Unit Exam

Which of the following is an accurate pair of descriptions of the two chambers of Congress? Choice "A" Choice "B" Choice "C" Choice "D"

Choice "B"

Which of the following is an accurate pair of descriptions of the two chambers of Congress? Choice "A" Choice "B" Choice "C" Choice "D"

Choice "D"

__________ committees exist in both the House and Senate, may be temporary or permanent, and usually have a focused responsibility. Conference Joint Select/special Standing Temporal

Select/special

Which of the following is a classic form of gerrymandering? markup overriding packing pocketing veto

packing

What is one of the surest ways to kill a bill? attach it as a rider discharge petition let it die in conference committee pocket veto presidential veto

pocket veto

Members of Congress differ from the larger American population in that they are disproportionately __________. * 1/1 socially conservative and fiscally liberal socially liberal and fiscally conservative socially and fiscally moderate white, upper middle class, middle-aged, and male white, upper middle class, Protestant, and female

white, upper middle class, middle-aged, and male

__________ is the process of allotting congressional seats to each state according to its proportion of the population. Apportionment Appropriations Delegation Gerrymandering Redistricting

Apportionment

Which response best reflects the dilemma of earmarks? Earmarks are beneficial to taxpayers but detrimental to reelection. Earmarks favor federal employees at the expense of state employees. Earmarks favor one district at the expense of all American taxpayers. Earmarks are always wasteful expenditures but are useful to politicians. Earmarks are typically beneficial to districts but allow the federal government to collect an undue share of tax revenue.

Earmarks favor one district at the expense of all American taxpayers.

Which statement is true of the House of Representatives? Members are elected every four years and apportioned to states based on geographic size. Members are elected every four years and apportioned to states based on population. Members are elected every six years and apportioned to states based on population. Members are elected every two years and apportioned to states based on geographic size. Members are elected every two years and apportioned to states based on population.

Members are elected every two years and apportioned to states based on population.

Which statement best characterizes the hearing process of a formal bill? A formal bill receives a hearing and goes to the floor when the vice president requests it. A formal bill receives a hearing or floor time only when extensively marked up. A formal bill receives a hearing when pocket vetoed, but seldom goes to the floor. Few formal bills receive a hearing, but many are marked up and sent to the floor. Most formal bills receive a hearing, but few are marked up and sent to the floor.

Most formal bills receive a hearing, but few are marked up and sent to the floor.

Which of the following explains President Johnson's motivation for the speech in relation to his role as the head of the executive branch? 1/1 President Johnson believes that Congress will soon pass a bill on education reform, and he would like to be able to claim credit for it. President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. President Johnson is expecting the Supreme Court to soon rule on the constitutionality of a law passed by the previous administration. President Johnson is issuing an executive order calling on local governments to increase training for teachers and address poverty among students

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

Which of the following was the ruling in Shaw v. Reno (1993)? Creating districts where a minority is the majority does not violate the Ninth Amendment. Racial gerrymandering violates the Fourteenth Amendment. Districts must be equal in population size because of the Fourteenth Amendment. Districts drawn in unusual shapes or sizes violate the Ninth Amendment.

Racial gerrymandering violates the Fourteenth Amendment.

Which of the following correctly describes the facts in Shaw v. Reno (1993)? A lawsuit was filed by an individual living in an urban area who argued that his vote was less important than that of someone living in a rural area. The gerrymandered district was challenged because state lawmakers were not involved in the drawing of the district lines. The redistricting process was challenged after it merged two districts together, causing two incumbents to compete for the seat. Redistricting in order to confine minority voters to a majority in one district was challenged under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Redistricting in order to confine minority voters to a majority in one district was challenged under the Fourteenth Amendment.

In the House of Representatives, the __________ decides who will speak on the floor, and rules on points of order. * 1/1 majority leader majority whip minority leader president pro tempore Speaker

Speaker

What is the name of the statute that limits the House of Representatives at 435 members? The Constitution requires a specific ratio of representatives to constituents. The Constitution stipulates this number. The number has changed to reflect gerrymandering. The number has grown each decade, according to census data. The number is fixed at this limit by a statute.

The number is fixed at this limit by a statute.

Which of the following trends is best supported by the information in the table? 1/1 The number of treaties has increased over time. The number of treaties has decreased over time. The number of executive agreements has increased over time. The number of executive agreements has decreased over time.

The number of executive agreements has increased over time.

Which of the following statements is best supported by the line graph? The number of vetoes has generally increased since 1945, even though the number of bills passed by Congress has decreased. The number of vetoes has generally decreased since 1945, but so has the number of bills passed by Congress. The number of vetoes has generally decreased since 1945, but the number of bills passed by Congress has increased. The number of vetoes has generally increased since 1945, but so has the number of bills passed by Congress.

The number of vetoes has generally decreased since 1945, but so has the number of bills passed by Congress.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the text by Schlesinger and The Federalist 70? 1/1 While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness. While The Federalist 70 views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, Schlesinger views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness. Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous. Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as vital to the presidency's effectiveness.

While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness.

The only way to stop a Senate filibuster is with __________. * 1/1 a cloture vote a party caucus a pocket veto the closed rule the open rule

a cloture vote

What can be inferred from a district in which one party has a clear majority of voters? * 1/1 a dominant seat is likely an open seat is likely a safe seat is likely reapportionment is likely strong challengers are likely

a safe seat is likely

Which of these presidents was the inspiration for the Twenty-Second Amendment? 1/1 a. Franklin Delano Roosevelt b. Herbert Hoover c. Ronald Reagan d. Theodore Roosevelt e. Woodrow Wilson

a. Franklin Delano Roosevelt

How does the White House staff differ from the president's Cabinet? 1/1 a. The White House staff has greater access to and more influence on the president than the Cabinet. b. The Cabinet has more access to the president than the White House staff. c. The president can fire the White House staff but only Congress can dismiss a member of the Cabinet. d. The Cabinet is less democratic and less accountable than the White House staff. e. The White House staff has less specialized policy knowledge than the Cabinet.

a. The White House staff has greater access to and more influence on the president than the Cabinet.

The president who takes office after winning an election with a large electoral margin can influence Congress through evidence of popular support, otherwise known as________________________. 1/1 a. a mandate b. a presidential support score c. rally points d. an executive order e. an executive agreement

a. a mandate

Which one of the powers listed below is a constitutional power that the president shares with the Senate? 1/1 a. making treaties b. commissioning officers c. granting pardons d. receiving foreign ambassadors e. replacing Cabinet heads

a. making treaties

Which approach did both Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson use for managing the White House staff? 1/1 a. collegial b. competitive c. hierarchical d. military e. dictatorial

b. competitive

What does the Twenty-Second Amendment do? 1/1 a. requires that presidents are natural born citizens b. requires that presidents serve only two terms c. requires the president to be a resident of the United States for two years d. requires the president to be at least thirty-five years old e. requires the president to have a college degree

b. requires that presidents serve only two terms

What was the turning point that gave rise to the modern institutional presidency? 1/1 a. the social strife arising from the civil rights movement b. the economic and social turmoil of the Great Depression c. the demands of managing a modern army during World War I d. the rise and importance of television as a mechanism that brought the president into the living rooms of American citizens e. the rapid contraction of government following the conclusion of World War II

b. the economic and social turmoil of the Great Depression

Why was the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution adopted? 1/1 a. to clear up ambiguities over the constitutional provisions surrounding presidential powers to conduct war b. to clear up ambiguities over the constitutional provisions surrounding the role of the vice president should the president die or become incapacitated c. to clear up ambiguities over the constitutional provisions surrounding the president' s powers to negotiate treaties d. to clear up ambiguities over the constitutional provisions surrounding the separate election of the vice president e. to clear up ambiguities over the constitutional provisions surrounding the separation of powers between the executive branch and the legislative branch

b. to clear up ambiguities over the constitutional provisions surrounding the role of the vice president should the president die or become incapacitated

A committee report is written __________. after going to the Rules Committee, but before a measure is marked up before going to the Rules Committee, but after a measure is marked up only if requested by the minority leader only if requested by the president pro tempore only when a bill is reintroduced following a presidential veto

before going to the Rules Committee, but after a measure is marked up

In which way do modern presidents differ from the original intentions of the Framers of the Constitution? 1/1 a. Modern presidents are considerably less democratic than the Framers originally intended. b. Modern presidents have greater power as leaders of their political parties than the Framers originally intended. c. Modern presidents are much more influential in the legislative process than the Framers originally intended. d. Modern presidents are much less partisan than the Framers originally intended. e. Modern presidents are more subservient to the will of Congress than the Framers originally intended.

c. Modern presidents are much more influential in the legislative process than the Framers originally intended.

What has to happen in Congress before the president can be impeached? 1/1 a. The House can impeach the president by a simple majority; the Senate does not have a vote. b. The Senate can impeach the president by a simple majority; the House does not have a vote. c. The House can impeach the president by a simple majority; the Senate needs a two-thirds majority. d. The Senate can impeach the president with a two-thirds majority; the House does not have a vote. e. The House and Senate must both have a two-thirds majority.

c. The House can impeach the president by a simple majority; the Senate needs a two-thirds majority.

Which of the following is a major concern surrounding current congressional-presidential relations? a. Presidents are delegating too many constitutional powers to Congress. b. The principle of the separation of powers is eroding in favor of expanded congressional power. c. The principle of the separation of powers is eroding in favor of expanded presidential power. d. Congress is overriding presidential vetoes too easily, effectively ending the Madisonian system of checks and balances. e. Congressional oversight over the bureaucracy is making it impossible for presidents to carry out executive functions.

c. The principle of the separation of powers is eroding in favor of expanded presidential power.

Which of the following statements best describes contemporary relationships between presidents and Congress? 1/1 a. They are always passive, with Congress dominating the executive branch. b. They are consensual in times of economic growth. c. They are generally antagonistic. d. They are generally hostile during periods of unified government. e. They are always antagonistic during periods of foreign conflict.

c. They are generally antagonistic.

What did the Framers do to avoid anarchy or monarchy in the executive branch? 1/1 a. They made the president directly elected by the people. b. They originally decided that the president should be elected by Congress. c. They included separation of powers in the Constitution. d. They did not allow the president to have military responsibility. e. They limited the number of terms a president can serve.

c. They included separation of powers in the Constitution.

The use of _____________ in foreign matters is an example of the president acting as a global leader. 1/1 a. pocket vetoes b. executive privilege c. executive agreements d. executive orders e. signing statements

c. executive agreements

Presidents have to spend time leading the legislature in order to gain support for their initiatives because the American system is one of ________________. 1/1 a. limited power b. equal power c. shared powers d. diminishing power e. unlimited power

c. shared powers

In crafting the executive branch, what was the motive as described in Federalist #70? 1/1 a. to create an effective national leader directly tied to the citizens b. to create a strong national leader who would have direct ties to state governors c. to create a leader with enough authority to protect the nation from domestic and foreign threats but not so strong that he/she would jeopardize liberty d. to create a weak national leader that could easily be dominated by Congress e. to create a plural executive with both symbolic and legislative responsibilities

c. to create a leader with enough authority to protect the nation from domestic and foreign threats but not so strong that he/she would jeopardize liberty

Districts that look like the ones in the image below obviously suffer from a problem with________________. diversity contiguity compactness district's too many districts

compactness

Districts that look like the ones in the image below obviously suffer from a problem with________________. * 1/1 diversity contiguity compactness district's too many districts

compactness

A special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate is called a(n) __________ committee. arbitration conference negotiation select/special Standing

conference

Which of the following is an example of the rally-round-the-flag effect? 1/1 a. George H. W. Bush was reelected after winning the first Gulf War. b. Jimmy Carter gained respect during his handling of the Iranian hostage crisis. c. During the Watergate investigation, Richard Nixon's approval ratings soared. d. George W. Bush's popularity was boosted following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. e. Ronald Reagan's approval rating increased sharply during the Iran-Contra scandal

d. George W. Bush's popularity was boosted following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Which of these became an official presidential qualification in 1951 with the ratification of the Twenty-Second Amendment? 1/1 a. natural born citizen b. at least 35 years old c. resident of the United States for two years d. a maximum of two terms e. a college degree

d. a maximum of two terms

According to the Constitution, how is the president supposed to be elected? 1/1 a. appointment through Congress b. appointment through state legislatures c. direct election by popular vote d. election through the Electoral College e. party primaries followed by popular vote

d. election through the Electoral College

Congress can remove a president through ___________. 1/1 a. veto b. executive privilege c. executive order d. impeachment e. filibuster

d. impeachment

Appointing which group is the first major job for the president-elect? 1/1 a. the White House staff b. the Executive Office of the President c. the National Security Council d. the Cabinet e. the Supreme Court

d. the Cabinet

When might citizens be particularly concerned about an expansion of presidential power? 1/1 a. when they support the president's agenda b. in times of economic crisis c. during presidential election years d. when they oppose the president's agenda e. in times of relative peace and prosperity

d. when they oppose the president's agenda

Which presidential oversight includes the State of the Union address? 1/1 a. The president can issue executive orders and party agenda. b. The president is commander in chief of the armed forces. c. The president is in charge of federal departments and agencies. d. The president is the negotiator in chief with foreign nations. e. The president must inform and convene Congress.

e. The president must inform and convene Congress.

What is executive privilege? 1/1 a. the ability to refuse to spend money appropriated by Congress b. the ability to veto programmatic requests in a bill c. the power to declare war or initiate a police action d. the right to direct the policy of federal agencies e. the right to keep communications confidential to the presidency

e. the right to keep communications confidential to the presidency

Packing and cracking both draw district lines in the favor of the majority party, and thus, are two types of ______. * 1/1 gerrymandering lawmaking logrolling oversight Reapportionment

gerrymandering

One example of the Framers' intent to insulate the Senate from the tyranny of the majority was to __________. give members lifetime appointments give the Senate authority to overturn a presidential veto without House ratification give the Senate authority to overturn a Supreme Court decision have members appointed by incumbent senators have members appointed by their respective state legislatures

have members appointed by their respective state legislatures

Earmarks aid the district of a member of Congress by __________. diverting unallocated funds to the service sector increasing jobs and revenue with federally funded projects increasing revenue through private market investment taxing corporations less so they provide health insurance for employees taxing waste producers more to pay for environmental cleanup

increasing jobs and revenue with federally funded projects

The House minority leader __________. has authority over the selection of the president pro tempore has joint authority over which legislation goes to the floor is elected by the minority party is selected by the majority leader is selected by the Speaker of the House

is elected by the minority party

Which kind of committee can be convened to conduct a special investigation in the event of a major scandal? conference investigative joint judiciary Standing

joint

In the House of Representatives, who is second in authority to the Speaker of the House? * 1/1 majority leader majority whip minority leader minority whip president pro tempore (or pro tem)

majority leader

The true leader of the Senate is the __________, elected by the majority party. * 1/1 majority leader president pro tempore Senate Chair Speaker vice president

majority leader

What best explains the overwhelming advantage incumbents possess in seeking reelection? additional financial support from constituent taxes additional financial support from the federal government campaign fund congressional staff in home districts and access to district taxes name recognition, access to media, and useful connections name recognition, free postage, and access to district taxes

name recognition, access to media, and useful connections

Congressional whips serve what main function? * 1/1 act as official spokespersons for their chambers help the Speaker schedule proposed legislation for debate meet with members of the executive cabinet persuade party members to toe the party line serve as personal assistants to the majority and minority leaders

persuade party members to toe the party line

In the activities titled "How a Bill Becomes a Law," we learned about the process of legislagtion. How might legislation be introduced into the House of Representatives, before moving to a subcommittee? * 1/1 announcement on the floor or memo by congressional staff announcement on the floor or during a presidential address announcement on the floor or placed in the hopper placed in the hopper by the president or a House representative placed in the hopper by a House representative

placed in the hopper by a House representative

Impeachment of the president is one of the checks on government set out by the Constitution that __________. allows the House or Senate to charge the president with "high crimes and misdemeanors" is so rare, it has only been used three times in history of the United States requires a majority vote in the Senate to convict requires a trial of the accused in the Senate to determine guilt or innocence requires a two-thirds vote in the House to impeach

requires a trial of the accused in the Senate to determine guilt or innocence

Each state has __________ senators elected every __________ years. four, four four, two two, four two, six two, two

two, six

When are bills introduced in Congress most likely to meet their demise? after being read into the congressional record after the final floor debate after they arrive on the president's desk upon referral from a committee to a subcommittee upon referral from a subcommittee to a full committee

upon referral from a subcommittee to a full committee