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- 1. Multiple ChoiceWhich power does only the national Congress have?The power to declare war on foreign nationsThe power to pardon criminals for federal offensesTo appoint judges to serve on federal courtsTo settle disputes between citizens of different nations
- 2. Multiple Choice"The duties of the State Board of Elections are to guide and enforce Federal and State laws governing all elections conducted within the state. In addition to ensuring these laws are enforced, the State Board of Elections is responsible for implementing policies and procedures to ensure these laws are adhered to in a collective and effective manner."
Which best describes the function of the State Board of Elections?the group that writes the procedures for state and local election processesthe group that regulates the selection of candidates by the political partiesthe group that oversees federal, state, and local trials regarding elections and the electoral processesthe group that administers the laws, policies, and procedures of the federal, state, and local election processes - 3. Multiple ChoiceHow is the membership of the House of Representatives determined?by the apportioned population of the statesby two representatives from each stateby appointment of the governor of the state according to a formula established by Congressby the state legislature of each class
- 4. Multiple ChoiceThe idea that government is BEST able to protect the liberty of its citizens through the creation of three branches of government all with their own unique powers that can be checked by the other branches is called...limited governmentseparation of powersrule of lawpopular sovereignty
- 5. Multiple ChoiceThis Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land.
—Article VI of the Constitution
How does this article limit state governments?State governments are banned from voting on the ratification of federal amendments.States are required to seek congressional approval for any new state laws.State governments are restricted from entering into trade agreements with other states.States are prohibited from passing any law that violates federal laws. - 6. Multiple ChoiceThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
—Amendment 10, U.S. Constitution
Which of the following would be an example of the federal government violating this amendment?requiring states to protect individual civil rightsdenying states the right to issue separate currenciesrequiring states to privatize local public schoolsdenying states the ability to sign international treaties - 7. Multiple ChoiceWhich statement describes the result of the Great Compromise?Reserved powers were implemented to form different levels of government.Executive authority was given to the office of the president.Representation in a bicameral legislature was established.The judicial branch was formed to create a system of checks and balances.
- 8. Multiple ChoiceWhich action correctly demonstrates a check on the authority of the executive branch?a ruling by the judicial branch that overrides an action of the president’s Cabineta Supreme Court nominee being approved by a majority of state governorsa two-thirds vote by both houses of Congress that overrides a presidential vetoa majority of state legislature votes that reverses a federal mandate
- 9. Multiple Choice
In San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez (1973), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that education was not specifically protected in the Constitution. The Court stated “It is not the province of this Court to create substantive constitutional rights in the name of guaranteeing equal protection of the laws.”
How could the Court’s ruling be interpreted as originalist?
It ignored the intent of the framers of the Constitution.
It was based on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution.
It reflected how society has changed since the Constitution was written
It ensured that the Constitution would evolve as a living document.
- 10. Multiple ChoiceThe legal concept established in the case of Marbury v. Madison wasfederal supremacy.judicial review.executive privilege.separation of powers.
- 11. Multiple ChoiceIt is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is. Those who apply the rule to particular cases must, of necessity, expound and interpret that rule. If two laws conflict with each other, the Courts must decide on the operation of each.
—Chief Justice John Marshall, 1803
Based on this excerpt, which function of the federal judiciary is described?the right of judges to regulate economic policythe belief that courts exert power over the presidentthe ability of courts to determine the constitutionality of lawsthe power of judges to propose amendments to unconstitutional laws - 12. Multiple Choice[W]hen we are dealing with words that also are a constituent act, like the Constitution of the United States, we must realize that they have called into life a being the development of which could not have been foreseen . . . The case before us must be considered in the light of our whole experience, and not merely in that of what was said a hundred years ago.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1920
Based on Holmes’s quotation, why could he be considered a judicial activist?His rulings adhered strictly to constitutional precedent.He believed the Constitution should be seen as a living documentHe understood the necessity of deferring to Congressional authority.His rulings were based on the principles established by the Founding Fathers. - 13. Multiple ChoiceHow does the Supreme Court exercise the power of judicial review?overturning an amendmentreversing a lower court rulingdeclaring a law unconstitutionalconfirming an appointment to the Court
- 14. Multiple ChoiceGideon was accused of committing a felony. Being indigent [poor], he petitioned the judge to provide him with an attorney free of charge. The judge denied his request. The Supreme Court ruled for Gideon, saying that the Sixth Amendment requires indigent criminal defendants to be provided an attorney free of charge.
—“Landmark Supreme Court Cases,” Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Why is this decision an example of judicial activism?The Supreme Court proposed an amendment to the U.S. Bill of Rights.The Supreme Court upheld the decision of a lower court.The Supreme Court expanded a requirement of the U.S. Constitution.The Supreme Court increased the power of the legislative branch. - 15. Multiple Choice. . . If the Supreme Court’s decisions were simply mathematical computations of legal points, our job would be easy and all of the Court’s decisions would be 9 to 0. But the legal philosophy and views of each individual Justice do play a role in decision making on the Court. Perhaps not the majority of the time, when the question before the Court is not controversial; but certainly when the question is controversial and divisive, legal views and philosophies do play a role.
—Senator Dianne Feinstein
Which statement is BEST supported by this excerpt?Judges should interpret the Constitution in a way that benefits the public.Authority granted to judges in the Constitution may be limited.Laws should be overturned if judges determine they violate the Constitution.Judges make rulings based on differing interpretations of the Constitution. - 16. Multiple ChoiceJudicial Activism:
Philosophy which motivates judges to depart from strict adherence to judicial precedent in favor of progressive and new social policies . . .
—Black’s Law Dictionary
Which argument against this philosophy would be raised by people who favor judicial restraint?Judicial activism promotes states’ rights over federal authority.Judicial activism strengthens the governmental principle of majority rule.Judicial activism prevents personal views from influencing public policy.Judicial activism takes authority away from the elected branches of government. - 17. Multiple ChoiceWhich philosophy claims that judges should leave policymaking to Congress and avoid overturning laws?judicial reviewjudicial activismjudicial restraintjudicial immunity
- 18. Multiple ChoiceUnder the Constitution, the president can ask for a declaration of war, but it is up to whom to declare war?CongressThe presidentThe peopleThe judiciary
- 19. Multiple ChoiceWhich position leads the executive branch of the U.S. government?PresidentSecretary of DefenseSenate Majority LeaderSpeaker of the House
- 20. Multiple ChoiceHow long is the term of office for a member of the House of Representatives?two yearsfour yearssix yearslife
- 21. Multiple ChoiceHow many senators serve each state in the Senate?OneTwoThreeFour
- 22. Multiple Choice
You are a member of the House of Representatives and you were elected in 1998. In what year will you seek reelection?
1999
2000
2004
1998
- 23. Multiple Choice
How does a person become a Supreme Court Justice?
appointed by Congress, approved by the president
appointed by the Judicial Branch, approved by Congress
appointed by the Senate, approved by the House
appointed by the president, approved by the Senate
- 24. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a check the president has on the Supreme Court?
the power to declare an action of the Supreme Court unconstitutional
the power to approve the new appointments to the Supreme Court
the power to nominate new members to the Supreme Court
the power to veto decisions of the Supreme Court
- 25. Multiple Choice
What is the MAIN power of the judicial branch?
To make laws
To defend laws
To enforce laws
To interpret laws
- 26. Multiple Choice
Which action by the president is NOT a check on the power of the legislative branch?
vetoing a bill
suggesting a bill
calling a special session of Congress
nominating a Supreme Court Justice
- 27. Multiple Choice
If you were a Senator, which branch of the federal government would you be a part of?
Executive
Judicial
Legislative
Transportation
- 28. Multiple Choice
How long is the term of office for a member of the House of Representatives?
two years
four years
six years
for life
- 29. Multiple Choice
All of the following statements regarding the House of Representatives are true EXCEPT:
Members are elected by state legislatures to serve six-year terms.
The total number of 435 representatives is apportioned among the states by population.
The House of Representatives has the sole authority to bring impeachment.
A member must be 25 years old, citizen of the U.S. for at least seven years, and reside in the state represented.
- 30. Multiple Choice
Which scenario BEST demonstrates the role of lobbying in government?
Political ads influence voters in a local election.
Businesses influence the passage of favorable legislation.
A political action committee supports a presidential candidate.
A citizens’ group files a lawsuit.
- 31. Multiple Choice
Which committee resolves differences between the House and Senate versions of the same bill?
joint committee
standing committee
conference committee
committee of the whole
- 32. Multiple Choice
Issuing driver's licenses and determining speed limits is the primary responsibility of which level of government?
National
State
County
Local
- 33. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an expressed power?
A power only the federal government has
A power only the state government has
A power only the local government has
A power states and the federal government share
- 34. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a reserved power?
A power only the federal government has
A power only the state government has
A power only the local government has
A power states and the federal government share
- 35. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a concurrent power?
A power only the federal government has
A power only the state government has
A power only the local government has
A power states and the federal government share
- 36. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of an expressed power?
The power to issue licenses
The power to create public schools
The power granted by the tenth amendment
The power to print money
- 37. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of a reserved power?
The power to maintain a military
The power to regulate interstate trade
The power to make treaties
The power to create public schools
- 38. Multiple Choice
How many branches of government does the United States have?
One-half
Three
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