Name ______________________________
Unit II Study Guide
1. What is the elastic clause? Give an example.
2. What are the two main parts of the legislative branch?
3. What is the name of Maryland’s legislative body?
4. Who is responsible for making laws?
5. What are some of the responsibilities of the Maryland General Assembly?
6. Why do former congress members often become lobbyists?
7. The population of a state has increased over the years, but its representation in Congress has declined.
How might this be explained?
8. Because of population shifts in the South and West, what part of the legislative branch has allowed these
areas of the country to have more influence?
9. What is a filibuster?
10. How does the federal government manage the economy through fiscal policy?
11. What is gerrymandering? What could happen as a result of gerrymandering?
12. What are the residents (people) of a representative’s district called?
13. What are some of the actions taken by interest groups?
14. Who in the government has the most control over defense spending?
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15. What is a referendum?
16. What house of the legislative branch approves treaties with foreign nations?
17. How is membership in the House of Representatives determined? The Senate?
18. What are delegated powers?
19. Give an example of a concurrent power.
20. What is an ex post facto law?
21. What is the first step in the process of a bill becoming a law?
22. What is a pocket veto?
23. What is a writ of habeas corpus?
24. What is a primary goal of a special interest group?
25. What might members of a special interest group do to gain support for a law proposed in Congress?
26. What are the two houses of the Maryland legislature called?
27. What did McCulloch v. Maryland establish?
28. What is reapportionment?
FRQ Topics: (Periods 2 & 3 = both / Periods 4 & 6 = Choose one)
#1 – Define: census, reapportionment and gerrymandering. Explain how each impacts political parties and
those running for office.
#2 - Describe the make-up of the two houses of Congress: House & Senate. Be sure to include qualifications
for membership, main goals, and structure of each house in your answer.
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