US Government Chapter 6

How do initial expectations for the UN secretary-general compare to the realities of the position? A. The secretary-general was expected to be a figurehead but instead became and influential leader B. The secretary-general was expected to be a world leader but never achieved that status C. The secretary-general was expected to manage political conflicts but instead became a neutral bystander D. The secretary-general was expected to represent the needs of poorer nations but advocated for wealthier nations

A.

How does geography influence the selection of Cabinet secretaries? A. Candidates are chosen to give the Senate influence over the Cabinet B. Candidates are chosen to give interest groups access to the Cabinet C. Candidates are chosen to give regional balance to the Cabinet D. Candidates are chosen to give professional experience to the Cabinet

C.

How has the overall direction of foreign policy changed in the late 20th century and early 21st centuries? A. The United States has pulled back into a more isolationist position B. The United States focuses only on certain areas of the world C. The United States in relying more on international cooperation D. The United States is reverting to the policy of containment

C.

In what way was the creation of the DNI intended to change America's intelligence capabilities? A. to improve communication among intelligence-gathering organizations B. to improve communication between the White House and the intelligence community C. to provide the President with greater access to military resources D. to increase the budget for intelligence-gathering activities

A.

What was the main goal of the Open Door policy in China? A. to expand and protect U.S. trade with China B. to promote and establish democracy in China C. to promote the involvement of European nations in China D. to maintain good diplomatic relations with Japan and China

A.

Which of the following events MOST LIKELY led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2002? A. terrorists attacked the United States in 2001 B. a major earthquake struck El Salvador in 2001 C. Switzerland joined the United Nations in 2002 D. a NASA space probe began to map the surface of Mars in 2002

A.

Why did Congress create the Defense Department? A. to unify the Army and Navy under one Cabinet department B. to end disagreement among various branches of the military C. to prevent the abuse of power by military leaders D. to clarify the chain of command in the military

A.

Why did the end of the cold war cause a decrease in the size of the armed forces? A. A large military was no longer needed since a major threat to the country had subsided B. Lower taxes led to cuts for all parts of government, including defense C. The Department of Homeland Security became the nation's primary defense agency D. In the agreement ending the Cold War, the United States had pledged to decrease its military

A.

Why is the Executive Office of the President sometimes called "the President's right arm"? A. It houses agencies staffed by the President's key personal and political aides B. It houses agencies staffed by key members of political parties C. It houses agencies staffed by the majority party leaders in Congress D. It houses agencies staffed by key lobbyists for powerful corporations

A.

In the Federalist No. 51, James Madison wrote that "you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." According to the text, to which part of the government does "it" refer? To which part of the government does "itself" refer? A. the President; members of Congress B. elected officials; appointed bureaucrats C. members of Congress; the President D. appointed bureaucrats; elected officials

B.

The FCC is headed by five commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Only three of the five belong to the same political party. The FCC is structured in this way to: A. ensure consistent rates for public broadcasters B. prevent the President and either party from having too much influence over the FCC C. balance leadership between the President and private companies D. maintain widespread monitoring of communications usage

B.

The biggest advantage of government corporations is their: A. profitability B. flexibility C. low operating costs D. productivity

B.

What is one strategy used by the DHS to safeguard the nation's security? A. commanding the Army, Navy, and Air Force B. coordinating the efforts of all levels of government C. offering foreign aid to struggling nations D. pursuing a policy of deterrence when possible

B.

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship of the United States with the United Nations? A. detached B. complex C. consistent D. simple

B.

Which of the following MOST LIKELY influenced the decision to shift the U.S. foreign aid from Europe to the Middle East and Africa? A. The Europeans rejected offers of foreign aid B. America's strategic and military interests changed C. World War II ended and nations needed help rebuilding D. Europe ceased to be a major trading partner

B.

Which of the following is an example of American foreign policy in action? A. Congress passes a law regulating emissions from factories and automobiles B. The President issues a condemnation of human rights abuses in North Korea C. The President travels to Texas to speak on behalf of a candidate for Congress D. Congress proposes and amendment to the Constitution requiring a balanced budget

B.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides funding for science and engineering endeavors in the United States. For example, the NSF provides equipment, such as telescopes, to institutions where scientists are studying astronomy. What kind of agency is it? A. staff agency B. commission agency C. line agency D. administrative agency

C.

What are bureaucrats? A. ambassadors B. congressmen C. unelected makers and implementers of public policy D. serve as the Vice President's chief of staff

C.

What assumption underlies the concept of diplomatic immunity? A. Diplomats may act as they please when abroad B. Diplomats will behave in the same way as people in the country where they are stationed C. Diplomats will obey the laws of the country where they are stationed D. Diplomats and their families will become active members of communities where they are abroad

C.

Which of the following BEST describes NATO's anti-terrorist activities? A. NATO is not directly involved in anti-terrorist activities, although it is prepared to take action if necessary B. NATO limits its anti-terrorist activities to political action, patrols, and peacekeeping C. NATO undertakes a wide range of actions including patrols, direct military action, and political action D. NATO takes the lead in military action against all terrorist threats in North America, Europe, and the Middle East

C.

Which of the following could BEST be used as an argument AGAINST the policy of containment? A. Korean War B. the Berlin blockade C. the Vietnam War D. the Cuban missile crisis

C.

The main goal of the civil service today is to: A. do away with the spoils system and other forms of patronage B. provides jobs for those seeking positions in the Federal Government C. make sure that federal employees do not favor one political party D. recruit and keep the best people in the federal workforce

D.

What is one way that Article 2 of the Constitution has contributed to the creation of the federal bureaucracy? A. It mandates the creation of the 15 Cabinet members B. It stipulates that all three branches of the government be set up as bureaucracies C. It is completely silent on the organization of the executive branch D. It gives the President the power to consult with the heads of the executive department.

D.

Which is the MOST LIKELY reason for variation in the names of government units? A. The names were originally chosen by the Framers and have remained unchanged B. Congress has tried to avoid the use of acronyms when naming federal agencies C. The Constitution stipulates the names for all government units D. Government units were created at different times for varying purposes.

D.

Which of the following is TRUE about most independent agencies? A. They are independent of the President but subject to congressional control B. They are independent of the President and the executive branch C. They are independent of Congress but subject to the control of the President D. They are not independent of the President and the executive branch

D.