AP GOV MIDTERM
To enforce the Fourteenth Amendment more clearly, Congress passed the A Civil Rights Act of 1964 B Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act C Social Security Act D Twenty-sixth Amendment E War Powers Resolution
A Civil Rights Act of 1964
With respect to prayer in public schools, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that A state-sponsored prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment B state-sponsored prayer is permitted by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment C since educational policy is controlled largely by state governments, the First Amendment does not affect school policy on prayer D the free exercise clause permits teachers to mandate silent prayer E in school districts in which local authorities can demonstrate that all students belong to a single religion, mandated prayer is permissible
A state-sponsored prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment
Which of the following is argued by James Madison in The Federalist paper number 10? A A system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism. B Small republics are better able to ensure individual liberty than are large republics. C The presence of a few large factions helps to protect the rights of minorities. D Participatory democracy is the surest way to prevent tyranny. E The elimination of the causes of factionalism is the best protection against tyranny.
A A system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism.
Which of the following is an example of checks and balances? A An unpopular Supreme Court ruling can be overturned by a majority vote of both houses of Congress. B A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. C A filibuster in the Senate can be ended with a cloture motion that has the support of 60 senators. D A treaty negotiated by the president with a foreign government must be approved by a majority vote of the House.
B A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Which of the following would most likely be protected by the First Amendment? A A reporter knowingly publishes a false story that injures the subject's reputation. B A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war. C An individual issues a threat against another individual on social media. D An individual spray paints graffiti on a public building to protest a government action.
B A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war.
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of policy positions advocated by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party?
B Dems:Favors increases in spending for programs such as Medicare and Medicaid Reps:Favors significant increases in defense and military spending in the federal budget
Which of the following characteristics best explains the data on the map? A The exclusive powers granted to the states in the Constitution allow them to determine health-care policy. B Federalism creates differences between states on the implementation of health-care policy. C The Tenth Amendment instructs Congress to make laws but guarantees the rights of states to implement federal policies, such as health-care policy. D The incorporation of the Fourteenth Amendment has allowed the federal government to guarantee health care to all citizens, but some citizens may opt out.
B Federalism creates differences between states on the implementation of health-care policy.
Which of the following amendments to the Constitution most likely provides the basis for a driver to challenge the constitutionality of police use of sobriety checkpoints in enforcing drunk driving laws? A The First Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances B The Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure C The Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination D The Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment E The Tenth Amendment right of states to powers not given to the national government
B The Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure
Constitutional checks and balances, especially applied to the president, are designed to A provide for a balanced budget B minimize the threat of tyranny from any one branch of government C ensure that the states do not become too powerful D ensure efficient government E ensure that the federal government is militarily strong
B minimize the threat of tyranny from any one branch of government
Which of the following principles protects a citizen from imprisonment without trial? A Representative government B Separation of powers C Due process D Checks and balances E Popular sovereignty
C Due process
Which of the following is most likely responsible for the increase in the number of southern African American state legislators between 1960 and 1992 as shown in the graph? A The Civil Rights Act of 1964 B Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) C The Voting Rights Act of 1965 D The Nineteenth Amendment
C The Voting Rights Act of 1965
Agree-Disagree The best way to ensure peace is through military strength. (55% agree, 42% disagree) Forced Choice The best way to ensure peace is through military strength (33%) OR Diplomacy is the best way to ensure peace (55%) Which of the following is the best conclusion a polling group might draw from the results of the two polls? A Including loaded phrases such as "military strength" in questions skews the results of the poll. B Asking the same question twice biases respondents, encouraging them to change their position. C Using an agree-or-disagree format encourages respondents to agree with the position. D A majority of Americans support using military force to ensure peace.
C Using an agree-or-disagree format encourages respondents to agree with the position.
Candidates for political office use public opinion polls for all of the following purposes EXCEPT to A assess recognition of the candidate's name B measure voters' support for the candidate's issues C bring the opposition's opinions into alignment with those of the candidate D fine-tune policy stands E identify key issues among the voters
C bring the opposition's opinions into alignment with those of the candidate
The Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause declares that "No State shall . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." In which of the following scenarios is this clause most likely to be used by the Supreme Court in its decision? A A state law levies a tax on a bank established by the federal government. B Congress uses the commerce clause to establish a gun-free school zone. C A media company is prevented from publishing a classified document. D A local school district mandates racially segregated schools.
D A local school district mandates racially segregated schools.
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of an exit poll and a tracking poll?
D Exit Poll: Responses can be used to judge election results before the official count is obtained. Tracking Poll:The poll is conducted over time to obtain information about changes in public opinion.
The Supreme Court has ruled which of the following concerning the death penalty? A A state may not impose the death penalty on a noncitizen. B Lethal injection is the only constitutionally acceptable method of execution. C Females may not be executed. D The death penalty is not necessarily cruel and unusual punishment. E The death penalty violates the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.
D The death penalty is not necessarily cruel and unusual punishment.
The clear-and-present danger test devised by the Supreme Court was designed to define the conditions under which public authorities could A ban obscene materials B suspend habeas corpus protections C mobilize the National Guard D limit free speech E commit troops to situations of potential foreign combat
D limit free speech
The Articles of Confederation implemented the principle of A a strong national government B a unified system of taxes C universal suffrage D an independent judiciary E state sovereignty
E state sovereignty
The Connecticut (Great) Compromise provided for A all revenue bills to originate in the Senate B all judicial appointments to be nominated by the president C the elimination of the importation of slaves D an electoral college and rules for the removal of the president E a bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation
E a bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation
Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon? A State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government's mandates. B State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states. C State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent. D The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities.
State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent.
Writing for the court in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), a case weighing whether race can be considered in college admissions, Justice Lewis Powell wrote: "Preferring members of any one group for no reason other than race or ethnic origin is discrimination for its own sake. This the Constitution forbids. . . . The . . . goal asserted by petitioner is the attainment of a diverse student body. This clearly is a constitutionally permissible goal for an institution of higher education. . . . The freedom of a university to make its own judgments as to education includes the selection of its student body." According to the quote, what is the likely effect of the Court's ruling in the Bakke case? A Colleges can consider race but cannot use strict racial quotas in admission practices. B Affirmative action practices can never be employed in college admission decisions. C As a result of the Bakke decision, colleges and universities stopped considering race as a factor in admissions. D The Bakke decision affected the admissions practices only at private colleges, not at public universities.
A Colleges can consider race but cannot use strict racial quotas in admission practices.
Which of the following is commonly identified as a failure of the Articles of Confederation? A The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue. B The executive branch was granted too much power over the legislature. C The federal government had too much control over interstate commerce. D The judicial branch was elected and did not consistently adhere to rule of law.
A The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue.
Which of the following powers allows both the federal and state governments to make policies involving taxation? A Concurrent powers B Exclusive powers C Implied powers D Enumerated powers
A Concurrent powers
Cooperative federalism can best be described by which of the following statements? A Different levels of government are involved in common policy areas. B Government must have cooperation from the people in order to make legislative decisions. C Local levels of government can make decisions on issues more efficiently than state and national governments can. D The federal government must make regulations that can be applied across every state in the same way. E Business and government can work together to more effectively accomplish shared goals.
A Different levels of government are involved in common policy areas.
Which of the following clauses in the Constitution justifies the "implied powers doctrine" ? A The necessary and proper clause B The privileges and immunities clause C The contract clause D The debts and engagements clause E The executive power clause
A The necessary and proper clause
To which level of government did the Bill of Rights originally apply? A State governments only B Federal government only C State and federal governments only D Local and federal governments only E Local, state, and federal governments
B Federal government only
The following questions refer to the following clause from the Constitution: "The Congress shall have power...to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof." The practical effect of this clause has been to A make the legislature the most powerful branch of the national government B allow the national government to extend its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution C allow the state governments to nullify federal laws within their borders D give the President uncontested powers in the area of foreign policy E ensure that any powers not delegated by the Constitution to the United States government are reserved to the states and the people
B allow the national government to extend its powers beyond those enumerated in the Constitution
When a child's parents both identify strongly with the same political party, the child will most likely A identify with the opposing party B identify with the parents' party C have a low sense of political efficacy D become an independent rather than a party identifier E become alienated from the political system
B identify with the parents' party
The clause in the United States Constitution that states that federal law will prevail in the event of a conflict between federal and state law is known as the A necessary and proper clause B supremacy clause C presentment clause D confrontation clause E equal protection clause
B supremacy clause
A state government places security cameras facing a popular site of protest in a public square in front of its statehouse. This scenario illustrates A how political attitudes quickly shift in the United States B the balance of promoting stability and ensuring civil liberties C the free-rider problem of organizing a civil rights protests D the impact of globalization on individual political attitudes
B the balance of promoting stability and ensuring civil liberties
Which of the following best matches a political ideology with that ideology's position on the proper role of government in regulating the economy? A Communitarian—The government should regulate monetary policy but not fiscal policy. B Libertarian—Government regulation should increase when the economy is in decline. C Conservative—The government should strictly limit its regulation of the marketplace. D Liberal—The government should not intervene in economic decision-making.
C Conservative—The government should strictly limit its regulation of the marketplace.
Policy that describes the impact of the federal budget (including taxes, spending, and borrowing) on the economy is referred to as which of the following? A Monetary policy B Trade policy C Fiscal policy D Antitrust policy E Capitalist policy
C Fiscal policy
Source: Pew Research Center, 2019 Which of the following statements is consistent with data shown in the bar graph?
C Republicans are more likely than Democrats to believe that there should be fewer regulations on businesses to promote economic growth and increase wages.
The United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was based on which of the following? A The First Amendment's right to freedom of expression B The Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause C The Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection D The Fourth Amendment's exclusionary rule E The Fifth Amendment's power of eminent domain
C The Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection
Which of the following best defines the constitutional interpretation of federalism? A The federal government and the states each have separate and mutually exclusive roles and responsibilities; neither controls the other. B The states have some powers reserved to them which they may exercise if the Supreme Court permits. C The federal government and the states have separate but overlapping powers; where these powers conflict the federal government prevails. D The states may only exercise those powers delegated to them by Congress. E The federal government may exercise only those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution.
C The federal government and the states have separate but overlapping powers; where these powers conflict the federal government prevails.
The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about which of the following issues? A The right of the people to rebel B The existence of slavery C The scope of power of the central government D The need to establish a standard currency E The representation of large and small states
C The scope of power of the central government
Arizona enacted an immigration law in 2010, claiming the legislation complemented existing federal law. The Obama administration disagreed, claiming the state law conflicted with national law. Which clause of the Constitution did the Supreme Court most likely use to strike down a section of the state law? A Commerce clause B Necessary and proper clause C Full faith and credit clause D Supremacy clause
D Supremacy clause
In a public opinion poll, a polling company used an online survey tool to randomly contact respondents who did not have telephone lines in addition to contacting people over the phone. Which of the following best explains this decision? A The company saved money because it did not need to hire as many telephone interviewers to conduct the poll. B The company was establishing a benchmark poll at the beginning of a campaign. C The company was interested in asking different questions to different individuals. D The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random.
D The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of concurrent powers? A The president negotiates a treaty regarding climate change with foreign governments, but for the treaty to take effect, it requires approval by the Senate. B As commander-in-chief of the military, the president orders troops to a foreign nation to address a potential threat to national security. C A Senate committee holds a hearing to discuss potential misuse of funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs. D The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the United States, while the other 75% of the funding comes from states.
D The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the United States, while the other 75% of the funding comes from states.
The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, the Equal Rights Amendment, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 were all directed toward the goal of A protecting the rights of minority children in the schools B overcoming discrimination based on sexual orientation C racial justice D equality for women E affirmative action
D equality for women
After a constitutional amendment has been proposed by both houses of Congress, its adoption requires A official filing with the secretary of state B support by a majority vote of the people C signature by the president D ratification by three-fourths of the states E publication in the Federal Register
D ratification by three-fourths of the states
Which of the following is a model of democracy that emphasizes the role of interest groups in advocating for public policy? A Participatory democracy B Elitist democracy C Majoritarian democracy D Pluralist democracy
D Pluralist democracy
Which of the following was a direct outcome of the Three-Fifths Compromise? A The number of senators increased in slaveholding states. B Slavery quickly declined, especially in larger cities in the South. C Slaveholding states were able to count slaves to determine their number of senators. D The number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased.
D The number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased.
