Final Study Guide – Fall 2014
American Government
1. Americans’ fear of _____ is reflected in the Articles of Confederation.
2. Additions to the constitution are called:
3. The first 10 amendments of the Constitution are better known as the:
4. What is the principle of popular sovereignty.
5. A _______ legislature is made up of two chambers.
6. Who wanted a strong national government and urged the ratification of the Constitution?
7. Why did the framers of the constitution create three separate branches of government?
8. Give a few examples of constitutional checks and balances.
9. Define gerrymandering:
10. Citizens who commit a crime in one State and then flee to another State to escape prosecution are to
be returned to the original State under
11. Explain separation of powers:
12. Define federalism
13. Explain Concurrent powers
14. Members of the House of Representatives are elected for _____ year terms.
15. What was the practical reason behind establishing a bicameral legislature?
16. When are Special sessions of Congress called?
17. How many Senators are up for re-election every two years?
18. The Senate is a continuous body, which means:
19. What is the franking privilege?
20. The commerce power gives Congress the right to
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21. The process by which a citizen of one country becomes a citizen of another is known as:
22. What are implied powers?
23. Who is the most important person in the House of Representatives?
24. What is the purpose of the Party Whips in Congress?
25. What does it mean when Congress adjourn?
26. What are the options for the President for dealing with a bill once he receives it?
27. What does the power of imminent domain mean?
28. Explain what is meant by the expressed powers of Congress.
Define these terms
Roles of Congressmen
 trustee

Partisan

politico
29. select committee
30. conference committee
31. standing committees
32. constituents
33. What is the process used in the Senate to end a filibuster called?
34. What are factors in choosing committee chairs?
35. How many seats are in the Senate?
36. What significant event triggers reapportionment of seats in the House of Representatives?
37. What is the primary goal of political parties?
38. What has caused the role of the executive branch to expand over time?
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39. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 occurred during whose presidency?
40. In which Executive Department can this agency be found? Occupational Safety & Health
Administration.
41. In order to be elected, a presidential candidate must have _____ electoral votes
42. According to the ______ amendment, a president can only be elected __ times.
43. What is the major flaw in the Electoral College system?
44. Explain the usual selection process of the members of a president’s cabinet.
45. List and explain the seven roles of the Presidency.
46. Why was the civil service created?
47. Who is the head of the federal bureaucracy?
48. If an incumbent President is not seeking another term in office or who is term limited, who will
his party likely nominate?
49. What are the qualifications to be president?
50. List the first 5 in the line of presidential succession.
51. What is the importance of Marbury v. Madison?
52. What is the “rule of four” in the Supreme Court?
53. The majority of the cases heard in the US each year are heard in __________ courts.
54. Which cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction in?
55. How does someone become a judge in the federal court system?
56. What is the job of a jury?
57. What is the purpose of setting bail?
Classify the following as Republican or Democrat
58. ___a strong military
61. ___Pro-Choice
59. ___more government involvement
62. ___Strict gun control laws
60. ___less government involvement
63. ___Equal rights for same-sex couples
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64. What is the President’s power to veto an act of Congress is an example of?
65. Which Supreme Court decision established the separate but equal doctrine was unconstitutional?
66. The Constitution requires that a representative be at least ____ years old and a Senator at
least____ years old.
67. What civil liberties protected by the Bill of Rights?
68. What major issue at the Constitutional Convention was resolved by what is known as the Great
Compromise?
69. A House district drawn to given an advantage to one political party is a (n):
70. This historic document from 1215 established the principle of the rule of law.
71. Among the broad purposes of the US government spelled out in the Preamble to the Constitution is the
obligation to:
72. What is the most common form of participating in the political process?
73. What is the process by which people form their political attitudes and values called?
74. Over time, the ideas first developed by minor parties (3rd parties) are often _____ by major parties. 75. Consider the quotations below.
“Life, liberty, and property . . .” —John Locke
“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness . . .”
—Declaration of Independence
These are examples of ______ Rights
76. How many people are in the House of Representatives?
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