AP® United States Government & Politics - Released Exam MCQ
"If, therefore, the legislature pass any laws, inconsistent with the sense the judges put upon the constitution, they will declare it void; and therefore in this respect their power is superior to that of the legislature." - Brutus 15 Which of the following cases is most related to the quote? a. Marbury v. Madison (1803) b. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) c. McDonald v. Chicago (2010) d. United States v. Lopez (1995)
a
A media organization is interested in reporting election results in a congressional election prior to the final tally of votes which will not occur until later in the evening. The organization randomly selects several polling places across the district asking voters whom they voted for. The type of poll being used in this scenario is known as a. an exit poll b. a benchmark poll c. an opinion poll d. a tracking poll
a
Based on your knowledge and the diagram, which of the following is true regarding the leadership structure of Congress? a. The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party. b. The vice president is responsible for creating and setting the legislative agenda for the Senate. c. The Speaker of the House has very little power to control members of the majority party in the House of Representatives. d. The majority leaders in both chambers work to ensure that a bipartisan agenda is passed in the Congress.
a
By using the phrase "creative federalism," President Johnson is most likely referring to which of the following features of the American system? a. The relationship between the federal and state governments evolves over time and is flexible enough to permit new forms of interaction. b. National policymaking is constrained by the sharing of power between the three branches of government. c. The balance of power between the states and federal government has been trending toward more federal regulation and less state control. d. Congress may use the commerce clause to address problems in public schools such as lack of resources and school safety.
a
Given the information in the graph, in which of the following states would an individual's vote likely have more influence? a. Wyoming b. West Virginia c. Alabama d. California
a
In The Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for a. a single executive who can respond quickly to crises b. a president who has a good understanding of public policy c. an electoral college in the selection of the president d. a president who is youthful and assertive
a
In what respect does the Constitution address Washington's concern regarding the "spirit of encroachment" expressed in the excerpt? a. The Constitution distributes power across national institutions. b. The Constitution provides for equal representation of all citizens in Congress. c. The Constitution requires a simple majority vote in Congress to overturn a veto. d. The Constitution requires the Supreme Court to approve all legislation.
a
In which of the following situations would the Supreme Court be most likely to utilize the doctrine of selective incorporation? a. When an individual claims that a right protected by the Bill of Rights is infringed upon by a state b. When there is a conflict among the branches of the national government c. When a federal policy shifting oversight authority from a national agency to a state agency is challenged d. When a former employee files a wrongful termination claim against a company headquartered in another state
a
The data in the table illustrate which of the following about United States constitutional government? a. Presidential foreign policy can be checked through the legislative power of Congress. b. The president can declare war, but Congress can vote to block funding for wars. c. Cloture procedures make it increasingly difficult to filibuster bills in the Senate. d. Gerrymandering has intensified partisan divisions in Congress.
a
Which of the following best explains a reason that a president might use a signing statement to express displeasure with a bill as opposed to issuing a veto? a. The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto. b. Congress has severely curtailed the power of the president to withhold funds for bills that have been adopted. c. The Supreme Court is hesitant to acknowledge the president's power to veto legislation. d. The president wants to ensure executive agencies do not spend the money appropriated by Congress.
a
Which of the following is generally the most important agent of political socialization? a. Family b. The media c. Place of birth d. Social class
a
Which of the following makes a correct comparison between political parties and interest groups in the United States? a. A b. B c. C d. D
a
Which of the following represents a consequence of candidate-centered electoral campaigns? a. A decrease in the role of political parties in campaign management b. A decrease in the number of third-party candidates on the ballot c. A decrease in the amount of money spent on political campaigns d. A decrease in voter outreach and mobilization efforts
a
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
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.
a
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.
a
Which of the following statements is supported by data in the graph? a. The higher the income, the more likely that the person will support smaller government. b. Liberals are less likely than conservatives to support bigger government. c. A decrease in income is likely to increase the possibility that a person will obtain a college degree. d. Women are more likely than men to be in favor of smaller government and fewer government services.
a
Which of the following would be considered an instance in which time, place, and manner restrictions would be applied to the First Amendment? a. A city enforces its laws restricting noise to limit the scale of an outdoor concert event intended to raise public awareness of climate change. b. A group with offensive signs is denied a permit to march through the streets because local residents and businesses oppose the group's message. c. A person is arrested after making a threat to police officers who are investigating a crime scene. d. A newspaper publishes an article that publicly defames the reputation of a private individual.
a
A 2017 study in The American Economic Review found that watching Fox News during an election cycle increased a Democrat's chances of voting Republican by 28 percent. Conversely, by watching MSNBC Republicans were more inclined to vote Democrat by 8 percent. This scenario best illustrates which of the following about the media? a. Increased media choices tend to reinforce existing beliefs when citizens are offered ideological choices in programming. b. Cable news programming is oftentimes ideologically driven and effective in persuading citizens to adopt their point of view. c. The consumption of news tends to increase voter participation for Republicans but is less effective in increasing participation for Democrats. d. Modern political parties have launched air campaigns to persuade voters by purchasing advertisements on 24-hour news networks.
b
After hours of interrogation by police a suspect confesses to multiple felony offenses. His attorney objected to the admission of the confession because he was not advised of his right to have an attorney present nor his protection from self-incrimination. Which amendments are most relevant to this scenario? a. The Fourth and Fifth Amendments b. The Fifth and Sixth Amendments c. The Sixth and Eighth Amendments d. The Fourth and Eighth Amendments
b
During an investigation, police officers find illegal drugs while searching a home for which they did not acquire a warrant. Which of the following would prevent the drugs from being used as evidence at trial? a. The writ of habeas corpus b. The exclusionary rule c. The Miranda warning d. The protection against ex post facto
b
The data in the graph best illustrate which of the following common criticisms of the electoral college? a. Small states have fewer electoral votes than large states and therefore have no impact on presidential elections. b. Individuals in small-population states have a greater impact on the electoral college than individuals in large-population states. c. Candidates from states with a large number of electoral votes have a major advantage in the electoral college. d. Smaller states have more electoral votes than larger states, which distorts the popular vote.
b
The majority party in the Senate is concerned that the Supreme Court has made a number of ideologically dangerous and controversial rulings. Which of the following actions could be taken by the Senate to limit the Supreme Court's power? a. Replace the chief justice of the Supreme Court with someone with whom they agree with ideologically b. Pass legislation already passed by the House that would limit the impact of the Supreme Court's recent rulings c. Ratify a constitutional amendment limiting the Supreme Court's power d. Enforce term limits for justices on the Supreme Court
b
Which of the following actions did President Johnson suggest he would take to address problems in public schools? a. Driving down the cost of education by removing ineffective teachers b. Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education c. Increasing school accountability by requiring schools to show evidence of improvement d. Scaling back the role of the federal government and allowing state and local governments to take the lead in education policy
b
Which of the following best explains how political parties are likely to respond to the data in the chart? a. Political parties are likely to continue to stand by their traditional positions and not bother to appeal to groups that have not previously been included in their base. b. Political parties will adapt their positions and find ways to appeal to voters from growing demographic groups. c. Political parties will adapt by switching from candidate-centered campaigns to campaigns that strategically mobilize voters across the country with a consistent message. d. Political parties will advocate for proportional representational systems so that groups with larger populations are able to win seats and be represented more fairly in government.
b
Which of the following best explains why eligibility criteria vary by state as shown on the information graphic? a. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment is not incorporated to the states. b. States can create criteria for voting rights so long as they do not violate the United States Constitution. c. The president is selected through the electoral college process, and therefore citizens do not actually have a real vote in presidential elections. d. The Voting Rights Act guarantees that each state may determine its own procedures for elections.
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 constitutional amendments is most related to the issue shown on the map? a. Second Amendment b. Eighth Amendment c. Sixteenth Amendment d. Twenty-Sixth Amendment
b
Which of the following explains President Johnson's motivation for the speech in relation to his role as the head of the executive branch? a. President Johnson believes that Congress will soon pass a bill on education reform, and he would like to be able to claim credit for it. b. President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. c. President Johnson is expecting the Supreme Court to soon rule on the constitutionality of a law passed by the previous administration. d. President Johnson is issuing an executive order calling on local governments to increase training for teachers and address poverty among students.
b
Which of the following is a correct comparison between the United States Constitution and the Articles of Confederation? a. A b. B c. C d. D
b
Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information? a. Investigative reporting dominates the news because it is less expensive than political commentary. b. Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption. c. The media is increasingly controlled by the major political parties, who determine which stories are covered by the press. d. There has been an increase in social media and Internet news consumption by the public, causing the top five media conglomerates to have greater control over public opinion.
b
Which of the following is an accurate comparison between the relative functions and electoral success of the two major political parties (Democratic and Republican) and third parties? a. A b. B c. C d. D
b
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the establishment clause and the free exercise clause? a. A b. B c. C d. D
b
Which of the following newspaper headlines best summarizes the excerpt from Washington's Farewell Address? a. Washington Boasts of the Potential of the New Republic b. Washington Warns of Dangerous Party Factions c. Washington Endorses a Stronger Executive Branch d. Washington Takes Negative View of Checks and Balances
b
Which of the following pair of Supreme Court cases best illustrates how views of federalism have shifted in the United States? a. A b. B c. C d. D
b
Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates a president avoiding a check from the judicial branch? a. The president signs a bill that reduces the budget of the Department of Justice in response to the department's failure to prosecute white-collar criminals. b. The president claims that certain detainees are enemy combatants and thus do not possess the same constitutional protections that the Supreme Court has upheld for the interrogation of criminal suspects. c. The president vetoes legislation that would constrain the ability of the executive branch to conduct domestic surveillance as it relates to terrorism. d. The president issues an executive order declaring that all people who were brought to the United States illegally as children can apply for a deferment rather than face deportation.
b
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy? a. A lobbyist representing the National Rifle Association refusing to meet with employees from the Department of Homeland Security b. The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee c. The White House chief of staff being formally censured by the president for publicly speaking out against the president's policy goals d. A federal judge being impeached for making legal decisions based on bribes
b
Which of the following sets of policies would most likely be supported by a libertarian? a. Increase income and capital gains taxes on the wealthy to raise revenue for social security benefits b. Legalization of the commercial sale of marijuana and a reduction in government spending on prisons c. Elimination of the estate tax and promotion of government-funded prekindergarten education d. Expansion of the welfare state and a reduction in spending on national defense
b
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
b
Which of the following statements is most accurately supported by the data in the table? a. President Clinton greatly reduced the use of presidential signing statements compared with his predecessors. b. While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's. c. President Clinton's brief access to the power of the line-item veto allowed him to issue fewer signing statements that raised concerns about legislation. d. President George W. Bush was forced to issue more signing statements as a direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
b
Which of the following statements is true based on the data in the line graph? a. In 1988 and 1992, voters 18-29 years old favored the Democratic candidate more than voters 65 and older did. b. In the 2000 election, the gap between voters 65 and older and 18-29 years old was 2%, with voters older than 65 preferring the Democratic candidate. c. In 1972 and 1984, voters 65 and older favored the Democratic candidate more than voters 18-29 years old did. d. In the 2012 election, the gap between voters 65 and older and 18-29 years old was 8%, with 18-29-year-old voters preferring the Democratic candidate.
b
Which of the following statements presents the most important limitation of the data in the graph? a. The time frame for the data is misleading. b. There is no information about the total number of state legislators. c. There are insufficient data points to detect a trend. d. The trend over time is potentially misleading and would be easier to read in a pie chart.
b
While the central goal of political parties is to win elections, parties can also support democracy. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates this relationship? a. A political party changes its stance on environmental policy after its candidates receive large contributions from an energy company. b. Political parties use the social media site Instagram to reach out to younger voters to inform them about upcoming elections and encourage them to register to vote. c. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure uses research given to it from the American Society of Civil Engineers when amending an infrastructure bill. d. A former member of Congress takes a job as a political consultant to advise current members on their campaigns and raise money for elections.
b
A liberal response to the "strained resources" of local government most likely would include a. a reduction of federal income taxes so that state and local governments can use those resources b. less federal regulation and more authority for local school boards to create curricula and standards c. an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities d. encouraging state and local governments to offer vouchers so that students can attend private or charter schools
c
A new president has been elected after running on a campaign of lowering taxes and reducing spending on discretionary programs but now must work with Congress to ensure legislation passes which achieves those goals. Which of the leaders in the diagram plays the most crucial role in shaping the legislation that the president wants passed? a. President pro-tempore b. Vice president c. Speaker of the House d. House majority leader
c
A voter's decision to support the incumbent president in an upcoming election is based on recent economic growth and record low unemployment. Which of the following models of voting behavior best characterizes this voter's decision? a. Prospective voting b. Party-line voting c. Retrospective voting d. Rational choice voting
c
On February 9, 2016, President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the 2017 fiscal year. Facing a Republican Congress, many declared the plan "dead on arrival." Among the cited issues was Obama's request for $582.7 billion in discretionary spending for defense, which many Republicans believed was not enough. Which of the following most accurately explains the interaction between the president and the Congress regarding the defense budget? a. The Congress has the enumerated power to raise revenue, but it is forced to work with the president because the president has the power to determine spending for each department in the upcoming fiscal year. b. The president can create a budget for defense spending, but Congress has the power to execute laws and operate the government, which can affect how much money is actually spent. c. Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill. d. The president introduces a specific budget bill for defense spending, but Congress uses its power of legislative oversight to set up a negotiation process with the president.
c
Two interest groups are competing for influence in Congress. One group represents banking institutions, while the other advocates for consumer protections. A critic of the influence of interest groups would make which of the following claims? a. The interest groups will nominate a slate of candidates for office to compete against each other in the next election in order to determine which interests prevail. b. The consumer protection group will appeal only to Republican leaders, while the banking interests will appeal only to Democratic leaders. c. The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group. d. The consumer protection group is prohibited by federal regulations from direct lobbying.
c
Which of the following Supreme Court decisions allows public school students to wear T-shirts protesting a school board decision that eliminates funding for high school arts programs? a. Engel v. Vitale (1962) b. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) c. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) d. New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
c
Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president? a. A b. B c. C d. D
c
Which of the following is a likely effect of the trend depicted in the bar graph on voting and elections? a. There will be fewer restrictions placed on voting. b. Voter turnout is likely to increase among non-Whites. c. The Democratic Party will win more elections, based on current voting trends. d. There will be more retrospective voting among young voters.
c
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of rights protected and not protected by the First Amendment? a. A b. B c. C d. D
c
Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety? a. The Supreme Court will be asked to review the legislation annually. b. States will be empowered to begin automobile manufacturing. c. The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations. d. Mandatory spending will be required in all future federal budgeting for the program.
c
Which of the following is most likely responsible for the increase in the number of southern African American state legislators between 1960 and 1992 as shown in the graph? a. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 b. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) c. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 d. The Nineteenth Amendment
c
Which of the following is the best explanation for the trend in voting behavior after the 2000 election? a. Many states lowered their voting age after 2000, which led to an increase in Democratic Party voters. b. Most younger voters who were Democrats in the 1980s became more conservative as they grew older and ended up supporting Republicans after 2000. c. The events that shaped the generation turning 18 after the year 2000 tended to create more liberal-minded voters who supported Democrats. d. Most younger voters after 2000 adopted political positions that were opposed to their parents' point of view.
c
Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution? a. A b. B c. C d. D
c
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
Which of the following is true based on the information graphic? a. All citizens over 18 years old are eligible to vote regardless of where they live, but only about 56% actually do vote. b. Voters from 18 and 54 are far more likely to vote than voters over 54, but this can depend on which state they live in. c. Over 75% of the population is eligible to vote, but only about half the electorate actually voted in the 2016 presidential election. d. Voters ages 18-35 are less likely to vote because some states restrict voting only to citizens over the age of 21.
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
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a member of Congress supporting pork-barrel legislation? a. A senator from a coal-producing state voting against a job-training program for coal miners b. A member of the House voting for urban renewal in exchange for increased funding for roads c. A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state d. A member of the House Armed Services Committee marking up a bill that will increase funding for military bases
c
Which of the following scenarios illustrates Washington's concerns? a. An increasing number of voters are not turning out to vote in elections. b. Federalism can lead to different public policy outcomes between states. c. Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock. d. Members of the press fail to report on the illegal activities of certain members of the bureaucracy.
c
Which of the following scenarios is an example of the trustee model of representation? a. The NAACP leadership sends representatives to Washington to lobby for changes to the Voting Rights Act. b. Congress passes a bill allocating money to clean up nuclear waste sites after a wave of large-scale peaceful protests. c. A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt. d. A presidential candidate advocates using an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors.
c
Which of the following statements about Americans' trust in the mass media is best supported by the data in the graph? a. It generally increased over time. b. It experienced its largest increase in 2013. c. It generally decreased over time. d. It experienced its largest decrease in 2016.
c
Which of the following statements best explains the diagram? a. The United States District Court is the starting place for all cases going to the United States Supreme Court. b. State supreme courts have the final say in all cases arising in the states. c. Cases arising at both the state and federal level may be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. d. The number of federal courts is greater than the number of state courts.
c
Which of the following statements is a correct implication of the author's argument? a. The modern president has abused the power of the executive branch through the use of the bully pulpit. b. Federal courts play a substantial role in the American political system, but they have been unable to check the executive. c. The perception of multiple crises has led to the growth of an executive branch that is undermining the separation of powers in the government. d. The Constitution has failed to protect the separation of powers by giving the executive branch and the president too much power.
c
A group unhappy with local law enforcement distributes a memo to members encouraging physical confrontations with police officers. The leaders of the group are promptly arrested. Which of the following Supreme Court cases best justifies the actions taken by law enforcement in this scenario? a. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) b. Engel v. Vitale (1962) c. New York Times v. United States (1971) d. Schenck v. United States (1919)
d
A number of states, including Georgia and Ohio, have passed laws that revoke voter registration if a person did not vote in recent election cycles. Which of the following is a likely consequence of these laws? a. Voters would have a lower sense of efficacy, which would lead to lower turnout. b. Citizens would have to pay a fine if they tried to vote, which will significantly lower turnout. c. Younger voters will be less likely to register to vote since there is a chance their votes won't be counted. d. Occasional voters will not be able to vote on election day, which could influence election results.
d
A public school district implemented a policy that allowed students to vote on whether they wanted a student-led prayer to be read at football games. This policy was later found to be unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Which of the following clauses did the policy most likely violate? a. The interstate commerce clause b. The free exercise clause c. The supremacy clause d. The establishment clause
d
An important Senate race takes place in the state of Georgia. Rather than focus on the issue positions taken by the candidates, a 24-hour cable news station instead focuses primarily on poll results and campaign strategies using a "big board" to show the counties where each candidate has the most support. Which of the following is an effect of this type of new coverage? a. The electorate will be increasingly divided along partisan lines. b. The electorate will be more likely to turn out to vote on Election Day. c. The electorate will be more likely to have expanded knowledge of the electoral process. d. The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.
d
During his confirmation hearing, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that Roe v. Wade (1973) "is the settled law of the land." This statement suggests that in a future case that challenges the constitutionality of legislation restricting privacy and reproductive rights, which of the following should be a key factor in the court's ruling? a. Briefs submitted by interested parties b. Contemporary societal norms c. The consensus of the other justices d. Reliance on legal precedent
d
In a public opinion poll, a polling company used an online survey tool to randomly contact respondents who did not have telephone lines in addition to contacting people over the phone. Which of the following best explains this decision? a. The company saved money because it did not need to hire as many telephone interviewers to conduct the poll. b. The company was establishing a benchmark poll at the beginning of a campaign. c. The company was interested in asking different questions to different individuals. d. The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random.
d
In the 1780s, proponents of the new Constitution cited Shays' Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? a. The national government did not provide sufficient protection of individual rights. b. The lack of a centralized judiciary made enforcement of national laws difficult. c. States with larger populations were underrepresented in Congress. d. There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns.
d
The clause of the United States Constitution that was used in the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) was a. The due process clause b. The due process clause c. The free exercise clause d. The equal protection clause
d
Which of the following Supreme Court cases established that those accused of felonies who cannot afford legal counsel are entitled to legal counsel provided by the state? a. United States v. Lopez (1995) b. McDonald v. Chicago (2010) c. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) d. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
d
Which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution addresses the grievance that a woman is not permitted "to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise"? a. Fourteenth Amendment b. Fifteenth Amendment c. Seventeenth Amendment d. Nineteenth Amendment
d
Which of the following constitutional principles best explains why there is variation among states on the use of capital punishment? a. Separation of powers b. Judicial review c. Checks and balances d. Federalism
d
Which of the following describes the Twenty-Fourth Amendment? a. It desegregated places of public accommodation. b. It required elections for the United States Senate. c. It reduced barriers to political participation on the basis of gender. d. It eliminated poll taxes.
d
Which of the following is an example of how separation of powers creates friction between the executive and legislative branches in the policy-making process? a. The electoral college vote ends with no candidate receiving a majority of the votes, and the House of Representatives is delegated the task of selecting the next president. b. The Senate votes to impeach a sitting president for high crimes and misdemeanors. c. The secretary of state is dispatched along with a delegation of senators to negotiate a treaty with a foreign government. d. The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress continues to refuse to take action.
d
Which of the following is the most accurate comparison of the processes that generally facilitate gridlock and those that facilitate governmental action? a. A b. B c. C d. D
d
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of concurrent powers? a. The president negotiates a treaty regarding climate change with foreign governments, but for the treaty to take effect, it requires approval by the Senate. b. As commander-in-chief of the military, the president orders troops to a foreign nation to address a potential threat to national security. c. A Senate committee holds a hearing to discuss potential misuse of funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs. d. The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the United States, while the other 75% of the funding comes from states.
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 statements is true regarding political advertisements in 2012 based on the information graphic? a. Taxpayers paid over 2 billion dollars for political advertisements. b. Political action committees aired 3 million political ads. c. Fewer than 2 million advertisements were aired in 2012. d. Few advertisements appealed to positive emotions.
d
Which of the following was a direct outcome of the Three-Fifths Compromise? Responses 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.
d
Which of the following is a correct comparison of the positions of libertarians and conservatives on matters of social policy? a. A b. B c. C d. D
a
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of checks on the legislative branch and checks on the executive branch? a. A b. B c. C d. D
a
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the checks held by the legislative and judicial branches? a. A b. B c. C d. D
a
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. Elite d. Pluralist
b
In 2012, after negotiations on a bill in Congress failed, President Obama issued an executive order that protected from deportation individuals illegally brought to the United States as children by their parents. The president took this action because a. the executive order would require Congress to bring a bill regarding illegal immigration to the floor for a vote b. disagreement between congressional leaders and the president on the issue meant that a compromise on a bill was not likely c. the president was reacting to a Supreme Court decision that required him to do something to protect these individuals d. the Constitution clearly gives the president control over the legal status of immigrants in the United States
b
Based on the data, which of the following is the most likely consequence for the legislative process in Congress? a. More competitive races for House seats in the general election b. A decrease in party-line voting on important legislation introduced in the House c. An increase in gridlock and failure to compromise on legislation d. Greater cooperation between Congress and the president on nominations
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
Arizona enacted an immigration law in 2010, claiming the legislation complemented existing federal law. The Obama administration disagreed, claiming the state law conflicted with national law. Which clause of the Constitution did the Supreme Court most likely use to strike down a section of the state law? a. Commerce clause b. Necessary and proper clause c. Full faith and credit clause d. Supremacy clause
d
Which of the following best describes César Chávez' view on the use of violence versus nonviolence? a. The use of violence should be the primary tactic as it will address the feelings of frustration and anger throughout the movement. b. The use of violence will motivate the American people as people everywhere still yearn for justice. c. The use of nonviolent actions, such as demonstrations and marches, does not bring honor to the cause and will negatively impact the movement. d. The use of nonviolent actions allows more people to be involved in the movement and effect change.
d
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
b
The data illustrate that most conservatives believe that the United States Constitution a. is a living document and the Supreme Court should consider public opinion and contemporary values when interpreting constitutional provisions b. outlines a framework for government that the Supreme Court should apply strictly regardless of the political or personal preferences of judges c. establishes a shared set of political values flexible enough to empower the Supreme Court to apply its own personal judgment to their interpretation d. gives judges the power to overrule the other two branches of government in times when those other branches fail to be responsive to changing public opinion on issues
b
The language in the first paragraph of the selection most closely parallels that of which of the following documents? a. The Preamble to the United States Constitution b. The Declaration of Independence c. The Federalist 10 d. Brutus 1
b
To get an important bill passed in the House, a provision is added that allocates $500 million to study the impact of global climate change on manatees in Florida. This is an example of a. the free rider problem b. pork barrel legislation c. an issue network d. gerrymandering
b
Which constitutional principle best explains the differences in poverty rates presented in the map? a. Checks and balances b. Federalism c. Equal protection d. Enumerated powers
b
Which of the following accurately compares the powers of Congress and the president? a. A b. B c. C d. D
b
Which of the following conclusions can be drawn based on the table? a. Forty-six Republicans voted against the bill, which led to a successful filibuster. b. The bill was able to pass because some Republicans and Independents voted for it along with all Democrats. c. Independents align most strongly with Republicans in the Senate. d. The smaller chamber size of the Senate made this bill easier to pass in the Senate than in the House of Representatives.
b
Which of the following factors that influence voters' decision making during an election is the cartoonist poking fun at? a. The party identification and ideological orientation of the candidate b. The candidate's personal characteristics c. The education and age of the candidate d. The candidate's knowledge of contemporary political issues
b
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 d. Remove members of the Supreme Court who ruled against the law and have the president appoint new justices
c
In 2013 a parliamentary procedure was implemented in the Senate that allowed a simple majority vote to end debate on Cabinet member confirmations. Which of the following best explains how the procedural change relates to the information in the graphic? a. If the procedural change had not occurred, the nomination of Tom Price would have been approved without delay. b. The procedural change resulted in Democratic senators adding pork barrel legislation to the appropriations bill that funds the Department of Health and Human Services. c. If the procedural change had not occurred, Republican senators would not have been able to immediately invoke cloture of a filibuster. d. The procedural change required Republican senators to nominate a different person for secretary of Health and Human Services.
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
The graphic illustrates which of the following statements about political parties? a. Federalism leads to a multiparty system in which at least three parties generally compete for control of local, state, and national governments. b. The founders refused to join political parties because they agreed that parties were contrary to the public interests, so parties did not form until well after the ratification of the Constitution. c. There is an ongoing debate between political parties over the power and scope of the federal government, even as economic and demographic changes have altered party coalitions. d. The Constitution settled the debate over the power of the federal government, but political parties formed nonetheless to help Congress organize itself over regional interests.
c
Which of the following best captures a portion of the author's argument? 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.
c
Which of the following best summarizes the perspective of Adam Smith in the passage? a. A strong centralized government is necessary to maintain economic order. b. Lowering taxes increases investment and allows the free market to flourish. c. The government should not be used to promote manufacturing. d. Civil liberties limit the power of the federal government to regulate the economy.
c
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.
c
Which of the following criticisms of political campaigns is the author of the political cartoon most likely to agree with? a. Political campaigns have not adequately adapted to the increase in social media usage in modern society. b. Rising campaign costs and intensive fund-raising efforts make running for office too expensive for the average citizen. c. The duration of election cycles is too long. d. Candidates rely too heavily on professional consultants.
d
Which of the following is a model of democracy that emphasizes the role of interest groups in advocating for public policy? a. Participatory democracy b. Elitist democracy c. Majoritarian democracy d. Pluralist democracy
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 portrays an accurate example of horse race media coverage? a. After a lengthy investigation, a newspaper publishes an article about a candidate receiving thousands of dollars in illegal campaign funds. b. A cable news show intentionally smears a candidate by running an exaggerated story about indiscretions in a candidate's personal life. c. A candidate announces her intention to run for president of the United States on Twitter rather than through a television appearance. d. News media outlets report the results of public opinion polls that show the relative popularity of presidential candidates.
d
A citizen who uses the rational choice model of voting behavior selects candidates for office based on a. what is thought to be in the citizen's own self-interest b. the label of the party running for office c. predictions of how a candidate will perform in the future d. the recent performance of the candidates running for office
a
A person votes for Democratic candidates based on the belief that the policies of the Democratic Party will be personally beneficial. This type of voting matches which of the following voting behavior models? a. Prospective voting b. Retrospective voting c. Split-ticket voting d. Sociological voting
a
After extensive polling, a member of the House of Representatives learns that her constituents favor universal background checks for all gun purchases. Based on this information, the representative votes in favor of background checks in a criminal justice bill, although she personally opposes the provision. In doing so, she is acting as a a. delegate b. trustee c. politico d. committee chair
a
Which of the following clauses serves as the constitutional basis for the federal Real ID Act of 2005, a law that established uniform standards for state-issued identification cards and provided regulation of a state function? a. The due process clause b. The establishment clause c. The necessary and proper clause d. The commerce clause
c
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
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
Which best describes a likely reason for the information depicted in the graph? a. An increase in concerns over media bias b. An increase in the median age of the population c. A decrease in the number of media outlets d. A decrease in ideological news coverage
a
A polling firm tried to predict the results of an election by sampling 1,000 adults within a state for two days prior to the election, using landline telephones of likely voters. After the election, the firm found that their poll results were not close to the actual election results. Which of the following recommendations would be the best for the firm to follow in the future? a. Sample people who have cell phones, in addition to those with landlines. b. Conduct the survey over a one-day period rather than two days. c. Adjust the results if the sample includes more people from one party than another. d. Use an Internet-based poll that encourages people to vote online for their preferred candidate.
a
Which of the following factors most likely led to shifts in Supreme Court decision making over time? a. The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time. b. Rather than pass new legislation, Congress was inclined to refer civil rights legislation to the Supreme Court. c. After 1960, the Supreme Court deferred to the wishes of state and local governments rather than voting to expand the authority of the federal government. d. Constitutional amendments enabled the Supreme Court to issue more liberal decisions.
a
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of policy positions advocated by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party? a. A b. B c. C d. D
b
At a public high school, several students raised a banner and wore clothing in support of a candidate running in the upcoming presidential election during lunch period. The principal asked the students to put away the banner, citing safety concerns. Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most relevant to this scenario? a. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) b. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) c. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) d. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
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 a similarity between the views expressed in the excerpt above and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail"? a. Unlike César Chávez, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. supported the use of violence after all other means had been exhausted. b. Unlike Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., César Chávez supported the use of violence as a means to start the movement. c. Both César Chávez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. argued for the continued use of nonviolence to further their causes. d. Both César Chávez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. argued for the use of nonviolence after standards of equality had been met.
c
Which of the following best summarizes the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of United States v. Lopez (1995) ? a. The necessary and proper clause permits Congress to pass laws regulating firearms within a school zone pursuant to its interest in maintaining law and order. b. The Second Amendment is incorporated to the states, which means that state and local laws prohibiting the possession of a gun within the boundaries of a school zone are unconstitutional. c. The Second Amendment does not protect the right to keep and bear a firearm unless it can be shown that there is a direct relationship to the preservation of a well-regulated militia. d. Congress does not have the authority under the commerce clause to pass a law forbidding possession of a firearm in a school zone.
d
Which statement best explains the information in the graphic? a. The secretary was confirmed by a party-line vote. b. Confirmation was blocked by one party. c. Independents swayed the vote for the majority. d. Attempts at compromise were unsuccessful.
a
Which of the following is an accurate description of the powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate? a. A b. B c. C d. D
b
Which of the following provisions of the Bill of Rights could support the actions that César Chávez is encouraging the farmworkers to take? a. The right to fair trial b. The right to assemble c. The right to bear arms d. The right to an attorney
b
Which of the following describes the origin of the United States court system presented in the diagram? a. Article II of the Constitution established the three-tiered court system and the jurisdiction of each court in each tier. b. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) allowed the Supreme Court to establish other federal courts. c. Article III of the Constitution established a Supreme Court, while other federal courts were established by Congress. d. Marbury v. Madison (1803) allowed Congress to create other federal courts.
c
Which of the following ideals of United States government is most relevant to this passage? a. Natural rights b. Popular sovereignty c. Limited government d. Social contract
c
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the text by Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 ? a. While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness. b. While The Federalist 70 views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, Schlesinger views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness. c. Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous. d. Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as vital to the presidency's effectiveness.
a
Which of the following is an example of the executive branch implementing a public policy passed by Congress? a. The Department of Health and Human Services determines eligibility requirements for government assistance. b. As chief diplomat, the president negotiates a treaty that is then ratified by the Senate. c. A Federal Trade Commission official is asked to testify before Congress about the agency's activities. d. Congress passes a law reorganizing the structure of the federal bureaucracy.
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
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.
b
Based on the data in the chart, which of the following is true? a. a of liberal decisions made by the federal district courts on civil rights and civil liberties cases increased between 1900 and 1928. b. The percentage of liberal decisions made by the Supreme Court on civil rights and civil liberties cases decreased between 1964 and 1996. c. The number of civil rights and civil liberties cases heard by the Supreme Court declined between 1944 and 1952. d. The number of civil rights and civil liberties cases heard by the federal district courts decreased between 1972 and 1992.
b
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
b
Based on the passage and your knowledge, which of the following most likely explains how Adam Smith might react to the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)? a. Smith would approve of the court's decision that limited the scope of the federal government's regulatory authority. b. Smith would disapprove of the court's decision to expand the federal government's power to regulate the economy. c. Smith would disapprove of the court's decision allowing private businesses to make unlimited contributions to political campaigns. d. Smith would approve of the court's decision to expand the power of the federal government to promote economic growth.
b
In the case of McDonald v. Chicago (2010) the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense was applicable to the states. This ruling is an example of the application of the doctrine of a. Strict scrutiny b. Selective incorporation c. Stare decisis d. Literalism
b
Lobbyists from the Airlines for America, an advocacy group that represents commercial airlines, work with members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and officials from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to discuss a new policy that addresses issues of airline safety. This scenario best illustrates a. a political action committee b. an iron triangle c. a social movement d. an independent expenditure
b
The America First Action is a super PAC led by former administrator of the Small Business Administration Linda McMahon. Which of the following best explains how the organization can operate to influence elections, according to the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010) ? a. The super PAC can be led by a former government official but cannot accept contributions from former officials. b. The super PAC can spend unlimited funds and coordinate its campaign with candidate campaigns but must abide by "Stand by Your Ad" provisions. c. The super PAC can spend unlimited money on issue-advocacy advertisements that are not coordinated with the campaign. d. The super PAC can spend unlimited money on campaign expenditures but is subject to maximum contribution limits from donors.-
c
The Washington Post receives a top secret report that details how the executive branch mishandled a deal made with a foreign nation regarding nuclear weapons. The executive branch attempts to stop the publishing of the report, but the publishers cite the precedent in New York Times Company v. United States (1971) establishing which of the following legal rules? a. The application of strict scrutiny b. The exclusionary rule for evidence c. The heavy presumption against prior restraint d. Time, place, and manner restrictions
c
The Web site healthcare.gov was launched on October 1, 2013, to help citizens purchase health insurance for themselves in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Within two hours of launch the site crashed. Once it was restored, problems continued, leading to difficulty for users. The following year, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius was called to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss the issue. The committee held this hearing as part of which of the following functions? a. Committee markup b. Budget testimony c. Oversight d. Impeachment
c
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.
d
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.
d
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.
d
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
c
On July 9, 2018, after the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, President Trump, a Republican, nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Many Democrats in the Senate feared that the appointment of Kavanaugh would swing the Court in a more ideologically conservative direction and attempted to block his nomination. After a heated Senate confirmation hearing, Kavanaugh was eventually confirmed by a 50-48 vote in the Senate. The scenario best highlights which of the following statements about court appointees? a. Life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for nominees to the Supreme Court. b. Judicial appointees tend to make controversial statements on important policy issues during their confirmation hearings to get confirmed. c. The merit system for hiring members of the bureaucracy extends to the vetting process for nominations to the Supreme Court. d. Presidents usually request that the Senate be slow and deliberate with judicial appointments to check the power of the judicial branch.
a
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
b
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
b
Which of the following ideals of democracy is reflected in the procedure for apportionment in the House of Representatives? a. The federal government represents states equally. b. Government is based on the consent of the governed. c. Leaders in Congress are among the most well-informed in society. d. Political power is distributed between the national government and state governments.
b
Which of the following is a limitation of the data when drawing a conclusion about the most important problem facing the country in 2017? a. The results are incomplete, as only 3% of respondents were taken into account when the list was compiled. b. The data were collected in a short time frame, which does not reveal full-year trends. c. The data were compiled from an exit poll; therefore, the data reflect only the views of registered voters. d. Respondents were presented with a list of problems from which they could choose more than one.
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 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.
b
Which of the following situations is an example of the president using the bully pulpit as a tool for agenda setting? a. President Clinton invoking executive privilege in resisting a subpoena by the United States Senate during the Whitewater investigation b. President Bush issuing a signing statement in the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 that considerably weakened its provisions c. President Obama issuing an executive order delaying the deportation of at least five million undocumented immigrants d. President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes
b
Which of the following statements regarding political parties is true based on the graphic? a. The Democratic Party has consistently favored states' rights. b. The Republican Party initially emerged as an antislavery political party. c. Regional interests have not played a major role in any of the party systems. d. The Democratic and Republican Parties were the two major parties during the First Party System.
b
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
c
The president privately discusses with his staff a decision to increase economic sanctions on Iran. Before a final decision is made, a draft of the proposal is leaked to a reporter. The president orders the reporter and her newspaper to suspend publication of the plan, citing issues of national and economic security. Which of the following best indicates how a court would rule in this case if the Supreme Court's ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) was used as a precedent? a. The president has the authority to stop the publication of the story because the administration has asserted that the information in the story threatens national security. b. Although the documents have already been obtained by the press, a court must review the documents prior to publication to ensure that no information that threatens national security is made public. c. Freedom of the press includes a heavy presumption against government censorship, and the documents can be published by the press. d. Because the president's staff leaked the documents and the newspaper obtained them in a legal manner, they may be published without prior restraint.
c
Which of the following is most directly related to the large amount of money spent by outside groups in the 2012 election? a. The reliance on professional consulting firms to help run candidate-centered campaigns b. The emergence of social media as a campaign tool to mobilize supporters to make large donations c. The use of super PACs as a mechanism to raise money and influence elections d. Strict regulations on campaign spending by political parties
c
Which of the following positions on the government's role in the marketplace is most influenced by the idea expressed in the passage? a. Economic equality should be the goal of public policy. b. Government should use its fiscal powers to address economic cycles. c. Government intervention in the free market should be avoided. d. A central banking system or federal reserve is necessary to control the money supply.
c
Which of the following represents the most likely way the information in the table will be used? a. The media will use the data to present horse race coverage of elections. b. Political action committees (PACs) will use the data to determine which candidates for elected office they will support. c. Congress will use the data to suggest that there is support for their legislative proposals. d. Social movements will use this data in their legal briefings before the federal courts.
c
Which of the following scenarios best explains how the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has influenced political behavior? 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.
c
Which of the following statements is consistent with data shown in the bar graph? a. Men are more likely than women to believe that there should be an increase in government spending to provide social services for the elderly. b. Conservatives are more likely than liberals to believe that spending on public transportation should be increased to connect citizens to employment opportunities. c. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to believe that there should be fewer regulations on businesses to promote economic growth and increase wages. d. Those with higher incomes are more likely than those with lower incomes to believe that education spending should be a federal responsibility to guarantee that each citizen has an equal chance at success.
c
Which of the following statements is correct based on the bar chart? a. Most Independents believe that the Supreme Court should base its rulings on what the Constitution meant as originally written. b. Most Democrats believe that the Supreme Court should base its rulings on what the Constitution meant as originally written. c. The more consistently liberal a person is, the more that person is likely to believe that the Supreme Court should base its rulings on what the Constitution means in current times. d. The more consistently conservative a person is, the more that person is likely to believe that the Supreme Court should base its rulings on what the Constitution means in current times.
c
Which of the following statements represents a trend supported by the data in the bar graph? a. Both party caucuses in the House consisted of more moderate members in 2012 than in 2002. b. The Republican caucus consisted of more ideologically conservative members in 1982 than in 2012. c. The number of House members between the most liberal Republican and the most conservative Democrat decreased between 1982 and 2012. d. The party caucuses in the Senate are more ideologically diverse than those in the House of Representatives.
c
On November 2, 2014, a Gallup poll reported that 51 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana, while 47 percent oppose legalization. The reported margin of sampling error was +/- 4 percent. Which of the following inferences can be made from the poll? a. More people support marijuana legalization then oppose it. b. More states are passing laws in support of marijuana legalization. c. A majority of people under 35 years of age support legalizing marijuana. d. It is unclear whether more people support marijuana legalization than oppose it.
d
