AP US Government Most Missed Questions Test

Federalism

A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the same land and people. It is a system of shared power between units of government.

In 1993, Congress enacted the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, mandating that anyone seeking to buy a firearm must first undergo a federal background check. One provision that act required state law enforcement officials to conduct these background checks. In Printz v. United States (1997), the Supreme Court declared that portion of the act to be unconstitutional, reasoning, "The Federal Government may not compel the States to enact or administer a federal regulatory program." Which constitutional provision most logically and directly supports the Court's conclusion in the quoted language?

Tenth Amendment

In the early part of the 21st 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 desecrate the American flag. However these efforts have been unsuccessful. Which of the following statements best explains why these efforts have been unsuccessful?

The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights

All of the following are ways that the legislative branch check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT:

Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconditional

In 2005, the Utah legislature passed a law that allowed school districts to ignore parts of the No Child left Behind Act (NCLB), a law passed by Congress in 2001 that supported standards-based education reform. Utah did this despite the fact that it endangered losing $76 million in federal aid to Utah public schools. Which of the following statements best explains why Utah took this action?

Educational policy is not mentioned in the Constitution, which had created debate about the proper role for the national government in education policy

Which of the principles are reflected in article V of the Constitution

Federalism

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 exercise more power than Congress. III. Congress was a unicameral body. IV. States were represented in Congress proportional according to population.

I and III

In 1974, the House of Representatives approved a resolution granting the Judiciary Committee authority to investigate impeachment of President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Which constitutional ideal of democracy is demonstrated in this scenario?

Limited Government

The reserved powers of the state governments can be be described as these powers

Not specifically granted to the national government or denied to states

One example of conditional checks and balances is

The House can impeach federal judges and the president, and the Senate holds the impeachment trial

Tenth Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

In the 1780s, proponents of the new Condition cited Shays' Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns

Concurrent powers have which of the following effects on the United States political system?

They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy

Federal nutrition guidelines... If a state wanted to challenge them which would they bring up?

US v. Lopez