Social Studies

Which principle of the United States Constitution is intended to ensure that no one branch of government has more power than another branch? (1) checks and balances (2) federalism (3) limited government (4) rule of law

(1) checks and balances

"President Wilson Represents the United States at Versailles" "President Reagan Meets with Soviet President Gorbachev" "President Carter Negotiates Camp David Accords" Each headline illustrates a time when the president of the United States acted as (1) chief diplomat (2) chief legislator (3) commander in chief (4) head of a political party

(1) chief diplomat

9 "All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; . . ." — Article 1, Section 7, United States Constitution The main reason the writers of the Constitution included this provision was to (1) give citizens more influence over taxation issues (2) assure that all citizens would pay taxes (3) deny presidents the power to veto revenue bills (4) provide the government with a balanced budget

(1) give citizens more influence over taxation issues

Which feature of the United States Constitution traditionally gives the states authority over public education? (1) reserved powers (2) preamble (3) fifth amendment (4) supremacy clause

(1) reserved powers

11 Which statement about the electoral college system is accurate? (1) The number of electoral votes a state receives is based on its geographic size. (2) A candidate can be elected president without the majority of the popular vote. (3) Presidential candidates are forced to campaign equally in every state. (4) The total number of electoral votes has increased with each census.

(2) A candidate can be elected president without the majority of the popular vote.

5 Which power was delegated to the federal government in the United States Constitution? (1) establishing an official religion (2) controlling interstate commerce (3) regulating marriage and divorce (4) granting titles of nobility

(2) controlling interstate commerce

"Presidential Candidates Skip Campaigning in Low- Population States" "Winner Of Popular Vote Loses Election" These headlines refer to controversial issues most directly related to (1) judicial review (2) the electoral college (3) impeachment (4) checks and balances

(2) the electoral college

Which headline illustrates the use of judicial review? (1) "Congress Passes a Civil Rights Bill" (2) "Conference Committee Meets to Finalize Budget" (3) "New York State's Reapportionment Plan Ruled Unconstitutional" (4) "President Signs SALT Agreement with Russia"

(3) "New York State's Reapportionment Plan Ruled Unconstitutional"

8 Which action is an example of judicial review? (1) The president proposes a bill to reduce the powers of the federal courts. (2) A state court finds a defendant guilty of murder. (3) The Supreme Court declares a federal law unconstitutional. (4) The Senate approves a president's nominee for the Supreme Court.

(3) The Supreme Court declares a federal law unconstitutional.

10 Which statement about the United States House of Representatives is accurate? (1) Representatives are chosen by the legis- latures of their states. (2) The Constitution allows each state two representatives. (3) The number of representatives from each state is based on its population. (4) The political party of the president always holds a majority of House seats.

(3) The number of representatives from each state is based on its population.

Which action can be taken by the United States Supreme Court to illustrate the concept that the Constitution is "the supreme law of the land"? (1) hiring new federal judges (2) voting articles of impeachment (3) declaring a state law unconstitutional (4) rejecting a presidential nomination to the cabinet

(3) declaring a state law unconstitutional

10 Which presidential role resulted from practice and custom rather than from constitutional authority? (1) commander in chief (2) chief executive (3) head of his political party (4) head of state

(3) head of his political party

9 "The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence." — United States Constitution, Article IV, Section 4 According to this excerpt, a goal of the framers of the Constitution was to ensure that the United States (1) remained neutral during domestic conflicts involving the states (2) supported the right of each state to resist presidential decisions (3) provided for the common defense of every state (4) approved a bill of rights to protect citizens from government tyranny

(3) provided for the common defense of every state

Which situation best illustrates the practice of lobbying? (1) Congress decides to reduce the number of military bases in California. (2) The federal government cancels a defense contract with a company in New York State. (3) A senator from Pennsylvania and a senator from New Jersey agree to support each other's bill in Congress. (4) Several environmental groups try to persuade members of Congress to vote for the Clean Air Act.

(4) Several environmental groups try to persuade members of Congress to vote for the Clean Air Act.

7 Which change within the federal government results from the census that is taken every ten years? (1) The Supreme Court gains new justices. (2) Members of Congress face new term limits. (3) Large states gain additional seats in the Senate. (4) Some states lose or gain members in the House of Representatives.

(4) Some states lose or gain members in the House of Representatives.

Which action is an example of the system of checks and balances? (1) An individual pays both a state and a federal income tax. (2) New York State requires at least 180 school days per year. (3) The House of Representatives votes to expel one of its members. (4) The Senate approves a president's nominee to the Supreme Court.

(4) The Senate approve a president's noinee to the Sumpree court

In the 2000 presidential election, which aspect of the electoral college system caused the most controversy? (1) A state can divide its electoral votes among different candidates. (2) States with few electoral votes have no influence on election outcomes. (3) The selection of electors varies among states. (4) The winner of the popular vote might not get the majority of the electoral vote.

(4) The winner of the popular vote might not get the majority of the electoral vote.