AP Gov APQ Review

Which of the following would be a case of original jurisdiction before the United States Supreme Court?

A lawsuit between the United States and one of the states

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a member of Congress supporting pork-barrel legislation?

A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state

Which of the following stages comes first in the policy-making process?

Agenda setting

In which of the following circumstances would the rule of four be applied?

At least four justices on the Supreme Court agree that a case should be put on the Court's docket.

Which of the following statements describes a difficulty presidents face in the policy implementation process?

Because of civil service laws, it is not easy for the president to remove professional bureaucrats when they disagree with the president's agenda.

Which of the following is true of the relationship between Congress and executive agencies?

Because the agencies have bureaucratic expertise, Congress delegates "rule-making authority" to them.

Which of the following is true according to the diagram? (House v. Senate)

Both chambers make use of a system of majority and minority whips.

Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president?

C. (Formal Power - Acting as commander in chief for the military, Informal Power - Signing executive agreements with foreign powers)

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the House of Representatives and the Senate?

C. (House - elected by people in local districts based off population, Senate - elected by people of an entire state)

Which of the following best explains why cabinet secretaries might not aggressively pursue the president's policy agenda?

Cabinet secretaries may develop strong loyalty to their departments.

Based on the information in the line graph, which of the following is the most likely implication of entitlement and defense spending as a portion of the federal budget? ​

Changes in entitlement spending put pressure on discretionary spending.

The number of justices on the United States Supreme Court is set by...

Congress

Questions 6 - 7 refer to the line graph. JOB APPROVAL RATINGS FOR PRESIDENTS, 1945-2012 Which of the following correctly identifies an implication of the line graph?

Congress is more likely to act on a president's policy proposal at the beginning of a first term than at the end of a second term.

Which of the following scenarios is an example of the trustee model of representation? ​

Congress passes a bill allocating money to clean up nuclear waste sites after a wave of large-scale peaceful protests.

Congress is most likely to exert oversight of the executive bureaucracy in which of the following ways?

Controlling an executive agency's annual budget

Why is federal case law more frequently established by the United States courts of appeal than by the United States Supreme Court?

Courts of appeal must decide cases appealed to it from the lower courts, while the Supreme Court can choose its cases and hears relatively few each year.

Examining the data found in the graph, what pattern or trend would you most likely predict for the anticipated budget for the fiscal year 2035?

Discretionary expenditures will consume a decreasing share of the federal budget.

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the information in the line graph?

Entitlement spending has steadily become a larger portion of the federal budget.

A member of the House of Representatives has introduced a bill to raise the minimum wage, but it has been in committee for 36 days and is unlikely to make it to the floor. Which of the following is the best course of action for the representative to take to get a vote on the bill?

Filing for a discharge petition

Policy that describes the impact of the federal budget (including taxes, spending, and borrowing) on the economy is referred to as which of the following?

Fiscal policy

Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs are concerned about the quality of services at hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Which of the following is an action the committee can take to address the problem?

Holding a hearing and subpoenaing high-level officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs to testify

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. George Washington's Farewell Address, 1796 Which of the following scenarios illustrates Washington's concerns? ​

Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock.

Generally, when is a president more likely to get congressional approval of proposed policies?

In foreign affairs rather than in domestic affairs

Which of the following is a way Congress can influence the federal judiciary?

It can change appellate jurisdiction of federal courts.

Questions 4 and 5 refer to the map below. The map shows the outline of a congressional district. Which of the following statements best explains the motivation behind the way in which it is drawn? ​

It has likely been drawn to pack together voters who are registered with the same party.

The doctrine of stare decisis is significant for which of the following reasons?

It is the principle that affirms that courts are bound by prior decisions.

Questions 4 and 5 refer to the map below. Which of the following is a consequence of the way the district is drawn on the map?

It will likely lead to a less competitive general election, which could lead to increased partisanship.

Appointments to the federal judiciary are often contentious for which of the following reasons?

Life terms for federal judges mean that presidential appointments will continue to have influence long after the president's term is over.

Questions 6 - 7 refer to the line graph. JOB APPROVAL RATINGS FOR PRESIDENTS, 1945-2012 Which of the following statements reflects a pattern in the line graph?

Most presidents exit office with lower approval ratings than when they entered office.

A new president has been elected and has a number of positions to fill within the federal bureaucracy. Which of the following is an example of filling a position based on political patronage?

Nominating a high-level campaign fund-raiser to serve as an ambassador to New Zealand

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 would the Senate take in their attempt to limit the Supreme Court's power?

Pass legislation that would limit the impact of the Supreme Court's recent rulings

Which of the following is an example of presidential use of informal powers?

President Bill Clinton advocating for public policy reform on his Health Security Express bus

But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings . . . on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. President Lyndon B. Johnson, May 22, 1964 Which of the following explains President Johnson's motivation for the speech in relation to his role as the head of the executive branch?

President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education.

Which of the following may the president do to limit the Supreme Court's power?

Refuse to enforce a ruling by the Court

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 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?

Reliance on legal precedent

The trend shown in the chart contributed to which the following in the 1980's?

Rising federal deficits

Which of the following is true about senatorial courtesy?

Senators of the state from which the nominee comes are consulted by the President prior to the candidate's appointment as a federal judge.

Which of the following best describes the pattern in the chart?

Tax rates for wealthy people were lowest in 1991-1992 and highest in 1981.

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the Supreme Court and the cases it hears?

The Court hears only a small percentage of cases submitted for certiorari.

Which of the following best explains the difference in the number of bureaucrats employed by the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security?

The Department of Education primarily addresses state issues, whereas the Department of Homeland Security primarily addresses national issues.

Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety?

The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations.

Which of the following accurately describes the information presented in the pie chart? (Biggest Postal Service)

The United States Postal Service has the largest number of employees within the federal bureaucracy.

Which of the following is a unique power held by members of the Senate? ​

The ability to filibuster

Which of the following is the primary reason for the tensions that exist between the legislative and executive branches of the federal government?

The branches have different constituencies with different interests.

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of iron triangles?

The long-term relationships between agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups in specific policy areas

Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of divided government in the United States political system? ​

The majority of senators and the majority of representatives are from one party, but the president is from another.

Which of the following is supported by information in the table?

The number of women elected to Congress more than doubled between the 100th and 105th Congresses.

Which of the following factors is most important in influencing presidential nominations for the federal judiciary?

The political ideology of the nominee

Senator Smith votes her conscience on bills that her constituents care little about, but she votes according to the wishes of the majority of her constituents on other bills. Which model of representation do her actions embody?

The politico model

Which of the following enumerated powers would permit Congress to stimulate the economy by hiring unemployed citizens?

The power to pass a federal budget

Members of Congress who have adopted the delegate role of representation normally cast their votes based on which of the following?

The preferences of the majority of their constituents

Which of the following statements best describes the president's influence over agency budgets?​

The president influences the initial budget proposal, but depends on Congress for appropriations of federal money.

Questions 2 - 3 refer to the table. Which of the following represents a reason that a president might use a signing statement to express displeasure with a bill as opposed to issuing a veto?

The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk Congress overriding a veto.

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?

The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress continues to refuse to take action.

Based on your knowledge and the diagram, which of the following is true regarding the leadership structure of Congress?

The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy?

The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee

Which of the following is only a power possessed by the Senate?

To confirm many of the Presidential appointments

Which of the following committees plays a major role in the House in shaping tax policy?

Ways and Means

Questions 2 - 3 refer to the table. Which of the following statements is most accurately supported by the data in the table?

While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections than President Clinton's.

The president is most likely to use an executive order to make important policy when

a compromise cannot be reached with Congress.

If legislation passes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate but each version is slightly different, the conflicting bills are sent to

a conference committee for review and compromise.

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 single executive who can respond quickly to crises

The Supreme Court is subject to all of the following types of political pressure which may affect its decisions EXCEPT

ability of Congress to overturn a decision by a 60% vote.

The three points of an iron triangle include...

an administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service will spend money appropriated by Congress to maintain wildlife refuges. This action is an example of...

bureaucratic implementation of law.

Congress enacted the presidential line-item veto primarily in order to

control local pork-barrel projects.

The president's role as chief diplomat is derived from

delegated powers

The House Rules Committee is an important part of the legislative process because it...

determines the terms and conditions of debate when a bill goes to the House floor.

Congress has the constitutional power to control the judicial branch by...

determining the size of the Supreme Court.

The ability of the federal courts to make public policy derives from all of the following EXCEPT their power to...

enact new laws.

To influence policy making by the federal courts, the president may do all of the following EXCEPT

fire and replace federal judges.

Bureaucratic rule-making is best defined as ...

guidelines issued by government agencies, which provide specific details about how a policy will be implemented

Much of the steady increase in federal government expenditures since 1960 has been caused by...

increases in entitlement programs.

The expansion of the executive branch since 1939 has affected the separation of powers by...

increasing presidential control over the legislative process

The idea that judges ought to freely strike down laws that are inconsistent with their understanding of the original intent of the Constitution is known as...

judicial activism.

The practice in Congress whereby Representative A promises to vote for Representative B's legislation, provided that Representative B will support Representative A's legislation, is referred to as ..

logrolling

Executive agreements have been cited as evidence that...

modern presidents often try to avoid legislative checks and balances on their authority.

What do the maps illustrate?

partisan gerrymandering

The primary purpose of the North American Free Trade Agreement is to...

reduce trade barriers between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

What is a goal common to both the Pendleton Act and the Hatch Act?

reducing the influence of partisan politics on the federal bureaucracy.

A policy that sets emission standards for automobiles is an example of...

regulatory policy

In the United States judicial system, when a judge decides a case based on decisions rendered in similar cases in the past, the judge is following the principle of...

stare decisis