Unit one Gov
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
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
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 process in the diagram reflects which of the following about the perspective of the framers on constitutional government? A The system should be able to accommodate political change, but the process for change should incorporate checks and balances. B Limited government is best achieved through a Constitution that limits the power of the federal government and expands the power of states. C Citizens ought to determine for themselves by a simple majority the laws that govern a democracy. D Multiple access points should exist for groups who want to participate in government, with the states acting as laboratories of democracy.
A
The term "bicameralism" refers to the A establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules B members of the House of Representatives having two-year terms C president having veto power over both chambers of Congress D members of the House and Senate having to appease their mutual constituencies E checks that Congress has over the federal bureaucracy
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 executive power clause
A
Which of the following is a method by which Congress is likely influencing state policy being depicted in the cartoon? A Unfunded mandates B Selective incorporation C Legislative oversight D Block grants
A
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the checks held by the legislative and judicial branches? (Chart) A. Impeaching and removing federal judges || Declaring an entire law unconstitutional B C D
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
Which of the following is commonly identified as a failure of the Articles of Confederation? A The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue. B The executive branch was granted too much power over the legislature. C The federal government had too much control over interstate commerce. D The judicial branch was elected and did not consistently adhere to rule of law.
A
Which of the following powers allows both the federal and state governments to make policies involving taxation? A Concurrent powers B Exclusive powers C Implied powers D Enumerated powers
A
In the early part of the twenty-first century, public opinion polls showed that a majority of Americans believed it should be illegal to burn the American flag. As a result, many members of Congress introduced amendments to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Which of the following statements best explains why these efforts have been unsuccessful? A Congress and the states have agreed to add this amendment; however, recent presidents have refused to sign it. B The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights. C The Supreme Court has stated such an amendment is unconstitutional, thus blocking its ratification. D The framers specifically wrote the amendment process to prevent using it to limit freedom of expression.
B
The House of Representatives impeaches the president. Which of the following scenarios represents how bicameralism is used as a check on the vote to impeach? A If the president is removed, the vice president will take office to finish the president's current term. B The Senate deliberates the case and votes to determine the president's guilt or innocence. C The chief justice of the Supreme Court presides over the trial. D After the impeachment, House managers will prepare a case to convict and remove the president from office.
B
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 Acknowledgement of the limitations of national power and a recognition of the reserved power of the states. 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
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
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
Which of the following characteristics best explains the data on the map? A The exclusive powers granted to the states in the Constitution allow them to determine health-care policy. B Federalism creates differences between states on the implementation of health-care policy. C The Tenth Amendment instructs Congress to make laws but guarantees the rights of states to implement federal policies, such as health-care policy. D The incorporation of the Fourteenth Amendment has allowed the federal government to guarantee health care to all citizens, but some citizens may opt out.
B
Which of the following is a correct comparison between the United States Constitution and the Articles of Confederation? A. B. Granted Congress the power to levy taxes. || Granted states alone the power to levy taxes C D
B
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the arguments made in The Federalist 10 and Brutus 1 ?(Chart) A. B.The Federalist 10: Factions are most dangerous at the local level.S Brutus 1: small republics are best for stable governments. C. D.
B
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.
B
Which of the following pair of Supreme Court cases best illustrates how views of federalism have shifted in the United States? (Chart) A. B. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) || United States v. Lopez (1995) C D.
B
According to James Madison, which of the following best controls the effects of faction? A Direct democracy B The popular election of state judges C A large republic D Property requirements for eligibility to work E The creation of a merit-based civil service
C
As originally ratified, the United States Constitution included provisions designed to A limit the importation of foreign manufactured goods B increase the economic importance of the agrarian sector relative to that of the manufacturing sector C increase the economic powers of the central government D expand the states' powers to regulate their own commerce with foreign countries E guarantee the states a greater role in economic policy-making
C
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
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
C
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
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 process shown in the diagram is outlined in which of the following parts of the United States Constitution? A Article I B Article II C Article V D Article VI
C
The vice of the groupist theory is that it conceals the most significant aspects of the system. The flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent. Probably about 90 percent of the people cannot get into the pressure system. The notion that the pressure system is automatically representative of the whole community is a myth fostered by the universalizing tendency of modern group theories. E. E. Schattschneider, Which of the following best captures the author's argument regarding the forms of democracy? A Pluralist democracy, which seeks to shield elites from popular opinion, functions best when individual citizens do not participate in the process. B Participatory democracy, which emphasizes limited participation, marginalizes those who do not have the economic means to participate. C Pluralist democracy, though it involves groups at different stages of the process o
C
Throughout most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, most African Americans were prevented from voting in many Southern states despite the Fifteenth Amendment, which extended the right to vote to African American males. Southern states were able to take this action because A the Fifteenth Amendment did not apply to all states B Congress passed legislation that restricted the application of the Fifteenth Amendment to placate Southerners C the framers allowed the individual states to create voting processes and voter qualifications D the Supreme Court had declared the Fifteenth Amendment unconstitutional
C
Which of the following best defines the constitutional interpretation of federalism? A The federal government and the states each have separate and mutually exclusive roles and responsibilities; neither controls the other. B The states have some powers reserved to them which they may exercise if the Supreme Court permits. C The federal government and the states have separate but overlapping powers; where these powers conflict the federal government prevails. D The states may only exercise those powers delegated to them by Congress. E The federal government may exercise only those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution.
C
Which of the following is a consequence of having concurrent powers within a federal system of government? A The executive branch can expand its control of the policy agenda. B States can pass laws that override the laws of the federal government. C Citizens and interest groups seeking policy change can choose from multiple access points. D Members of Congress can cultivate close relationships with power brokers in their regions.
C
Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) ? A The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because regulating arms is an enumerated power. B The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because any interstate commerce is implied in the commerce clause. C The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down as unconstitutional because it exceeded the commerce clause. D The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down because it exceeded the state's power to regulate guns.
C
Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution?( Chart) A. B. C. Unicameral legislature || Bicameral legislature D.
C
Which of the following policies would the states most likely prefer according to the political cartoon? A Federal mandates B Regulatory preemption C Block grants D Categorical grants
C
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
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
The Warren Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) demonstrates which of the following about Supreme Court decisions? A Precedents established by the Supreme Court are frequently overturned by lower courts. B The Supreme Court has used a colorblind interpretation of the Constitution to guide judicial precedent over time. C Precedents established by the Supreme Court decades ago are generally not addressed after a certain period of time. D Ideological changes in the composition of the Supreme Court have led to the rejection of an existing precedent.
D
Which of the following features of the United States Constitution would most concern the author of Brutus 1? A The Bill of Rights, which protects individual liberties and states' rights B The reservation of any power not given to the federal government to the states C The two-year term for members of the House of Representatives D The supremacy clause, which gives the federal government supremacy over states
D
Which of the following forms of financial aid from the national government gives the states the broadest discretion in the spending of money? A Categorical grants-in-aid B Foreign aid C Unfunded mandates D Block grants E Military funding
D
Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ? A The federal government exceeded its authority in establishing a national bank, and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional. B Maryland was within its authority to tax the federal government, but the Bank of the United States exceeded federal authority. C The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, but it had to pay Maryland's tax. D The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional.
D
Which of the following is an example of checks and balances, as established by the Constitution? A A requirement that states lower their legal drinking age to eighteen as a condition of receiving funds through federal highway grant programs B Media criticism of public officials during an election campaign period C The Supreme Court's ability to overturn a lower court decision D The requirement that presidential appointments to the Supreme Court be approved by the Senate E The election of the President by the electoral college rather than by direct election
D
Which of the following is true based on information on the map? A The number of people living in poverty is lower in Maine (ME) than in New Jersey (NJ). B Northern states tend to have higher poverty rates than Southern states. C The poverty rate in the United States has increased since the last census was taken. D The poverty rate in the United States varies by state and region.
D
Which of the following statements is supported by the data on the map? A Michigan (MI) has a higher rate of uninsured people than Mississippi (MS). B Alaska (AK) has a lower rate of uninsured people than Hawaii (HI). C Wyoming (WY) has a lower rate of uninsured people than Idaho (ID). D Texas (TX) has a higher rate of uninsured people than New Jersey (NJ).
D
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
All of the following are consequences of the federal system in the United States EXCEPT A inequality in government services across subnational entities B opportunities for experimentation in government programs C multiple points of access for interest groups D decentralization of political conflict E a strict division of power among levels of government
E
Of the following, the most significant difference between the Constitution of 1787 and the Articles of Confederation was that the Constitution A made states sovereign over the national government, while the Articles were based on national sovereignty B was difficult to amend, while the Articles included an easier process requiring approval by a simple majority of states C provided for a presidential system of government, while the Articles provided for a parliamentary system of government D created a dominant national executive, while the Articles established a dominant national legislature E provided for a strong national government with many powers, while the Articles created a weak central government with few independent powers
E
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
The Connecticut (Great) Compromise provided for A all revenue bills to originate in the Senate B all judicial appointments to be nominated by the president C the elimination of the importation of slaves D an electoral college and rules for the removal of the president E a bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation
E
Unlike the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution does which of the following? A Restricts the ability of Congress to tax. B Restricts the ability of Congress to establish an army or navy. C Establishes a unitary form of government. D Emphasizes state sovereignty over national sovereignty. E Emphasizes both national sovereignty and federalism.
E
Which of the following is a fundamental element of the United States Constitution? A Recognition of the centrality of political parties in government B Direct election of members of the executive branch C An executive branch that is more powerful than the legislature D Emphasis on a unitary system of government E Division of government authority across political institutions
E
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.
E
Which of the following is the most likely consequence of divided government? A Reorganization of the federal bureaucracy B Conflicts between states C Delays in confirmation of federal court nominees D Conflicts between national government and states E Elimination of the seniority rule in Congress
E
Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon? A State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government's mandates. B State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states. C State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent. D The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities.
c
