Government Final Review
Which of the following examples shows a
government exercising its executive powers?
• Deciding whether a law is constitutional or not
• Enforcing a new tax law
• Making a law that alters the voting requirements
• Settling a dispute between two branches of government
If you know that a nation has a parliamentary system of
government, but you have no other information, what do you
know for certain about the structure of that government?
• Who is allowed to participate in the governing process
• The geographic distribution of power in a state
• The relationship between the executive and legislative branches
• That its laws must be in a written constitution
Which of the following statements about the forms of government shown in
the chart is correct?
In a unitary system, the central government determines which powers the
local
governments have
Under the federal system, the states have only those powers granted by the
national government
The central government is strongest in a confederate system
Under the confederate and federal systems, local and central governments
have equal powers
In what way are America’s representative
democracy and free enterprise similar?
• Both are designed to protect the rights of individuals
• Both are regulated by a central government
• Both are types of political systems
• Both are based on the principles of individual liberty and choice
Which system of government was most closely associated with the
pyramid above?
Democratic Republic
Feudalism
Absolute Monarchy
Theocracy
Which of the following accurately summarizes the
different purposes of the First and Second
Continental Congresses?
• The First Continental Congress was held to write new laws for the colonies,
while the Second Continental Congress implemented those laws
• The First Continental Congress was held to write new State constitutions,
while the Second Continental Congress ratified those constitutions
• The First Continental Congress was held to limit the authority of royal
governors in the colonies, while the Second Continental Congress issued
the Declaration of Rights
• The First Continental Congress was held to determine a response to British
policies, while the Second Continental Congress governed the nation
during the Revolutionary War
Which of the following MOST DIRECTLY led to
the calling of the First Continental Congress?
• The Stamp Act Congress
• The Stamp Act
• The Intolerable Acts
• The Boston Tea Party
Which of the following is an example of Congress
expanding the provisions of the Constitution by
enacting law rather than seeking a formal Amendment?
• Creating a federal court system
• Allowing the President to make war without formally declaring war
• Establishing the power of judicial review
• Carrying out the practice of senatorial courtesy
Which of the following is an example of the
principle of judicial review being exercised?
• The Supreme Court declares a State law unconstitutional
• The President appoints a candidate to serve on the Supreme Court
• The Senate first examines, and then rejects a Supreme Court
candidate
• Congress decides to impeach a federal judge for failure to uphold the
law
• In the early years of settlement in North America, most settlers,
traders, and explorers were French, Dutch, Spanish, and Swedish.
Based on the chart above, what is the best summary of the
population much later, in 1790?
• Irish, French, English, and African
• African, English, Irish, French
• English, African, Irish, German
• Scottish, African, English, Dutch
Which constitutional principle was being practiced at the event
represented by this ticket?
Check and balances
Popular Sovereignty
Federalism
Separation of Powers
If you wanted to gather a group of friends and
respectfully protest against a new law, which
Amendment’s protections would you rely on?
• a. Second Amendment
• b. Third Amendment
c. Fourth Amendment
d. First Amendment
“Powers not given to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution
belong to the state or to the people” 10th Amendment, U.S.
Constitution
• Which statement BEST describes the intent of the 10th Amendment?
• It is designed to make the States more powerful than the Federal
Government by granting them extra powers
• It seeks to limit the influence of the States by prohibiting them from
exercising certain powers
• It is an effort to promote a balance of power between the Federal and
State governments in the federal system
• It has the goal of forcing the States to request new constitutional
amendments to expand their powers
Because the news media projects the outcomes of
elections from each State as returns come in,
western states often suffer from
• The ‘time-zone fallout” issue
• Low turnout in off-year elections
• The problem of “nonvoting voters”
• The phenomenon known as ballot fatigue
The demand for tax payment in this photo is for the purpose of
ensuring what voting restriction?
A religious test put in place during the colonial era
A literacy test for those living in the southern states
A general voting requirement imposed by some states
A “whites only” restriction for the Democratic Party
Some people object to single-party voting as lacking serious
consideration of the candidates and the issues at stake. What
is the best argument for single-party voting?
• Most political parties are corrupt, so it really doesn’t matter whom
someone votes for.
• Political parties stand for certain principles, so anyone running under
a party banner likely holds similar views.
• It ultimately matters more which party is in the majority, rather than
who sits in each individual legislative seat.
• The decentralized nature of political parties means that the person
who is elected will have less power than the party chairperson.
What is one way events of the 1960’s and 1970’s
shaped public opinion on American political
issues?
• Events of this persuaded a large majority of Americans to support an
expanded role for government.
• Events of this era led to positive attitudes toward government and its
role in their lives for most Americans.
• Events of this era resulted in a growing pessimism toward
government among a large number of Americans.
• Events of this era caused many Americans to become concerned
about public safety and homeland security
• “The media play a very large role in shaping the public agenda, the societal problems that the
nation’s political leaders and the general public agree need government attention. As they report
and comment on events, issues, policies, and personalities, the media determine to a very large
extent what public matters the people will think and talk about-and, so, those matters about
which public policy makers will be most concerned”
• The best example of this is
• A radio station changing its format from a lineup of talk shows to commercial free music
• A young person deciding to read a daily newspaper on the internet rather than in print.
• Millions of people visiting social network sites to comment after watching a football game.
• A news network airing a story on the national debt instead of a story on homelessness
In what ways do political parties act as “bonding
agents” between themselves and the voting
public?
• The parties guarantee party loyalists that their candidate will win the
election.
• The parties assure people who support them that once in office, their
candidates will vote along party lines.
• The parties attempt to nominate people who hold the views of the
party’s national committee, thereby ensuring loyalty.
• The parties try hard to choose candidates are both qualified for the
office, and of good character.
Which of the following examples best
describes a typical nonvoter?
• A young woman with a law degree who recently started working at a
law firm.
• An older woman who is married and a long-time resident of an urban
area.
• A young man who is an unskilled worker and lives in a rural
community.
• An older man who lives in the South and has a high sense of political
success
How has social media affected politics in the
United States?
• It has increased the public's interest in partisan politics.
• It has increased the public's political involvement.
• It has decreased the public's need for in-depth coverage of political
issues.
• It has decreased the public's confidence in government.
Which of the following is the MOST ACCURATE
statement about voters aged 18–20?
• The number of young voters has gone steadily down in every
presidential election since 1972.
• Members of this age group consistently vote in higher numbers than
Americans 65 and older.
• Turnout for this age group has consistently been the highest of all age
groups.
• Members of this age group have shown themselves to be less likely to
vote than any other age group.
Which of the following is MOST LIKELY to vote
Democratic?
• A 25-year-old African American woman from Boston.
• A middle-aged farmer from central Pennsylvania.
• A young male Protestant from South Carolina.
• A retired white schoolteacher from Omaha, Nebraska
• What method of voting is this photograph most likely showing?
• A sample ballot
• A punch-card ballot
An office-group ballot
An absentee ballot
Which of the following factors are MOST LIKELY to
influence a person's long-term political opinions?
• A small drop in the unemployment rate from one month to the next.
• A television documentary on rising crime rates in the nation's cities.
• Class time from kindergarten through graduation spent learning
about U.S. history.
• A political cartoon in a local newspaper criticizing the President's
approach to trade with China.
Which of the following is an example of the
partisan press?
• A radio talk show that gives air time to politicians only if all views are
presented.
• A news network that airs stories only from a conservative point of
view.
• A newspaper that includes one Democratic and one Republican
editorial.
• A Web page on which anyone can post anything about immigration
reform.
In contemporary times, a political party's nominees and
platform are decided long before the party's convention takes
place. With that in mind, what is one benefit of holding a
national convention?
• It is the only chance to appoint the delegates who will represent the
party.
• It allows party members to express their preferences at the precinct
level.
• It provides an opportunity to promote the party's candidates and gain
the public's support.
• It gives the candidates a chance to stand side by side with their
opponents and provide a more accurate comparison
The states that receive the most attention during
the presidential campaigns are those with
• The most active voters
• No clear party loyalties
Large industrial centers
The most educated populace
One major reason a candidate might turn down
the FEC subsidy is because candidates who receive
subsidies
• Cannot spend unlimited amounts of money on their campaigns.
• Cannot accept donations from individuals or groups.
• Must use campaign donations to pay back the subsidies.
• Must keep detailed records of their expenses and disclose how much
they spend.
Which of the following is an example of direct
lobbying?
• Drafting legislation for a member of Congress
• Participating in a talk show panel discussion
• Starting a get-out-the-vote campaign online
• Mobilizing a grass-roots effort in a hometown
Which of the following voter registration
requirements is believed by some to help prevent
fraudulent voting today?
• Demonstrating the ability to read and write
• Providing proof of permanent residency
• Requiring voters to show ID in order to vote
• Paying a small and equitable poll tax
__________ privileges refers to the free use
of the mails enjoyed by Congress.
• Con-mail Junket
• E-mail
Franking
The U.S. House of Representatives has
__________ members.
• 638
• 100
435
100
How many senators are elected from each
state
• one
• two
four
It depends on a state’s population
The U.S. Senate has __________ members
• 100
• 50
535
435
Which of the following is TRUE about the
minimum age requirements for members of
Congress set forth in the Constitution?
• One must be at least 21 years of age to serve in the House of
Representatives.
• The age requirements are the same for the House and the Senate.
• One must be at least 30 years of age to serve in the Senate.
• One must be at least 35 years of age to serve in either the House or
the Senate.
Incumbents are those
• Running for office for the first time.
• Running for an office.
• Already holding office
• Retired members of Congress.
Which of these candidates would most likely
get elected?
• An incumbent
• A senator running for re-election
• A representative running for re-election
• An incumbent representative challenging a senator
Federal grants and contracts that members of
Congress try to obtain for their constituents are
collectively referred to as
• Affirmative action.
• The pork barrel.
• Casework.
• Public service.
Bicameralism means that a legislative body is
one
• In which there are only two political parties.
• In which each state has two senators, providing equal representation
of the states.
• With two houses, providing checks and balances on policymaking.
• In which incumbents have a better chance of being re-elected,
providing continuity in policymaking.
House seats are up for election every
• Six years.
• Five years.
•
Two years
Four years
According to the Constitution, revenue bills
must originate in the
• Senate.
• Federal Reserve System.
Treasury Department
House
The filibuster
• Is unique to the Senate.
• Is allowed in both the House and the Senate.
• Has been ruled unconstitutional.
• Is unique to the House.
A Senate seat is up for election every
• Eight years
• Four years.
Two years
Six years
The __________ has the job of presiding over
the Senate, breaking ties when necessary.
• Vice President
• Majority leader
Speaker
Majority Whip
Members of Congress who informally band together in
groups to promote and protect mutual interests (e.g.,
mushroom growers) form what are called
• Interest groups
• Caucuses
Subcommittees
Committees
Legislators who use their best judgment to make
policy in the interests of the people are called
• Trustee
• Delegate
Politicos
Paritisan
A new Congress starts on what day?
• The third day in January on every even numbered year
• The first Tuesday after the first Monday every odd numbered year
• The third day in January on every odd numbered year
• On January 20th following an election in November
The President is the author of the nation’s
public policies in his or her role of
• Commander in Chief
• Chief legislator
Chief of Party
Chief Citizen
• The image above shows President Reagan with some U.S. troops.
Which presidential role does this photograph illustrate?
• The President as Commander in Chief
• The President as Chief Administrator
• The President as Chief Economist
• The President as Chief of State
Many first ladies have championed causes that were personal
to them after their husbands had become President. Who was
the first lady that started openly getting involved in political
issues?
• Abigail Adams
• Martha Washington
Mary Todd Lincoln
Eleanor Roosevelt
In 1952, the Supreme Court ruled that President Harry Truman
overstepped his constitutional authority when he ordered the Secretary
of Commerce to seize and operate several steel mills because the
workers had gone on strike during war. What is this an example of?
• The judicial branch limiting the legislative branch
• The legislative branch limiting the executive branch
• The judicial branch limiting the executive branch
• The legislative branch limiting the judicial branch
Which of the following is an example of a nation whose
government the United States recognizes, but about
which our nation has serious misgivings?
• Iran
• France
Mexico
Ireland
Which role of the President is defined by being a
ceremonial figure head of the Federal
Government?
• Chief of Party
• Chief of State
Chief Legislator
Chief Economist
If the 22nd amendment were to be repealed, what
would that mean for any former living President?
• Repealing the 22nd Amendment would raise the salary of any former
President.
• Repealing the 22nd Amendment would allow a former President to
help the current President for the next 4 year term
• Repealing the 22nd Amendment would enable a former President to
serve in a current Presidents cabinet
• Repealing the 22nd Amendment would allow a former President to
run for a third term for President
• . Which is the most likely reason that the cartoonist has dressed the characters in
this cartoon in this way?
•
•
•
•
•
To show that they are too young to be holding public office
To show that they are behaving immaturely by arguing about everything
To show that they both have taken the stewardship approach to the presidency
To show that they both have taken the Whig approach to the presidency
Which label below might be used to describe a
President who believes in the Whig theory of
presidential leadership?
• “Born to serve only one term”
• “Born to trample on the Constitution”
• “Born to imitate President Roosevelt”
• “Born to live by the Constitution”
In the 1960’s, President Kennedy directed his military adviser,
General Taylor, to refuse to testify before a congressional
committee investigating the Bay of Pigs affair. This is an
example of the use of which presidential power?
• Executive Privilege
• Ordinance Power
Veto Power
Pardoning Power
On what day is the President to be sworn into
office?
• January 19th
• January 21st
January 20th
January 22nd
Citizens expect the government, through agencies like the
National Security Agency, to keep us safe from terrorists by
collecting and analyzing information that they collect. But they
also expect ___________
• Defense spending to be cut
• A right to privacy
• The U.S. to avoid engaging in espionage
• To know everything that is going on in the NSA
Which best explains the function of the
Cabinet?
• Principal source of presidential advice
• “Nerve center” of the executive branch
• Collection of political strategists who often have the final say on
issues
• Departmental secretaries who consider presidential policies based on
their areas of expertise
• Which of the following can be reasonably hypothesized from the
graph?
• The judicial branch is important
• The executive branch has power over the other branches
• The executive branch payroll is the largest in the Federal Government
• The legislative branch has grown since the time of Thomas Jefferson
Why did the Constitution provide separate
court systems?
• To keep the federal court system from being overwhelmed
• To establish the federal court system as having more power than State
courts
• To maintain a balance of power between the Federal Government
and the States
• To strengthen the balance of power between the three branches of
Federal Government
What is the difference between original
jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?
• Original jurisdiction refers to a case being heard in a federal court;
appellate jurisdiction refers to a case being heard in a State court
• Original jurisdiction refers to criminal or civil cases; appellate jurisdiction
refers to only civil cases
• Original jurisdiction refers to a case that could be heard in a federal or a
State court; appellate jurisdiction refers to a case that must be heard in a
federal court
• Original jurisdiction refers to a court where a case is first heard; appellate
jurisdiction refers to a case being heard after it was tried in a lower court
What is the process as to how federal judges
selected?
• The person is named to the bench by the President and confirmed by
the Senate
• The person is names to the bench by the President and does not need
to be confirmed
• The person is publicly elected to the bench and confirmed by the
Senate
• The person is nominated by the Senate and chosen by the President
Which constitutional amendment protects the
right of a person accused of a crime to obtain a
lawyer?
• 1st Amendment
• 4th Amendment
5th Amendment
6th Amendment
A writ of habeus corpus is a
• Court order preventing an unjust arrest or imprisonment
• Legislative act that inflicts punishment without a court trial
• Law applied to an act committed before the law was passed
• Formal complaint to a grand jury that accuses someone with a crime
Which of the following is not a way that a
Supreme Court justice can lose their position?
• Retire
• Die
Resign
Replaced
Which Supreme Court case decided judicial
review?
• Plessy v. Ferguson
• Marbury v. Madison
Roe v. Wade
Brown v. Board of Education
Laws, orders, and regulations that are issued
by Federal, State, or local agencies
• Constitutional Law
• Statutory Law
Administrative Law
Common Law
"We conclude that the doctrine of 'separate but equal'
has no place. Separate educational facilities are
inherently unequal." —Chief Justice Earl Warren
• What Supreme Court case does the following opinion come from?
• Gideon v. Wainwright
• Brown v. Board of Education
New Jersey v. T.L.O
Texas v. Johnson
Which Supreme Court case helped to decide
the exclusionary rule?
• New Jersey v. T.L.O.
• Texas v. Johnson
Timber v. DeMoines
Mapp v. Ohio
If a grand jury decides that there is enough
evidence to send a case to trial, they have come
up with what judgement?
• Guilty
• Not Guilty
Indictment
Acquittal
What is the only crime that is defined in the
U.S. Constitution?
• Treason
• Murder
Assault
Fraud
A law passed after the fact is called
___________
• Writ of Habeus Corpus
• Bill of Attainder
Ex Post Facto
Subpeona