AP GOV REVIEW QUESTIONS

Which of the following excerpts from Article I of the United States Constitution resolves a problem described in Federalist 15? A. "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;" B. "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time." C. "The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." D. "The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or if the public Safety may req

A. "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;" Article 1 section 8 gives Congress the full authority to la and collect taxes.

According to the bar graph, what percentage of children remain Independent/Non-partisan if their parents do not have a consistent orientation toward either party? A. 50% B. 30% C. 20% D. 100%

A. 50%

Which of the following is an accurate summary of James Madison's argument in The Federalist 10? A. A large republic presents more opportunities for groups to participate, compete, and limit each other. B. A large republic makes it possible to abolish factions and concentrate all power at the national level. C. A large republic allows the federal government to dominate the state governments through the necessary and proper clause. D. A large republic is a direct democracy where the people have a direct vote in policy matters, which controls factions.

A. A large republic presents more opportunities for groups to participate, compete, and limit each other.

According to The Triumph of Idealism and the Return of Realism, an attempt by Congress to place limitations on presidential power through legislation led to which of the following? A. A signing statement by the president that declared that the legislation would not limit presidential power B. A Supreme Court decision that ruled in favor of the power of Congress to check the president C. A declaration of war against al-Qaeda as a result of the September 11 attacks D. An impeachment proceeding against the president for abuse of power and violation of a treaty

A. A signing statement by the president that declared that the legislation would not limit presidential power

Which of the following examples describes the core value of equality of opportunity? A. A student gains admittance to a university without the hindrance of racial discrimination. B. A person is hired at a workplace because the hiring manager prefers younger employees. C. A business owner receives a loan from a bank as a result of growing up with the bank manager. D. A citizen is appointed to a school board through political connections with the mayor.

A. A student gains admittance to a university without the hindrance of racial discrimination.

Which of the following best describes the holding in Baker v. Carr (1962) ? A. Congressional redistricting is subject to judicial review. B. Congressional districts must be compact and contiguous. C. Diluting minority representation by confining their majority to one or two districts is unconstitutional. D. Racial gerrymandering is allowed in certain circumstances.

A. Congressional redistricting is subject to judicial review.

Which of the following cases addresses the issue of mandatory public school prayer? A. Engel v. Vitale (1962) B. Schenck v. United States (1919) C. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) D. Shaw v. Reno (1993)

A. Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Which of the following cases arose from a state law that mandates public schools to begin the school day with the reading of a nondenominational prayer by a school official? A. Engel v. Vitale (1962) B. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) C. Baker v. Carr (1962) D. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

A. Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Which of the following is the correct pairing of procedures or rules of each house of the legislative branch? A. House - has a rules committee that decides how long debate will be on most bills Senate - has use of filibuster and cloture, which can help the minority to defeat a bill B. house - approves all revenue bills Senate - initiates all revenue bills C. House - can pass articles of impeachment against a president or a federal judge Senate - Can remove presidential appointees to the cabinet. D. House - The Speaker of the House is the most powerful member of the chamber. Senate - The vice president can vote on most bills.

A. House of Representatives - Has a Rules Committee that decides how long debate will be on most bills. Senate - Has use of the filibuster and cloture, which can help the minority to defeat a bill.

The House and the Senate have some different constitutional responsibilities. Which of the following pairs correctly matches House and Senate constitutional responsibilities? A. house - initiates all revenue bills introduced to congress Senate - passes resolutions to ratify treaties B. House - drafts articles of impeachment Senate - elects the president if there is not a majority vote in the electoral college C. House - confirms federal judges Senate - has limited debate D. House - can call on vice president to break ties Senate - confirms cabinet appointments

A. House of Representatives - Initiates all revenue bills introduced to Congress Senate - Passes resolutions to ratify treaties

Which of the following statements are least supported by information on the chart? A. Most Democrats and Republicans surveyed believe that an increase in social security taxes is needed to address social security deficits. B. Most Democrats and Republicans surveyed think that terrorism is a priority. C. Both Democrats and Republicans surveyed believe the military is a less important priority than the economy. D. A majority of respondents surveyed do not believe that reducing crime is a more important priority than reducing the budget deficit.

A. Most Democrats and Republicans surveyed believe that an increase in social security taxes is needed to address social security deficits.

The Declaration of Independence cites specific reasons for separating from British rule, including the British imposing taxes and maintaining a standing army without consent. Which of the following principles or ideas would these grievances be most related to? A. Natural rights such as life and liberty B. The authority to create a centralized military among the colonies C. The incorporation of checks and balances among the branches of government D. Concurrent powers allowing the colonies to draft their own laws

A. Natural rights such as life and liberty

Which of the following states has the greatest protection for freedom of the press based on the information on the map? A. New York (NY) B. Missouri (MO) C. Wyoming (WY) D. Georgia (GA)

A. New York (NY)

The case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upheld the standard of "separate but equal" in American law. Which of the following explains how this case relates to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ? A. Plessy established a precedent that was eventually overturned in the Brown case. B. The decision in Plessy was used to support the ruling in Brown. C. The "separate but equal" principle was established in Plessy and used in Brown. D. The "separate but equal" principle was upheld in Brown but not in Plessy.

A. Plessy established a precedent that was eventually overturned in the Brown case.

Which of the following principles of government is most related to the author's argument in "At War with the Separation of Powers"? A. Separation of powers is necessary to our constitutional system to limit the power of the three branches and guarantee limited government. B. The president's power is constitutionally permitted to expand during times of crisis, which can lead to a declaration of war without permission from Congress. C. As the legislative branch, Congress is authorized to change the constitutional balance of power whenever it deems necessary. D. Separation of powers guarantees that each branch can focus on what it does best, but in some cases one branch may voluntarily cede power to another branch.

A. Separation of powers is necessary to our constitutional system to limit the power of the three branches and guarantee limited government.

Students at a public university hold a peaceful protest to demonstrate against an increase in the cost of college tuition. Which of the following constitutional protections best applies to this scenario? A. The First Amendment B. The Second Amendment C. The Sixth Amendment D. The Ninth Amendment

A. The First Amendment

Which of the following best explains how the format affected the polls? A. The closed-ended format limited respondents to fewer options, which forced respondents to focus on the most important issue of those options. B. The closed-ended format decreased participation because it was more difficult for respondents to think of a response. C. The open-ended format increased the number of respondents who mentioned energy policy because the poll reminded them of the issue. D. The open-ended format limited the number of potential responses, which affected the accuracy of the poll.

A. The closed-ended format limited respondents to fewer options, which forced respondents to focus on the most important issue of those options.

Using both maps, which of the following explains how states with capital punishment voted in the 2016 election? A. The maps show that states with capital punishment were more likely to vote for the Republican in the 2016 election. B. The maps show that support for or opposition to capital punishment had no correlation to how a state voted in the 2016 election. C. The maps show that states with capital punishment were more likely to cast their ballots for the Democrat in the 2016 election. D. The maps show that states with capital punishment were just as likely to vote for the Democrat as they were to vote for the Republican.

A. The maps show that states with capital punishment were more likely to vote for the Republican in the 2016 election.

Which of the following is a trend based on the data from PRESIDENTIAL VETOES BY CONTROL OF CONGRESS A. The more chambers of Congress the president's party controls, the less likely the president is to veto a bill. B. A bill is most likely to be vetoed by the president when one party controls the House and another party controls the Senate. C. The percentage of presidential vetoes overturned by Congress increases when the opposition party controls both chambers. D. The president is most likely to veto a bill when the president's party controls both chambers of Congress.

A. The more chambers of Congress the president's party controls, the less likely the president is to veto a bill.

Which of the following statements about the use of executive agreements by presidents is supported by the data in the pie charts? A. The percentage of international agreements that were executive agreements has increased since 1839. B. The percentage of international agreements that were executive agreements has decreased since 1839. C. The percentage of international agreements that were executive agreements has decreased since 1989. D. The percentage of international agreements that were executive agreements has increased since 1989.

A. The percentage of international agreements that were executive agreements has increased since 1839.

In the 2016 election, Donald Trump won the election despite losing the popular vote by about two percent. The line graph illustrates which of the following about presidential election polling? A. The trend appears to indicate that Clinton is more likely to win, but factors such as margin of error and the electoral system also need to be taken into account. B. Most polling used by the media is biased and lacks scientific rigor, leading to incorrect assumptions about who will win elections. C. Even though polls reach many people, it is not useful to make inferences about the general population because most people are not being polled. D. Polling groups of people over a long period of time leads to incorrect polling results.

A. The trend appears to indicate that Clinton is more likely to win, but factors such as margin of error and the electoral system also need to be taken into account.

President Theodore Roosevelt took his case directly to the American people to gain public support for his progressive reform initiatives by appearing in a movie newsreel. This type of presidential communication is an example of which of the following? A. Using the bully pulpit B. Making use of a formal power C. Drafting a signing statement D. Issuing an executive order

A. Using the bully pulpit

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the separation of powers is integral to the Constitution. Thus, even if one branch of government consented to ceding an essential power to another branch, such a giveaway would be unconstitutional. Can the president legally use military force to attack a foreign land without a serious threat or legal obligation or a declaration of war from Congress? No, such a statute would give the president far more powers than he has now, would directly violate Congress' war-making powers, would defy the Supreme Court on the unconstitutionality of giving away core governmental functions, would commit the U.S. to foreign wars without congressional and thus popular support, and would invite dangerous mischief by any president wanting to attack any enemy—real or imagined, old or new—for foreign or domestic political purposes, whether American interests are at stake or not.

At War with the Separation of Powers - The Washington Times

In which year did the federal government experience its highest surplus based on the bar graph? A. 1997 B. 2000 C. 2009 D. 2016

B. 2000

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, delegates from larger states argued that each state's representation in the legislature should be proportional to its population. Smaller states argued that each state should have equal representation, regardless of population. This disagreement threatened to derail the ratification of the United States Constitution. Which statement accurately describes the compromise that led to both sides reaching agreement? A. A bicameral legislature with an upper house selected by the lower house and the lower house representation proportional to each state's population B. A bicameral legislature with an upper house representing each state equally and a lower house with representation proportional to each state's population C. A unicameral legislature with equal representation for every state D. A unicameral legislature with representation proportional to each state's population.

B. A bicameral legislature with an upper house representing each state equally and a lower house with representation proportional to each state's population

Which of the following scenarios is an example of an affirmative action policy? A. A high school athletic program adds a women's basketball team in addition to its existing men's basketball team. B. A federal contractor actively recruits underrepresented groups for positions in the company. C. A company providing a public service is required to serve all customers regardless of race or religion. D. A person who cannot afford an attorney is provided one by the state.

B. A federal contractor actively recruits underrepresented groups for positions in the company.

In the case Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964), the Supreme Court ruled that Congress had the power under the commerce clause to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Which of the following explains how this case is similar to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ? A. Both cases challenged the authority of Congress to pass legislation that addressed local segregation. B. Both cases upheld the power of the federal government to ensure equal protection under the law. C. Both cases decided that actions taken by the president to end segregation were unconstitutional. D. Both cases were about the application of the Thirteenth Amendment to the states.

B. Both cases upheld the power of the federal government to ensure equal protection under the law.

Which of the following statements is supported by the data in the information graphic? A. The use of executive orders has increased since 1945. B. Democratic presidents issued more executive orders than Republican presidents did between 1945 and 2016. C. The use of executive orders peaked in the 1970s and has since decreased. D. Presidents have tended to prefer executive orders to signing statements since 1945.

B. Democratic presidents issued more executive orders than Republican presidents did between 1945 and 2016.

Which of the following amendments is most closely related to the information on the maps? A. First Amendment B. Eighth Amendment C. Fifth Amendment D. Fourth Amendment

B. Eighth Amendment

As a compromise, the framers agreed on a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives directly elected by popular vote within states and the Senate selected by state legislatures. The method chosen for electing members of the House of Representatives conforms most to which of the following democratic ideals? A. The social contract is an agreement between citizens and government. B. Government should be based on the consent of the governed. C. Policy makers should be the most well-informed and wealthy members of society. D. State power should be respected in a federal constitution.

B. Government should be based on the consent of the governed.

Which of the following cases expanded the powers of Congress by defining the necessary and proper clause more broadly? A. United States v. Lopez (1995) B. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) C. Marbury v. Madison (1803) D. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

B. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Which of the following statements are illustrated by the data in table? A. The Silent Generation is more likely to say they have become more liberal over time politically than Millennials. B. Millennials are more likely to say they have become more liberal politically over time than Baby Boomers. C. Generation X is more likely to say their political views have not changed or been mixed over time compared to the Silent Generation. D. Baby Boomers are more likely to say they have become more conservative politically over time than the Silent Generation.

B. Millennials are more likely to say they have become more liberal politically over time than Baby Boomers.

Which of the following statements would the author of the passage most likely agree with? A. Average citizens cannot be trusted to vote because of low levels of education. B. Nations with extended territory cannot fairly represent their citizens in a republican form of government. C. The federal government should have greater authority than state legislatures. D. A small federal legislature is the best way to represent the will of the people in a large country.

B. Nations with extended territory cannot fairly represent their citizens in a republican form of government.

In the passage, Brutus is most concerned with the conflict between which of the following political ideas? A. Civil rights and national security B. Participatory democracy and elite democracy C. Political parties and special interest groups D. Religious liberty and the separation of church and state

B. Participatory democracy and elite democracy because Brutus argues that one single large republic with small amount of representatives would be an elite democracy that will not be able to accurately express the popular will, and single republic with enough representatives to express the citizens could lead to a large, unwieldy government that is unable to function.

According to The Triumph of Idealism and the Return of Realism, which of the following occurred as a direct result of the congressional resolution authorizing action against al-Qaeda? A. The Supreme Court authorized the use of force against al-Qaeda. B. President Bush interpreted it broadly to allow him to conduct the war on terrorism without much further consultation with Congress. C. Members of Congress passed a law that declared that the Geneva Conventions were not applicable to the war on terrorism. D. President Bush issued a signing statement regarding the Geneva Conventions.

B. President Bush interpreted it broadly to allow him to conduct the war on terrorism without much further consultation with Congress.

Which of the following is the best example of a president using technology to communicate and obtain public support for a public policy agenda? A. President Ronald Reagan reassuring the nation in a televised address after the Challenger disaster B. President John F. Kennedy outlining Cold War challenges and urging Americans to civic action in his inaugural address C. President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressing a joint session of Congress to seek a declaration of war after the attack on Pearl Harbor D. President Richard Nixon claiming executive privilege to protect the recorded conversations he made in the White House

B. President John F. Kennedy outlining Cold War challenges and urging Americans to civic action in his inaugural address

Which of the following was the ruling in Shaw v. Reno (1993) ? A. Creating districts where a minority is the majority does not violate the Ninth Amendment. B. Racial gerrymandering can violate the Fourteenth Amendment unless it achieves a compelling state interest. C. Districts must be equal in population size because of the Fourteenth Amendment. D. Districts drawn in unusual shapes or sizes violate the Ninth Amendment.

B. Racial gerrymandering can violate the Fourteenth Amendment unless it achieves a compelling state interest.

The data in the chart is too limited to support which of the following generalizations? A. Democrats believe the environment is a more important policy priority than terrorism. B. Republicans believe the economy is a priority for state governments rather than the federal government. C. Most Democrats believe the federal government needs to take action to reduce crime. D. There is a relatively wide partisan gap on whether the military should be a top priority.

B. Republicans believe the economy is a priority for state governments rather than the federal government.

Which of the following experiences most likely influenced the perspective conveyed in Federalist 15? A. The increased centralization of power in the national legislature under the Articles of Confederation B. Shay's Rebellion, which was an armed response to the inability of the national government to address unjust economic state policies. C. The tension between states relying on commerce and those relying on agriculture D. Passage of the Stamp Act and other taxes during the revolutionary period

B. Shay's Rebellion, which was an armed response to the inability of the national government to address unjust economic state policies.

Which of the following statements is best supported by the information on the map? A. Some states are more interested in cooperating with the federal government than others are. B. Some states prioritize freedom of the press over criminal prosecutions. C. Some states receive more federal funding for shield law programs than other states do. D. Some states adhere to the exclusionary rule of the First Amendment more than other states do.

B. Some states prioritize freedom of the press over criminal prosecutions.

Which of the following explains how the scenario described in the passage CIRCLE relates to political behavior? A. Globalization has influenced how individuals participate in politics. B. Taking part in civic education affects whether or not an individual participates politically. C. Generational differences account for major differences in political participation rates. D. Individuals are likely to form opinions about politics that correspond to their parents' views.

B. Taking part in civic education affects whether or not an individual participates politically.

Which of the following is a difference between the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution that is a response to a problem expressed in Federalist 15? A. The Articles of Confederation lacked federal executive and judicial branches, whereas the United States Constitution did not. B. The Articles of Confederation allowed for the federal government to request revenues from states but did not permit it to tax citizens directly, whereas under the United States Constitution the federal government could tax citizens directly. c. Under the Articles of Confederation, members of the national legislature were paid by the state governments, whereas under the United States Constitution they were paid by the federal government. D. Under the Articles of Confederation, members of the national legislature were not able to regulate currency, whereas under the United States Constitution the federal government

B. The Articles of Confederation allowed for the federal government to request revenues from states but did not permit it to tax citizens directly, whereas under the United States Constitution the federal government could tax citizens directly. the author considers a lack of taxation to be a fundamental issue, so the power the tax was added in Article 1 section 8 of the constitution.

Which of the following legislative acts best relates to Martin Luther King Jr's I Have a Dream Speech? A. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 B. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 C. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 D. The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990

B. The Civil Rights Act of 1964

The police searched a suspect's smartphone without getting a warrant and found photo evidence of criminal activity. After a thorough investigation, the suspect was charged and the evidence obtained from the smartphone was used in the trial. Which of the following amendments contains the Bill of Rights protections that were most likely violated in this scenario? A. The Third Amendment B. The Fourth Amendment C. The Seventh Amendment D. The Eighth Amendment

B. The Fourth Amendment

Which of the following parties would be most likely to support little to no national or state involvement in policymaking? A. The Democratic Party B. The Libertarian Party C. The Green Party D. The Republican Party

B. The Libertarian Party

Which of the following is a possible limitation depicted by the data presented in the chart? A. The chart does not show many differences between the parties on public policy issues. B. The chart does not account for the segments of the population that identify as Independents. C. The chart does not take into account those who are not registered to vote. D. The chart surveyed respondents during January 5-9, 2018.

B. The chart does not account for the segments of the population that identify as Independents.

While a right to privacy is not explicitly named in the Constitution, what clause has the court used to protect this right from state infringement? A. The due process clause of the Fifth Amendment B. The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment C. The equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment D. The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

B. The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

Which of the following statements reflect the author's viewpoint as shown in the Marin Voice? A. The passage could influence Congress to pass legislation that increases the regulation of health insurance companies. B. The passage could convince more members of Congress to support Medicare for all. C. The passage could influence state legislators to limit the types of health care plans offered in their states. D. The passage could influence citizens in deciding whether or not they should purchase health care plans.

B. The passage could convince more members of Congress to support Medicare for all.

Which of the following most likely explains how the views of a moderate, someone who does not subscribe to the views of a single political party, might be affected by The Marin Voice? A. The passage might convince a moderate to support a single-payer public health care system and the passage of a constitutional amendment that requires Congress to create such a system. B. The passage might convince a moderate to support a single-payer public health care system and contact their representatives in Congress to indicate their support. C. The passage might convince a moderate to support a single-payer public health care system and vote for a member of Congress who supports defunding Medicare entirely. D. The passage might convince a moderate to support a single-payer public health care system and a proposal that would double income taxes to pay for it.

B. The passage might convince a moderate to support a single-payer public health care system and contact their representatives in Congress to indicate their support.

Based on the data in the bar graph and your knowledge of the course, which of the following is an accurate statement that can be made about political socialization? A. Young people are closer to and tend to rely more on their peers than their parents for political information. B. The political orientation of parents has a great influence on how their child will view politics. C. Family, schools, peers, and social environments, including civic and religious organizations, all have an equal role in the political socialization of young people. D. The impact of globalization on political culture and an expansive social media network has the greatest influence on children's political socialization.

B. The political orientation of parents has a great influence on how their child will view politics.

Prior to his confirmation, Democrats on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions questioned a Republican president's Secretary of Health and Human Services about the ethics of some of their investments. The nominee was eventually confirmed with support of Republicans in the Senate. This check on presidential power illustrates that... A. the process of selecting Cabinet members is usually negotiated by making concessions to the minority party in the Senate B. the process of confirming members of the president's Cabinet can lead to conflict with members of the Senate C. presidents rely on the bully pulpit to get members of Congress to act on confirmations D. even when an executive order is issued, members of the opposing party in the Senate can work to block them

B. The process of confirming members of the president's Cabinet can lead to conflict with members of the Senate

The polling in the summer of 2016 shows a sharp increase in popular support for Clinton, followed by a sharp increase in popular support for Trump. Which of the following factors most likely accounts for these increases in popular support? A. A change in the use of sampling techniques employed by polling organizations B. The timing of political events covered by the news which temporarily influenced preferences C. The effect of political socialization on individuals responding to poll questions D. Sampling errors that affected polling results

B. The timing of political events covered by the news which temporarily influenced preferences

Which of the following explains the most significant long-term consequence of the ideas expressed in the I Have a Dream Speech? A. The "separate but equal" doctrine was established as Constitutionally acceptable. B. The value of "all men are created equal" was reaffirmed both in law and in American political culture. C. African Americans migrated to the South in search of the American dream. D. Congress passed an amendment to the United States Constitution to include the notion of equality in American law.

B. The value of "all men are created equal" was reaffirmed both in law and in American political culture.

The trend in late October and early November showing Clinton ahead but an increase in support for Trump most likely would be... A. used by Clinton to assure her supporters of a likely victory B. described as momentum by the trailing Trump campaign to encourage supporters to vote C. the result of the margin of error, which might lead one to believe Trump was possibly ahead D. a result of unscientific polling practices by polling organizations

B. described as momentum by the trailing Trump campaign to encourage supporters to vote

"In every free government, the people must give their assent to the laws by which they are governed. This is the true criterion between a free government and an arbitrary one. The former are ruled by the will of the whole, expressed in any manner they may agree upon; the latter by the will of one, or a few. If the people are to give their assent to the laws, by persons chosen and appointed by them, the manner of the choice and the number chosen, must be consequently qualified to declare the sentiments of the people; for if they do not know, or are not disposed to, the people do not govern, but the sovereignty is in a few. Now, in a large extended country, it is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government"

Brutus 1 - talks about how a large republic can not properly represent a full body of people. If there were enough representatives to fully showcase the publics views then it would not be able to function.

Which of the following is an example of affirmative action? A. The president submits a report to Congress forty-eight hours after he deployed troops in an overseas conflict. B. The United States Department of Education offers low-interest college student loans to all financially qualified students. C. A business actively recruits qualified minorities, women, and persons with disabilities in order to be eligible for work with the national government. D. The state of Virginia awards an infrastructure contract to the company with the lowest bid.

C. A business actively recruits qualified minorities, women, and persons with disabilities in order to be eligible for work with the national government.

Which of the following best characterizes the general argument made in Brutus 1? A. A large republic would be preferable to a small one because more people could participate. B. A small republic would pose more danger to individual liberty than a large republic. C. A large republic is dangerous to personal liberty and undermines the states. D. A small republic is more susceptible to corruption than a large republic.

C. A large republic is dangerous to personal liberty and undermines the states.

Which of the following is the best example of a president using the bully pulpit? A. A wartime president writing a condolence letter to the mother of a son lost in combat B. A president convening a cabinet meeting to address an economic crisis C. A president making a televised speech to gain public support for a policy initiative D. A president responding to questions about a scandal during a press conference

C. A president making a televised speech to gain public support for a policy initiative

According to the bar graph, which of the following statements is true about the influence of parents on the political orientation of their children? A. About 50% of children whose parents are both Democrats will become Independent/Non-partisan. B. When both parents are Democrat, their child is likely to become Independent/Non-partisan. C. About 25% of children whose parents are both Republican will become Independent/Non-partisan. D. When both parents are Republican, their child will not become a Democrat.

C. About 25% of children whose parents are both Republican will become Independent/Non-partisan.

Which of the following public policies would Republicans be most likely to support? A. Placing more regulations on businesses B. Increasing national government involvement in the public health care system C. Creating a less restrictive marketplace environment D. Creating additional education policies at the national level rather than at the state level.

C. Creating a less restrictive marketplace environment

What generally does the Fourteenth Amendment provide for? A. Free expression and freedom of religion B. Limits on unreasonable searches and seizures by governmental actors C. Equal protection of the laws and due process D. The right to vote for African American males over the age of twenty-one

C. Equal protection of the laws and due process

Which of the following is used as evidence to support the author's argument in The Right to Bear Arms: What Does the Second Amendment Really Mean? A. People in the United States agree that the Second Amendment protects the rights of the individual. B. The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review to determine whether state gun control laws are consistent with the United States Constitution. C. Historical records show varying interpretations as to whether the Second Amendment was supposed to protect the right of individuals to own a gun, or just for the purpose of supporting militias. D. The Second Amendment does not protect an individual right, but was written by the founders to ensure that militias would have access to needed armaments.

C. Historical records show varying interpretations as to whether the Second Amendment was supposed to protect the right of individuals to own a gun, or just for the purpose of supporting militias.

In a press briefing, the White House press secretary issues a statement criticizing members of Congress who refuse to act on the president's judicial nominees to the federal courts. This scenario best illustrates which of the following? A. Congress does not consider judicial nominations important enough to act on. B. Judicial nominees must pass both chambers of Congress, which slows down the process. C. Members of the White House staff are strategically used to help the president pass an agenda. D. Cabinet members have a tendency to clash with members of the opposing party.

C. Members of the White House staff are strategically used to help the president pass an agenda.

According to the line graph, which budget category will account for the least spending in 2024? A. Social Security B. Health care programs C. Net interest D. All other programs

C. Net interest

Which of the following concepts is most closely related to CIRCLE, 2013? A. Public opinion polling B. Partisanship C. Political socialization D. Ideology

C. Political socialization

Social Security will account for how about much of projected spending in 2024, according to the line graph? A. Two percent B. Four percent C. Six percent D. Eight percent

C. Six percent

Using both maps, which of the following best explains how states without capital punishment voted in the 2016 presidential election? A. States without capital punishment were more likely to vote for the Republican in the 2016 election. B. Support for or opposition to capital punishment had no correlation to how a state voted in 2016. C. States without capital punishment were more likely to cast their ballots for the Democrat in the 2016 election. D. States without capital punishment were just as likely to vote for Hillary Clinton as they were to vote for Republican.

C. States without capital punishment were more likely to cast their ballots for the Democrat in the 2016 election.

A person accused of a crime cannot afford an attorney, so the state provides the accused with a public defender. Which of the following amendments in the Bill of Rights best applies in this scenario? A. The Third Amendment B. The Fifth Amendment C. The Sixth Amendment D. The Seventh Amendment

C. The Sixth Amendment

Based on the map and your knowledge, which of the following is a major difference between the issue of shield laws and the issue of prior restraint? A. The Supreme Court has ruled that shield laws are incorporated to the states to decide on their own, while the issue of prior restraint applies only to the federal government. B. The issue of shield laws does not apply to the federal government because criminal prosecutions occur only at the state level. On the other hand, the issue of prior restraint arises only in situations in which the president is invoking executive privilege to prevent information from being reviewed. C. The Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment protects against prior restraint by the government. However, protections for journalists and their sources are not as strong, as evidenced by the many states with weak or no shield laws. D. The First Amendment supports freedom of the press,

C. The Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment protects against prior restraint by the government. However, protections for journalists and their sources are not as strong, as evidenced by the many states with weak or no shield laws.

Which of the following political processes would best solve the problem regarding the system of checks and balances, as articulated by the author in "At War with the Separation of Powers"? A. The president agrees to lift sanctions and signs a peace treaty with another country without waiting for the approval from Congress. B. Congress cuts the budget from the Armed Forces without getting presidential approval to prevent the president from sending troops abroad. C. The Supreme Court rules on a suit brought by an interest group that legislation permitting the president to launch military strikes without congressional approval is unconstitutional. D. The Supreme Court refuses to take a case on legislation that permits the president to launch military strikes without congressional approval.

C. The Supreme Court rules on a suit brought by an interest group that legislation permitting the president to launch military strikes without congressional approval is unconstitutional.

Which of the following is accurate regarding the Supreme Court's interpretation of a right to privacy? A. The court has never acknowledged a right to privacy. B. The court's interpretations about a right to privacy have been consistently applied. C. The court's interpretation of a right to privacy has been the subject of controversy. D. The ideological composition of the Supreme Court has not had an impact on its interpretation of a right to privacy.

C. The court's interpretation of a right to privacy has been the subject of controversy.

In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court struck down racial segregation in public schools, finding that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." What constitutional clause did the Court rely most heavily on to reach this decision? A. The due process clause B. The necessary and proper clause C. The equal protection clause D. The free exercise clause

C. The equal protection clause

Which of the following elements of polling likely created the difference in the poll results? A. The difference was likely a result of the margin of error. B. One poll is a tracking poll, and the other is a benchmark poll. C. The formats of the survey questions are different. D. The questions are worded differently.

C. The formats of the survey questions are different.

Which of the following is likely to occur as a result when Congress refuses to act as a check on the power of the president, according to the main idea of The Triumph of Idealism and the Return of Realism? A. The Supreme Court will intervene to check the power of the president. B. The American people will vote in new members of Congress during the next election. C. The president will be able to push the limits of constitutional authority. D. Treaties, such as the Geneva Conventions, will be treated as executive agreements.

C. The president will be able to push the limits of constitutional authority.

The idea of having a constitution, which establishes the powers of the government to enact and enforce legislation, is most closely aligned with which of the following core American values? A. Equality of opportunity B. Free enterprise C. The rule of law D. Individualism

C. The rule of law

The data from the two polls, which ask the same question, illustrate which of the following? A. Public opinion can influence policy debates and election results. B. Polls that do not use scientific methods will not be replicable in another setting. C. Those making inferences from polling results should understand the methods used by pollsters. D. Scientific polling is not an appropriate way to measure public opinion.

C. Those making inferences from polling results should understand the methods used by pollsters.

In order to appease both Federalists and Anti-Federalists, it was agreed at the Constitutional Convention that a group of delegates would be charged with selecting the president. This would ensure that... A. the president would be chosen directly by the people to ensure that the process adheres to the principles of democracy B. the president would be chosen by Congress since Congress has been elected and represents the will of the people C. a qualified person representative of the people would become president D. the president would be chosen by the Supreme Court because the Court is charged with making unbiased decisions

C. a qualified person representative of the people would become president

The author cites the case District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) in order to... A. illustrate that the Supreme Court has incorrectly upheld restrictions on the right to bear arms B. show that the author's perspective is supported by recent decisions made by the Supreme Court C. illustrate that the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Second Amendment has recently changed D. make the case that the power of government needs to be expanded with regard to the right to bear arms

C. illustrate that the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Second Amendment has recently changed

A large national survey of young Americans was released. It shows young Obama and Romney voters had strikingly similar levels of political knowledge. The survey also shows a clear relationship between respondents' high school civics education experiences and their knowledge of campaign issues and political participation in the 2012 presidential election. However, taking high school civics had little or no relationship with young adults' choice between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. "Young people who recalled experiencing more high-quality civic education practices in schools were more likely to vote, to form political opinions, to know campaign issues, and to know general facts about the US political system," said Peter Levine, director of CIRCLE. "Civics education was not related to partisanship or choice of candidate. These results should allay political concerns about civic education being taught in schoo

CIRCLE 2013

Which of the following excerpts from the passage best describes the author's reason for opposing an expansion of the scope of the federal government? B "This is the true criteria between a free government and an arbitrary one. The former are ruled by the will of the whole, expressed in any manner they may agree upon; the latter by the will of one, or a few." C "If the people are to give their assent to the laws, by persons chosen and appointed by them, the manner of the choice and the number chosen, must be such, as to possess, be disposed, and consequently qualified to declare the sentiments of the people" D "It is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government."

D. "It is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government." any body large enough to display the public beliefs would be too large to function.

Which of the following parts of the United States Constitution is incorporated to the states based on the ruling in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) ? A . "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." B. "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated." C. "No person shall . . . be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." D. "[T]he right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

D. "[T]he right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

In The Federalist 10, which of the following did James Madison argue would best control the negative effects of factions? A. A law that prohibits factions B. A small direct democracy C. A large unitary government D. A large unitary government

D. A large federal republic

What has the Supreme Court said about the right to privacy? A. A right to privacy is clearly present in the Constitution. B. A right to privacy is listed in the 6th Amendment as a protected right. C. A right to privacy has been the goal of many lawsuits but has never been recognized by the Supreme Court of the United States. D. A right to privacy is not clearly present in the Constitution, but the court has determined that it does exist.

D. A right to privacy is not clearly present in the Constitution, but the court has determined that it does exist.

Housing covenants are agreements in the deed of a property that restricts the owner from doing certain things with the property. Some covenants prevented owners from selling to individuals of a specific race or ethnic group. In the case Shelley v. Kraemer (1948), the Supreme Court struck down racially restrictive housing covenants under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Which of the following cases is most similar to Shelley v. Kraemer (1948) ? A. United States v. Lopez (1995) B. Engel v. Vitale (1962) C. New York Times v. United States (1971) D. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

D. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Which of the following describes a possible method that can check the power of the president who willingly violates the constitutional balance of power as described in "At War with the Separation of Powers"? A. Congress can pass a law that removes the president from office. B. The Supreme Court can rule that the presidential election results are null and void based on the actions of the president. C. States can recall the president through a special election process. D. Congress can impeach and remove a president who is unable or unwilling to perform his or her official functions.

D. Congress can impeach and remove a president who is unable or unwilling to perform his or her official functions.

Which of the following statements accurately describes the majority opinion of the Supreme Court in United States v. Lopez (1995) ? A. The necessary and proper clause did not allow Congress to create the Bank of the United States. B. Congress may regulate commerce between the states. C. State governments can declare federal statutes unconstitutional if they conflict with state law. D. Congress may not use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.

D. Congress may not use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.

Which of the following explains how the role of government in health care policy would be influenced if the policy proposal in Marin Voice were to be implemented? A. Because it is a single-payer system, the federal government would be able to cut taxes and still fund health care for everyone in the country. B. Due to the nature of the single-payer system, the federal government would provide health care plans only to people who were unable to afford their own plans. C. Because it is a single-payer system, the federal government would let private insurance companies take over administering health care plans. D. Due to the nature of single-payer health care systems, the federal government would be responsible for funding and administering a public health care system for all citizens.

D. Due to the nature of single-payer health care systems, the federal government would be responsible for funding and administering a public health care system for all citizens.

Which of the following constitutional concepts is most closely associated with affirmative action policies? A. The exclusionary rule B. Selective incorporation C. Time, place, and manner restrictions D. Equal protection clause

D. Equal protection clause

Which of the following is an accurate pair of descriptions of the two chambers of Congress? A. House - Formal Debate Senate - votes scheduled by vice president B. House - initiates revenue bills Senate - Representation based on state population C. House - led by house majority leader senate - uses committees to organize legislative work D. House - serves 2 year terms Senate - Serves 6 year terms

D. House of Representatives - serves 2 year terms Senate - serves 6 year terms

Which of the following public policies would Democrats be most likely to support? A. Reducing taxes on American businesses and corporations B. Increasing the age of eligibility for social security benefits C. Reducing the size of the federal government by eliminating an executive department D. Increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans

D. Increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans

In Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) how did the Supreme Court's decision address state interests and individual rights? A. It ruled that the state had an overarching right to compel students of all ages to attend public school through the twelfth grade. B. It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students of all ages to attend public school through the twelfth grade. C. It balanced the state's interest in compulsory education with the students' free speech rights. D. It balanced the state's interest in compulsory education with the students' free exercise rights.

D. It balanced the state's interest in compulsory education with the students' free exercise rights.

Article I, Section 9 of the United States Constitution lists several powers that are denied to the federal government, such as granting titles of nobility and passing ex post facto laws. This best demonstrates which of the following ideals of democracy? A. Natural rights B. Popular sovereignty C. Social contract theory D. Limited government

D. Limited government

Which of the following are supported by the data in the table PROGRESS OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL VIEWS BY GENERATION? A. Very few people change their views on social or political issues over time. B. Younger people are more apt to identify as politically liberal rather than socially liberal. C. As people get older, they tend to become more liberal on social issues but not on political issues. D. More people become more socially conservative over time than more socially liberal.

D. More people become more socially conservative over time than more socially liberal.

Which of the following correctly describes the facts in Shaw v. Reno (1993) ? A. 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. B. The gerrymandered district was challenged because state lawmakers were not involved in the drawing of the district lines. C. The redistricting process was challenged after it merged two districts together, causing two incumbents to compete for the seat. D. Redistricting to create districts with a racial minority that comprise a majority of the district's total population was challenged under the Fourteenth Amendment.

D. Redistricting to create districts with a racial minority that comprise a majority of the district's total population was challenged under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Which of the following is a doctrine based on the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution that was used in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) to limit the power of states and protect the right to keep and bear arms? A. Symbolic speech B. Equal protection C. Judicial review D. Selective incorporation

D. Selective incorporation

The students mentioned in CIRCLE did not have a strong preference in candidates or increased levels of partisanship, despite their exposure to civics education. Which of the following explains this type of political socialization? A. Political socialization does not include the formation of political beliefs but rather refers only to the likelihood of participation. B. Younger people are less likely to understand politics; therefore, the civics courses were unlikely to lead to strong preferences regarding partisanship or candidates. C. Public schools are prohibited by law from discussing political issues and current events, which limits the effect of political socialization. D. Some life experiences that socialize individuals into politics affect specific behaviors but not partisanship or ideology.

D. Some life experiences that socialize individuals into politics affect specific behaviors but not partisanship or ideology.

The United States Supreme Court reviewed state-mandated racial segregation in public schools. The Court stated that the separate schools "involved have been equalized, or are being equalized, with respect to buildings, curricula, qualifications and salaries of teachers, and other 'tangible' factors. Our decision, therefore, cannot turn on merely a comparison of these tangible factors [among the] schools involved in each of the cases. We must look instead to the effect of segregation itself on public education." Which of the following rules or clauses did the Supreme Court use to address the issue of racial segregation in public schools? A. The commerce clause in United States v. Lopez (1995) B. The free exercise clause in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) C. The First Amendment's establishment clause in Engel v. Vitale (1962) D. The Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause in Brown v. Board of Education o

D. The Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Which of the following best characterizes the debate regarding the Second Amendment according to the author of The Right to Bear Arms: What Does the Second Amendment Really Mean? A. The Second Amendment debate underscores the broader constitutional mission to balance the individual rights of citizens and the need for rule of law. B. The Second Amendment debate has been clouded by powerful interest groups who are influential at the federal level. C. The rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment, like those guaranteed by the First Amendment, require practical limitations, but striking the appropriate level of regulation has historically been a challenge. D. The Second Amendment is viewed by some as an individual rights issue but by others as a states' rights issue.

D. The Second Amendment is viewed by some as an individual rights issue but by others as a states' rights issue.

In the 1950s Southern states attempted to prevent integration of their public schools. In return, the National Guard was sent to force states to implement federal regulations. This scenario illustrates which of the following about the relationship between the state and national governments? A. Most issues regarding education are settled at the state level. B. The Constitution gives state governments the exclusive power to interpret federal laws. C. The power of the national government to enforce state policy had been struck down by the Supreme Court. D. The debate over the role of the central government and state powers is ongoing.

D. The debate over the role of the central government and state powers is ongoing.

In McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the Court ruled that the Second Amendment right to bear arms was applicable to the states. Which of the following sections of the United States Constitution did the Supreme Court use to support its ruling? A. Executive Privilege under Article II, holding that the president is "commander-in-chief" B. States' rights under the Tenth Amendment, holding that such powers were "not delegated to the United States by the Constitution" and, thus, "reserved to the States respectively" C. The equal protection clause under the Fifth Amendment, holding that one cannot "be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" D. The doctrine of selective incorporation through the Fourteenth Amendment, holding that state action limiting gun rights deprived persons of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law"

D. The doctrine of selective incorporation through the Fourteenth Amendment, holding that state action limiting gun rights deprived persons of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law"

The text in the I Have a Dream Speech likely inspired Congress to act based on which of the following clauses of the United States Constitution? A. The free exercise clause of the First Amendment B. The commerce clause in Article I, Section 8 C. The reserved powers clause of the Tenth Amendment D. The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

D. The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

A member of Congress is arrested and convicted of failing to pay the proper amount of income tax. Which of the following core American values is most relevant to this case? A. Limited government B. Equality of opportunity C. Free enterprise D. The rule of law

D. The rule of law

The Gun-Free School Zones Act made it illegal for individuals knowingly to carry a gun in a school zone. The Supreme Court determined this act to be an unconstitutional stretch of the commerce clause in... A. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) B. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) C. New York Times Company v. United States (1971) D. United States v. Lopez (1995)

D. United States v. Lopez (1995)

On February 13, 2016, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement that the Supreme Court vacancy should be left to the next president of the United States, who would be elected that November. Nonetheless, President Obama nominated circuit judge Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy. The Senate judiciary committee never held a hearing nor was a vote scheduled on the nomination. The scenario demonstrates that... A. the Senate prefers to pick members of the Supreme Court B. there are very few qualified individuals who can serve as Supreme Court justices C. because the judicial branch is elected, the Supreme Court must be responsive to public opinion D. because federal judges are lifetime appointments, Senate confirmation can often be challenging

D. because federal judges are lifetime appointments, Senate confirmation can often be challenging

While opponents of the Constitution admit that the government of the United States is destitute of energy, they contend against conferring upon it those powers which are requisite to supply that energy. They seem still to aim at things repugnant and irreconcilable; at an augmentation of federal authority, without a diminution of State authority; at sovereignty in the Union, and complete independence in the members this requires that a full display of the principal defects of the Confederation is necessary, in order to show that the evils we experience do not proceed from minute or partial imperfections, but from fundamental errors in the structure of the building, which cannot be amended otherwise than by an alteration in the first principles and main pillars of the fabric. The United States has an indefinite discretion to plead for for men and money; but they have no authority to raise either, by regulations extendi

Federalist 15 Issues with the articles of confederation. Argues in support for a Strong Federal Government