Practice Test Questions

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances? A. An unpopular Supreme Court ruling can be overturned by a majority vote of both houses of Congress. B. A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. C. A filibuster in the Senate can be ended with a cloture motion that has the support of 60 senators. D. A treaty negotiated by the president with a foreign government must be approved by a majority vote of the House.

A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Remove members of the Supreme Court who ruled against the law and have the president appoint new justices A. Grassroots libertarian advocacy organizations have advocated in favor of less economic regulation of the marketplace. B. The Supreme Court has ruled that Fifth Amendment prohibition on double jeopardy was made applicable to the states. C. Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., cited constitutional arguments as a basis for opposing segregation and inequality. D. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's State of the Union address urged Congress to pass legislation that would ensure greater economic security for the American people.

Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., cited constitutional arguments as a basis for opposing segregation and inequality.

South Carolina passed a law to increase the state tax on gasoline to help fund repairs on highways and bridges. The state tax is in addition to the federal tax on every gallon of gasoline that is sold. Which of the following constitutional provisions does this scenario illustrate? A. Delegated powers B. Reserved Powers C. Concurrent powers D. Exclusive powers

Concurrent powers

Which of the following is an example of Congress using its implied powers? A. Congress changing the tax code so that individuals making more than $350,000 per year have to pay higher taxes B. Congress requesting that the Supreme Court review the constitutionality of a state gun-control law C. Congress passing occupational safety regulations for the private sector D. Congress ratifying a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada

Congress passing occupational safety regulations for the private sector

A member of Congress votes in favor of a bill as a result of receiving many letters of support for the bill from constituents. Which form of democratic representation best describes this voting decision? A. Trustee B. Delegate C. Elitie D. Pluralist

Delegate

A member of Congress who advocates for a more Keynesian approach to solving a recession will likely support which of the following policies? A Lowering taxes on the wealthy to increase business investment B Doing nothing and letting the recession work itself out C Increasing federal spending on infrastructure programs D Increasing interest rates and reducing the money supply

Increasing federal spending on infrastructure programs

In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton argued that the federal judiciary "is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power." Which of the following statements represents a reason he gave for this argument? A. It has the power of the sword and the power of judgment but lacks the power of the purse. B. Each branch must be given the ability to defend its power and check the others. C. The federal government is further from the people and thus less accountable. D. It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions.

It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions.

Which of the following scenarios best explains the inclusion of Title IX as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 ? A. Members of Congress added the amendment to the bill in response to social movements seeking to address inequality in education for women. B. Paid lobbyists added the amendment on behalf of teachers unions in order to increase pay and tenure for public school teachers. C. President Lyndon Johnson used the power of the bully pulpit to pressure members of Congress to pass a bill that would legally desegregate schools. D. The Department of Justice added the amendment in order to provide legal guidance to states to enforce the Equal Rights Amendment.

Members of Congress added the amendment to the bill in response to social movements seeking to address inequality in education for women.

Congress passes a law requiring that all public accommodations provide access for people with disabilities. The United States Supreme Court rules that the law does not apply to the airline industry. Which of the following is the best way for Congress to provide people with disabilities access to the airline industry in light of the Court's ruling? A. Appeal the ruling to the United States Court of Appeals B. Override the court with a two-thirds majority in both chambers C. Pass a new law that specifies that the airlines must provide access for people with disabilities C. Remove members of the Supreme Court who ruled against the law and have the president appoint new justices

Pass a new law that specifies that the airlines must provide access for people with disabilities

A person claiming that the House can pass legislation with a simple majority, but the Senate is unlikely to pass legislation unless a bill has the support of a 60-vote supermajority is most likely to cite which of the following institutional differences as the cause of this trend? A The House has fewer legislative committees than the Senate does. B Members of the House often represent a much narrower constituency than senators do. C Party leadership in the House is highly formalized, while leadership in the Senate is much more informal. D The House has strict limits on debate, while the Senate allows unlimited debate.

The House has strict limits on debate, while the Senate allows unlimited debate.

Which of the following was a direct outcome of the Three-Fifths Compromise? A. The number of senators increased in slaveholding states. B. Slavery quickly declined, especially in larger cities in the South. C. Slaveholding states were able to count slaves to determine their number of senators. D.The number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased.

The number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased.

Critics of the winner-take-all aspect of the electoral college are most likely to make which of the following arguments? A. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college undermines the rights of states. B. A state's presidential election results rarely mirror a state's congressional election results. C. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college drives presidential candidates to focus on winning states that are considered to be part of their core supporters. D. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college encourages presidential candidates to focus their time and effort disproportionately on battleground states with larger populations.

The winner-take-all system of the electoral college encourages presidential candidates to focus their time and effort disproportionately on battleground states with larger populations.

A political science professor is researching the effects that the Fifteenth and Twenty-Sixth Amendments have had on the American political system. Which of the following is the most likely reason the professor is researching these amendments? A. To study the expansion of the right to equal protection under the law B. To study the expansion of voting rights C. To study the expansion of due process rights D. To study the expansion of federal authority over states

To study the expansion of voting rights

Which of the following scenarios explains how demographic factors affect voter participation in elections? A. Wealthier individuals are more likely to become involved in campaigns because they believe that their actions may influence the candidates. B. Individuals who belong to marginalized groups are likely to participate in elections because their issues are often highlighted by political party leaders. C. Political action committees (PACs) raise money from their donors, which they use to run television advertisements during campaigns. D. Gerrymandered districts are likely to produce competitive districts, which leads to lower turnout rates in elections.

Wealthier individuals are more likely to become involved in campaigns because they believe that their actions may influence the candidates.

The case United States v. Lopez (1995) struck down the Gun-Free School Zones Act because A. it violated Fourth Amendment protections against unwarranted searches B. Congress exceeded its authority in the use of the commerce clause C. the Second Amendment is a right incorporated to the states D. students retain their First Amendment rights while attending public schools

Congress exceeded its authority in the use of the commerce clause

In May of 2015, a federal appeals court ruled that the National Security Agency's collection of Americans' phone records was in violation of the USA PATRIOT Act. Which of the following core values are involved in the national debate regarding the surveillance program referred to in this scenario? A Liberty versus stability and order B Majority rule versus minority rights C States' rights versus federal authority D Common good versus freedom of expression

Liberty versus stability and order

The Supreme Court ruled in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) that a citizen's right to keep and bear arms at home for self-defense is protected from state and federal infringement. Which of the following is most relevant to that decision? A. Full faith and credit B. Selective Incorporation C. Equal Protection D. Eminent domain

Selective Incorporation

In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following situations best reflects the author's concern about an "imperial" presidency? A The Senate ratifying treaties without executive approval B The president issuing an increasing number of executive agreements C Congress declaring war independent of the president D The president appointing a new secretary of education

The president issuing an increasing number of executive agreements

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government . . ." ". . . Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled. The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise. He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice. He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men. . . . Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides. He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead. He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns." A. 14th Amendment B. 15th Amendment C. 17th Amendment D. 19th Amendment

19th Amendment

Which of the following scenarios is most closely related to the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) ? A A member of Congress establishes a political action committee to gain influence within the chamber. B A labor union spends millions of dollars to independently run negative advertisements about a presidential candidate shortly before the election. C A state senator receives a large cash donation from a corporate executive in exchange for specific political favors. D A lobbyist writes the language of a bill that is later introduced into both chambers of Congress.

A labor union spends millions of dollars to independently run negative advertisements about a presidential candidate shortly before the election.

Which of the following rulings is most likely to cite the Supreme Court's decision in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) as a legal precedent in support of the decision? A. A ruling in favor of students to print their opinions in a school newspaper B. A ruling against a public school's practice of having prayer at school assemblies C. A ruling supporting the creation of gun-free zones in public schools D. A ruling enforcing mandatory vaccinations for all children before attending school

A ruling in favor of students to print their opinions in a school newspaper

Which of the following illustrates a situation that would not be protected by the First Amendment due to time, place, and manner restrictions? A. A student is expelled from school for wearing a black T-shirt expressing opposition to a law recently passed by the state legislature. B. An organization regarded as a hate group is not able to obtain a permit to march through a major city because of its message. C. Antibusiness protestors are arrested and prosecuted for shutting down major intersections in New York City's Times Square during rush hour. D. An independent political advocacy organization is prevented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from running political advertisements on television.

Antibusiness protestors are arrested and prosecuted for shutting down major intersections in New York City's Times Square during rush hour.

In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Based on the passage above, which of the following constitutional provisions would the author most likely identify as a solution to the problem of the imperial presidency? A Congress exercising the power to regulate commerce B Congress insisting that it declare war prior to the use of international force C The president making stronger use of bureaucratic discretion D Congress creating term limits for all members of government

Congress insisting that it declare war prior to the use of international force

."We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government . . ." ". . . Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled. The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise. He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice. He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men. . . . Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides. He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead. He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns." A. The Preamble to the United States Constitution B. The Declaration of Independence C. The Federalist 10 D. Brutus 1

The Declaration of Independence

A woman is arrested for possessing illegal substances that were obtained after a warrantless search of her home by local police. Which of the following best explains whether the evidence could be used in a criminal trial? A. The due process rights of the Fifth Amendment require that the evidence be reviewed by the prosecution before being admitted as evidence in court. B. The exclusionary rule, derived from the Fourth Amendment, prevents the evidence from being used against the suspect. C. Since the evidence obtained suggests illegal activity, the evidence may be used against the defendant in a criminal trial. D. If the case is in the state court system, the evidence can be used against the defendant.

The exclusionary rule, derived from the Fourth Amendment, prevents the evidence from being used against the suspect.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government . . ." ". . . Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled. The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise. He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice. He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men. . . . Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides. He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead. He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns." A. Women elected officials have not done enough to pass laws promoting women's rights. B. Men and women are legally equal, but women are morally superior to men. C. The government has made women subservient by denying them the right to vote. D. Women have faced too much suffrage due to the actions of the government.

The government has made women subservient by denying them the right to vote.