AP Government Final Test
In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that desegregation should be A) implemented "with all deliberate speed" B) monitored by local school officials C) implemented with "due concern" for public safety D) delayed until there were significant "shifts in resources" for school
A
A(n)_________ is a written authorization from a court specifying the area to be searched and what the police are searching for A) ex post facto law B) search warrant C) writ of habeas corpus D) Majority opinion
B
A categorical grant uses federal funds for A) the private sector B) education only C) the accomplishment of broad goals D) specific purposes
D
Right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures
4th
Prevention of self-incrimination
5th
Right to be free from cruel punishments
8th
Rights not listed are retained by the people
9th
A block grant is essentially a A) grant to be used for more general purposes than a categorical grant B) project grant with tighter restrictions than a categorical grant C) reverse grant-in-aid where money flows from states to the federal government D) project grant with an unlimited budget
A
A judicial activist is a judge who believes A) that courts should create policy through decisions B) that courts have no responsibility to interpret laws C) in a conservative ideology D) in limited the power of the courts
A
A problem the text notes about the Americans with Disabilities Act is A) a clear definition of who is "disabled" B) a lack of public support military veterans C) that states can choose to ignore it D) how it may affect de jure segregation
A
A progressive tax is characterized by A) applying a higher tax rate to individuals with higher income B) its applied only to products that are imported C) taxing all income levels at the same rate D) it applies to states only
A
All of the following statements reflect positions the Supreme Court has taken with regard to the right of free speech EXCEPT: A) There are no acceptable governmental restrictions on free speech. B) Free speech includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the spoken, written and the symbolic C) The right to free speech is a fundamental natural right. D) As a result of the addition of the Fourteenth Amendment, the First Amendment protects free speech from being censored by both the federal and state governments.
A
For the Founders, federalism was a means to A) protect liberty B) guarantee the right to an abortion C) encourage civil disobedience, treason, and riots D) make the president an independent decision-maker with no accountability to any other entity
A
Rights not listed are reserved to the states or people
10th
Right to criticize public officials
1st
Right to exercise your religion
1st
Right to publish material
1st
Right to bear arms
2nd
Right to be free from burden of housing and feeding soldiers
3rd
Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs are concerned about the quality of services at hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Which of the following is an action the committee can take to address the problem? A) Holding a hearing and subpoenaing high-level officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs to testify B) Impounding funding for veterans hospitals until problems are resolved C) Placing a referendum on the ballot in each state to increase health-care funding for veterans D) Appointing a new secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
A
Of the following, which is the most powerful figure in Congress? A) Speaker of the House B) Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee C) Minority Whip of the Senate D) Majority Whip of the House
A
Revision of bills are usually resolved in which of the following settings? A) In the appropriate standing committee B) In the president's office C) On the floor of each house of Congreess D) In the Marjority Leader's Office
A
Supporters of Hamilton's view that the bill of rights could be dangerous to the liberty could point to which of the following cases A) Schenck v. United states B) Engels v. Vitale C) New York times Co v. United states D) Tinker v. Des Moines
A
Symbolic Speech A) is an action that conveys a message B) is only directed at an elected official C) relies on a spoken message D) is a message carried over radio airwaves
A
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 did all of the following EXCEPT: A) require that all white-owned businesses hire a workforce that was made up of at least 20% minority workers B) authorize the U.S. Justice Department to promote desegregation of public schools C) create ethe Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to enforce protections against job discrimination D) prohibit racial discrimination in hotels and other places of public accommodation
A
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 authorized the government to deny income tax deductions for employer health plans that did not offer employees the option of keeping their health insurance after leaving the job. Which enumerated power allowed Congress to make the law? A) Regulating commerce among states B) Declaring laws unconstitutional C) Borrowing money on the credit of the United States D) Issuing copyrights and patents
A
The ________ Amendment to the US Constitution was designed to grant equal rights for black Americans A) Fourteenth B) Twenty-first C) Twenty-fifth D) Twenty-sixth
A
The passage of the 24th Amendment A) eliminated poll taxes B) extended suffrage to women C) clarified the implied right to privacy D) solidified individual rights related to searches and seizures
A
Which of the following statements about the cloture is correct? A) It requires a 3/5 vote to be enacted. B) It sets a time limit of five minutes for each person wanting to make comments. C) It requires 50% of the entire Senate membership to sign a formal petition to move for cloture. D) It is used only in the House.
A
Which of the following statements best describes the difference between civil liberties and civil rights? A) Civil liberties are the constitutional protections against the federal government listed in the Bill of Rights; civil rights are protections that have been extended B) Civil liberties and civil rights are interchangeable terms; there is no difference whatsoever C) Civil liberties refer to the protection in the Bill of Rights; civil rights refer to the protections that are listed in state constitutions only D) Civilo liberties refer to court-related such as due process and the right to an attorney; civil rights refer tp the protections that are not court-related such as free speech and the right to own firearms
A
__________ is an example of "de facto" segregation; __________ is an example of "de jure" segregation A) a predominantly black high school in the year 2018; southern society after "Plessy v Ferguson" B) a 1940's segregated high school; southern society after "Plessy v Ferguson" C) southern society after "Plessy v Ferguson"; a predominantly black high school in the year 2018 D) a predominantly black high school in the year 2018; an all-black college fraternity in the year 2018
A
A new president has been elected and has a number of positions to fill within the federal bureaucracy. Which of the following is an example of filling a position based on political patronage? A) Choosing a secretary of state to appease members from the opposition party B) Nominating a high-level campaign fund-raiser to serve as an ambassador to New Zealand C) Reappointing the secretary of defense even though he or she was appointed by the previous president, who is a member of the opposition party D) Asking the chair of a prestigious university's economics department to serve as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers
B
According to the Federalist Papers, federalism has which of the following effects on political factions? A) It encourages factions to stage a hostile takeover of the government B) It limits the dangers of factions by diluting their political power C) It limits their decision making as it relates to how Congress taxes citizens D) It makes factions illegal
B
Appointments to the federal judiciary are often contentious for which of the following reasons? A) The House of Representatives can undermine presidential authority by overriding judicial appointments. B) Life terms for federal judges mean that presidential appointments will continue to have influence long after the president's term is over. C) The president selects nominees based on political orientation, while the Senate focuses on the academic credentials of the nominees. D) Federal judges are given a platform to legislate from the bench, and the Senate is hesitant about relinquishing power to the judiciary.
B
Bureaucratic rule-making is best defined as A) Legally binding decisions made by Congress to constrain regulatory agencies B) Guidelines issues by government agencies, which provide specific details about how a policy will be implemented C) Directions given by the president to the bureaucracy regarding how a specific policy will be applied D) Review and supervision of departments and agencies conducted by congressional committees
B
Comparison between the two court cases: McCulloch v. Maryland and United States v. Lopez A)declared an act of congress unconstitutional; recognized the importance of the state sovereignty and local control B) Led to an increase in power for the national government; established limits to Congress power under the Commerce Clause
B
If the president, vice president, and Speaker of the House were to die at the same moment, who would become president? A) Secretary of State B) President pro tempore of the Senate C) the longest-serving Cabinet member D) the Senate Majority Leader
B
In order to search a person, one's home or their belongings, an agent of the government must have A) Suffrage B) Probable Cause C) Incorporation D) Undue Burden
B
One key component of the fifth amendment is its protection of citizens from self-incrimination; that refers to a person A) having the right to a speedy trial B) not having to say anything that makes him seem guilty C) having the right to a counsel (attorney) D) practicing religion freely
B
Pork Barrel legislation helps the reelection chances of a member of Congress because such legislation A) gives the members of Congress national standing and national news coverage B) helps earn the member of Congress a reputation for service in his/her district C) attracts contributions from third parties D) prevents other candidates from claiming that the member of Congress is too liberal or too conservative for the district
B
The Constitutional powers that are given exclusively to the national government are _______ powers. A) reserved B) enumerated C) concurrent D) revolving
B
The application of the death penalty has been limited in recent decades and cannot be applied to minors and people who are found to be mentally incompetent. Which of the following is a reason for this? A) The Supreme Court redefined what constitutes an unreasonable intrusion under the Fourth Amendment. B) The Supreme Court changed its interpretation of what constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment C) The Fifth Amendment's due process clause motivated state legislatures to limit the death penalty D) The right to an attorney guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment led to limited application of the death penalty
B
The application of the death penalty has been limited in recent decades and cannot be applied to minors and people who are found to be mentally incompetent. Which of the following is a reason for this? A)The Supreme Court redefined what constitutes an unreasonable intrusion under the Fourth Amendment. B)The Supreme Court changed its interpretation of what constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. C)The Fifth Amendment's due process clause motivated state legislatures to limit the death penalty. D)The right to an attorney guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment led to limited application of the death penalty.
B
The concept of judicial review was solidified by A) U.S. v. Lopex B) Marbury v. Madison C) Shaw v. Reno D) McCulluch v. Maryland
B
The difference between Medicare and Medicaid is A) Medicare is an entitlement, Medicaid is a type of legislative veto B) Medicare pays medical expenses of the elderly, Medicaid pays medical expenses of the poor C) Medicare covers medical costs for children under the age of 10 while Medicaid covers expenses for all other ages D) Medicare and Medicaid funding are discretionary
B
The exclusionary rule was incorporated at the state level due to the Mapp v. Ohio decision. The exclusionary rule states that A) jurors may be excluded if they show prejudice for or against the defendent B) evidence obtained via unconstitutional means must be excluded from court proceedings C) free speech that affects a trial is excluded from First Amendment protections D) a trial by jury may be excluded for all federal-level cases
B
The incorporation doctrine can be described as a A) One time decision by the Supreme Court to limit states rights B) Case-by-case inclusion of individuals rights at the state level C) Confirmation of commercial speech D) means to expand affirmative action programs
B
The president is most likely to use an executive order to make important policy when A) Congress is dominated by the president's party B) a compromise cannot be reached with Congress C) The Supreme Court is divided along ideological lines D) a negotiation with foreign heads of state reaches an impasse
B
The right to vote is referred to as A) self-incrimination B) Suffrage C) Prohibition D) incorporation
B
Viewing the structure of federalism as "dual federalism" states that A) the Supreme Court should operate as the only court in the U.S. B) the federal government and the state government operate independently of one another with each handling its own issues separately C) the president should be considered to be like a king D) the federal government should not amend The Constitution without support of the states
B
Which of the following choices accurately represents the differences between Government Corporations and Independent Executive Agencies? A) Government Corporation: examples include the Post Office and Amtrak; Independent Executive Agency: examples include the Department of Defense and the Department of Education B) Government Corporation: fulfill a function that the private sector may not be able to take care of; Independent Executive Agency: operates generally outside the political realm and appointments are nonpartisan C) Government Corporation: usually operate at a huge profit for the government; Independent Executive Agency: The president can fire and hire the heads of these agencies for any reason D) Government Corporation: takes up the largest portion of the budget than any other bureaucracy; Independent Executive Agency: deals almost exclusively with foreign affairs
B
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of constitutional provisions? A) Enhance Federal Power: Necessary and proper clause; Enhance State Power: Fourteenth Amendment B) Enhance Federal Power: Commerce Clause; Enhance State Power: Tenth Amendment C) Enhance Federal Power: Supremacy Clause; Enhance State Power: Seventeenth Amendment D) Enhance Federal Power: Supremacy Clause; Enhance State Power: Article V
B
Which of the following is true about the line-item veto? A) It is specifically granted to the president by the Constitution. B) It is used by many state governors, but is not available to the president. C) It is basically the same as the pocket veto. D) It must be endorsed by the House Ways and Means Committee.
B
Which of the following is true of independent regulatory commissions? A) They existed in the early years of the United States, but were declared unconstitutional after the Civil War. B) They are less subject to the control of the president than are Cabinet departments. C) They provide a product or service directly to the citizens and charge a fee for that product or service. D) They are required by the U.S. Constitution and are described in detail in that document.
B
Which of the following may the president do to limit the Supreme Court's power? A) Fire and replace justices B) Refuse to enforce a ruling by the Court C) Adopt new constitutional amendments D) Veto parts of the Court's decision
B
Which of the following statements is true regarding Congressional terms? A) All senators and all representatives are up for re-election every two years. B) All representatives are up for re-election every two years and one-third (1/3) of senators are up for reelection every two years. C) All representatives are up for re-election every two years and one-third (1/3) of senators are up for re-election every six years. D) Representatives and senators serve six year terms with one third (1/3) up for re-election every two years.
B
As a result of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission A) private citizens have the ability to donate money to organizations severely restricted B) unlimited donations have essentially been eliminated C) groups have more freedom to raise and spend money throughout the campaign cycle D) the contribution limits to political parties have been eliminated
C
The "Full Faith and Credit" clause of the U.S. Constitution refers to the obligation of A) juries to assume that a defendant is innocent unless proven guilty B) religious groups to follow the U.S. tax code C) states to honor actions, records, and court proceedings from the other states D) the president to consult Congress before taking military action
C
The Judicial Branch can check and balance the power of the Legislative Branch by A) standing to sue B) franking privilege C) judicial review D) executive orders
C
The legislative process at the national level of government reflects the intent of the framers of the Constitution to create legislature that would be A) Less powerful than the executive B) Slow and deliberate in the lawmaking process C) Able to involve as many citizens as possible in the lawmaking process D) Able to ensure that all citizens are equally represented
C
What is the Latin term for "let the decision stand," which is the principle for U.S. judicial precedent? A) habeas corpus B) ex post facto C) stare decisis D) writ of certiorari
C
When a dispute arises between a state's power and the power of the federal government, A) the president resolves the disputed B) the state is considered "supreme" only if it is an issue related to inter-state commerce C) the federal government is considered "supreme" D) the Ninth Circuit Court if Appeals rules on all state vs. federal questions about power
C
Which governmental principle is at risk when an agency such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture makes rules, enforces those rules, and makes decisions that arise related to disputes concerning those rules? A) establishment clause B) bill of attainder C) separation of powers D) commerce clause
C
Which of the following best illustrates the concept of iron triangles? A) The tendency of interest groups to hire former legislators, lobbyists, and judges B) The inability of third-party candidates to garner public attention through media coverage C) The long-term relationships between agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups in specific policy areas D) The practice of congressional leaders diverting PAC funds meant for certain popular candidates to those in more competitive races
C
Which of the following committees in the House of Representatives sets conditions for debate and amendment on most legislation? A) Ways and Means B) Judiciary C) Rules D) Homeland Security
C
Which of the following has the responsibility for creating additional federal courts and deciding the number of judges who will preside in them? A) The president B) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court C) Congress D) the Secretary of the Department of Justice
C
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the House of Representatives and the Senate? A) House: Only the Speaker of the House can initiate the legislative process by proposing bills; Senate: Only the majority leader can initiate the legislative process by proposing bills B) House: Members can delay the policy-making process by invoking cloture; Senate: Members can delay the policy-making process through the use of a filibuster C) House: Members are elected constituents in a local district based on population; Senate: Members are elected by constituents of an entire state D) House: Members serve six year terms; Senate: Members serve two year terms
C
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the two court cases? A) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Declared an act of Congress unconstitutional; United States v. Lopez (1995): Recognized the importance of state sovereignty and local control B) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Decided that Congress has implied powers; United States v. Lopez (1995): Ruled that state laws were supreme to national laws C) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Led to an increase in power for the national government; United States v. Lopez (1995): Established limits to Congress' power under the Commerce Clause D) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Decided that a state had the power to tax a national bank; United States v. Lopez (1995): Declared the Gun-Free School Zones Act unconstitutional
C
Which of the following is an example of checks and balances? A) a requirement that states lower their legal drinking age to eighteen as a condition of receiving funds through federal highway grant programs B) the State if Illinois being required to implement an act of Congress C) the power of the president of the U.S. to veto a bill passed by Congress D) the power of the president to serve as Commander-in-chief of the military
C
Which of the following scenarios would most likely be considered a violation of the Fourth Amendment? A) A suspect is interrogated without being informed of the right to an attorney B) A person is tried twice for the same crime C) A suspects cell phone is analyzed by police before a warrant is issued D) A person is prosecuted for a federal crime without a jury
C
Which of the following statements describes a difficulty presidents face in the policy implementation process? A) Members of the bureaucracy often lack the expertise to carry out the president's preferred policies. B) Members of the president's Cabinet can be removed at any time by Congress. C) Because of civil service laws, it is not easy for the president to remove professional bureaucrats when they disagree with the president's agenda. D) Congress generally gives specific details about how the laws they pass will be executed by members of the professional bureaucracy.
C
A major difference between the House and Senate is that A) filibusters are possible only in the House B) judicial nominees originate in the House committee C) only in the Senate is there organized leadership for the minority party D) there is unlimited debate in the Senate, but not in the House
D
A member of the House of Representatives has introduced a bill to raise the minimum wage, but it has been in committee for 36 days and is unlikely to make it to the floor. Which of the following is the best course of action for the representative to take to get a vote on the bill? A) Presenting a cloture motion B) Placing a hold on the bill C) Introducing a concurrent resolution D) Filing for a discharge petition
D
Based on previous rulings, the Supreme Court is most likely to view a case concerning which of the following as a right-to-privacy case? A) A university whose admissions standards prevent women from attending the institution. B) A person who is licensed to carry a handgun and brings one to a political rally. C) A high school student who leaves a class at a specified time during each school day for daily prayer. D) A woman who is prevented from an abortion.
D
Each of the following is an example of the Legislative Branch balancing powers of the Executive Branch EXCEPT A) the Senate approval process of treaties with other countires B) the Senate approval process of Supreme Court nominees C) the Senate approval process of Cabinet Secretaries D) the Senate approval process of executive orders
D
In the Supreme Court decision Schenk v. United States, it was stated that the government can limit speech if such speech brings a A) public official into a conflict of interest B) negative feeling toward a public official C) standard of indecency to the public real D) clear and present danger
D
The concept of judicial independence ensures that A) justices are accountable to the president B) justices can choose to rule on any political issue they select as each session of Congress begins C) justices will make decisions that are politically popular D) justices are free from direct political pressure
D
The goal of the Framers of the U.S. Constitution was to create a A) democracy wherein the will of the majority made all decisions B) pure democracy modeled after the New England town meeting C) and autonomous collective D) republic based on a system of laws
D
The largest portion of the United States budget is allocated to pay for which one of the following? A) interest on the national debt B) discretionary programs C) national defense D) entitlement programs
D
The political theory that states that societies are divided along economic and social lines, that the "rich" control the government, and that the interests of all other groups are ignored is A) federalism B) pluralism (aka pluralist theory) C) hyperpluralism (aka hyperpluralist theory) D) elitism (aka elite and power theory)
D
The term "fiscal federalism" and "cooperative federalism" refers to situations in which A) the federal government completely dominates state and local governments B) states are forbidden any activity that has not been specifically approved by the Supreme Court C) state and city income taxes are combined by special agreement and paid out to the needy based on their individual need D) federal, state and local governments work together to complete a project, with the federal government providing much of the project funding
D
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on government? A) Federalist: Favored a weak central government and strong state governments; Anti-Federalist: Favored a strong central government and weak state governments B) Federalist: Believed the creation of a Bill of Rights was necessary; Anti-Federalist: Believed the creation of a Bill of Rights was not necessary C) Federalist: Favored the legislative branch having more power than the executive; Anti-Federalist: Favored increasing the power of the national judiciary over the states D) Federalist: Believed a large republic ensured the best protection of individual freedoms; Anti-Federalist: Believed only a small republic could best ensure the protection of individual freedoms
D
Which of the following principles protects a citizen from imprisonment without? A) Representative government B) separation of powers C) checks and balances D) due process
D
Which of the following statements concerning impeachment is correct? A) The Senate has the sole power to bring impeachment proceedings against an official. B) All impeached officials have the option of filing to have the House of Representatives consider their appeal due to the right of due process. C) No impeachment proceedings may begin without the president's authorization. D) The Senate has the sole power to conduct the trial of an impeached official.
D
Which of the following was made clear by the Fourteenth Amendment? A) That segregated schools were legal B) That states had to follow federal tax code C) That federal courts did not have the power to review state laws D) That states could not deny its citizens equal protection of the laws
D
Which statement best summarizes the correct understanding of civil rights? A) Laws cannot make distinctions among people B) Laws may not mention race or gender C) Laws can make distinctions by race, but not gender D) Laws can make distinctions, but not all distinctions are acceptable
D
Women achieved suffrage as a result of A) Roe v. Wade B) the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment C) the Voting Rights Act of 1965 D) the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment
D
