Unit 1 AP Government

Which of the following provisions of the Constitution best supports the elitist theory of representative democracy? a. Members of the judicial branch are not elected by citizens. b. The Seventeenth Amendment established the direct election of senators. c. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. d. The president is limited to two terms.

a. Members of the judicial branch are not elected by citizens.

Of the following, which has been used most to expand the power of the national government? a. The commerce clause of the Constitution b. The habeas corpus clause of the Constitution c. the Fifth Amendment d. the First Amendment e. The bill of attainder clause of the Constitution

a. The commerce clause of the Constitution

The theory that sees wealth as the basis of power is the a. elite theory. b. hyperpluralist theory. c. pluralist theory. d. democratic theory. e. Jeffersonian theory.

a. elite theory

A birth certificate issued in one state is valid in all states under the constitutional provision of a. full faith and credit. b. national supremacy. c. privileges and immunities. d. separation of powers. e. national licensure.

a. full faith and credit.

The President can do which of the following with out seeking the consent of either the House or the Senate? a. Ratify a treaty. b. Deploy troops c. Appoint district court judges. d. Declare war. e. Appoint ambassadors

b. Deploy troops

States and localities have the most discretion in establishing policy when federal funding is derived from a. project grants b. block grants c. categorical grants d. matching grants e. grants-in-aid

b. block grants

Federal policies to regulate food and drugs are examples of: a. reserved powers b. implied powers c. expressed powers d. categorical grants e. constitutionally specified powers

b. implied powers

Anti-Federalists argued against adoption of the Constitution for all the following reasons EXCEPT a. it favored property owners b. it failed to centralize power c. it responded to the needs of the minority, not the majority d. it neglected individual rights e. it placed too many restrictions on the states

b. it failed to centralize power.

The Framers of the United States Constitution a. were interested in promoting equality above all else. b. were distrustful of democracy. c. established the British system of parliamentary government. d. established a unitary system of government. e. were opposed to the concept of limited government.

b. were distrustful of democracy.

Which of the following statements reflects a pluralist theory of American politics? a. American politics is dominated by a small elite. b. Public policies emerge from cooperation among elites in business labor, and government. c. Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups. d. American politics is dominated by cities at the expense of rural areas e. The American political arena is made up of isolated individuals who have few group affiliations outside the family.

c. Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups

Proposal of a formal amendment to the Constitution requires: a. a majority vote of the Supreme Court. b. state conventions c. a two-thirds vote in Congress. d. the president's approval. e. a simple majority vote in Congress.

c. a two-thirds vote in Congress.

The federal system a. decreases opportunities for political participation. b. decreases judicial power. c. decentralizes our politics. d. centralizes our politics. e. decreases the number of government officeholders.

c. decentralizes our politics.

In Marbury v. Madison (1803), the Supreme Court assumed the power to a. decide whether internal congressional procedures are constitutional b. approve executive agreements c. decide on the constitutionality of a law or an executive action d. regulate slavery e. advise Congress on the constitutionality of a proposed law

c. decide on the constitutionality of a law or an executive action

In a federal system of government, political power is primarily a. divided between regional governments and local governments b. vested in local governments c. divided between the central government and regional governments d. vested in the central government e. vested in the regional governments

c. divided between the central government and regional governments

Congress would be required to use the "elastic clause" of the Constitution to a. change citizenship requirements b. authorize the treasury to print money c. impose workplace safety standards d. declare war e. increase tax rates

c. impose workplace safety standards

Following the Civil War, the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was designed to overturn the a. Slaughterhouse cases b. Plessy v. Ferguson ruling c. Civil Rights Act of 1866 d. Dred Scott decision e. Emancipation Proclamation

d. Dred Scott decision

Which of the following principles protects, a citizen from imprisonment without trial? a. Popular sovereignty b. Separation of powers c. Checks and balances d. Due process e. Representative government

d. Due process

"The Congress shall have the power ... to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by the Constitution in the government of the United States, or any department or officer thereof." Interpretations of this clause have been central to attempts to define the nature of which of the following aspects of the United States political system? a. Due process of law b. Pluralism c. Republicanism d. federalism e. Judicial review

d. federalism

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances, as established by the Constitution? a. The requirement that presidential appointments to the Supreme Court be approved by the Senate. b. A requirement that states lower their legal drinking age to eighteen as a condition of receiving funds through federal highway grant programs c. The Supreme Court's ability to overturn a lower court decision d. Media criticism of public officials during an election campaign period e. The election of the President by the electoral college rather than by direct election

a. The requirement that presidential appointments to the Supreme Court be approved by the Senate.

Which one is NOT a presidential role authorized by the Constitution? a. To lead the political party of the President b. To negotiate treaties with foreign nations c. To be chief executive d. To be commander in chief of the armed forces e. To present the State of the Union address

a. To lead the political party of the President

Federalism is a. a system of shared power by the state and national governments. b. sole government authority in the states. c. a three-branch government with a system of checks and balances. d. the same as unitary government. e. sole government authority in the national government.

a. a system of shared power by the state and national governments.

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution a. after the ratification process was complete, and partly to fulfill a promise to those who supported ratification. b. piece by piece during the first hundred years of its operation. c. during the Constitutional Convention, at the insistence of Thomas Jefferson. d. before the ratification process. e. in 1865 after the union victory in the Civil War.

a. after the ratification process was complete, and partly to fulfill a promise to those who supported ratification.

A consequence of separation of powers and checks and balances has been a. fragmented policymaking processes. b. the inability of groups to get their grievances heard. c. the tyranny of the majority. d. an "imperial presidency." e. streamlined, but hasty, government decision making.

a. fragmented policymaking processes.

The Framers adopted the Three-Fifths Compromise in order to a. garner support from Southern delegates at the Constitutional Convention. b. limit the power of Congress to tax exports. c. end the disagreement over how state representation would be determined. d. ensure that some powers remained in the hands of the states.

a. garner support from Southern delegates at the Constitutional Convention.

Pluralist theory contends that in the United States a. many groups vie for power with no one set of groups dominating. b. society is governed solely by an upper-class elite. c. too many influential groups cripple government's ability to govern. d. the many members of Congress dominate a singular official such as the president. e. most citizens fail to pay attention to serious issues.

a. many groups vie for power with no one set of groups dominating.

In 2001, Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act, which President George W. Bush signed. This act required states to administer regular standardized exams to students starting in the third grade. States that refused to do this would not receive federal education funds. This is an example of a. the national government using the grant process to influence state behavior. b. a president using an executive order to bypass states' obstruction of policy. c. Congress exercising its enumerated power over education policy. d. an unfunded federal mandate.

a. the national government using the grant process to influence state behavior.

Which of the following statements would best support the assertion that the United States is a participatory democracy? a. Most political candidates accept contributions from political action committees and interest groups. b. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the right to vote was expanded to more citizens in the United States. c. A college education has become an informal qualification for holding national office. d. The sheer number of interest groups in the United States has significantly slowed the legislative process.

b. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the right to vote was expanded to more citizens in the United States.

Informal changes to the Constitution have come about as a result of all of the following EXCEPT a. tradition. b. constitutional amendments. c. congressional legislation. d. judicial interpretation. e. custom

b. constitutional amendments.

The importance of Shays' Rebellion to the development of the United States Constitution was that it a. demonstrated the intensity of anti-ratification sentiment within the thirteen states b. indicated that a strong, constitutionally designed national government was needed to protect property and maintain order c. revealed the necessity of both adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution and creating a new system of checks and balances d. convinced the delegates attending the Constitutional Convention to accept the Connecticut Plan e. reinforced the idea that slavery should be outlawed in the new Constitution

b. indicated that a strong, constitutionally designed national government was needed to protect property and maintain order

All of these are advantages of federalism EXCEPT: a. it allows for a greater diversity of opinion to be reflected in public policies. b. it reduces the amount of experimentation on public policy c. it allows customization of policies for local needs. d. it increases access to government. e. it allows more opportunities for political participation.

b. it reduces the amount of experimentation on public policy

In The Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that factions in a republic are a. a more serious threat if the republic is large b. natural but controllable by institutions c. prevented by free elections d. not likely to occur if people are honest e. prevented by majority rule

b. natural but controllable by institutions

The reserved powers of the state governments can best be described as those powers a. exercised by both national and state governments b. not specifically granted to the national government or denied to the states c. implied in the Fifth Amendment d. granted to states as part of the implied powers doctrine e. listed specifically in the Tenth Amendment

b. not specifically granted to the national government or denied to the states

The government designed at the Constitutional Convention allowed the voters to directly elect a. only the president. b. only the House of Representatives. c. the president and all members of Congress. d. both the House and Senate. e. only the Senate.

b. only the House of Representatives.

Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution would a. strengthen the power of state governors b. provide for elite control, endanger liberty, and weaken the states. c. give too much power to the states. d. promote pluralism, which would threaten liberty. e. produce excessive democracy.

b. provide for elite control, endanger liberty, and weaken the states.

Question 61 Federal mandates impose burdens upon: a. the President. b. state and local governments. c. federal taxpayers. d. foreign governments. e. Congress.

b. state and local governments.

Which of the following accurately characterizes the main difference between elite theories and pluralist theories of politics in the United States? a. Elite theories emphasize the multiple access points that interest groups have to public officials; pluralist theories stress the limits in the number and effectiveness of such access points. b. Elite theories view government as efficient; pluralist theories view it as slow and wasteful. c. Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates politics in all policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete for power in different policy areas. d. Elite theories argue that social status is the major source of political power; pluralist theories argue that wealth is the major source. e. Elite theories concentrate on the role of interest groups; pluralist theories emphasize the role of individuals.

c. Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates politics in all policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete for power in different policy areas

The practical effect of the necessary and proper clause has been a. ensure that any powers not delegated by the Constitution to the United States government are reserved to he states and the people b. make the legislature the most powerful branch of the national government c. allow the national government to extend its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution d. give the President uncontested powers in the area of foreign policy e. allow state governments to nullify federal laws within their borders

c. allow the national government to extend its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution

The Connecticut Compromise at the Constitutional Convention a. involved the federal judiciary b. settled the dispute over whether slavery should be allowed in the final constitution. c. resolved the impasse over the issue of representation in Congress. d. added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. e. established an indirectly-elected president.

c. resolved the impasse over the issue of representation in Congress.

The primary intent of the Tenth Amendment is that a. the national government can take control of a state government during a national emergency. b. national laws override state laws when there is a conflict between the two. c. states have certain powers that are reserved for them. d. both the states and national government are bound by the limitations in the Bill of Rights. e. state legislatures have the ultimate authority to determine what a state government's powers are.

c. states have certain powers that are reserved for them.

Which of the following was NOT a problem with the national government under the Articles of Confederation? a. the lack of an executive to lead the nation b. the lack of a standing army c. the lack of power given to state legislatures d. the unwillingness of the states to provide money for the central government e. the inability of the central national government to regulate the national economy

c. the lack of power given to state legislatures

Which of the following is one of the central concerns of the First Amendment? a. the protection of rights of those accused of committing a crime b. the supremacy of the national over the state governments c. the right of citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances d. the right of the citizens to bear arms e. the division of powers among the three branches

c. the right of citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances

Under the Articles of Confederation, most governmental power rested in a. the town councils b. the judiciary. c. the state governments. d. the national government. e. the president.

c. the state governments.

Political parties are an important example of the a. formal amendment process b. Third Amendment. c. unwritten constitution. d. wishes of the founders. e. rigidity of the Constitution.

c. unwritten constitution.

The new Republican majority in Congress in the 1990s preferred block grants to categorical grants because it: a. wanted to increase federal aid to state governments. b. intended to raise more money from state governments to reduce the federal budget deficit. c. wanted the federal government to exercise less authority over the states. d. wanted to decrease federal aid to state governments. e. wanted federal money to be spent at the neighborhood level rather than the state level.

c. wanted the federal government to exercise less authority over the states.

The principle of the supremacy of federal law over state law was affirmed in a. the Tenth Amendment. b. Marbury v. Madison. c. the presidential election of 1800. d. McCulloch v. Maryland. e. United States v. Lopez.

d. McCulloch v. Maryland.

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court established which of the following principles? a. The federal Bill of Rights places no limitations on the states. b. The judicial branch cannot intervene in political disputes between the President and Congress. c. The federal government has the power to regulate commerce. d. States cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government. e. It is within the judiciary's authority to interpret the constitution.

d. States cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government.

The procedure for formally amending the United States Constitution best illustrates which of the following? a. The dominance of the state governments over the national government b. The Founding Fathers' desire to facilitate rapid constitutional revisions c. The dominance of the national government over the state governments d. The federal structure of the United States e. The Supreme Court's power to review constitutional amendments

d. The federal structure of the United States

Shays' Rebellion was a. an uprising by small merchants demanding credit. b. a slave uprising in Virginia. c. an uprising by Revolutionary War veterans demanding pensions. d. an uprising by farmers to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms. e. the most decisive battle of the Revolutionary War.

d. an uprising by farmers to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms.

The Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison (1803) asserted the power of the Court to a. confirm presidential appointments. b. determine its own size and makeup. c. impeach the president. d. check the actions of the other branches through judicial review. e. nullify constitutional amendments.

d. check the actions of the other branches through judicial review.

The Madisonian requirement that each branch of government acquire the consent of the others for many of its actions created a system of a. constitutional republic. b. confederated government. c. cross-cutting requirements. d. checks and balances. e. unitary government.

d. checks and balances

The "wall of separation" doctrine refers to the a. differentiation between state and federal powers b. unique powers possessed by each branch of government c. barrier between legislative and executive branches d. division of church and state e. division between levels of government

d. division of church and state

As originally ratified, the United States Constitution included provisions designed to a. limit the importation of foreign manufactured goods b. expand the states' powers to regulate their own commerce with foreign countries c. guarantee the states a greater role in economic policy-making d. increase the economic powers of the central government e. increase the economic importance of the agrarian sector relative to that of the manufacturing sector

d. increase the economic powers of the central government

The author of Brutus No. 1 wrote that a "that a free republic cannot succeed over a country of such immense extent." This quote argues that the United States a. should be broken into smaller countries. b. is destined to expand. c. should adopt a unitary form of government. d. is too large to govern as a single entity.

d. is too large to govern as a single entity.

All of the following are specifically mentioned in the Constitution EXCEPT a. rules of impeachment b. the state of the Union address c. length of term of federal judgeships d. judicial review e. the national census

d. judicial review

The expansion of the right to vote through various amendments best supports which of the following models of representative democracy? a. Pluralist democracy b. Elite democracy c. Hyperpluralist democracy d. Participatory democracy

d. participatory democracy

The Framers adopted a federal system for all of the following reasons EXCEPT: a. Americans' loyalty to state governments was stronger than it was to the United States. b. The population was too dispersed for a unitary system to work. c. The confederation had clearly failed in managing the country's problems. d. Transportation and communication systems were too primitive for a unitary government to work. e. Americans had weak allegiance to their states.

e. Americans had weak allegiance to their states.

In the Constitution as originally ratified in 1788, the provisions regarding which of the following most closely approximate popular, majoritarian democracy? a. Election of members of the Senate b. Confirmation of presidential appointments c. Ratification of treaties d. Election of the President e. Election of members of the House of Representatives

e. Election of members of the House of Representatives

Which of the following actions by the federal government best illustrates the concept of unfunded mandates? a. Requiring all municipalities to impose a minimum property tax on all residential and business properties b. Requiring that polling booths remain open beyond the hours of the workday c. Requiring state governments to guarantee short-term bonds issued by large municipalities in their states d. Requiring states and municipalities to privatize many previously publicly funded services e. Requiring states and municipalities to provide certain services for their citizens without providing resources to pay for those services

e. Requiring states and municipalities to provide certain services for their citizens without providing resources to pay for those services

The Tenth Amendment most often comes into conflict with which section of the Constitution? a. The provisions for constitutional amendment b. The "full faith and credit" clause c. The clause prohibiting states from coining money and entering into treaties d. The provisions for the impeachment of a president e. The "necessary and proper" clause

e. The "necessary and proper" clause

Which of the following is true under the system of checks and balances? a. A bill becomes law when the House and the Senate pass it, and the Supreme Court declares it constitutional. b. House of Representatives appoints justices to the Supreme Court & the Senate approves the appointments. c. The Supreme court can overrule the President's policy proposals. d. The Supreme Court can remove members of Congress, and Congress can impeach the President. e. The Senate must ratify treaties negotiated by the President before they become law.

e. The Senate must ratify treaties negotiated by the President before they become law.

The United States has increasingly relied on the national government to solve problems primarily because: a. of persistent corruption in state and local government. b. the Tenth Amendment gave increased power to the national government. c. its unitary system of government. d. of incompetence of state governments. e. a problem or policy often requires the authority and resources of the national government.

e. a problem or policy often requires the authority and resources of the national government.

All of the following are consequences of the federal system in the United States EXCEPT a. decentralization of political conflict b. opportunities for experimentation in government programs c. multiple points of access for interest groups d. inequality in government services across subnational entities e. a strict division of power among levels of government

e. a strict division of power among levels of government

In The Federalist papers, James Madison expressed the view that political factions a. should be nurtured by a free nation b. should play a minor role in any free nation c. are necessary to control the masses in a free nation d. are central to the creation of a free nation e. are undesirable but inevitable in a free nation

e. are undesirable but inevitable in a free nation

The legislative process at the national level reflects the intent of the framers of the Constitution to create a legislature that would a. be less powerful than the executive b. allow majorities virtually unlimited control over policy c. involve as many citizens as possible d. ensure that all groups be equally represented e. be cautious and deliberate

e. be cautious and deliberate

Madison believed that in order to prevent a "tyranny of the majority" the new government should include all the following EXCEPT a. creating political institutions that could function with the consent of a majority b. creating different branches of government with distinctive and separate powers c. limiting the ability of the electorate to vote directly for government officials except members of the House d. creating a system of checks and balances e. limiting the president's term of office

e. limiting the president's term of office

The framers of the Constitution all believed that one of the primary functions of government is a. expanding the borders of the nation b. ensuring that anyone accused of a crime has the right to legal representation c. protecting new immigrants from persecution d. educating citizens e. protecting individual property rights

e. protecting individual property rights

On the issue of slavery, the Constitution specified a. that a gradual end to slavery must be worked out by Congress and the states within ten years. b. that slavery would be banned beginning in 1800. c. that slavery was guaranteed in all states. d. the Mason-Dixon line to establish free and slave states. e. that three-fifths of the slaves would count for population in determining the number of House seats to which each state would be entitled.

e. that three-fifths of the slaves would count for population in determining the number of House seats to which each state would be entitled.

All of the following issues were decided at the Constitutional Convention EXCEPT a. qualifications for members of the House and Senate b. method of electing the President c. congressional power to override a presidential veto d. representation in the legislature e. voting qualifications of the electorate

e. voting qualifications of the electorate