Federalism Practice Questions
Barron’s
Which of the following represents the
theoretical definition of federalism?
A. Division of power between the federal
government and state governments
B. A strict separation of power between the
federal government and the state
governments
C. A division of power between the federal
government and state governments where
the power emanates from the states
D. A singular relationship that is characterized
by control emanating one way from a
central government
Answer
• A. Division of power between the
federal government and state
governments
•
Advocates of a strong federal system
believe in all of the following EXCEPT:
A. State and local governments do not have
all the resources necessary to deal with
the problems facing the country
B. Local politicians are provincial in their
point of view
C. State and local governments cannot
support the vast programs necessary to
support citizens
D. Local leaders are more suited to solve
problems than national leaders
E. An elitist group would be more likely to
gain control in a country dominated by
local interests
Answer
D. Local leaders are more suited to solve
problems than national leaders
According to the writings of the Federalist Papers, which of the
following reflects a major reason for the support of a federal
system?
A. Local governments are best suited to meet the
needs of the majority interests of the country
B. Local governments will maintain their authority
and will be able to care for their citizens
C. The central government is best suited to recognize
the needs and interests of local governments
D. There will be a constant clashing of opinions
between the interests of the local and federal
governments
E. Factions would be strengthened by the formation
of a federal system of a government
Answer
B. Local governments will maintain their
authority and will be able to care for
their citizens
All the following Supreme Court cases dealt
with the issue of federalism EXCEPT
A. Gibbons v Ogden
B. Marbury v Madison
C. McCulloch v Maryland
D. Barron v Baltimore
E. Fletcher v Peck
Answer
B. Marbury v Madison
The constitutional provision used in the Supreme case McCulloch v.
Maryland was:
I. the necessary and proper clause
II. The supremacy clause
III. the interstate commerce clause
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, and III
Answer
C. I and II only
The constitutional basis of dual
federalism can be found in:
A. The
B. The
C. The
D. The
E. The
“necessary and proper” clause
Tenth Amendment
elastic clause
implied power provision
enumerated powers
Answer
B. The Tenth Amendment
Which general area of policy is generally
left up to the states?
A. Foreign policy
B. Military policy
C. Relations among the several states
D. Health and welfare
E. immigration
Answer
D. Health and welfare
Which general are of policy is generally
left up to the central government?
A. Health
B. Interstate commerce
C. Education
D. Police
E. Voting requirements
Answer
B. Interstate commerce
Which kind of federalism best describes an
autonomous relationship between the states and
national government?
A. Cooperative federalism
B. Creative federalism
C. Layer cake federalism
D. Fiscal federalism
E. Marble cake federalism
Answer
C. Layer cake federalism
All of the following are characteristics of
marble cake federalism EXCEPT:
A. There are mingled responsibilities and
blurred distinctions between the levels of
government
B. The federal government becomes more
intrusive in state affairs
C. There is a greater sharing of
responsibilities between the federal and
state levels
D. The national government exercises its
power independently from state
governments
E. There is a greater cooperation between
the federal and state governments
Answer
D. The national government exercises its
power independently from state
governments
Creative Federalism of the Great Society was characterized
by:
I. shared costs between the national and state governments
II. Guidelines and rules set down by the federal government
III. Singular administration programs
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
I only
II only
I and III only
I and II only
I, II, and III
Answer
D. I and II only
Which historical period represents the
introduction of competitive federalism?
A. The Civil War
B. The New Deal
C. World War II
D. The Great Society
E. The 1970s and 1980s
Answer
E. The 1970s and 1980s
Which type of federalism is characterized
by a pattern of competitive grants?
A. Dual federalism
B. Cooperative federalism
C. Fiscal federalism
D. Creative Federalism
E. Marble cake federalism
Answer
C. Fiscal federalism
Which of the following best represents the
components of fiscal federalism?
I. the passage of funded mandates
II. The passage of revenue sharing measures
III. The passage of categorical grants
A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and III only
E. I, II, and III
Answer
E. I, II, and III
An alternative developed by the federal
government that places the primary fiscal
responsibility on the states was:
A. Revenue sharing
B. Project grants
C. Formula grants
D. Unfunded mandates
E. Reimbursement grants
Answer
D. Unfunded mandates
Which of the following laws was challenged by
states because they felt that the federal
government imposed an unfair unfunded mandate:
A. Family and Medical Leave Act
B. Motor Voter Registration Act
C. Clean Air Act
D. Clean Water Act
E. Crime Bill
Answer
B. Motor Voter Registration Act
Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan’s
vision of a new federalism favored:
A. An increase in the power and
authority of the federal government
B. A cooperative spirit between the
federal and state governments
C. An increase in federal mandates
D. The downsizing of the federal
government
E. A decrease in the defense budget
Answer
D. The downsizing of the federal
government
Which of the following provisions of the Republican Contract with
America addresses the issue of federalism?
I. term limits constitutional amendment
II. Balanced budget constitutional amendment
III. Welfare reform act
A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. II and III only
Answer
E. II and III only