GOVT TEST 2

27. ________ and ________ are the two MOST common types of civil law cases. a.Contracts; habeas corpus b.Contracts; torts c.Stare decisis; habeas corpus d.Torts; habeas corpus

b.Contracts; torts

_____ involves purposefully drawing district boundaries to unfairly advantage one group or party. a. Proportional representation b.Gerrymandering c.Balloting d.Recall

b.Gerrymandering

The National Park Service is a.part of the Department of the Interior. b.part of the Department of Agriculture. c.an independent agency. d.a government corporation.

a.part of the Department of the Interior.

A referendum is the a.congressional election held between presidential elections. b.power to remove an elected official from office during the middle of his or her term. c.practice of referring a proposed law passed by a legislature to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection. d.process by which a party selects its candidates for the general election.

C. practice of referring a proposed law passed by a legislature to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection.

36. In addition to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the two federal agencies that play the MOST active role in protecting the public from unsafe products are the a. Department of Transportation and the Food and Drug Administration. b. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Interior. c. American Consumer Institute and the Public Patent Foundation. d. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Consumer Institute.

a. Department of Transportation and the Food and Drug Administration.

1. Which of the following statements about primary elections is MOST accurate? a. The United States is one of the few nations in the world to hold primary elections. b. About half of the countries in the world hold primary elections. c. Approximately three-quarters of the countries in the world hold primary elections. d. Every country in the world holds primary elections.

a. The United States is one of the few nations in the world to hold primary elections.

31. Which of the following would the Supreme Court likely refuse to hear because the case lacked "ripeness"? a. a case involving a citizen suing the Social Security Administration for failure to deliver Social Security benefits prior to the time the citizen was scheduled to receive the benefits b. a case involving a student who was first rejected but then, later, admitted to a state-run university suing that university for discrimination in the admissions process c. a case involving a convicted murderer challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty while on death row d. a case involving a dispute between the president and the Congress over access to "top secret" documents

a. a case involving a citizen suing the Social Security Administration for failure to deliver Social Security benefits prior to the time the citizen was scheduled to receive the benefits

41. If a company has "market power," it means that the company is powerful enough to a. eliminate competitors and to impose conditions on consumers rather than catering to consumer demand. b. dictate the laws passed by Congress that regulate its industry. c. determine which candidates win elections and which do not. d. receive an official designation as "too big to fail" from the federal government.

a. eliminate competitors and to impose conditions on consumers rather than catering to consumer demand.

33. Roe v. Wade is a good example of a. judicial activism because it was based on a constitutional right to privacy that is not found in the actual words of the Constitution. b. judicial restraint because it was based on a strict reading of the actual words discussing the right to privacy in the Constitution. c. judicial review because it upheld a law enacted by a state government. d. a class-action lawsuit because it affected more than a single person.

a. judicial activism because it was based on a constitutional right to privacy that is not found in the actual words of the Constitution.

38. When a government taxes an individual's first $10,000 of income at 10 percent, the next $30,000 at 15 percent, and all further income at 40 percent, the government's income tax is best described as a ________ tax. a. progressive c. transgressive b. regressive d. capital gains

a. progressive

37. Although the Federal Reserve's decision to cut the federal funds rate is expected to ________ economic growth, its decision to raise the federal funds rate is expected to ________ economic growth. a. speed up; slow down c. have no effect on; speed up b. slow down; speed up d. have no effect on; slow down

a. speed up; slow down

42. Social Security plays a vital role for younger people by providing a. survivor benefits to those whose parents die or become disabled. b. unemployment compensation for those who lose their jobs. c. health care benefits to those whose jobs do not provide it. d. food stamps for those who fall under the poverty line.

a. survivor benefits to those whose parents die or become disabled.

Why are state governments more likely than the federal government to cut spending on programs that serve low-income residents? a. State governments cannot run deficits as the federal government can, and state governments have more limited taxing capabilities than the federal government. b. The federal government cannot run deficits as state governments can, and the federal government has more limited taxing capabilities than state governments. c. The federal government must abide by the "general welfare" clause of the Constitution and provide minimal levels of support for low-income residents, while state governments do not. d. State governments only began enacting spending programs for low-income residents in the 1990s, while the federal government has been providing such services since the 1800s.

a. State governments cannot run deficits as the federal government can, and state governments have more limited taxing capabilities than the federal government.

20. Which of the following is true? a. The Cabinet has no legal status under the Constitution. b. The Cabinet does not meet as a group, except during the State of the Union address. c. Cabinet secretaries do not have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. d.The Cabinet has no responsibility to Congress.

a. The Cabinet has no legal status under the Constitution.

"Packing" occurs when a.legislative districts are redrawn in a way that concentrates members of a particular party in as few districts as possible, thereby limiting the overall number of seats that party might win. b.legislative districts are redrawn in a way that disperses members of a particular party across multiple districts, thereby reducing that party's chances of winning any seats. c.a legislative candidate wins election with more than 50 percent of the vote in a three-candidate race. d.a legislative district votes to elect a member of one party to serve in the House of Representatives but also elects a member of a different party to serve in the state legislature.

a. legislative districts are redrawn in a way that concentrates members of a particular party in as few districts as possible, thereby limiting the overall number of seats that party might win.

8. Under current federal campaign finance rules, a national political party committee a. may make unlimited "independent expenditures" advocating support for its own presidential candidate as long as these expenditures are not coordinated with the candidate's own campaign. b.is limited to spending $1 million advocating support for its own presidential candidate. c.is limited to spending $10 million advocating support for its own presidential candidate. d.cannot spend any money advocating support for its own presidential candidate.

a. may make unlimited "independent expenditures" advocating support for its own presidential candidate as long as these expenditures are not coordinated with the candidate's own campaign.

An emergency declaration relating to foreign threats allows the president to a.embargo trade, seize foreign assets, and prohibit transactions with whatever foreign nations are involved. b.hold elections for an entirely new Congress regardless of whether congressional elections are scheduled. c.issue a formal declaration of war without congressional approval. d.add amendments to the Constitution without congressional or state government approval.

a.embargo trade, seize foreign assets, and prohibit transactions with whatever foreign nations are involved.

14. Organizational reforms instituted by Congress in the 1970s a.fragmented power by reducing the power of committee chairs. b.centralized power into the hands of party leaders. c.sped up legislation by reducing the number of committees to which a bill was referred. d.reduced the scrutiny of the media by closing hearings to the public.

a.fragmented power by reducing the power of committee chairs.

26. The "Commission on Wartime Contracting" found that the use of private contractors during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq a.wasted between $31 and $60 billion. b.saved between $31 and $60 billion. c.saved between $1 trillion and $2 trillion. d.had no effect on the federal government's spending.

a.wasted between $31 and $60 billion.

47. America's international economic and monetary policies are coordinated and implemented by the a. State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Council of Economic Advisers. b. Treasury Department, the Commerce Department, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. c. Council on Foreign Relations, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the Office of Management and Budget. d. International Monetary Fund, Amnesty International, and the World Economic Forum.

b. Treasury Department, the Commerce Department, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

46. Deterrence assumes the ________ of the U.S. response and the ________ of an adversary. a. rationality; certainty b. certainty; rationality c. weakness; power d. timeliness; delay

b. certainty; rationality

34. The Fair Labor Standards Act was significant because it a. created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to oversee union elections and collective bargaining between labor and industry. b. created the minimum wage. c. made changes in the American financial regulatory environment that affect all federal financial regulatory agencies and almost every part of the nation's financial services industry. d. outlawed the so-called closed shop, but it permitted the "union shop" in those states that had right-to-work laws.

b. created the minimum wage.

40. The best way for Federal Reserve Board officials to help boost a stagnant economy is to a. raise interest rates so that banks can earn more money on the loans they provide to individuals and businesses. b. lower interest rates so that banks can provide more loans at cheaper rates to individuals and businesses. c. take money out of circulation so that the dollar becomes more valuable. d. raise the reserve requirement, restricting the amount of cash and negotiable securities that banks must have on hand.

b. lower interest rates so that banks can provide more loans at cheaper rates to individuals and businesses.

28. The U.S. Supreme Court has been composed of a. nine justices throughout American history. b. nine justices since 1869. c. nine justices since 1937. d. seven justices throughout American history.

b. nine justices since 1869.

32. A certiorari pool describes the a. computerized lottery system by which the Supreme Court selects its cases each year. b. practice by which Supreme Court law clerks work together to evaluate each petition. c. method used to appoint the chief justice. d. nickname for the water fountain in the courtyard of the Supreme Court building.

b. practice by which Supreme Court law clerks work together to evaluate each petition.

39. The Interstate Commerce Act and the Sherman Antitrust Act are examples of the federal government's attempt to a. control discretionary spending. b. regulate large businesses that establish monopolies. c. control mandatory spending. d. close tax loopholes.

b. regulate large businesses that establish monopolies.

Why did it prove difficult for Congress to close American military bases at the end of the Cold War with the former Soviet Union? a. Many members of Congress believed that the Cold War might begin again and that the military bases would be needed despite the pause in tensions with the former Soviet Union. b. Since every military base was in some congressional member's district, it proved impossible for Congress to decide to close any of them. c. Every time Congress chose a base to close, a lawsuit would be filed and the federal judiciary would prevent the closure from moving forward. d. There were a number of riots on military bases slated for closure, and Congress did not want to provoke further agitation from the armed forces.

b. Since every military base was in some congressional member's district, it proved impossible for Congress to decide to close any of them.

9. Partisan loyalty is likely to be highest in the election of a.the president. c.a U.S. senator. b.a state legislator. d.a governor.

b. a state legislator.

15. In the House of Representatives, virtually all the time allotted by the Rules Committee for debate on a given bill is controlled by the a.majority leader and the minority leader. b.bill's sponsor and its leading opponent. c.whip. d.Rules Committee chairperson.

b. bill's sponsor and its leading opponent.

11. A membership association is a group a. that accepts anyone as a member. b.in which members play an important role in the daily activities and administration. c.in which members vote directly for their leaders. d.in which only members may receive benefits.

b. in which members play an important role in the daily activities and administration.

10. The best description of the ideal of pluralism is that a.the public good should always trump individual interests. b.interest groups should be free to compete for governmental influence. c. interest groups are factions that endanger liberty. d.democracy is best served by legalizing but regulating the influence of interest groups.

b. interest groups should be free to compete for governmental influence.

The 2014 Select Committee on Benghazi is an example of Congress's ________ powers. a.advice and consent b. oversight c.impeachment d. executive agreement

b. oversight

30. In recent years, federal court appointments have a. been characterized by strict neutrality on the part of Congress. b. attracted very little attention from the media and special interest groups. c. been characterized by intense partisan and ideological efforts to support or defeat the candidate. d. been unaffected by ideological concerns.

c. been characterized by intense partisan and ideological efforts to support or defeat the candidate.

48. The term soft power refers to a. any unsuccessful attempt by one nation to influence another. b. military tactics and technologies that are designed to minimize civilian causalities. c. efforts by one nation to influence the people and governments of other nations by persuasion rather than coercion. d. any policy tool that has declined in influence over time.

c. efforts by one nation to influence the people and governments of other nations by persuasion rather than coercion.

45. What was the key to American security during the nineteenth century? a. the largest naval fleet in the world b. troops stationed on the borders c. geographical isolation d. the largest nuclear arsenal in the world

c. geographical isolation

50. Americans have historically asserted that our foreign policies should a. focus on the interests of the United States at the expense of all other nations. b. focus on the interests of other nations at the expense of our own personal interests. c. have a higher purpose than the pursuit of our own interests and use force only as a last resort. d. focus on working with the United Nations to promote democracy around the world.

c. have a higher purpose than the pursuit of our own interests and use force only as a last resort.

43. What were the two primary ways that the orientation of federal housing policy changed during the 1980s and 1990s? a. ending mortgage interest deductions for homeowners and instituting higher caps for rent-controlled apartments b. ending mortgage interest deductions for homeowners and instituting lower caps for rent-controlled apartments c. housing assistance for low-income Americans shifted toward housing vouchers, and high-rise public housing units were replaced with new mixed-income units. d. housing assistance for low-income Americans shifting away from housing vouchers, and mixed-income units were replacing with high-rise public housing units.

c. housing assistance for low-income Americans shifted toward housing vouchers, and high-rise public housing units were replaced with new mixed-income units.

35. Which of the following has been a fundamental goal of the government's involvement in the economy? a. promoting economic equality b. encouraging investment in businesses abroad c. stimulating economic growth d. reducing imports from foreign economies

c. stimulating economic growth

44. If groups looking to legalize marijuana for recreational use failed to change the federal government's policy toward the drug and, as a result, began lobbying state legislatures where legalization was popular, it would be an example of a. indexing. c. venue shopping. b. means testing. d. "retreating and reloading."

c. venue shopping.

19. There are ________ federal government departments and each is led by a ________ who is a member of the president's cabinet. a.5; secretary b.15; senator c.15; secretary d.50; senator

c. 15; secretary

21. Which of the following is an independent agency? a.U.S. Postal Service b.Department of Agriculture c.Environmental Protection Agency d.Forest Service

c. Environmental Protection Agency

13. Conference committees a. must always include members from both political parties. b.must always include members from all three branches of government. c. are only likely to include members from both political parties when control of Congress is divided. d.are only likely to include members from all three branches of government when control of Congress is divided.

c. are only likely to include members from both political parties when control of Congress is divided.

16. Compared to the rest of American history, recent congresses have been ________ polarized and ________ productive in terms of passing laws. a.less; equally b.less; less c.more; less d.more; more

c.more; less

2. When an American voter supports only one party's candidates, he or she is said to be voting a ________ ticket. a.dual b.single c.straight d.split

c.straight

29. Which of the following statements best describes the formal requirements of serving as a federal court judge? a. Federal court judges must be members of the American Bar Association. b. Federal court judges must have a degree from an accredited law school. c. Federal court judges must be at least 35 years of age. d. There are no formal requirements to serve as a federal court judge.

d. There are no formal requirements to serve as a federal court judge.

49. The United States withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol because it a. did not include any provisions to limit carbon emissions. b. did not require other countries to protect basic human rights. c. would threaten American national security. d. would be too harmful to American national economic interests.

d. would be too harmful to American national economic interests.

22. ARPANET was a(n) a.Cold War-era network for sharing national security information between the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and National Security Agency (NSA). b.independent agency of the federal government during the 1990s that regulated and taxed internet service providers (ISPs). c.program managed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in the 1950s, which intended to launch the first artificial satellite into Earth's orbit. d.decentralized, highly redundant communications network created by the federal government in the 1950s and 1960s.

d. decentralized, highly redundant communications network created by the federal government in the 1950s and 1960s.

12. Approximately ________ percent of members of Congress have university degrees. a.33 b.50 c.75 d.90

d.90

3. The original gerrymander is attributed to a.Thomas Jefferson. b.James Madison. c.Alexander Hamilton. d.Elbridge Gerry.

d.Elbridge Gerry.

If a registered Democratic voter was opposed to abortion and rejected the Democratic Party's pro-choice platform, abortion would be a ________ issue for the voter. a.pocketbook c.prospective b.retrospective d.wedge

d.wedge