Government unit 3

Which of the following statements best describes how United States citizens regard the rights of free speech and assembly? A A majority agrees in principle with these rights, but in practice many people are often intolerant of views they do not support. B A majority actively supports these rights without any reservations. C A majority opposes these rights in principle. D The average citizen is more supportive of these rights than are members of the elite. E Conservatives have traditionally been more supportive of these rights than have liberals.

A A majority agrees in principle with these rights, but in practice many people are often intolerant of views they do not support.

Which of the following is true about the right of free speech, as currently interpreted by the Supreme Court? A It protects the right to express opinions even without the actual use of words. B It protects the use of language deemed obscene by the courts. C It allows citizens to disobey laws that they believe to be unjust. D It is protected from infringement by the federal government but not from infringement by state governments. E It cannot be limited in any manner.

A It protects the right to express opinions even without the actual use of words.

Interest groups are protected under the Constitution by the A provisions of Article I, Section 8 B First Amendment C Ninth Amendment D Tenth Amendment E Fourteenth Amendment

B First Amendment

Which of the following statements best describes the information in the map? (PICTURE OF THE U.S STATES MAP) A Most states in the Northeast and West do not allow capital punishment. B Most states in the South and West allow capital punishment. C Capital punishment is not allowed in Oklahoma (OK) and New Mexico (NM). D Only three states do not allow capital punishment. Answer C

B Most states in the South and West allow capital punishment.

Which of the following attributes of the political cartoon would best represent the government's use of prior restraint? ( PICTURE) A The steps of the building B The fallen pillars C The word "democracy" written on the building D The standing pillars

B The fallen pillars

The process of extending the protections of the Bill of Rights by means of the Fourteenth Amendment to apply to the actions of state governments is known as A judicial review B incorporation C broad construction D federalism E stare decisis

B incorporation

Which of the following scenarios would be considered a violation of the rights of someone accused of a crime, according to the Supreme Court? A A witness is called to testify against a suspect accused of plotting a terrorist attack. B A police officer acts to stop a crime while it is being committed but does so without a warrant. C A person who is unable to afford an attorney is tried and convicted of a crime without legal representation. D A suspect is informed of the right to an attorney but confesses to a crime prior to receiving legal advice.

C A person who is unable to afford an attorney is tried and convicted of a crime without legal representation.

In the case Boynton v. Virginia (1960), the Supreme Court ruled that segregation at a bus stop restaurant was illegal based on the Interstate Commerce Act. Which of the following explains how this case is similar to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ? A Both cases were related to school bussing. B Both cases were primarily about the application of the commerce clause to address segregation. C Both cases ruled that the federal government did not have the authority to address segregation. D Both cases struck down local ordinances that prescribed segregation.

D Both cases struck down local ordinances that prescribed segregation.

In which case did the Supreme Court rule that "the doctrine of separate but equal has no place" in the Constitution? A Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) B Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) C Engel v. Vitale (1962) D Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

D Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Protection of the legal rights of women has been facilitated by the passage of which of the following? I.The Equal Rights Amendment II. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 III. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 IV. The Education Amendments Act of 1972 A II only B I and III only C I and IV only D II, III, and IV only E I, II, III, and IV

D II, III, and IV only

Which of the following best explains the trend depicted in the chart above? (BAR CHART/ GRAPH) A Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka B Imposition of a federal poll tax C Elimination of all-White primary elections D The Voting Rights Act of 1965 E The Civil Rights Act of l964

D The Voting Rights Act of 1965

Which of the following would most likely be protected by the First Amendment? A A reporter knowingly publishes a false story that injures the subject's reputation. B A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war. C An individual issues a threat against another individual on social media. D An individual spray paints graffiti on a public building to protest a government action.

B A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war.

To which level of government did the Bill of Rights originally apply? A State governments only B Federal government only C State and federal governments only D Local and federal governments only E Local, state, and federal governments

B Federal government only

In the majority opinion of a United States Supreme Court case, Justice Alito wrote, "we now turn directly to the question whether the...right to keep and bear arms is incorporated in the concept of due process. In answering that question, . . . we must decide whether the right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to our scheme of ordered liberty." Which Supreme Court case is most aligned with Justice Alito's reasoning to treat gun ownership for self-defense as a fundamental liberty? A United States v. Lopez (1995) B McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C Baker v. Carr (1962) D McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

B McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade are similar Supreme Court cases in that both cases are based on the A rights of gay men and lesbian women B right of privacy C right to an abortion D right to freedom from cruel and unusual punishment E right of women to equal protection before the law

B right of privacy

Which of the following principles protects a citizen from imprisonment without trial? A Representative government B Separation of powers C Due process D Checks and balances E Popular sovereignty

C Due process

Which of the following reflects the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade (1973) ? A It ruled that the state had an overarching right to prohibit women of all ages from having abortions anytime during their pregnancies. B It ruled that the state had a justifiable interest to legalize abortion. C It ruled that a woman's right to an abortion was a privacy right incorporated to all of the states. D It ruled that the case was moot, as Roe's pregnancy had ended by the time the case came up for review.

C It ruled that a woman's right to an abortion was a privacy right incorporated to all of the states.

The "wall of separation" doctrine refers to the A division between levels of government B unique powers possessed by each branch of government C division of church and state D barrier between legislative chambers E differentiation of municipal powers from county powers

C division of church and state

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to A expand presidential power B restrict the application of judicial review C make most rights contained in the Bill of Rights applicable to the states D prevent states from taxing agencies of the federal government E limit the use of the legislative veto

C make most rights contained in the Bill of Rights applicable to the states

The federal Constitution guarantees all of the following rights to a person arrested and charged with a serious crime EXCEPT the right to A remain silent B be represented by a lawyer C negotiate a plea bargain D demand a writ of habeas corpus E receive a speedy and public trial

C negotiate a plea bargain

The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, the Equal Rights Amendment, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 were all directed toward the goal of A protecting the rights of minority children in the schools B overcoming discrimination based on sexual orientation C racial justice D equality for women E affirmative action

D equality for women

Most of the individual protections of the Bill of Rights now apply to the states because of the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution's A Preamble B necessary and proper clause C supremacy clause D Tenth Amendment E Fourteenth Amendment

E Fourteenth Amendment

"The original understanding of the Second Amendment was neither an individual right to self-defense nor a collective right of the states, but rather a civic right that guaranteed that citizens would be able to keep and bear those arms needed to meet their legal obligation to participate in a well-regulated militia. Nothing better captured this constitutional ideal than the minuteman. Citizens had a legal obligation to outfit themselves with a musket at their own expense and were expected to turn out at a minute's notice to defend their community, state, and eventually their nation. Although each side in the modern debate claims to be faithful to the historical Second Amendment, a restoration of its original meaning, re-creating the world of the minuteman, would be a nightmare that neither side would welcome. It would certainly involve more intrusive gun regulation, not less. . . . Gun control advocates might blanch at the notion that all Americans would be required to receive firearms training and would certainly look askance at the idea of requiring all able-bodied citizens to purchase their own military-style assault weapons." Saul Cornell, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, Oxford University Press, 2006 Which of the following could be used as evidence to support the author's claim? A At the time the Constitution was written, laws in the states required able-bodied individuals to serve in militias. B The Constitution clearly states that the Second Amendment applies only to the federal government's ability to make gun laws. C The United States today uses militias such as police forces to maintain domestic peace. D The Constitution guarantees that all rights, including the Second Amendment, are incorporated to the states.

A At the time the Constitution was written, laws in the states required able-bodied individuals to serve in militias.

To enforce the Fourteenth Amendment more clearly, Congress passed the A Civil Rights Act of 1964 B Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act C Social Security Act D Twenty-sixth Amendment E War Powers Resolution

A Civil Rights Act of 1964

Writing for the court in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), a case weighing whether race can be considered in college admissions, Justice Lewis Powell wrote: "Preferring members of any one group for no reason other than race or ethnic origin is discrimination for its own sake. This the Constitution forbids. . . . The . . . goal asserted by petitioner is the attainment of a diverse student body. This clearly is a constitutionally permissible goal for an institution of higher education. . . . The freedom of a university to make its own judgments as to education includes the selection of its student body." According to the quote, what is the likely effect of the Court's ruling in the Bakke case? A Colleges can consider race but cannot use strict racial quotas in admission practices. B Affirmative action practices can never be employed in college admission decisions. C As a result of the Bakke decision, colleges and universities stopped considering race as a factor in admissions. D The Bakke decision affected the admissions practices only at private colleges, not at public universities.

A Colleges can consider race but cannot use strict racial quotas in admission practices.

The facts of which of the following cases are most related to the political cartoon? (PICTURE) A New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) B Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) C Schenck v. United States (1919) D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

A New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Which of the following headlines is most relevant to the political cartoon? (PICTURE) A Nixon Administration Goes to Court to Stop Pentagon Papers Release B Supreme Court Rules High School Students May Silently Protest Vietnam War C Supreme Court Hears Flag Burning Case D War Protestor Presented "Clear and Present Danger" Says Court

A Nixon Administration Goes to Court to Stop Pentagon Papers Release

Which of the following was an argument used by the Supreme Court in upholding federal statutes outlawing segregation in public accommodations? A Such segregation affected interstate commerce, and Congress therefore had the authority to outlaw it. B Such segregation was wrong in principle, and Congress had moral authority to outlaw it even though the statutes lacked a strict constitutional basis C Such segregation violated the First Amendment's protection of the right to free assembly, and Congress therefore had the authority to outlaw it. D Such segregation violated the Tenth Amendment's reservation of power to state governments, and Congress therefore had the authority to outlaw it. E Since such segregation affected citizens of different states, it fell under the original jurisdiction of the federal courts and could therefore be outlawed by Congress.

A Such segregation affected interstate commerce, and Congress therefore had the authority to outlaw it.

t ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case. The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much. This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963 Which of the following pieces of legislation was most likely a result of the passage? A The Civil Rights Act of 1964 B The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 C The Voting Rights Act of 1965 D Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972

A The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Which of the following best explains how poll respondents regard the relationship between the right to own guns and personal freedom? (CHART) A The poll shows there is an ongoing debate over whether gun control laws promote or interfere with individual rights. B The poll shows that gun owners and non-gun owners have widely different views over a range of civil liberties issues. C The poll shows that party polarization has a sizable impact on elections and policy making at each level of government. D The poll shows that even the courts have mixed opinions as to whether the second amendment involves individual liberty.

A The poll shows there is an ongoing debate over whether gun control laws promote or interfere with individual rights.

A writ of habeas corpus refers to A a person's right to know the reasons for his or her imprisonment B a person's right to not be charged for an action committed before that action was a crime C a person's right to trial by jury D the protection against cruel and unusual punishment E a demand from one state to extradite a suspect from another state

A a person's right to know the reasons for his or her imprisonment

The Supreme Court established the incorporation doctrine when the Court A interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment as extending most of the requirements of the Bill of Rights to the states as well as the federal government B interpreted the Ninth Amendment as requiring national health and worker-safety standards to protect the individual's implied right of personal safety C stripped the armed forces of their discretionary powers regarding military service for gay men, lesbians, and married people D strengthened local police forces by granting them the power to investigate and prosecute federal offenses E granted the federal government the power to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional

A interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment as extending most of the requirements of the Bill of Rights to the states as well as the federal government

The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that upheld a woman's right to secure an abortion was based on the right to A privacy implied in the Bill of Rights B equality guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments C due process of law enumerated in the Fifth and Sixth amendments D adequate medical care implied in the Preamble to the Constitution E life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness enumerated in the Declaration of Independence

A privacy implied in the Bill of Rights

With respect to prayer in public schools, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that A state-sponsored prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment B state-sponsored prayer is permitted by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment C since educational policy is controlled largely by state governments, the First Amendment does not affect school policy on prayer D the free exercise clause permits teachers to mandate silent prayer E in school districts in which local authorities can demonstrate that all students belong to a single religion, mandated prayer is permissible

A state-sponsored prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment

The Supreme Court's decision about abortion in Roe v. Wade was based on A the right to privacy implied in the Bill of Rights B guarantees of freedom of religion contained in the First Amendment C the due process clause in the Fifth Amendment D the equal protection clause in the Fourteenth Amendment E a federal statute legalizing abortion

A the right to privacy implied in the Bill of Rights

The "Miranda warning" represents an attempt to protect criminal suspects against A unfair police interrogation B biased jury selection C imprisonment without trial D illegal wiretapping E unjustified police surveillance

A unfair police interrogation

According to the clear and present danger test, speech may be restricted A when it incites violent action B when it lacks a political purpose C whenever the United States is at war D if it is deemed offensive to religious organizations E if the writer or speaker is not a citizen of the United States

A when it incites violent action

Which of the following applications of affirmative action would the United States Supreme Court likely consider unconstitutional? A A company actively recruits women and minorities in its hiring practices for a federal contract. B A state university refuses acceptance of any new applicants from a specific race. C A university values racial diversity on its campus and considers race as one of many factors when considering applicants to its freshman class. D The United States Department of Transportation hires a contractor with a history of hiring and promoting minorities and women for the construction of an interstate highway.

B A state university refuses acceptance of any new applicants from a specific race.

A school district in Seattle used the race of students as a tie-breaking factor to determine which students would be admitted to the more popular schools in an attempt to maintain racial diversity. In the case Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1 (2007), the Supreme Court ruled this plan unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment. Which of the following statements offers the most accurate comparison between this case and the decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ? A Both cases involved the use of affirmative action in public schools. B Both cases ruled against the school district based on the equal protection clause. C Both cases struck down plans to segregate students. D Both cases ruled in favor of students based on the due process clause.

B Both cases ruled against the school district based on the equal protection clause.

In the case Guey Heung Lee v. Johnson (1971), the parents of Chinese American students who attended a primarily Asian American school challenged San Francisco's effort to desegregate the public schools, arguing that their culture and language would be diluted if their children were dispersed from their local school. The Supreme Court denied the challenge from the parents basing their decision on the Fourteenth Amendment. Which of the following cases was most likely used in the decision as a precedent? A Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) B Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) C Engel v. Vitale (1962) D Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

B Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

A classified Department of Defense study on the effectiveness of the United States involvement in the Afghanistan War is obtained by a newspaper. The president seeks to block the publication of the document. The court rules in favor of the newspaper, citing as precedent the Supreme Court's decision in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971). Based on the ruling in the Supreme Court's decision, which of the following lines of reasoning does the court most likely use? A Freedom of the press cannot be abridged except for restrictions on time, place, and manner of the communication. B Freedom of the press requires that the government show a significant danger to national security in order to stop publication. C Freedom of the press permits the press to print any story, but if the story embarrasses public officials, they can sue under defamation laws. D Freedom of the press cannot be abridged by the actions of the president without a law passed by Congress.

B Freedom of the press requires that the government show a significant danger to national security in order to stop publication.

"Just as the Fourth Amendment's right to privacy has been declared enforceable against the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth, it is enforceable by the same sanction . . . as is used against the federal government. Were it otherwise, . . . the assurance against unreasonable searches and seizures would be 'a form of words,' valueless . . . 'in the concept of ordered liberty." Justice Tom Clark, Mapp v. Ohio (1961) Which two principles are addressed in the excerpt above? I. The incorporation doctrine II. The concept of eminent domain III. The exclusionary rule IV. The "wall of separation" doctrine A I and II B I and III C I and IV D II and III E II and IV

B I and III

Which of the following best describes a purpose of the Establishment Clause? A It gives Congress the power to protect civil rights and civil liberties. B It prohibits Congress from establishing a state religion. C It empowers Congress to create a national bank. D It prevents Congress from prohibiting the possession of guns on school grounds. E It grants Congress the power to establish post roads and post offices.

B It prohibits Congress from establishing a state religion.

in Engel v. Vitale (1962), which of the following provides the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court's ruling? A It ruled that the state had an overarching right to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding such action permissible under the Tenth Amendment. B It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation. C It balanced the school's interest in providing for an open and peaceful frame of mind for the school day with the interest of the students in not being subjected to the prayer, ultimately ruling for the state. D It rejected the student complaint, as public school students have no free exercise rights in school.

B It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation.

Which of the following is a principle underlying the Bill of Rights? A The people should control all aspects of governance. B Some rights are fundamental and should not be subject to majoritarian control. C The legislature should be the most powerful branch of government. D All people should be guaranteed the same rights, whether they are citizens or not. E It is groups rather than individuals that have fundamental rights and immunities.

B Some rights are fundamental and should not be subject to majoritarian control.

The United States Supreme Court has used which of the following to incorporate the Bill of Rights into state law? A The necessary and proper clause B The Fourteenth Amendment C The Judiciary Act of 1789 D The Civil Rights Act of 1964 E The Voting Rights Act of 1965

B The Fourteenth Amendment

Which of the following amendments to the Constitution most likely provides the basis for a driver to challenge the constitutionality of police use of sobriety checkpoints in enforcing drunk driving laws? A The First Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances B The Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure C The Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination D The Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment E The Tenth Amendment right of states to powers not given to the national government

B The Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure

n McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the United States Supreme Court stated that, "[s]elf-defense is a basic right, recognized by many legal systems from ancient times to the present day" and that an individual's right to bear arms was "deeply rooted in this Nation's history and tradition." The quote points to which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution as a basis to limit state action? A The First Amendment B The Second Amendment C The Third Amendment D The Fourth Amendment

B The Second Amendment

n McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the United States Supreme Court stated, "that the [Constitution] protects the right to possess a handgun in the home for the purpose of self-defense" and that the Second Amendment applied to the states through which of the following constitutional clauses? A The due process clause of the Fifth Amendment B The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment C The equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment D The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

B The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

All of the following statements reflect positions the Supreme Court has taken with regard to the right of free speech EXCEPT: A A restriction on the right of free speech should always be viewed with skepticism. B There are no acceptable governmental restrictions on free speech. C Government has an obligation to try to ensure citizens the right to be heard. D The right to free speech is a fundamental natural right. E The First Amendments protects free speech from incursions of both the federal and state governments.

B There are no acceptable governmental restrictions on free speech.

If a college's admission policy to reserve twenty seats in its incoming class for applicants belonging to racial minority groups is challenged in the courts, a judge is likely to A uphold the policy because it provides additional opportunities for minority applicants B strike down the policy because reserving seats amounts to a quota system C strike down the policy because the percentage of seats reserved is less than the percentage of minority citizens in the general population D uphold the policy because only a small percentage of the total seats for incoming students are affected E strike down the policy because it did not apply to women as well as racial minorities

B strike down the policy because reserving seats amounts to a quota system

"The original understanding of the Second Amendment was neither an individual right to self-defense nor a collective right of the states, but rather a civic right that guaranteed that citizens would be able to keep and bear those arms needed to meet their legal obligation to participate in a well-regulated militia. Nothing better captured this constitutional ideal than the minuteman. Citizens had a legal obligation to outfit themselves with a musket at their own expense and were expected to turn out at a minute's notice to defend their community, state, and eventually their nation. Although each side in the modern debate claims to be faithful to the historical Second Amendment, a restoration of its original meaning, re-creating the world of the minuteman, would be a nightmare that neither side would welcome. It would certainly involve more intrusive gun regulation, not less. . . . Gun control advocates might blanch at the notion that all Americans would be required to receive firearms training and would certainly look askance at the idea of requiring all able-bodied citizens to purchase their own military-style assault weapons." Saul Cornell, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, Oxford University Press, 2006 The author's main argument is that the Second Amendment A did not extend privacy rights B was added to the Constitution to ensure that militias would have arms C should not be applied to states that do not have a militia D protects an individual's right to own a gun for personal protection

B was added to the Constitution to ensure that militias would have arms

Which of the following scenarios, related to the First Amendment, best illustrates the "right . . . to petition the Government . . ." ? A A newspaper prints an editorial supporting executive action by the president. B A student sues a public school that institutes a mandatory prayer ceremony. C A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill. D A religious group practices a religious ritual that is in conflict with a local law.

C A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill.

Which of the following scenarios illustrates an action that would be protected by the free exercise clause in the First Amendment? A A student wears a T-shirt to public school portraying an illegal substance. B A person legally purchases a firearm for the purpose of self-defense. C A person wears a necklace bearing a Christian cross to work. D A state mandates the reading of a prayer at the beginning of the school day.

C A person wears a necklace bearing a Christian cross to work.

Which of the following best illustrates the protection of an individual's Fifth Amendment rights? A An appeals court rules that a lower court imposed excessive punishment on an individual who broke a law. B A judge blocks an attempt by law enforcement to search a home without probable cause. C After arrest, a suspect is informed of the right to remain silent during interrogation. D During a time of war, soldiers are not quartered in a person's home without the consent of the owner.

C After arrest, a suspect is informed of the right to remain silent during interrogation.

Which of the following is most likely to be considered speech that is protected by the First Amendment? A A newspaper publishes a factually untrue article that defames the reputation of a public individual. B A group of people who are upset with a judge's decision stage a protest on the judge's private property. C An individual posts something on social media that is highly critical of the president. D A person threatens to commit an act of violence in an online video.

C An individual posts something on social media that is highly critical of the president.

Which of the following constitutional clauses was most relevant in the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade (1973) ? A Commerce clause B Free exercise clause C Due process clause D Equal protection clause

C Due process clause

t ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case. The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much. This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963 Which of the following expresses the most significant political concern in the passage? A Improved understanding of the flaws of the legal system B Greater funding for education in urban areas C Increased awareness of citizen inequalities that need to be addressed D Decreased partisanship in congressional policy making

C Increased awareness of citizen inequalities that need to be addressed

Which of the following is true of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ? A It was unnecessary because the Fifteenth Amendment effectively guaranteed African Americans the right to vote. B It has never been applied to any group except southern African Americans. C It has been a major instrument for increasing the number of African American and other minority voters. D It was declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno. E It requires that minority officeholders be elected.

C It has been a major instrument for increasing the number of African American and other minority voters.

The establishment clause in the First Amendment does which of the following? A Guarantees freedom of speech to all citizens. B Prevents prior restraint of the press. C Prohibits the setting up of a state church. D Defines the concept of dual citizenship. E Allows citizens to enter freely into contracts with other citizens.

C Prohibits the setting up of a state church.

Which of the following Supreme Court cases establishes that a woman has a due process right to make a decision whether or not to have an abortion? A United States v. Lopez (1995) B McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C Roe v. Wade (1973) D Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

C Roe v. Wade (1973)

The United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was based on which of the following? A The First Amendment's right to freedom of expression B The Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause C The Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection D The Fourth Amendment's exclusionary rule E The Fifth Amendment's power of eminent domain

C The Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection

According to the data, both gun owners and non-gun owners (CHART) A answered similarly regarding the importance of the right to own guns B believed that the right to vote was less critical than freedom of religion C chose freedom of speech as most crucial to their own liberty D demonstrated deep division between one another in most categories

C chose freedom of speech as most crucial to their own liberty

Jim Crow laws, still in place in the early 1960s in the South, were outlawed by the A incorporation of the Bill of Rights B 1963 march on Washington C passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act D Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka E Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford

C passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

Civil rights activists, such as those who campaign for gay and lesbian equal rights and those who advocated for racial equality in the 1950s and 1960s, often find the most effective way to secure those rights is A through mass demonstrations to raise awareness of their cause B through lobbying of individual members of Congress for support on legislation C through litigation in the courts to gain legal protections against discrimination D by launching educational campaigns to increase the level of public support for their cause E by persuading presidents to issue executive orders that prevent discrimination within the federal workforce

C through litigation in the courts to gain legal protections against discrimination

The free-exercise clause protects A the president from forcibly revealing private conversations with staff B individuals who, for religious reasons, refuse to pay Social Security taxes C voluntary prayer by student groups before school D a person's right to burn the American flag E a person's right to practice polygamy

C voluntary prayer by student groups before school

It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case. The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much. This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963 The issues identified in the passage reflect a failure to uphold which of the following constitutional principles? A One person, one vote B Equal representation in Congress C States' rights D Equal protection

D Equal protection

"The original understanding of the Second Amendment was neither an individual right to self-defense nor a collective right of the states, but rather a civic right that guaranteed that citizens would be able to keep and bear those arms needed to meet their legal obligation to participate in a well-regulated militia. Nothing better captured this constitutional ideal than the minuteman. Citizens had a legal obligation to outfit themselves with a musket at their own expense and were expected to turn out at a minute's notice to defend their community, state, and eventually their nation. Although each side in the modern debate claims to be faithful to the historical Second Amendment, a restoration of its original meaning, re-creating the world of the minuteman, would be a nightmare that neither side would welcome. It would certainly involve more intrusive gun regulation, not less. . . . Gun control advocates might blanch at the notion that all Americans would be required to receive firearms training and would certainly look askance at the idea of requiring all able-bodied citizens to purchase their own military-style assault weapons." Saul Cornell, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, Oxford University Press, 2006 Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most relevant to the topic of the article? A Engel v. Vitale (1962) B Baker v. Carr (1962) C McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) D McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

D McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, the Supreme Court established which of the following principles? A A school official can search a student for drugs. B Everyone must go to school at least until the age of 16. C Tuition for private schools cannot be tax deductible. D Separation of students by race, even in equally good schools, is unconstitutional. E A moment of silent prayer at the beginning of the school day is allowable under the First Amendment.

D Separation of students by race, even in equally good schools, is unconstitutional.

In Gideon v. Wainwright, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the A Bible could be distributed at public schools under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment B exclusionary rule prevented the introduction of evidence seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment from being introduced in court C eminent domain clause of the Fifth Amendment prevents government from taking religious property for public purposes D Sixth Amendment right-to-counsel provision applies to those accused of major crimes under state laws E Eighth Amendment cruel-and-unusual-punishment provision cannot be applied in a discriminatory manner

D Sixth Amendment right-to-counsel provision applies to those accused of major crimes under state laws

In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court ruling limited state action in segregating public school students based on their race, stating "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." The Court pointed to which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution to achieve this ruling? A The First Amendment B The Fifth Amendment C The Thirteenth Amendment D The Fourteenth Amendment

D The Fourteenth Amendment

Which of the following explains the constitutional reasoning in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) ? A The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires Congress to protect an individual's ability to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment. B The Second Amendment is a collective right and not one intended for individual application. C The full faith and credit clause requires the state of Illinois to respect the laws of neighboring states concerning the right to keep and bear arms. D The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for the purpose of self-defense is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

D The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for the purpose of self-defense is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

The Supreme Court has ruled which of the following concerning the death penalty? A A state may not impose the death penalty on a noncitizen. B Lethal injection is the only constitutionally acceptable method of execution. C Females may not be executed. D The death penalty is not necessarily cruel and unusual punishment. E The death penalty violates the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.

D The death penalty is not necessarily cruel and unusual punishment.

In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court stated that the plaintiffs "seek the aid of the courts in obtaining admission to the public schools of their community on a non-segregated basis. In each instance, they had been denied admission to schools attended by white children under laws requiring or permitting segregation according to race." The Supreme Court ruled "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." Which of the following provisions of the United States Constitution did the Supreme Court use to strike down racial segregation in state public schools? A The due process clause of the Fifth Amendment B The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment C The equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment D The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

D The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

Just beyond the horizon of current events lie two possible political futures—both bleak, neither democratic. The first is a retribalization of large swaths of humankind by war and bloodshed: a threatened Lebanonization of national states in which culture is pitted against culture, people against people, tribe against tribe—a Jihad in the name of a hundred narrowly conceived faiths against every kind of interdependence, every kind of artificial social cooperation and civic mutuality. The second is being borne in on us by the onrush of economic and ecological forces that demand integration and uniformity and that mesmerize the world with fast music, fast computers, and fast food—with MTV, Macintosh, and McDonald's, pressing nations into one commercially homogeneous global network: one McWorld tied together by technology, ecology, communications, and commerce. The planet is falling precipitantly apart and coming reluctantly together at the very same moment. Benjamin Barber, "Jihad vs. McWorld," 1992 Since 1992, how has concern over the increasingly dangerous world described in the passage most affected American political debates? A It has led to a decline in the power of states to enforce their own state laws. B Congress has increased its role in foreign policy, especially when it comes to combat operations. C There has been a decline in support for the free enterprise system due to the increased number of trade agreements. D The federal government has increased its surveillance powers, leading to a debate about the balance between civil liberties and security

D The federal government has increased its surveillance powers, leading to a debate about the balance between civil liberties and security

Which of the following is one of the central concerns of the First Amendment? A The supremacy of the national over the state governments B The right of citizens to bear arms C The division of powers among the three branches of government D The right of citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances E The protection of the rights of those accused of committing a crime

D The right of citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances

Which of the following cases decided whether a state could compel children to attend school beyond eighth grade even if it violated the students' sincerely held religious beliefs? A United States v. Lopez (1995) B Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Which of the following cases examined a state law that required all children to attend school through the twelfth grade in order to promote the general welfare of its citizens? A Engel v. Vitale (1962) B Marbury v. Madison (1803) C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969) D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

The Supreme Court addressed the admissions policy of the University of Michigan Law School in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003). Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote for the court, "in the context of its individualized inquiry into the possible diversity contributions of all applicants, the Law School's race-conscious admissions program does not unduly harm nonminority applicants." The primary issue of controversy in the Grutter v. Bollinger decision involves A national supremacy B judicial review C selective incorporation D affirmative action

D affirmative action

The clear-and-present danger test devised by the Supreme Court was designed to define the conditions under which public authorities could A ban obscene materials B suspend habeas corpus protections C mobilize the National Guard D limit free speech E commit troops to situations of potential foreign combat

D limit free speech

In Miranda v. Arizona, the United States Supreme Court declared that A illegal aliens have the same right to an education as United States citizens B evidence seized during an illegal search cannot be used in court C affirmative action programs cannot employ numerical quotas D police must inform criminal suspects of their constitutional rights before questioning suspects after arrest E the death penalty is constitutional so long as juries are supplied with sentencing guidelines

D police must inform criminal suspects of their constitutional rights before questioning suspects after arrest

In Roe v. Wade, the majority of Supreme Court justices determined that A a constitutional right to privacy necessitated making contraceptives legal B abortions could be performed only during the first twelve weeks of a pregnancy C homosexuality is unconstitutional D the United States Constitution implies a right to privacy and thus made abortions legal E a husband is allowed to veto his wife's decision to have an abortion

D the United States Constitution implies a right to privacy and thus made abortions legal

Which of the following pairs of cases used the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause to expand individual liberties? A. Case 1: Schenck v. United States Case 2: Engel v. Vitale (1962) B. Case 1: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Case 2: New York Times Company v. United States (1971) C. Case 1: Marbury v. Madison (1803) Case 2: McDonald v. Chicago (2010) D. Case 1:Roe v. Wade (1973) Case 2: Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

D. Case 1:Roe v. Wade (1973) Case 2: Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

The card shown above was issued as a consequence of which of the following Supreme Court decisions? PICTURE OF CARD) A Gitlow v. New York B Munn v. Illinois C Regents of University of California v. Bakke D Gideon v. Wainwright E Miranda v. Arizona

E Miranda v. Arizona

Which of the following did the most to expand civil rights in the 1950's? A State legislative decisions desegregating public accommodations B State court decisions outlawing poll taxes C The passage of voting-rights legislation by Congress D Executive orders mandating affirmative action E The Supreme Court decision declaring state-mandated school segregation to be unconstitutional

E The Supreme Court decision declaring state-mandated school segregation to be unconstitutional

The Constitution and its amendments expressly prohibit all of the following EXCEPT A slavery B double jeopardy C cruel and unusual punishment D unreasonable searches and seizures E sex discrimination in employment

E sex discrimination in employment