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- 1. Multiple Choice
All of the following were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation EXCEPT:
Nine of the thirteen states had to approve all laws.
A national court system ruled on the constitutionality of laws.
Congress worked in committees without a chief executive.
Congress could raise money by borrowing or by asking states for money.
- 2. Multiple Choice
Which of the following was adopted to resolve the issue of representation in the House and Senate?
Three-Fifths Compromise
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise
- 3. Multiple Choice
Which of the following accurately characterizes the main difference between elite theories and pluralist theories of politics in the United States?
Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates in all policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete in different policy areas.
Elite theories argue that social status is the major source of political power; pluralist theories argue that wealth is the major source.
Elite theories view government as efficient; pluralist theories view it as slow and wasteful.
Elite theories concentrate on the role of interest groups; pluralist theories emphasize the role of individuals.
- 4. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the best example of a categorical grant?
Money given to states for special education programs
Money given to individuals in the form of tax rebates
Money given to states unconditionally
Money given to states to spend at their discretion on transportation
- 5. Multiple Choice
The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about which of the following issues?
The right of the people to rebel
The existence of slavery
The scope of power of the central government
The need to establish a standard currency
- 6. Multiple Choice
In a federal system of government, political power is primarily
vested in the regional governments
vested in the central government
divided between regional governments and local governments
divided between the central government and regional governments
- 7. Multiple Choice
The Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for the disabled, is an example of
a federal mandate
horizontal federalism
dual federalism
state supremacy
- 8. Multiple Choice
The “Bill of Rights” is found in
The Declaration of Independence.
The Third Article of the Constitution
Amendments to the Constitution
Bills passed by Congress
- 9. Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements best describes government under the Article of Confederation?
The Confederation government established guidelines for setting new territories and admitting new states.
The Confederation government was hampered in its ability to levy taxes.
The Articles of Confederation had been written so that real power remained with the states.
States could not make treaties without Congress’s approval.
- 10. Multiple Choice
Giving state governments greater discretion in deciding how to achieve the specific goals of welfare reform is an example of
an unfunded mandate
implied powers
dual federalism
devolution
- 11. Multiple Choice
Cooperative federalism can best be described by which of the following statements?
Government must have cooperation from the people in order to make legislative decisions.
Different levels of government are involved in common policy areas.
The federal government must make regulations that can be applied across every state in the same way.
Business and government can work together to more effectively accomplish shared goals.
- 12. Multiple Choice
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to
prevent states from taxing agencies of the federal government
reserve powers to the states
restrict the application of judicial review
allow for the burning of the flag as an expression of protest
- 13. Multiple Choice
Which of the following constitutional principles most directly addresses the relationship between the national and state governments?
The Bill of Rights
Separation of powers
Representation
Federalism
- 14. Multiple Choice
Of the following, which has been used most to expand the power of the national government?
The First Amendment
The Fifth Amendment
The habeas corpus clause of the Constitution
The commerce clause of the Constitution
- 15. Multiple Choice
The outcome of a conflict between the Constitution and the states is determined by
the Great Compromise
the supremacy clause
Federalist #10
judicial review
- 16. Multiple Choice
Which of the following was stipulated in Article III of the Constitution?
creation of the Supreme Court
executive powers
powers of Congress
full faith and credit clause
- 17. Multiple Choice
Which of the following would least likely be favored by state governments?
unfunded mandates
categorical grants
block grants
revenue sharing
- 18. Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements is correct about the differences between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
Neither group was willing to dissolve the union over the questions of counting slaves for purposes of representation.
The Federalists believed a Bill of Rights was essential whereas the Anti-Federalists did not.
The Federalists believed in national sovereignty whereas the Anti-Federalists believed in strong state governments.
he Federalists did not believe in the need for a presidential cabinet whereas the Anti-Federalists did.
- 19. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of checks and balances, as established by the Constitution?
A requirement that states lower their legal drinking age to eighteen so they can receive federal highway grants
Media criticism of public officials during an election campaign period
The requirement that presidential appointments to the Supreme Court be approved by the Senate
The election of the President by the Electoral College rather than by direct election
- 20. Multiple Choice
The importance of Shays' Rebellion to the development of the United States Constitution was that it
revealed the necessity of adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution
demonstrated the intensity of anti-ratification sentiment within the thirteen states
convinced the delegates attending the Constitutional Convention to accept the Connecticut Plan
indicated that a strong national government was needed to protect property and maintain order
- 21. Multiple Choice
States and localities have the most discretion in establishing policy when federal funding is derived from
categorical grants
matching grants
block grants
project grants
- 22. Multiple Choice
The Constitution grants Congress the power to establish post offices and post roads. This is an example of
enumerated powers
implied powers
reserved powers
concurrent powers
- 23. Multiple Choice
“Dual Federalism” refers to the fact that
the Constitution provides two layers of government in the nation—the national and the state
There are two major forms of aid from the national government to the states—categorical and block grants
both the national and state governments can levy taxes on citizens
there is a distinct line between policies surrounding public education and private education in the states.
- 24. Multiple Choice
Both the national and states’ governments can establish court systems. This is an example of
reserved powers
a mandate
concurrent powers
full faith and credit clause
- 25. Multiple Choice
During the period just before adoption of the Constitution, an outbreak of violence known as _______________ may have made national leaders more receptive to political change.
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Concord and Lexington.
The Revolutionary War.
Shays’ Rebellion.
- 26. Multiple Choice
“In every free government, the people must give their assent to the laws by which they are governed. This is the true criterion between a free government and an arbitrary one. The former are ruled by the will of the whole, expressed in any manner they may agree upon; the latter by the will of one, or a few. If the people are to give their assent to the laws, by persons chosen and appointed by them, the manner of the choice and the number chosen, must be such, as to possess, be disposed, and consequently qualified to declare the sentiments of the people; for if they do not know, or are not disposed to speak the sentiments of the people, the people do not govern, but the sovereignty is in a few. Now, in a large extended country, it is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government….” --Brutus 1
Average citizens cannot be trusted to vote because of low levels of education.
The federal government should have greater authority than state legislatures.
Nations with extended territory cannot fairly represent their citizens in a republican form of government.
A small federal legislature is the best way to represent the will of the people in a large country.
- 27. Multiple Choice
The Declaration of Independence cites specific reasons for separating from British rule, including the British imposing taxes and maintaining a standing army without consent. Which of the following principles or ideas would these grievances be most related to?
The authority to create a centralized military among the colonies
Natural rights such as life, liberty, and property
The incorporation of checks and balances among the branches of government
Concurrent powers allowing the colonies to draft their own laws
- 28. Multiple Choice
Which of the following best characterizes the general argument made in Brutus 1?
A large republic is dangerous to personal liberty and undermines the states.
A small republic is more susceptible to corruption than a large republic.
A large republic would be preferable to a small one because more people could participate.
A small republic would pose more danger to individual liberty than a large republic.
- 29. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an accurate summary of James Madison's argument in The Federalist 10?
A large republic makes it possible to abolish factions and concentrate all power at the national level.
A large republic allows the federal government to dominate the state governments through the necessary and proper clause.
A large republic is a direct democracy where the people have a direct vote in policy matters, which controls factions.
A large republic presents more opportunities for groups to participate, compete, and limit each other.
- 30. Multiple Choice
In The Federalist 10, which of the following did James Madison argue would best control the negative effects of factions?
A large federal republic
A large unitary government
A small direct democracy
A law that prohibits factions
- 31. Multiple Choice
Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the infographic above?
Once a proposed amendment passes the first round of approval, there are four ways it can be ratified.
Amendment proposals are more easily passed by Congress than by states.
Only a few amendments have been ratified by special conventions in at least three-fourths or 34 of the states.
Amending the Constitution is a relatively easy process.
- 32. Multiple Choice
Which concern of the framers does the method illustrated in the infographic address?
National security
Individual rights
Flexibility
Fair representation
- 33. Multiple Choice
The cartoon expresses which of the following viewpoints?
Political ideology consists of an individual's set of beliefs
Many Americans are not well informed and hold conflicting views about the role of government.
Americans become more conservative as they age.
American political culture consists of shared beliefs and customs
- 34. Multiple Choice
The cartoon expresses which of the following viewpoints?
It's hard to define "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."
Politicians tend to be more focused on public opinion than policy.
The members of the Continental Congress were old and feeble.
Sometimes even wealthy and educated individuals don't know the best course of action.
- 35. Multiple Choice
According to the cartoon, the founding fathers wrote the Constitution to achieve what goal?
establish republican government
prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful
balance liberty with the protection of social order
prevent the elite from holding too much power
- 36. Multiple Choice
Which inference is most clearly drawn from the graph?
More federal grant money goes to "Other" than to all specifically identified categories combined.
During the period 2000-2010, "Transportation" funding grew by a greater percentage than "Income security" funding.
The category receiving the largest federal funding has shifted over time from "Education, training, employment, and social services" in 1975 to "Health" in 2011.
The same amount of funding has been allocated to "community and regional development" each year since 1978.
- 37. Multiple Choice
In United States v. Morrison, the Supreme Court struck down the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, stating: "Gender-motivated crimes of violence are not, in any sense of the phrase, economic activity. While we need not adopt a categorical rule against aggregating the effects of any non economical activity in order to decide these cases, thus far in our Nation's history out cases have upheld Commerce Clause regulation of intrastate activity only where that activity is economic in nature."
Which of the following cases best serves as precedent for the decision in United States v. Morrison?
U.S. v. Lopez
Marbury v. Madison
McCulloch v. Maryland
None of these cases could serve as precedent.
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