AP gov Multiple Choice questions
In addition to the stated constitutional powers of the president, which of the following roles does he take on? A. acting as head of his political party B. granting pardons C. making treaties D. giving a state of the union address E. signing or vetoing legislation
A
The Federalist believes that a nation dominated by factions would lead to A. Tyranny of the majority B. protection of minority rights C. a recognition that factions would be in the best interest of the country D. another revolution E. favorable economic growth
A
The implied power clause in the Constitution has been described as the ability of Congress to take which of the following actions? A. pass an assault weapons ban B. withdraw funds allocated to troops in Haiti C. pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution D. raise the price of stamps to 34 cents e. pass a law setting quotas for immigrants
A
The terms "prior review" and "prior restraint" refer to which of the following constitutional principles? A. Freedom of the press B. Freedom of assembly C. Freedom of speech D. Due process E. Freedom to petition ones grievances
A
Which of the following Supreme Court cases established the "clear and present danger" doctrine? A. Schenck v United States B. Texas v Johnson C. Chaplinsky v New Hampshire D. Abrams v New York E. Tinker v Des Moines
A
Which of the following governmental bodies is most directly responsible for the electorate? A. The House of Representatives B. The Senate C. The executive branch D. The Supreme Court E. The bureaucracy
A
Which of the following groups examines a candidates record primarily on specific issues? A. Single-interest groups B. Elite groups C. Plurality groups D. Democrats E. Republicans
A
Which of the following institutions is commonly called the fourth branch of government? A. The bureaucracy B. Special interest groups C. The executive branch D. Congress E. The Supreme Court
A
Which of the following principles describes a philosophy of the Federalist Party? A. Federalists believed in a loose construction of the Constitution B. Federalist a believed in a strict interpretation of the constitution C. Federalist a believed in a conservative interpretation of the constitution D. Federalist a believed that congress should be the main cog of government E. Federalist a believed that the interests of the common man should be reflected in government
A
Which of the following principles is most fundamental to democratic theory? A. Free elections and universal suffrage B. Minority rule C. Universal public education D. Political parties E. A written constitution
A
Which of the following represents the theoretical definition of federalism? A. A division of power between the federal government and the state government B. A strict separation of power between the federal government and state government C. A division of power between the federal government and state governments where the power emanates from the states D. A singular relationship that is characterized by control emanating one way from a central government E. An equally shared power relationship among the branches of government
A
Which of the following resulted after the Supreme Court made a ruling in Baker v Carr? A. The principle of "one man, one vote" was established B. Congressional districts became gerrymandered based on political considerations C. Congressional districts were created as a result of racial considerations D. Congress modified existing voting districts for state offices E. Congress was able to modify congressional districts in states where there was not equal representation
A
Which of the following theories contends that our society is divided along class lines and that a narrow upper-class strata rules regardless of the formal organization of government? A. Elite B. Pluralist C. Communist D. Socialist E. Egalitarian
A
According to the writings of the Federalist Papers, which of the following reflects a major reason for the support of a federal system? A. local governments are best suited to meet the needs of the majority interests of the country B. Local governments will maintain their authority and will be able to care for their citizens C. the central government is best suited to recognize the needs and interests of the local governments D. There will be a constant clashing of opinions between the interests of the local and federal governments E. Factions would be strengthened by the formation of a federal system of government
B
All the following Supreme Court cases dealt with the issue of federalism EXCEPT A. Gibbons v Ogden B. Marbury v Madison C. McCulloch v Maryland D. Barron v Baltimore E. Fletcher v Peck
B
Madison believed that in order to prevent a "tyranny of the majority" the new government should include all of the following EXCEPT A. Creating political institutions that could function with the consent of a majority B. Limiting the presidents term of office C. Creating different branches of government with the distinctive and separate powers D. Creating a system of checks and balances E. Limiting the ability of the electorate to vote directly for government officials except members of the house
B
The constitution basis of dual federalism can be found in A. the necessary and proper clause B. the 10th amd C. the elastic clause D. the implied power provision E. the enumerated powers
B
The establishment clause of the first amendment speaks of A. An officially sanctioned nonsectarian religion for the United States B. A wall of separation between church and state C. Government not being able to accommodate religion in public schools D. Government agencies creating watchdog committees to prevent religious infringement in the schools E. The passage of the equal access law
B
The question of the constitutionality of a term limit for legislators imposed by a state Constitution is based of which of the following arguments? A. The states ability to set time and manner of elections for state office holders B. The fact that the Constitution sets the qualifications for congressmen C. The ability pf people top vote directly for senator and representatives D. The ability of voters to create term limits for state office holders E. The fact that the Congress is scheduled to vote for a term limits amendment to the Constitution
B
Which general area of policy is generally left up to the central government? A. Health B. interstate commerce C. education D. police E. voting requirements
B
Which of the following actions increases the power of the president? A. A greater reliance on the states to solve problems B. A greater reliance of the federal government to solve problems C. The president having to work with a majority party in Congress different from his own D. An increased investigative role by the media E. The downsizing of the federal bureaucracy
B
Which of the following best defines a set of a institutions linking government, politics, and public policy? A. An educational system B. A political system C. A social system D. An economic system E. A socioeconomic system
B
Which of the following documents created a compromise that led to the formation of a bicameral legislature? A. Articles of Confederation B. Connecticut Compromise C. New Jersey Plan D. Virginia Plan E. Three-Fifths Compromise
B
Which of the following groups believes that bargaining and compromise are essential to a democracy? A. Elitists B. Pluralists C. Independents D. Democrats E. Republicans
B
Which of the following institutions established in the Constitution make public policy? A. The senate, president, and political parties B. Congress, president, and courts C. Congress, courts, and the military D. Congress, president, and the military E. Congress, president, and the bureaucracy
B
Which of the following laws was challenged by states because they felt that the federal government imposed an unfair unfunded mandate? A. Family and medical leave act of 1993 B. Motor voter registration act of 1993 C. Clean air act of 1970 D. Clean water act of 1970 E. Assault weapons act of 1994
B
Which of the following represents a major reason why the electoral college was created? A. It would encourage third-party candidates B. It would enable a select group of electors to cast the final vote for president and vice president C. It would encourage greater voter turnout D. It would give more power to the Congress in determining the outcome of presidential elections E. It would give the voters in smaller states a greater role in selecting the president and vice president
B
All of the following factors contribute to an enlightened understanding of the electorate EXCEPT A. Interest groups B. The media C. The right to property D. Political parties E. The internet
C
All the following are basic principles of our democracy today EXCEPT a belief in A. The worth and dignity of the individual B. The need for political equality C. Universal healthcare D. The guarantee of individual freedoms E. The need for a balance between freedom and order
C
All the following are considered enumerated powers of the Congress EXCEPT A. coining US currency after the Constitution was ratified B. establishing inferior courts in addition to the Supreme Court C. setting up the first national bank of the US D. establishing uniform immigration laws E. regulating commerce among the several states
C
All the following characteristics reflect the reasons why political parties are formed EXCEPT A. People band together because of similar needs B. People band together because of similar values C. People band together because they have similar income D. People band together because they have similar beliefs E. People band together because they have similar goals
C
The Constitution's writers carefully drafted a document that would create A. strong states and a weak central government B. weakened the power in the state and national governments C. the ability to adapt to changing times D. a dominant national government with no active participation from the states E. an equal distribution of power between the states and national government
C
The Supreme Court decision Gitlow v New York established the principle that A. There was no relationship between the 14th amd and the bill of rights B. Free speech was not protected by the bill of rights in state cases C. Incorporation of the bill of rights in state cases was allowed D. There was an indirect relationship between the 14th amd. And the bill of rights E. Judicial review could take place in state cases by the supreme court
C
The constitutional provision used in the Supreme Court case McCulloch v Maryland was I. The necessary and proper clause II. The supremacy clause III. The interstate commerce clause A. I only B. II only C. I and II only D. II and III only E. All
C
Which historical period represents the introduction of competitive federalism? A. The civil War B. The New Deal C. WWII D. The Great Society E. The 1970s and 1980s
C
Which kind of federalism best describes an autonomous relationship between the states and the national government? A. cooperative federalism B. creative federalism C. layer cake federalism D. fiscal federalism E. marble cake federalism
C
Which of the following are considered linkage institutions? I. Congress II. Political parties III. The media IV. The courts A. I only B. I and II only C. II and III only D. I, II, and III only E. All of them
C
Which of the following documents represents the first adopted Constitution for the US? A. Declaration of Independence B. Bill of rights C. Articles of Confederation D. Virginia Plan E. Connecticut plan
C
Which of the following is the only stated constitutional responsibility of the vice president? A. Attending funerals of foreign dignitaries B. Taking on special tasks assigned by the president C. Presiding over the Senate D. Filling in for the president when he is out of the country E. presiding over the House of Reps.
C
Which of the following statements in the Federalist Papers referred to "the most common and durable source of faction"? A. A new and emerging middle class B. The absence of a strong national government C. The unequal distribution of property D. The abuse of minority rights E. The powers given to the president
C
Which type of federalism is characterized by a pattern of competitive grants? A. Dual federalism B. Cooperative federalism C. Fiscal federalism D. Creative federalism E. Marble cake federalism
C
Advocates of a strong federal system believe in all the following EXCEPT A. State and local governments do not have many of the resources necessary to deal with the problems facing the country B. local politicians are provincial in their point of view C. State and local governments cannot support the vast programs necessary to support citizens D. Local leaders are more suited to solve problems than national leaders E. factions would be more likely to gain control in a country dominated by local interests
D
All the following are characteristics of marble cake federalism EXCEPT A. There are mingled responsibilities and blurred distinctions between the levels of government B. the federal government becomes more intrusive in state affairs C. There is a greater sharing of responsibilities between the federal and state levels D. The national government exercises its power independently from state governments E. There is greater cooperation between the federal and state governments
D
All the following are characteristics of politics EXCEPT- A. Individuals with similar ideas banded together to form political parties B. The means through which individuals are groups get involved C. Who gets what, when, how, and why D. The passing of laws that serve to further minority rights E. The interrelationship of individuals and groups
D
All the following represemt examples of the use of checks and balances EXCEPT A. the 35 successful vetos made by President George Bush B. the Senate rejection of the 1999 Comprehensive Nuclear Test ban Treaty C. the Supreme Court ruling the Flag Desecration Act unconstitutional D. Congress passing the Crime Bill after a conference committee made changes E. Congress invoking the provisions of the War Powers act
D
An alternative developed by the federal government that places the primary fiscal responsibility on the states was A. Revenue sharing B. Project grants C. Formula grants D. Unfunded mandates E. Reimbursement grants
D
Creative federalism of the Great Society was characterized by I. Shared costs between the national and state governments II. Guidelines and rules set down by the federal government III. Singular administration of programs A. I only B. II only C. I and III only D. I and II only E. All
D
John Locke's "Second Treatise of Civil Government" advocates A. A divine monarchy B. Rights for the minority C. Majority rights D. Natural rights E. Democratic rule
D
Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan's vision of a new federalism favored A. An increase in the power and authority of the federal government B. A cooperative spirit between the federal and state governments C. An increase in federal mandates D. The downsizing of the federal government E. A decrease in the defense budget
D
Which general area of policy is generally left up to the states? A. foreign policy B. military policy C. relations among several states D. health and welfare E. immigration
D
Which of the following decisions made by Chief Justice Marshall's court established the principle that the bill of rights only applied to the federal government? A. Marbury v Madison B. McCulloch v Maryland C. Gibbons v Ogden D. Barron v Baltimore E. Fletcher v peck
D
Which of the following statements best reflects the political philosophy established after the colonists achieved their independence? I. The former colonists eliminated property criterion for political office II. The former colonists reorganized the need for a sting executive III. The former colonists believed that the states should become the dominant political and social force A. I only B. I and II only C. All D. III only E. II and III only
D
Which statement reflects James Madison's point of view in the Federalist Papers regarding the consequences of unequal distribution pf wealth? I. The formation of factions II. The probability of minority discontent III. The development of political parties A. I only B. II only C. I and III only D. all E. II and III only
D
All the following represent examples of limited government EXCEPT A. the application of habeas corpus in criminal appeals B. the prohibition of passage of bills of attainder laws C. Congress not being allowed to pass ex post facto laws D. the inability of the president to grant titles of nobility E. the Reserved Power Clause of the 10th amd
E
The Lemon test is used to determine if A. There is unfair government interference regarding free speech B. The government is acting properly I'm due process cases C. There are illegal tactics used by PACs D. Death penalty convictions are fair and responsible E. Legislation that deals with religion creates illegal government interference
E
The appointment of Supreme Court justices in the 1980s was characterized by A. quick approval by the Senate of nominees B. rejection of the majority of appointees C. limited background checks of the nominees D. limited input from legal associations as special interest groups E. bitter confirmation battles over personal and philosophical positions of the nominees
E
The practice of judicial review was first established by which of the following actions? A. The Constitution gives life terms to Supreme Court justices B. Justices serve as long as they maintain good behavior C. The Supreme Court exercised judicial precedent D. The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction E. The Supreme Court can declare a congressional act unconstitutional
E
When the articles of confederation were adopted, the nations major concern was dominated by A. Slavery B. Religious freedom C. Equality for women D. Political dominance by the central government E. Economic issues
E
Which of the following best represents the components of fiscal federalism? I. The passage of funded mandates II. The passage of revenue sharing measures III. The passage of categorical grants A. I only B. II only C. III only D. I and III only E. All
E
Which of the following illustrates the effect the system of checks and a=balances and separation of power has on the legislative process? I. It does not favor the party in power II. It can create gridlock III. It usually makes change easy to come by IV. It can encourage political compromise A. II only B. I and II only C. II and III only D. I, II, and III only E. II and IV only
E
Which of the following is considered a linkage instituiton? A. The bureaucracy B. Congress C. The executive Department D. The government E. The media
E
Which of the following statements best describes the Articles of Confederation? I. Domination of the government by the states II. A national congress with one house and no executive III. No national court system IV. No ability of the central government to enforce the collection of taxes A. I only B. I and II only C. I, II, and III only D. I and IV only E. All
E
Which of the following statements reflects an action taken by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention? I. Setting a date for the abolition of slavery in the North II. Outlawing future importing of slaves III. Setting a number for counting slaves for representation purposes A. I only B. II only C. All D. I and III only E. II and III only
E
Which statement(s) best relents what the US constitution represents? I. The constitution is a basic framework for the government. II. The constitution is an explanation of the way government operates p, assigning separate powers to each branch and guaranteeing citizens their rights III. The constitution is the supreme law of the land A. I only B. III only C. I and III only D. II and III only E. All of them
E
