POLS 1100

How many times does the word "rights" appear in the original Constitution? a) 0 b) 13 c) 5 d) 10

a) 0

Where are Congress's expressed powers, or enumerated powers, found in the Constitution? a) Article 1, Section 8 b) Article 1, Section 7 c) Article 2, Section 8 d) Article 2, Section 7

a) Article 1, Section 8

Which president called for a "wall of separation" between church and state? a) Jefferson b) Washington c) Adams d) Lincoln

a) Jefferson

The case in which Chief Justice John Marshall established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to overturn an act of Congress, was a) Marbury v. Madison. b) Gibbons v. Ogden. c) Wickard v. Fillburn. d) Barron v. Baltimore.

a) Marbury v. Madison.

What is pluralist theory? a) Pluralism suggests that people can influence government through the many interest groups that spring up to champion everything from fighting for energy independence to banning abortions. b) Pluralism is the idea that one can believe in both Christian and Muslim religious tenets. c) Pluralism is the ideal of multicultural coexistence. d) Pluralism suggests that people can influence politicians by advocating their views on a large scale.

a) Pluralism suggests that people can influence government through the many interest groups that spring up to champion everything from fighting for energy independence to banning abortions.

Citizens in Massachusetts may prefer greater government involvement in social policies than citizens in Montana. Which advantage of federalism relates to this difference? a) Responsiveness to local needs b) Providing sources of innovation c) Protecting individual rights d) Choosing between communities

a) Responsiveness to local needs

Which four programs collectively receive the largest share of federal government spending? a) The military, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid b) The military, education, Medicare, and Medicaid c) Education, human services, Social Security, and Medicare d) Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and education

a) The military, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

The Declaration of Independence states that people form governments for what purpose? a) To secure rights b) To colonize other lands c) To provide citizenship d) Voting

a) To secure rights

Taxing, borrowing money, and regulating business are examples of _______ powers. a) concurrent b) police c) reserved d) inherent

a) concurrent

Americans distrust government _______ people in most wealthy democracies. a) more than b) about the same c) less than d) variable amounts

a) more than

There are _______ articles in the United States Constitution and _______ amendments in the Bill of Rights. a) seven, ten b) ten, seventeen c) seven, twenty-seven d) seven, twenty-six

a) seven, ten

On a December night in 1773, fifty Boston colonists "dressed in the Indian manner" dumped 342 chests of _______ into Boston Harbor. a) tea b) whiskey c) molasses d) cotton

a) tea

The first governing system of the United States is described in a) the Articles of Confederation. b) the Bill of Rights. c) the Constitution. d) the Declaration of Independence.

a) the Articles of Confederation.

In England in the eighteenth century, the notion that members of Parliament should be guided by their sense of "the general good" regardless of the district they represented was known as a) trustee representation. b) constituency service. c) "better men" representation. d) delegate representation.

a) trustee representation.

American leaders issued a Declaration of Independence explaining their revolutionary actions. Which of the following encapsulates their ideas? a) "That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Government with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." b) "That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." c) None of the above d) "That all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Government with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

b) "That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

How many public officials, in total, do Americans elect? a) 700,000 b) 500,000 c) 100,000 d) 300,000

b) 500,000

In Federalist No. 51, Madison argues for what kind of government structure to ensure that "ambition... be made to counteract ambition"? a) A representative democracy b) A separation of powers in the national government c) A democracy d) A direct democracy

b) A separation of powers in the national government

What test was the result of the Schenck v. United States case? a) Constitutional determination of legitimacy test b) Clear and present danger test c) None of these d) Necessary and proper test

b) Clear and present danger test

The fear of too much government dates back to the a) Great Depression b) Colonial Times c) Civil War d) World War I

b) Colonial Times

_______ federalism argues for the clear division of governing authority between national and state governments. a) Cooperative b) Dual c) New d) Progressive

b) Dual

The Sedition Act of 1798 relates to which individual freedom? a) Freedom of religion b) Freedom of speech c) Freedom against unreasonable search and seizure d) Freedom from quartering of troops

b) Freedom of speech

The Supreme Court is an example of an a) Idea b) Institution c) interest d) Individual

b) Institution

Written untruths or falsehoods that are not protected speech (except when made against public officials) are defined as which of the following? a) Both libel and slander b) Libel c) Slander d) None of these

b) Libel

Americans typically have more trust in which level of government? a) Foreign b) Local c) Federal d) State

b) Local

Which political philosopher is said to have most influenced revolutionary America and the thinking of the framers? a) Robespierre b) Locke c) Tocqueville d) Hobbes

b) Locke

Which of the following is not a national government responsibility outlined in the Constitution? a) Regulating commerce between the states b) Providing education c) Declaring war d) Coining money

b) Providing education

The term laboratories of federalism relates to which advantage of federalism? a) Choosing between communities b) Providing sources of innovation c) Responsiveness to local needs d) Protecting individual rights

b) Providing sources of innovation

Which Supreme Court case established a woman's right to choose? a)Powell v. Alabama b) Roe v. Wade c) Gideon v. Wainwright d) Gitlow v. New York

b) Roe v. Wade

_______ incorporation is defined as extending protections from the Bill of Rights to the state governments, one right at a time. a) Concurrent b) Selective c) Majority d) Applicable

b) Selective

An event in 1786 that dramatized the problems of governing the new nation under the Articles of Confederation was a) the French and Indian War. b) Shay's Rebellion. c) George Washington's refusal to run for president without a new Constitution. d) Benedict Arnold's treachery.

b) Shay's Rebellion.

What act is often criticized for trampling individual civil liberties in the name of enhancing national security? a) None of these b) USA Patriot Act c) USA DOD Act d) USA ARMOR Act

b) USA Patriot Act

Ambiguity in federalism can lead to a dispute regarding a) payment b) authority c) coordination d) innovation

b) authority

The Eighth Amendment is typically associated with a) quartering of troops. b) cruel and unusual punishment. c) states' rights. d) unlawful search and seizure.

b) cruel and unusual punishment.

The _______ rule says that evidence obtained in an illegal search may not be introduced in a trial. a) false pretense b) exclusionary c) limited approach d) limited inclusion

b) exclusionary

Article 7 requires _______ states to ratify the Constitution of 1787. a) seven b) nine c) all d) thirteen

b) nine

Under the Articles of Confederation, the approval of _______ states was required on important matters. a) four b) nine c) seven d) thirteen

b) nine

Initially, the Supreme Court _______ the requirement for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, even if it violated some students' faith. a) overturned b) upheld c) rejected d) failed to address

b) upheld

In Madison's political thought, a large government a) will more likely be oppressive. b) will have many diverse interests, so no one interest will be able to dominate. c) will be more efficient. d) is inevitable.

b) will have many diverse interests, so no one interest will be able to dominate.

When the right to speak out clashes with other rights, such as the right of minorities to be protected from abusive language, free speech usually a) loses. b) wins. c) is not considered. d) ties.

b) wins.

The first three words of the Constitution are a) "My fellow Americans...." b) "In order to...." c) "We the People...." d) "Fourscore and seven...."

c) "We the People...."

What is a referendum? a) A measure to kill a bill b) A bill c) A direct vote by the people on an issue d) A recall

c) A direct vote by the people on an issue

Which of the following movements is an example of social movement theory? a) The Tea Party b) Occupy Wall Street c) All of the above d) The civil rights movement

c) All of the above

Which of the following is not an example of a reserved power? a) Organizing state elections b) Providing public education c) Coining money d) Public health

c) Coining money

Which era of federalism favors high levels of national funding and a high degree of national supervision? a) New federalism b) Compact Theory c) Cooperative federalism d) Dual federalism

c) Cooperative federalism

What is the name for a power that is explicitly identified in the Constitution? a) Implied b) Necessary and proper c) Enumerated d) Informal

c) Enumerated

"You have the right to remain silent" is a famous introduction to what warnings, based on the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Fifth Amendment? a) Lawrence b) Engale c) Miranda d) Mapp

c) Miranda

The Tenth Amendment relates to and demonstrates best which type of powers? a) Inherent b) Implied c) Reserved d) Concurrent

c) Reserved

Which of the following rights is not found in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights? a) Right to bear arms b) Right to free speech c) Right to privacy d) Right against cruel and unusual punishment

c) Right to privacy

The world's longest running democracy is a) France b) Canada c) United States d) England

c) United States

An example of a government institution is a) the Nevada Legislature. b) Chicago City Council. c) all of the above. d) the Marine Corps.

c) all of the above.

The president is the commander-in-chief, but Congress has the power to declare war. This is an example of a) the imperial Congress. b) judicial neutrality. c) checks and balances. d) the imperial presidency.

c) checks and balances.

Initially, the Bill of Rights protected against violations of citizens' rights by _______ government(s). a) state b) state and federal c) federal d) state and local

c) federal

Civil _______ restrict government action to protect individual rights. a) freedoms b) rights c) liberties d) laws

c) liberties

It is generally _______ to prove slander or libel when derogatory statements are made against a public official compared with when such statements are made against an average citizen. a) equally difficult b) not difficult c) more difficult d) less difficult

c) more difficult

The Founders adopted a federal system a) because they hoped King George III would disapprove. b) because they were inspired by John Locke, who advocated such a division of powers. c) because the division of sovereignty between a strong central government and regional governments is a basic principle of all democratic governments. d) as a compromise between those who wanted a strong central government and those who wanted to retain strong state governments.

d) as a compromise between those who wanted a strong central government and those who wanted to retain strong state governments.

The idea that those who carry out day-to-day operations of government are in control is known as a) pluralist theory. b) elite theory. c) social movement theory. d) bureaucratic theory.

d) bureaucratic theory

The colonists favored the model of representation in which members of the legislature responded to constituents' desires, known as a) trustee representation. b) politico representation. c) parliamentary representation. d) delegate representation.

d) delegate representation.

Alexis de Tocqueville, a French visitor to America in 1831-1832, was amazed by the widespread _______ in America. a) inequality b) instincts for living c) patterns of life d) equality

d) equality

In the federal system, lower-level governments that "try out" new policies on a local level are often referred to as "_______ of democracy." a) group think tanks b) think tanks c) dry-run institutions d) laboratories

d) laboratories

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in order to a) pacify Rhode Island. b)pacify Federalists. c) satisfy the demands of Thomas Jefferson. d) pacify Anti-Federalists.

d) pacify Anti-Federalists.

All of the following are powers granted to Congress under Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution except the a) power to coin money. b) power to collect taxes. c) power to declare war. d) power to command the armed forces.

d) power to command the armed forces.

In Federalist No. 10, James Madison is concerned about the dangers of factions because a) a charismatic leader might take over the government and refuse to recognize election outcomes. b) he anticipated problems with political campaigning. c) he feared they would create political parties. d) powerful interests can capture and control government at the expense of minorities.

d) powerful interests can capture and control government at the expense of minorities.

According to social movement theory, government is influenced by a) unions b) student demands c) personnel demands d) protest

d) protest

According to the authors, Americans _______ and _______ governing power more extensively than any other modern country. a) combine, control b) combine, distribute c) divide, control d) separate, divide

d) separate, divide

The Constitution begins by stating a) the reasons for revolution b) the office of the presidency c) a list of grievances d) the basic functions of government

d) the basic functions of government

The number of electors in a state is based on a) the number of voters in the state. b) the number of people in the state. c) the number of members in the state legislature. d) the number of senators plus the number of members of the House of Representatives.

d) the number of senators plus the number of members of the House of Representatives.

Which form of government favors a central government exercising all or most political authority? a) Federal government b) Confederation c) Loosely coupled federation d) Unitary government

d) Unitary government

Which was a serious obstacle to the new government under the Articles of Confederation? a) Virginia dominated all policy discussions. b) North Carolina had brokered treaties with foreign powers. c) The southern states were threatening rebellion. d) Congress could not raise taxes and had no money of its own.

d) Congress could not raise taxes and had no money of its own.

_______ is defined as the transfer of authority from national to state or local governments. a) Power-seeking theory b) Elasticity c) Supremacy d) Devolution

d) Devolution

Which clause says that government may not interfere in religious practice? a) Necessary and proper b) None of these c) Establishment d) Free exercise

d) Free exercise

Which Supreme Court case granted couples a right to purchase and use contraceptives? a) Gitlow v. New York b) Gideon v. Wainwright c) Powell v. Alabama d) Griswold v. Connecticut

d) Griswold v. Connecticut

In a sanctuary city, the police do not ask about which of the following? a) Criminal history b) Driver's license c) Insurance d) Immigration status

d) Immigration status

How did the Founders treat slavery in the Constitution? a) It was not an important element of the Constitution. b) It was so divisive that they had to tackle it head-on. c) They were unified in their desire to eliminate it. d) It was so divisive that they did not mention it directly.

d) It was so divisive that they did not mention it directly.

What do social democrats believe? a) Members of a society are responsible for one another and should also support people in developing countries. b) None of the answer choices is correct. c) Members of a society are responsible for one another without assistance from the government. d) Members of a society are responsible for one another.

d) Members of a society are responsible for one another.

Which of the following is not a power granted to Congress? a) Handling U.S. foreign policy b) Raising an army c) Establishing post offices d) Organizing state elections

d) Organizing state elections

The Nixon administration's attempt to stop publication of the Pentagon Papers demonstrates what principle involving freedom of the press? a) Prior constraint b) Reactive restraint c) Reactive constraint d) Prior restraint

d) Prior restraint

Who famously said, "as government expands liberty contracts"? a) Richard Nixon b) Dwight Eisenhower c) Patrick Henry d) Ronald Reagan

d) Ronald Reagan

Which amendment does not apply to the rights of the criminally accused? a)Fifth b) Eighth c) Fourth d) Seventh

d) Seventh

What is the source of influence according to those who support elite theory? a) Status based on economic influence and religious background b) Status based on economic influence and party affiliation c) Status based on economic influence and academic background d) Status based on economic influence and leadership position

d) Status based on economic influence and leadership position

If Virginia law conflicts with federal law, which clause states that federal law will prevail? a) The elastic clause b) The full faith and credit clause c) The inherent powers clause d) The supremacy clause

d) The supremacy clause