Chapter 4 Government Test

Which statement best explains the oversight function of congressional committees?

It is one of the checks the legislative branch holds over the executive branch.

What is the significance of the Supreme Court's decision in the Gibbons v. Ogden case?

It resulted in an expansive interpretation of the Commerce Clause.

The BEST way to understand the expressed powers of Congress is to:

read a description of the powers in the Constitution.

Read this excerpt from the text about the borrowing power of Congress."Congress has put a statutory ceiling on the public debt, however. The public debt is all of the money borrowed by the Federal Government over the years and not yet repaid, plus the accumulated interest on that money. That legal ceiling has never amounted to much more than a political gesture, however. Congress regularly raises the limit whenever the debt threatens to overtake it. The public debt is approximately $16 trillion." What is the BEST explanation of the debt ceiling?

It can be moved by Congress whenever it seems politically necessary.

Compared to the size of the House of Representatives, the Senate is

much smaller.

Use this map of congressional seats across the United States in 2010 to answer the question.What does this map suggest about regional population change?

The South, both west and east, has experienced a slight rise in population.

What is one way the Speaker of the House differs from the president of the Senate?

The Speaker of the House is voted into the position by colleagues, while the Vice President of the United States serves as president of the Senate.

How does the commerce power differ from the currency power?

The commerce power relates to trade, both interstate and international, while the currency power relates to creating laws about bankruptcy.

Read this excerpt from the text. "The Framers of the Constitution intended to create a new and stronger National Government. The ratification of their plan was opposed by many, and that opposition was not stilled by the adoption of the Constitution. Rather, the conflict between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists continued into the early years of the Republic." What was the ultimate resolution of this conflict in the McCulloch v. Maryland case?

The liberal constructionists prevailed and the implied powers of the Federal Government were cemented and have grown ever since.

This graph compares the number of congressional members from the first Congress to 2012. Which statement is most likely supported by the graph?

The number of senators rose from 1900 to 2012 as several States were added to the Union.

Which statement BEST characterizes the implied powers of the Federal Government?

They are sensible assumptions that are made based on the expressed powers.

Use the photo to select the answer that best completes the sentence below. Members of Congress wear many different hats and play many roles during the course of their work. An important role while spending time in their home districts is that of:

constituent servant

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence. This political cartoon from the past probably comments on problems caused by

gerrymandering

Read this excerpt from the U.S. Constitution."To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof." —Article I, Section 8, Clause 18. This article of the Constitution allows Congress to:

interpret its expressed powers broadly.

Read this excerpt from the United States Constitution. "To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;" —Article I, Section 8. This section of the Constitution relates to:

the expressed powers of the legislative branch.

Read this excerpt from the text about foreign policy in the United States."The Constitution gives the President primary responsibility for the conduct of American foreign policy. As the Supreme Court put that point in a leading case, United States v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp. in 1936, the Chief Executive is 'the sole organ of the Federal Government in the field of international relations.'" The Constitution provides the President with this power because:

the fifty States are not sovereign and, therefore, have no standing in international law.

Read this quotation from the Constitution."The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature." —Article I, Section 2, Clause 1.This quotation relates to

the length of service for a representative.

Use the quotation to answer the question."The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to [choose] three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three." —Article I, Section 2, Clause 3.The number of seats later became redistributed automatically by:

the passage of the Reapportionment Act of 1929.