GOVT 2305 Exam Review (For Test #2 of 3)

Why do proportional representation systems support greater numbers of political parties? A. Because even smaller parties can win and maintain seats. B. Because even larger parties can win and maintain seats. C. Because each party can win a plurality. D. Because no party can earn a majority.

A. Because even smaller parties can win and maintain seats.

What of the following is NOT one of Congress's enumerated powers? A. Governing Maryland B. Establishing post offices C. Declaring war D. Regulating copyrights

A. Governing Maryland

What percent of federal bureaucrats is currently appointed by the president? A. Less than one B. More than ten C. Fifty D. Seventy-five

A. Less than one

What do congressional elections in most states require in order to determine a winner? A. Plurality B. Majority C. Supermajority D. Minority

A. Plurality

________________ refers to a shift in party allegiance among the electorate that causes a new party to become the dominate party. A. Realignment B. Reapportionment C. Dealignment D. Reorientation

A. Realignment

How many unique periods of party competition have existed since 1800? A. Seven B. Four C. Two D. One

A. Seven

If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral vote, who selects the president and vice president? A. The House of Representatives selects the president and the Senate selects the vice president. B. The House of Representatives selects the vice president and the Senate selects the president. C. The Supreme Court selects both the president and vice president. D. The current president and vice president select their successors.

A. The House of Representatives selects the president and the Senate selects the vice president.

Presidents, such as Theodore Roosevelt, have asserted additional powers, called _________ powers, through the "take care" clause of the Constitution. A. implied B. statutory C. expressed D. granted

A. implied

How many votes represent the minimum majority necessary to win the Electoral College? A. 269 B. 270 C. 435 D. 538

B. 270

Where are the powers of Congress outlined? A. The Declaration of Independence B. Article I of the Constitution C. Article II of the Constitution D. Article III of the Constitution

B. Article I of the Constitution

Since 1854, what have been the two major political parties? A. Democrats and Whigs B. Democrats and Republicans C. Federalists and Anti-Federalists D. Federalists and Democratic-Republicans

B. Democrats and Republicans

Overall, how would you compare the awarding of federal jobs in 1850 and in 1950? A. In 1850 jobs were awarded based on merit, while in 1950 they were given based on patronage. B. In 1850 jobs were awarded based on patronage, while in 1950 they were given based on merit. C. In both 1850 and 1950, jobs were awarded based on patronage. D. On both 1850 and 1950, jobs were awarded based on merit.

B. In 1850 jobs were awarded based on patronage, while in 1950 they were given based on merit.

Which of the following could not constitute a supermajority? A. Two-thirds B. One-third C. Three-fifths D. Three-quarters

B. One-third

The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 ushered in over three decades of ____________ party dominance. A. Democratic B. Republican C. Whig D. Populist

B. Republican

What event prompted civil service reform? A. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln B. The assassination of James Garfield C. The disputed election of 1876 D. The inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt

B. The assassination of James Garfield

The first step in the legislative process is _______________ of a bill, where a bill is placed in the "hopper" or introduced by a Senator on the chamber floor. A. referral B. introduction C. announcement D. signing

B. introduction

Bills are referred to ____________ committees; permanent committees with a defined legislative jurisdiction. A. legislative B. standing C. joint D. conference

B. standing

In order to win a U.S. presidential election, how many electoral votes are required? A. 538 B. 200 C. 270 D. 400

C. 270

Which of the following is NOT a source of expanded congressional power? A. Commerce Clause B. Necessary and Proper Clause C. Article I, Section 8 D. Supreme Court decisions

C. Article I, Section 8

In the 1932 realignment, the _____________ party gained control of the government, due in large part to an unlikely coalition of voters including African Americans, Southern farmers and businesses. A. Republican B. Progressive C. Democratic D. Dixiecrats

C. Democratic

_____________ powers are outlined in Article II of the United States Constitution and include the power of appointment and the power to pardon crimes. A. Implied B. Statutory C. Expressed D. Specific

C. Expressed

Receiving 51 percent of the vote counts as which of the following? A. Plurality B. Override C. Majority D. Supermajority

C. Majority

What landmark Supreme Court case established the principle that the national government is supreme? A. Gibbons v. Ogden B. Wickard v. Filburn C. McCulloch v. Maryland D. Gonzales v. Raich

C. McCulloch v. Maryland

_____ powers are granted to the president by the Congress and include the line-item veto. A. Implied B. Expressed C. Statutory D. Granted

C. Statutory

Which of the following is NOT a step in the Electoral College process? A. Slate of electors chosen B. Voters cast ballots on election day C. Supreme Court certifies election results D. Popular vote converted into electoral votes

C. Supreme Court certifies election results

The Electoral College is the process for electing whom? A. The Speaker of the House . B. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court C. The President D. The Senate Majority Leader

C. The President

States with only one congressional district receive how many total electors? A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four

C. Three

What is the main reason for our persistent two-party system? A. Socialization B. Responsive political parties C. Winner-take-all electoral rules D. Dichotomous nature of political issues

C. Winner-take-all electoral rules

Realignments are characterized by all of the following features EXCEPT A. a critical election where voters shift their partisan support. B. the emergence of a powerful and divisive issue. C. a short-lived change in partisan politics. D. an enduring change in a party's policies and coalitions.

C. a short-lived change in partisan politics.

All of the following are actions undertaken by committees when reviewing a proposed piece of legislation EXCEPT A. agency review B. markups C. presidential review D. hearings

C. presidential review

In the House of Representatives, the _________ committee is responsible for determining the length of time a bill will be debated and whether any amendments will be allowed. A. standing B. conference C. rules D. joint

C. rules

Which president began the spoils system? A. George Washington B. Andrew Johnson C. Ulysses S. Grant D. Andrew Jackson

D. Andrew Jackson

Which of the following was NOT associated with the Pendleton Act? A. Safeguards against political corruption B. The Civil Service Commission C. Merit exams D. Demotion based on party affiliation

D. Demotion based on party affiliation

In the regulation of which area has the commerce power been restricted in recent decades? A. Banking B. Marijuana C. Wheat D. Firearms

D. Firearms

Under plurality voting, what is required for victory? A. B. C. D. One more vote than any of the alternatives

D. One more vote than any of the alternatives

The realignment of 1860 saw a shift in allegiance from the Democratic to Republican parties, while the realignment of 1932 saw a shift in allegiances from the ___________ to the _____________ party. A. Democratic; Republican B. Democratic; Progressive C. Republican; New Deal D. Republican; Democratic

D. Republican; Democratic

Supermajorities are particularly likely to be required in which of the following? A. Presidential elections B. Judicial decisions C. State commissions D. The legislative process

D. The legislative process

All of the following are additional powers granted to the president by a variety of sources including the Supreme Court EXCEPT A. executive order. B. executive powers. C. executive privilege. D. executive veto.

D. executive veto.

All of the following are broad types of power possessed by the president of the United States EXCEPT A. expressed powers. B. implied powers. C. statutory powers. D. limited powers.

D. limited powers.

The president can choose to take no action on a bill, and if Congress adjourns and 10 days pass, the bill will die. This is called a A. veto. B. line-item veto. C. inactive veto. D. pocket veto.

D. pocket veto.