to first establish a basic foundation. The founders intended the Supreme Court to evaluate the needs of the states on an ongoing basis.
The states had all the power when the Constitution was written because of the Articles of Confederation.
What are federal mandates? They are rules for operation in the Supreme Court. They are unconstitutional acts by the states. They are requirements attached to state laws to dispense state grants. They are accompanied by federal funding to cover costs of the mandate. They are requirements in federal legislation that force states to comply with federal rules.
They are requirements in federal legislation that force states to comply with federal rules.
Why didn't the framers of the Constitution create a direct democracy? It wasn't the best way to resist manipulative politicians. Direct democracy had never been used before. They believed the rights of the minority would be suppressed by the dominating majority. The people had expressed support for a government similar to a monarchy. They were worried about the efficiency of ballot-counting mechanisms.
They believed the rights of the minority would be suppressed by the dominating majority.
Which of the following was true of the Federalists? They did not attend the Constitutional Convention. They supported the new Constitution. They were worried that the national government would be too powerful. They were mostly rural people from the lower classes. They supported the status quo.
They supported the new Constitution.
If states lacked the power to tax, then how would state governments get their funding? They would depend on the federal government to be able to function. They would need to enter into treaties with foreign countries to obtain funding. They would be in violation of the Constitution's provisions regarding interstate commerce. They would depend upon private donations from individuals and corporations. They would pass the burden of funding their budgets to local governments.
They would depend on the federal government to be able to function.
If a state has a law that violates equal protection to some of its citizens, how can the Supreme Court extend protection to those citizens? By applying rational basis Through strict scrutiny By passing new laws By amending the Constitution Through judicial review
Through judicial review
What was the purpose of the poll tax used in many southern states? To prevent northern immigrants from moving to the South and voting in local elections To determine who was intelligent enough to vote To force individuals to buy property in order to be eligible to vote To dissuade African Americans and poor whites from voting To raise funds for voter registration among the minority community
To dissuade African Americans and poor whites from voting
Which of the following statements best describes federalism? The ultimate authority rests with the national government. It was the most commonly used form of government around the world when adopted by the Framers. Two levels of government rule the same land and people. It does not promote self-government. The ultimate authority rests with the state governments.
Two levels of government rule the same land and people.
What is the basic premise of federalism? The national government has ultimate sovereignty over a country's land and people. Two or more governments share power and authority over the same land and people. Supreme political authority remains with the states. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses. State and local governments may not exercise powers of their own that are independent of the national government.
Two or more governments share power and authority over the same land and people.
Opponents of gun rights base their belief in limits on the right to own a gun in which of the following clauses? Well-regulated militia Establishment Due process Clear and present danger Free exercise
Well-regulated militia
What did the white primary in southern states allow? Voters to select ballots for each party based on different skin colors Whites to exclude African Americans from voting in Democratic Party primaries African Americans the opportunity to vote for the first time All races to participate in elections on an equal basis Whites to exclude African Americans from voting in the general elections
Whites to exclude African Americans from voting in Democratic Party primaries
Which of the following best describes the government of the United States? A direct democracy A confederation A republic A constitutional monarchy An anarchy
a republic
Which of the following is the term for the fundamental law undergirding the structure of government? Federal system Social contract Constitution Congress Parliament
constitution
The idea that most important government decisions are made by an identifiable and stable minority that shares certain characteristics—especially wealth and business connections—is known as which of the following? Aristocracy Elite theory Pluralist theory Oligarchy The interest group model
elite theory
Which of the following is another term for an avenue for participation in the political process? Institutional participation Public trust Gate Gateway Solution
gateway
Which of the following is absent in a republic? Rule of law Bureaucracy Legislative body Separation of powers Monarch
monarch
The framers of the Constitution chose to form what type of government? Republic Authoritarian regime Totalitarian regime Oligarchical regime Limited constitutional monarchy
republic
Which of the following entities settles conflicts related to power sharing between the states and the national government? The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee of state governors The president The Supreme Court A congressional conference committee
the supreme court
The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by whom? Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin John Adams George Washington John Locke
thomas jefferson
In monarchies, autocracies, and oligarchies, a single person or small elite rules society. These systems are by definition which of the following? Undemocratic Anarchist Responsive Fascist Democratic
undemocratic
