AP GOV FINAL
In which of the following cases did the Supreme Court first claim the right of judicial review?
Response: Marbury v. Madison
A(n) __________ brief provides legal rationale of an interest group in hopes of swaying the Supreme Court's decision.
amicus curiae
Which best describes a president's constitutional duty to Congress?
he president must give Congress an occasional update on the state of the union.
Shays' Rebellion contributed to calls for a stronger national government because Response: it indicated that the state and national governments were weak.
it indicated that the state and national governments were weak.
Which of the following is the authority of a court to hear and decide the issues in a particular case?
jurisdiction
Which of the following best explains how political parties use party platforms?
The platform is used to define the party's general stance on political issues.
Which of the following scenarios would be considered a constitutional use of executive power?
The president confers diplomatic recognition on the new nation of South Sudan
The vast majority of all cases are tried in __________. a. federal courts b. the U.S. district courts c. state courts d. appellate courts
C
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the two court cases? McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) United States v. Lopez (1995) (A) Declared an act of Congress unconstitutional Recognized the important of state sovereignty and local control (B) Decided that Congress had implied powers Ruled that state laws were supreme to national laws (C) Led to an increase in power for the national government Established limits to Congress' power under the commerce clause (D) Decided that a state had the power to tax a national bank Declared the Gun Free School Zones Act unconstitutional
C
Why have there been relatively few constitutional amendments?
10th Amendment
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of Elite Class Theory and Pluralism? Elite Class Theory Pluralism (A) a community's affairs are best handled by a small subset of its members power is distributed among many groups (B) political gridlock often occurs power is a continuous bargaining process between competing groups (C) too many groups are getting too much of what they want a small minority holds the most power (D) consensus is essential to political compromise power is NOT concentrated but shared among variety of groups
A
__________ is the authority that the federal bureaucracy uses to make the best choices to implement policies
Administrative discretion
Which of the following is a consequence of consumer-driven media outlets?
An increase in sensational stories and attack journalism rather than factual reporting
"It is a president's constitutional right to nominate a Supreme Court justice, and it is the Senate's constitutional right to act as a check on a president. The American people are perfectly capable of having their say on this issue, so let's give them a voice. Let's let the American people decide. The Senate will appropriately revisit the matter when it considers the qualifications of the nominee the next president nominates, whoever that might be," -Majority Leader Mitch McConnellCritics of the Senate Majority Leader ostracized this decision as an inability to fulfill this role in the Constitution?
Article 2 Section 2, Advise and Consent
For a case to be heard in the Supreme Court, a minimum of how many justices must vote to hear the case? a. one b. four c. five d. six
B
Only a(n) __________ court can review the decisions of a lower court .a. trial b. appellate c. administrative d.legislative
B
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of liberal and conservative views concerning economic policy? LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE (A) Laissez faire economics Keynesian economics (B) Equality of opportunity is a core value Individualism is a core value (C) Support low taxes for the elites Support no taxes for corporations (D) Government should have a weak role in economic matters. Government should have a robust role in economic matters.
B
Which comparison is true? Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation How the weaknesses of the Articles were addressed in the Constitution (A) 9 out of 13 states were needed to pass legislation The Great (Connecticut) Compromise (B) No national currency Bills concerning revenue originate in the House of Representatives (C) Unanimous consent needed to amend the Articles The three-fifths compromise (D) No control of interstate trade The Commerce Clause
D
ch of the following is an accurate comparison of Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on government? Federalist Anti-Federalist (A) Favored a weak central government and strong state governments Favored a strong central government and weak state governments (B) Believed the creation of a bill of rights was necessary Believed the creation of a bill of rights was not necessary (C) Favored the legislative branch having more power than the executive Favored increasing the power of the national judiciary over the states (D) Believed a large republic ensured the best protection of individual freedoms Believed only a small republic could best ensure protection of individual freedoms
D
Which of the following most established the idea of natural rights?
Declaration of Independence
The mission of the Department of Transportation is to ensure the safety and efficiency of the transportation system. The Department of Transportation has accepted public comments regarding the safety of automated vehicles in the United States in order to establish standards and guidelines for this new technology. Which of the following concepts is most related to the scenario?
Delegated discretionary authority
Which of the following is NOT a core value of United States political culture?
Equality of outcome
Which statement accurately summarizes the impact of the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) decision?It allows political action committees (PACS) to spend unlimited amounts of money on individual candidate campaigns
It allows corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on political activities that are independent of a party or candidate
Which of the following impacts on political participation has resulted from the decrease in barriers to publishing on the internet?
It has allowed people with little or no political experience or connections to have significant influence on elections
In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton states, "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning." Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most relevant to this statement?
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Which of the following is the MOST accurate generalization about American political ideology
Most Americans are politically moderate
The president may be convinced that a piece of legislation is unwise. But his judgment as to its un-wisdom is not a legal reason for his declining to execute it. (It may be a reason to veto it, and one of the objections to signing statements is that they are vetoes not subject to override.) And the president may have a definite view as to what the legislation means, and that view might include conclusions as to its constitutionality, but his is not the view that counts. He may be the commander in chief, but he is not the interpreter in chief."-Stanley Fish, "Who's Afraid of Presidential Signing Statements?" Source: New York TimesWhich of the following statements best summarizes Fish's argument?
Signing statements go beyond the president's expressed constitutional powers
The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) relates to foundational documents in which of the following ways?
The Federalist 78 is about the power and role of the federal courts, and in Marbury v. Madison, Madison expands that role by giving the courts the power to determine whether laws or executive actions conflict with the Constitution.
Which of the following is one way in which the White House staff is different from the president's Cabinet?
The White House staff is not subject to Senate confirmation
Congress can remove a president through __________.
a Senate impeachment trial
The House Rules Committee is an important part of the legislative process because it
determines the terms and conditions of debate when a bill goes to the House floor
Presidents often use __________ to sidestep the constitutional "advice and consent" of the Senate that is required for formal ratification of treaties.
executive agreements
Which of the following best describes the argument made in Federalist No. 10?
Factions are inevitable but republican government can control them
Which of the following constitutional principles best explains why there is variation among states on the use of capital punishment?
Federalism
Which of the following statements accurately describes federalism in the United States?
Federalism is a sharing of powers between national and state governments.
A writ of __________ is a request submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court decision.
certiorari
Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president in 1932 after running on the Democratic Party platform that included an expansion of federal programs aimed at pulling the United States out of the Great Depression. The expansion plan, known as the New Deal, substantially increased the voting base of the Democratic Party. As a result, the Democratic Party dominated Congress and many state governments for the next half century. The election of 1932 is considered a critical election because it
changed the base of support in each party
The Connecticut (Great Compromise) provided for
A bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation.
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of federal block grants and categorical grants? Block Grants Categorical Grants (A) Let members of Congress control how to spend money in their districts Give states control over how to spend federal money locally (B) Lead to loss of congressional oversight on spending grant money Require states or localities to meet certain criteria (C) Are used primarily to combat terrorism at the local level Are available to state governments but not city governments (D) Specific how the grant money is to be spent Have declined in favor of block grants
B
ch of the following is an accurate comparison of Federalist Paper # 10 and Federalist Paper # 51? Federalist Paper # 10 Federalist Paper # 51 (A) a powerful federal judiciary providing for a federal system (B) a safeguard against domestic factions furnishing proper checks and balances (C) Alexander Hamilton John Jay (D) separation of powers judicial review
B
ch of the following is an accurate comparison of constitutional provisions? Enhance Federal Power Enhance State Power (A) Necessary and proper clause Fourteenth Amendment (B) Commerce Clause Tenth Amendment (C) Supremacy Clause Eight Amendment (D) Fifth Amendment Article V
B
ch of the following is an accurate comparison of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation? Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation (A) supported by Anti-Federalists supported by Federalists (B) James Madison Thomas Jefferson (C) a list of colonial grievances a federal constitution, ratified in 1789 (D) asserts certain natural and legal rights served as the first constitution, with a limited central government
D
"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States . . . The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative . . ."SECTION 3 "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote."Sections 2 and 3 of the United States ConstitutionThe excerpt above is the result of which compromise in the Constitutional Convention?
Great (Connecticut) Compromise
To which of the following congressional committees would a proposal to reform the national income-tax system initially be sent?
House Ways and Means Committee
Which of the following is a difference between the House and the Senate?
House members serve for two-year terms and Senators for six-year terms.
Which is the most democratic institution of government that represents the framers' commitment to a limited republic?
House of Representatives
Which linkage institution is primarily responsible for keeping the electorate informed about political issues, policymaking, and leadership transitions in government?
News media
Use the passage below to answer the following question."That unity is conducive to energy will not be disputed. Decision, activity, secrecy, and despatch will generally characterize the proceedings of one man in a much more eminent degree than the proceedings of any greater number; and in proportion as the number is increased, these qualities will be diminished . . ."-Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 70, "The Executive Department Further Considered," 1788Which of the following statements best summarizes Hamilton's argument?
One person should run the executive branch because they will be able to act swiftly, decisively, and discreetly, which is necessary for the presidency
Only 24 states have an initiative process. Nevada is one of those states, and in 2016, the state of Nevada voted on Nevada Background Checks for Gun Purchases, which would require individuals who intend to purchase guns from someone who does not have a firearms license to undergo a background check. This would be an example of
Participatory democracy
Which of the following describes the ruling in Shaw v. Reno (1993) ?
Racial gerrymandering was ruled unconstitutional.
In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), the Supreme Court ruled that corporations and labor unions could spend unlimited amounts of money supporting political candidates under certain circumstances. Which of the following was the basis for the Court's ruling?
The freedom of speech in the First Amendment
Which of the following may the president do to limit the power of Congress?
The president can veto a congressional bill that has passed the House and Senate.
Which of the following statements is the most valid criticism of voting for a third party in the US political system?
Your third-party vote may help a candidate that you disagree with
In Federalist #70, Alexander Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for:
a single executive who can respond quickly to crises
The __________ consists of the departments, agencies, and offices within the executive branch that perform the functions of government.
bureaucracy
Who presides over trials for presidential impeachment? a. the vice president b. the Speaker of the House c. the chief justice d. the president of the Senate
c
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the S. 1 foreign policy legislation that he introduced with Senators Rubio, Risch and Gardner, and obstruction from Senate Democrats:"Later this afternoon, the Senate will hold its fourth cloture vote on a package of important foreign-policy legislation that was introduced back on January 4th. For weeks, now, Senate Democrats have effectively filibustered this legislation and blocked it from moving forward. At first, my colleague the Democratic Leader said his party was simply opposed to considering any other business during the partial government shutdown.." -Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, January 28th, 2019Which of the following methods is the formal method for ending a filibuster mentioned by McConnell in his speech? How many votes are needed for it to pass?
cloture; 60
But the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others. The provision for defense must in this, as in all other cases, be made commensurate to the danger of attack. Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.- James Madison, The Federalist paper number 51Which of the following statements best summarizes Madison's argument?
In order to avoid tyranny, powers should be separated
Which of these statements best explains why the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been important to expanding political participation in the United States?
It enforced the Fifteenth Amendment by preventing states from using legal barriers to prevent African Americans from voting Score: 1 out of 1
"That unity is conducive to energy will not be disputed. Decision, activity, secrecy, and despatch will generally characterize the proceedings of one man in a much more eminent degree than the proceedings of any greater number; and in proportion as the number is increased, these qualities will be diminished . . ."-Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 70, "The Executive Department Further Considered," 1788Which of the following scenarios would be considered an example of how unity is conducive to energy in the executive branch, as defined by the author of the passage?
John F. Kennedy's secret negotiations ending the Cuban Missile Crisis
Shortly after the 2008 election, President Obama appointed outspoken and controversial House member Rahm Emanuel to lead his White House as chief of staff. The selection drew criticism from Republican leaders, including House minority leader John Boehner, who remarked that the selection "is an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil, and govern from the center." Which of the following explains how Congress could legitimately respond to the appointment?
Members of Congress could issue statements opposing the appointment but have no formal power to block it.
"If the States may tax one instrument, employed by the government in the execution of its powers, they may tax any and every other instrument. They may tax the mail; they may tax the mint; they may tax patent rights; they may tax the papers of the custom-house; they may tax judicial process; they may tax all the means employed by the government, to an excess which would defeat all the ends of government. This was not intended by the American people. . . . The Court has bestowed on this subject its most deliberate consideration. The result is a conviction that the States have no power, by taxation or otherwise, to retard, impede, burden, or in any manner control, the operations of the constitutional laws enacted by Congress to carry into execution the powers vested in the general government. This is, we think, the unavoidable consequence of that supremacy which the constitution has declared." —Chief Justice John Marshall, McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819 Which clause is John Marshall explaining in this case decision?
Supremecy
During political campaigns before an election, the news media is said to cover the campaigns like horse race. Which of the following statements best explains the reason for this analogy?
The press relies heavily on measurements like poll numbers as a constant comparison of candidates' relative success in a campaign.
Use the passage below to answer the following question."The mystique of inside information—"if you only knew what we know"—was a most effective way to defend the national-security monopoly and prevent democratic control of foreign policy . . .The power to leak meant the power to tell the people what it served the government's purpose that they should know . . .The power to withhold and the power to leak led on inexorably to the power to lie. The secrecy system instilled in the executive branch the idea that foreign policy was no one's business save its own, and the uncontrolled secrecy made it easy for lying to become routine."-Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973Which of the following scenarios provides the best justification for an expansive interpretation of presidential power?
The rapid response necessary after a threat of nuclear war
Which of the following is a constitutional power that the president shares with the Senate?
making treaties
Which of the following policies is an example of state action to improve voter turnout?
motor voter law
Which of the following is a presidential role in the federal bureaucracy?
nominating people for some federal jobs
