Unit 3 - AP GOV
Which of the following scenarios, related to the First Amendment, best illustrates the "right . . . to petition the Government . . ." ? A A newspaper prints an editorial supporting executive action by the president. B A student sues a public school that institutes a mandatory prayer ceremony. C A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill. D A religious group practices a religious ritual that is in conflict with a local law.
A citizen calls a member of Congress to persuade her to vote yes on a bill.
Which of the following scenarios illustrates an action that would be protected by the free exercise clause in the First Amendment? A A student wears a T-shirt to public school portraying an illegal substance. B A person legally purchases a firearm for the purpose of self-defense. C A person wears a necklace bearing a Christian cross to work. D A state mandates the reading of a prayer at the beginning of the school day.
A person wears a necklace bearing a Christian cross to work.
Which of the following applications of affirmative action would the United States Supreme Court likely consider unconstitutional? A company actively recruits women and minorities in its hiring practices for a federal contract. B A state university refuses acceptance of any new applicants from a specific race. C A university values racial diversity on its campus and considers race as one of many factors when considering applicants to its freshman class. D The United States Department of Transportation hires a contractor with a history of hiring and promoting minorities and women for the construction of an interstate highway.
A state university refuses acceptance of any new applicants from a specific race.
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.
A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war.
"The original understanding of the Second Amendment was neither an individual right to self-defense nor a collective right of the states, but rather a civic right that guaranteed that citizens would be able to keep and bear those arms needed to meet their legal obligation to participate in a well-regulated militia. Nothing better captured this constitutional ideal than the minuteman. Citizens had a legal obligation to outfit themselves with a musket at their own expense and were expected to turn out at a minute's notice to defend their community, state, and eventually their nation. Although each side in the modern debate claims to be faithful to the historical Second Amendment, a restoration of its original meaning, re-creating the world of the minuteman, would be a nightmare that neither side would welcome. It would certainly involve more intrusive gun regulation, not less. . . . Gun control advocates might blanch at the notion that all Americans would be required to receive firearms training and would certainly look askance at the idea of requiring all able-bodied citizens to purchase their own military-style assault weapons." Saul Cornell, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, Oxford University Press, 2006 Which of the following could be used as evidence to support the author's claim? A At the time the Constitution was written, laws in the states required able-bodied individuals to serve in militias. B The Constitution clearly states that the Second Amendment applies only to the federal government's ability to make gun laws. C The United States today uses militias such as police forces to maintain domestic peace. D The Constitution guarantees that all rights, including the Second Amendment, are incorporated to the states.
At the time the Constitution was written, laws in the states required able-bodied individuals to serve in militias.
In which case did the Supreme Court rule that "the doctrine of separate but equal has no place" in the Constitution? A Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) B Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) C Engel v. Vitale (1962) D Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
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.
Colleges can consider race but cannot use strict racial quotas in admission practices.
Which of the following constitutional clauses was most relevant in the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade (1973) ? A Commerce clause B Free exercise clause C Due process clause D Equal protection clause
Due process clause
It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case. The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much. This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963 The issues identified in the passage reflect a failure to uphold which of the following constitutional principles? A One person, one vote B Equal representation in Congress C States' rights D Equal protection
Equal protection
It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case. The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much. This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963 Which of the following expresses the most significant political concern in the passage? A Improved understanding of the flaws of the legal system B Greater funding for education in urban areas C Increased awareness of citizen inequalities that need to be addressed D Decreased partisanship in congressional policy making
Increased awareness of citizen inequalities that need to be addressed
Which of the following reflects the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade (1973) ? A It ruled that the state had an overarching right to prohibit women of all ages from having abortions anytime during their pregnancies. B It ruled that the state had a justifiable interest to legalize abortion. C It ruled that a woman's right to an abortion was a privacy right incorporated to all of the states. D It ruled that the case was moot, as Roe's pregnancy had ended by the time the case came up for review.
It ruled that a woman's right to an abortion was a privacy right incorporated to all of the states.
In Engel v. Vitale (1962), which of the following provides the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court's ruling? A It ruled that the state had an overarching right to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding such action permissible under the Tenth Amendment. B It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation. C It balanced the school's interest in providing for an open and peaceful frame of mind for the school day with the interest of the students in not being subjected to the prayer, ultimately ruling for the state. D It rejected the student complaint, as public school students have no free exercise rights in school.
It ruled that the state had no justifiable interest to compel students to listen to a nondenominational prayer led by public school teachers, finding a clear establishment clause violation.
"The original understanding of the Second Amendment was neither an individual right to self-defense nor a collective right of the states, but rather a civic right that guaranteed that citizens would be able to keep and bear those arms needed to meet their legal obligation to participate in a well-regulated militia. Nothing better captured this constitutional ideal than the minuteman. Citizens had a legal obligation to outfit themselves with a musket at their own expense and were expected to turn out at a minute's notice to defend their community, state, and eventually their nation. Although each side in the modern debate claims to be faithful to the historical Second Amendment, a restoration of its original meaning, re-creating the world of the minuteman, would be a nightmare that neither side would welcome. It would certainly involve more intrusive gun regulation, not less. . . . Gun control advocates might blanch at the notion that all Americans would be required to receive firearms training and would certainly look askance at the idea of requiring all able-bodied citizens to purchase their own military-style assault weapons." Saul Cornell, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, Oxford University Press, 2006 Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most relevant to the topic of the article? A Engel v. Vitale (1962) B Baker v. Carr (1962) C McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) D McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
In the majority opinion of a United States Supreme Court case, Justice Alito wrote, "we now turn directly to the question whether the...right to keep and bear arms is incorporated in the concept of due process. In answering that question, . . . we must decide whether the right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to our scheme of ordered liberty." Which Supreme Court case is most aligned with Justice Alito's reasoning to treat gun ownership for self-defense as a fundamental liberty? A United States v. Lopez (1995) B McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C Baker v. Carr (1962) D McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
(cartoon picture not shown- AP quiz - First Amendment - Freedom of the Press Quiz) The facts of which of the following cases are most related to the political cartoon? A New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) B Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) C Schenck v. United States (1919) D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
(cartoon picture not shown- AP quiz - First Amendment - Freedom of the Press Quiz) Which of the following headlines is most relevant to the political cartoon? A Nixon Administration Goes to Court to Stop Pentagon Papers Release B Supreme Court Rules High School Students May Silently Protest Vietnam War C Supreme Court Hears Flag Burning Case D War Protestor Presented "Clear and Present Danger" Says Court
Nixon Administration Goes to Court to Stop Pentagon Papers Release
The establishment clause in the First Amendment does which of the following? A Guarantees freedom of speech to all citizens. B Prevents prior restraint of the press. C Prohibits the setting up of a state church. D Defines the concept of dual citizenship. E Allows citizens to enter freely into contracts with other citizens.
Prohibits the setting up of a state church.
Which of the following Supreme Court cases establishes that a woman has a due process right to make a decision whether or not to have an abortion? A United States v. Lopez (1995) B McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C Roe v. Wade (1973) D Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Roe v. Wade (1973)
It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case. The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much. This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. President John F. Kennedy, Report to the American People on Civil Rights, June 11, 1963 Which of the following pieces of legislation was most likely a result of the passage? A The Civil Rights Act of 1964 B The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 C The Voting Rights Act of 1965 D Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
n Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court ruling limited state action in segregating public school students based on their race, stating "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." The Court pointed to which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution to achieve this ruling? A The First Amendment B The Fifth Amendment C The Thirteenth Amendment D The Fourteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment
In McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the United States Supreme Court stated that, "[s]elf-defense is a basic right, recognized by many legal systems from ancient times to the present day" and that an individual's right to bear arms was "deeply rooted in this Nation's history and tradition." The quote points to which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution as a basis to limit state action? A The First Amendment B The Second Amendment C The Third Amendment D The Fourth Amendment
The Second Amendment
In McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the United States Supreme Court stated, "that the [Constitution] protects the right to possess a handgun in the home for the purpose of self-defense" and that the Second Amendment applied to the states through which of the following constitutional clauses? A The due process clause of the Fifth Amendment B The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment C The equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment D The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the Supreme Court stated that the plaintiffs "seek the aid of the courts in obtaining admission to the public schools of their community on a non-segregated basis. In each instance, they had been denied admission to schools attended by white children under laws requiring or permitting segregation according to race." The Supreme Court ruled "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." Which of the following provisions of the United States Constitution did the Supreme Court use to strike down racial segregation in state public schools? A The due process clause of the Fifth Amendment B The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment C The equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment D The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
A public school district implemented a policy that allowed students to vote on whether they wanted a student-led prayer to be read at football games. This policy was later found to be unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Which of the following clauses did the policy most likely violate? A The interstate commerce clause B The free exercise clause C The supremacy clause D The establishment clause
The establishment clause
(cartoon picture not shown- AP quiz - First Amendment - Freedom of the Press Quiz) Which of the following attributes of the political cartoon would best represent the government's use of prior restraint? A The steps of the building B The fallen pillars C The word "democracy" written on the building D The standing pillars
The fallen pillars
Which of the following cases decided whether a state could compel children to attend school beyond eighth grade even if it violated the students' sincerely held religious beliefs? A United States v. Lopez (1995) B Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Which of the following cases examined a state law that required all children to attend school through the twelfth grade in order to promote the general welfare of its citizens? A Engel v. Vitale (1962) B Marbury v. Madison (1803) C Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969) D Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
The Supreme Court addressed the admissions policy of the University of Michigan Law School in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003). Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote for the court, "in the context of its individualized inquiry into the possible diversity contributions of all applicants, the Law School's race-conscious admissions program does not unduly harm nonminority applicants." The primary issue of controversy in the Grutter v. Bollinger decision involves A national supremacy B judicial review C selective incorporation D affirmative action
affirmative action
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
state-sponsored prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment
The free-exercise clause protects A the president from forcibly revealing private conversations with staff B individuals who, for religious reasons, refuse to pay Social Security taxes C voluntary prayer by student groups before school D a person's right to burn the American flag E a person's right to practice polygamy
voluntary prayer by student groups before school
"The original understanding of the Second Amendment was neither an individual right to self-defense nor a collective right of the states, but rather a civic right that guaranteed that citizens would be able to keep and bear those arms needed to meet their legal obligation to participate in a well-regulated militia. Nothing better captured this constitutional ideal than the minuteman. Citizens had a legal obligation to outfit themselves with a musket at their own expense and were expected to turn out at a minute's notice to defend their community, state, and eventually their nation. Although each side in the modern debate claims to be faithful to the historical Second Amendment, a restoration of its original meaning, re-creating the world of the minuteman, would be a nightmare that neither side would welcome. It would certainly involve more intrusive gun regulation, not less. . . . Gun control advocates might blanch at the notion that all Americans would be required to receive firearms training and would certainly look askance at the idea of requiring all able-bodied citizens to purchase their own military-style assault weapons." Saul Cornell, A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America, Oxford University Press, 2006 The author's main argument is that the Second Amendment A did not extend privacy rights B was added to the Constitution to ensure that militias would have arms C should not be applied to states that do not have a militia D protects an individual's right to own a gun for personal protection
was added to the Constitution to ensure that militias would have arms
