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- 1. Multiple Choice
What is one way that Article II of the Constitution has contributed to the creation of the federal bureaucracy?
It gives the President the power to consult with the heads of the executive departments.
It mandates the creation of 15 Cabinet departments.
It is completely silent on the organization of the executive branch.
It stipulates that all three branches of the government be set up as bureaucracies.
- 2. Multiple Choice
Line agencies
support the work of the President and other administrators.
perform the work for which the agencies exist.
act in an advisory role to the executive branch.
assist in the management of the executive branch.
- 3. Multiple Choice
Explain an Argument The reason the legislative branch is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate is to check the power of
the judiciary.
the president.
the executive branch.
the legislative branch.
- 4. Multiple Choice
Which of the following parts of the executive branch BEST reflects job specialization?
the Vice President
the President
the executive departments
the Executive Office of the President
- 5. Multiple Choice
Some people argue that bureaucracies are undemocratic because
bureaucrats are appointed by the government rather than elected by the people.
bureaucrats often have viewpoints that are different from those of the general public.
bureaucracies are not mentioned in the Constitution.
bureaucracies lack stability because their staffs change every election year.
- 6. Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements BEST illustrates the function of a staff agency?
The Veterans Health Administration provides medical care to military veterans.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations carries out law enforcement and investigations.
The Office of Management and Budget assists the President in preparing the budget.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is responsible for pioneering the future in space exploration.
- 7. Multiple Choice
Why is the Executive Office of the President sometimes called "the President's right arm"?
It houses agencies staffed by key members of political parties.
It houses agencies staffed by the majority party leaders in Congress.
It houses agencies staffed by the President's key personal and political aides.
It houses agencies staffed by key lobbyists for powerful corporations.
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which of the following events MOST LIKELY led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2002?
a major earthquake struck El Salvador in 2001
terrorists attacked the United States in 2001
a NASA space probe began to map the surface of Mars in 2002
Switzerland joined the United Nations in 2002
- 9. Multiple Choice
How does geography influence the selection of Cabinet secretaries?
Candidates are chosen to give regional balance to the Cabinet.
Candidates are chosen to give professional experience to the Cabinet.
Candidates are chosen to give interest groups access to the Cabinet.
Candidates are chosen to give the Senate influence over the Cabinet.
- 10. Multiple Choice
The Constitution makes no mention of a Cabinet, but most Presidents tend to rely on their Cabinet members’ advice and opinions. Why do you think that is?
The Cabinet members are the President’s closest allies within his political party.
The Cabinet members are the most knowledgeable in their respective departments.
The Cabinet members are usually from an opposing political party.
The Cabinet members are always people born in the United States.
- 11. Multiple Choice
What event(s) MOST LIKELY contributed to the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs?
Higher tax revenues gave the Federal Government the necessary funds to create a new department.
United States’ involvement in several wars and conflicts led to a push to address the needs of many military personnel.
The changes brought about by the industrial era created a need to focus on the rights of veterans as well as workers.
The attacks of 9/11 brought a new focus on national security and the military.
- 12. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the MOST LIKELY reason why it took until the 1930s to appoint a woman to a Cabinet position?
The societal norm up until that time suggested that a woman’s place was in the home.
Women during the time period were not interested in being Cabinet members.
Previous Presidents wanted to uphold the tradition of only having male Cabinet members.
No woman was qualified for the position up until that time.
- 13. Multiple Choice
The Executive Office of the President (EOP) BEST helps the President fulfill the role of chief administrator by
advising the President about key issues and assisting with the day-to-day work of the executive branch.
leading the preparation of the federal budget and submitting it to Congress each year.
setting and executing policy related to all laws passed by Congress, except those related to foreign affairs.
limiting the need for the President's involvement in matters related to the nation's security .
- 14. Multiple Choice
How is today's Cabinet similar to the one first established by George Washington?
Today's Cabinet still includes diverse advisors.
Today's Cabinet still includes advisors chosen by the President.
Today's Cabinet is still a small tight-knit group that regularly counsels the President.
Today's Cabinet still represents the interests of political groups seeking to influence policy.
- 15. Multiple Choice
The Office of Management and Budget is one of the largest and most influential units in the Executive Office because
it oversees the Oval Office and communicates the President's policies to the EOP, Congress, and the nation.
it advises the President on national security issues and projects spending requirements for military, foreign intelligence, and domestic security initiatives.
it prepares the federal budget and monitors the funds appropriated by Congress to all federal agencies.
it is the President's major source of information and advice on the state of the nation's economy and helps prepare the annual Economic Report to Congress.
- 16. Multiple Choice
Why it is important for the President to select the heads of the executive departments, rather than Congress?
The President has a better understanding of the laws and policies that the Cabinet must help him implement.
The President must rely on these department heads for assistance with raising campaign funds.
The President must rely on these department heads to help him choose his Cabinet officers.
The President must rely on these department heads for advice and assistance as he fulfills his duties as chief executive.
- 17. Multiple Choice
The main goal of the civil service today is to
do away with the spoils system and other forms of patronage.
provide jobs for those seeking positions in the Federal Government.
make sure that federal employees do not favor one political party.
recruit and keep the best people in the federal workforce.
- 18. Multiple Choice
The FCC is headed by five commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Only three of the five can belong to the same political party. The FCC is structured in this way to
maintain widespread monitoring of communications usage.
ensure consistent rates for public broadcasters.
prevent the President and either party from having too much influence over the FCC.
balance leadership between the President and private companies.
- 19. Multiple Choice
The biggest advantage of government corporations is their
flexibility.
low operating costs.
productivity.
profitability.
- 20. Multiple Choice
NASA is a government agency, and as such, its work belongs to the American people. NASA is
an independent regulatory commission that polices space-related commerce and activities.
a government corporation that undertakes businesslike activities related to space.
an independent executive agency devoted to space exploration and organized like a Cabinet department.
one of the Cabinet departments within the Department of Defense.
- 21. Multiple Choice
The FCC regulates
interstate commerce.
interstate communications.
intrastate commerce.
intrastate communications.
- 22. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a MAJOR reason why independent agencies were set up outside of the Cabinet departments?
because the Constitution limited the number of Cabinet departments to fifteen
because they can operate without answering to the Federal Government
to protect them from the influence of partisan and pressure politics
to create a system of checks and balances within the federal bureaucracy
- 23. Multiple Choice
Most independent executive agencies
have massive budgets and personnel.
are small and operate behind the scenes.
are found within the fifteen Cabinet departments.
get a great amount of publicity for what they do.
- 24. Multiple Choice
How is the Federal Reserve System, an independent regulatory commission, an exception to the principle of separation of powers?
The Federal Reserve System was created by the executive branch, so it is exempt from separation of powers.
The Federal Reserve System possesses a level of executive, legislative, and judicial powers in its work to regulate money.
The Federal Reserve System has executive powers and judicial powers because these powers are required in the work to manage money.
The Federal Reserve System formulates and administers the nation's credit and monetary policy, so it is exempt from separation of powers.
- 25. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of American foreign policy in action?
The President issues a condemnation of human rights abuses in North Korea.
Congress passes a law regulating emissions from factories and automobiles.
The President travels to Texas to speak on behalf of a candidate for Congress.
Congress proposes an amendment to the Constitution requiring a balanced budget.
- 26. Multiple Choice
What was the main goal of the Open Door policy in China?
to expand and protect U.S. trade with China
to promote and establish democracy in China
to promote the involvement of European nations in China
to maintain good diplomatic relations with Japan and China
- 27. Multiple Choice
Which of the following could BEST be used as an argument AGAINST the policy of containment?
the Korean War
the Berlin blockade
the Vietnam War
the Cuban missile crisis
- 28. Multiple Choice
How has the overall direction of American foreign policy changed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries?
The United States has pulled back into a more isolationist position.
The United States is relying more on international cooperation.
The United States is reverting to the policy of containment.
The United States focuses on only certain areas of the world.
- 29. Multiple Choice
Which of the following ideals is critical to the policy of internationalism?
American resources should be reserved only for those in the United States.
The United States should work with other countries to promote world peace and to protect American interests abroad.
The United States is not morally obligated to establish democracy in other parts of the world.
The strength of the United States is due to its own self-reliance and non-involvement with other countries in the world.
- 30. Multiple Choice
How does the foreign policy of the United States affect the troubled areas of the world?
The United States has stepped in to promote and defend democracy with military force when necessary.
The United States has avoided involvement in the affairs of other countries due to its isolationist approach to foreign policy.
The United States has only intervened in the affairs of other countries when attacked on American soil.
The United States works first to ensure peace in other countries before enforcing national defense at home.
- 31. Multiple Choice
What is the significance of the Monroe Doctrine?
It prevented European powers from establishing new colonies anywhere in the world.
It helped nations in the Caribbean establish democratic forms of government.
It viewed European interference in the Americas as a potential threat to the United States.
It prohibited trade by European nations with any country in the Americas.
- 32. Multiple Choice
Which
of the following statements BEST describes American involvement in Vietnam?
The policy of containment was practiced in Asia as well as Europe.
Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson all practiced deterrence during the war.
The "Vietnamization" of the war was an example of Nixon's new policy of détente.
Vietnam was a "cold" war as opposed to a "hot" war.
- 33. Multiple Choice
Which of the following has had a major effect on today's foreign policy challenges?
the Internet
the Vietnam War
the end of the cold war
political parties
- 34. Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements BEST shows how government regulations can restrict private enterprise?
A small business owner is required to comply with the same regulations as that of a larger business.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission monitors safety for items, such as children's toys.
Regulations require all future products to have updated labels to reflect new standards.
A large business owner spends a small part of its budget on hard hats for its employees.
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