Government 2011 Fall Semester Test

1.

2 points

It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the
others . . . Were the executive magistrate, or the judges, not
independent of the legislature in this particular, their independence in every other would be merely nominal.
James Madison, Federalist No. 51

The quotation above advocates which of the following constitutional principles?

popular sovereignty

separation of powers

checks and balances

republicanism

2.

2 points

Speaker 1: I never vote because all of my friends think it's not important.
Speaker 2: My family members have been Democrats for generations and so am I.
Speaker 3: When I came to this country, one party really helped me. I'll always vote for them.
Speaker 4: I like one party's TV ads more than the others. So, if I vote, I'll vote for them.

Each of the four speakers above is demonstrating which of the following?

the various factors that influence our political attitudes

a lack of understanding about the political process

a desire to be involved with a political party

examples of outstanding citizenship

3.

2 points

All of the following are reasons that the Constitution protects freedom of speech in the 1st Amendment EXCEPT—

It provides protection to the government

It allows debate on controversial issues

It allows discussion for compromise

It provides for free flow of information

4.

2 points

When Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, he was a senator from Illinois. How was his vacated Senate seat filled?

President Obama named his replacement.

The Illinois legislature named his replacement.

The Governor of Illinois named the replacement.

Illinois held a special election.

5.

2 points

Which of the following was a function of NASA?

administer the executive budget for research

oversee the exploration and research into space travel

regulate interstate commerce and trade

manage information traffic of communication satellites

6.

2 points

Allows members of Congress to send official mail without paying for postage.

franking privilege

apportionment

gerrymandering

bills of attainder

7.

2 points

Court order that asks police to take suspects to court and to show good cause to continue to hold them in jail.

ex post facto

gerrymandering

bill of attainder

writ of habeas corpus

8.

2 points

While the U.S. Constitution can be amended in several different ways, which of the following methods has been the MOST effective
process over the years?

proposed by 2/3 of Congress, ratified by 3/4 of state constitutional conventions

proposed by 2/3 of state legislatures at a national convention, ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures

proposed by 2/3 of Congress, ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures

proposed by 2/3 of state legislatures in a national convention, ratified by 3/4 of all 50 states' constitutional conventions

9.

2 points

The 1964 Supreme Court case Wesberry v. Sanders established

qualifications of Congress

the one person, one vote principal

the franking privilege

a ban against gerrymandering

10.

2 points

Which of the following is a function of a political party?

to report on political issues

to attain and maintain political power

to enforce the laws

to follow Constitutional requirements

11.

2 points

Which article introduces and explains the Judicial Branch?

Article I

Article II

Article III

Article IV

12.

2 points

A judge, deferring actions to the legislative and executive branches, except for cases that are clearly unconstitutional, is practicing...

judicial majority

judicial restraint

unconstitutional

judicial activism

13.

2 points

If the President does not like a law passed by Congress, he can ________ it. One way is to send it back to the legislature _________. The other way is to hold it for ten days after
Congress adjourns. This is known as __________.

refuse ... unsigned ... line-item veto

veto ... immediately ... line-item veto

not accept ... immediately ... absolute power

veto ... unsigned ... pocket veto

14.

2 points

Which of the following is NOT a function of the judicial branch?

interpret laws

determine punishments

protect citizens

impeach the president

15.

2 points

Foreign policy responsibilities of the U.S. executive branch include all of the following EXCEPT-

negotiate treaties with nations

grant recognition to new governments

issue executive orders

receive ambassadors

16.

2 points

A person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest group.

lobbyist

Whips

committee member

PAC's

17.

2 points

The federal judicial system encompasses all of the following courts EXCEPT-

the Supreme Court

district courts

precinct courts

circuit courts

18.

2 points

Which of the following was the result of the compromise allowing the Virginia Plan as well as the New Jersey Plan to determine the structure of Congress?

unicameral legislature

bicameral legislature

parliamentary system

national and state legislatures

19.

2 points

"The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
9th Amendment

What is the intent of the 9th Amendment?

The people have additional rights not listed in the Constitution that cannot be denied.

Describing rights in the Constitution should not be denied.

The people only possess the rights listed in the Constitution.

People should not speak badly of the rights described in the Constitution.

20.

2 points

All of the following are opportunities for citizens to participate in political party activities at all levels EXCEPT—

voting

building yard signs

passing legislation

contributing financially

21.

2 points

Regulatory commissions are ________, but appointed by the ________ with _________ approval, and regulate __________.

dependent ... Senate ... Executive ... other agencies

dependent ... President ... Congress ... Wall Street

independent ... President ... Senate ... industry

independent... Senate ... Executive ... President

22.

2 points

-exclusive
-concurrent
-original
-appellate

Which of the following is the BEST category for the list above?

Types of Courts

Types of Jurisdictions

Types of Judges

Types of Rulings

23.

2 points

What is a requirement to be a Supreme Court Justice?

Must be at least 40 years of age

Naturalization or be born in the United States

Presidential appointment and approved by the United States Senate

Appointed by a Senator and approved by the President

24.

2 points

How long is the term of office for a Supreme Court Justice?

2 years

4 years

8 years

Life; with good behavior

25.

2 points

All of the following are requirements for a member of the House of Representatives EXCEPT __________________ .

must be 25 years of age

must have been a citizen for the last seven years

must live in the state represented

must be a natural born citizen

26.

2 points

-Lead Major Governmental Departments
-Execute Policies and Laws
-Grown from 4 to 15 Posts

What does the list above describe?

congressional committees

regulatory commissions

cabinet members

executive agencies

27.

2 points

Seats in the House of Representatives are __________ among the states by population as determined by a ____________ conducted every ten years. The seats in the Senate are for ___________ terms and hold greater _____________.

apportioned ... census ... longer ... stature

granted ... elected ... longer ... power

elected ... census ... shorter ... flexibility

decided ... caucus ... longer ... stature

28.

2 points

A young shopper at a store is accused by a clerk of shoplifting. Which of the following will help the shopper in this situation?

freedom from juvenile prosecution

freedom of speech

due process of law

right to privacy

29.

2 points

Trials on impeachment charges are held in the...

Senate

House of Representatives

White House

Supreme Court

30.

2 points

"He shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."
Article 2, Section 2, U.S. Constitution

Which of the following examples is the President exercising the power described in Section 2?

President Carter sends military forces to Iran to rescue American citizens.

President Ford announces Nixon will not be charged with any crimes from Watergate.

President George W. Bush adds a new member to the cabinet.

President Truman removes General MacArthur as leader of American forces in Korea.

31.

2 points

Which duty of the vice-presidency is described in the U.S. Constitution?

President of the Senate

liaison to the Supreme Court

domestic policy advisor to the President

U.S. Representative to other countries

32.

2 points

Which of the following functions of the court system is not handled in federal courts?

issuing marriage certificates

holding trials for automobile moving violations

deciding questions on copyrights

hearing federal felony cases

33.

2 points

The Department of War, which included the armed forces, was part of the executive branch during the early years of the republic. Which article of the Constitution empowered the executive branch to create the department?

Establish Justice – Article III, Section 1

Insure domestic tranquility – Article I, Section 8

Provide for the common defense – Article II Section 2

Promote the general welfare – Article I Section 8

34.

2 points

I. Party nomination in Convention
II. Campaigning, primaries & caucuses
III. General Election
IV. Electoral College

Which of the following is the correct sequence of events for electing the president?

I, III, IV, II

II, I, III, IV

III, I, II, IV

IV, III, I, II

35.

2 points

How did the decision of Miranda v. Arizona impact accused persons?

Accused people now do not have to worry about a trial

Accused people now must be held in jail until trial

Accused people now must be made aware of their rights

Accused people now may post a bond to be released from pre-trial detention

36.

2 points

435 members : ___________ :: 100 members : _____________

committees ... House

House ... Senate

Senate ... House

Senate ... committees

37.

2 points

All of the following are ways interest groups effect public policy EXCEPT—

lobbying

providing information

nominating candidates

organizing people

38.

2 points

What type of powers result from the Elastic Clause?

reserved powers

inherent powers

expressed powers

implied powers

39.

2 points

Which kind of judicial decision-making acknowledges the power of judges to promote new social policy by overturning precedent?

judicial majority

judicial restraint

judicial constitutionality

judicial activism

40.

2 points

I. Supreme Court
II. District Court
III. Precinct Court
IV. Circuit Court

If someone has been tried for and convicted of a serious federal crime, to which of the above courts may that person appeal?

I & II

II & III

III & IV

I & IV

41.

2 points

Which of the following is NOT an exclusive power of the House of Representatives?

power to approve treaties

power to initiate revenue bills

power to impeach officials

power to elect the President in case of electoral college deadlocks

42.

2 points

What prohibits the setting up of a national church in the U.S. Constitution?

Free Exercise Clause

Elastic Clause

Judicial Review

Establishment Clause

43.

2 points

The U. S. Constitution sets up a system of checks and balances to keep one branch of government from gaining too much power. One example is that the President appoints, but the Senate confirms, nominations to executive offices. Another example is that Congress ____________ the law, but the Supreme Court ___________ its constitutionality.

reviews, makes

reviews, confirms

makes, reviews

appoints, reviews

44.

2 points

1. Bill introduced into the House of Representatives
2. Assigned to committee
3. Considered and approved by House
4. ?
5. Signed by the President

Which of the following completes the steps above?

Sent to the Senate for similar process

Marked up and added to calendar

Reviews and hearings

Goes to conference committee

45.

2 points

How did President Jefferson encourage the westward expansion of the United States?

by signing legislation that created a national park system

by signing a treaty with Spain to acquiring Florida

by purchasing the Louisiana Territory from France

by refusing to enter into entangling foreign alliances

46.

2 points

Why is a free press a necessity in the United States?

reports the news daily

equalizes the political party powers

checks the power of the government

guarantees separation of powers

47.

2 points

Which group has the power to advise and consent on some executive decisions?

Congress

Senate

House of Representatives

Supreme Court

48.

2 points

The Founding Fathers established a federal system for all of the following reasons EXCEPT—

to divide the power given to government

to establish a system of checks and balances

to increase power at the national level

to protect the rights of the people

49.

2 points

George Washington set the precedent of having a group of close advisers, called the Cabinet, help him make decisions. Since then, the Cabinet members have become very important. How are they placed in office?

They are elected every two years.

They are appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate.

They are appointed by the President, confirmed by the House.

They are nominated at the party's national convention.

50.

2 points

Which interpretation of the 1st Amendment did the Supreme Court apply to the decision Engle v. Vitale?

Protesters have the right of free speech as long as they are peaceful.

Newspapers may print the facts liberally under freedom of press.

Adults have the freedom to choose their religion under the free exercise clause.

Students are not required to pray in school under the establishment clause.