A.P. Government
First Midterm
Constitutional Underpinnings & Congress
Ch 2-4 and 10
This exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question worth 25 points. The total for the exam is 75
points but will count as100 points towards your overall grade.
Multiple Choice Section:
Choose the best answer and mark the corresponding oval on the scantron. Be sure to remove all unnecessary marks
before turning in the exam.
1.
Civic virtue is best defined as
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
2.
The Federalists believed that the best way to protect natural rights was to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
3.
a divine monarchy.
rights for the minority.
majority rights.
natural rights.
democratic rule.
When the Articles of Confederation were adopted, the nation’s major concern was dominated by
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
5.
have a bill of rights in the Constitution.
relay on separation of powers and checks and balances.
provide for a highly educated people.
allow all adult males the right to vote.
allow everyone to vote.
John Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government advocates
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
4.
giving authority to government in exchange for protection of your natural rights.
putting the common good above your own individual interests.
giving up some of your natural rights in order to create a strong government.
separating power among groups to maintain a balanced government.
giving authority to the majority.
slavery.
religious freedom.
equality for women.
political dominance by the central government.
economic issues.
Which of the following statements best describes the Articles of Confederation?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
domination of the government by the states
a national congress with one house and no executive
no national court system
no ability of the central government to enforce the collection of taxes
I only
I and II only
I, II, and III only
I and IV only
I, II, III, and IV
6.
According to the natural rights philosophy, the main purpose of government is to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
create a democracy.
protect individual rights.
create a system of separation of powers.
promote the rights of the ruling class.
Promote due process of law.
7.
To say that the rights to life, liberty, and property are unalienable means that they
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
cannot be given up or taken away.
belong only to citizens.
are subject to government approval.
are protected by the Constitution
they are protected by the Bill of rights.
8.
A major weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation was its
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
lack of authority to regulate interstate trade.
unequal representation of the states.
power to violate individual rights.
combination of executive and judicial functions in a single branch of government.
tendency to over tax the citizens.
9.
The major objection to the Constitution by the Anti-Federalists was that
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the judicial branch lacked sufficient power.
it gave too much power to the House of Representatives.
certain actions required more than a simple majority vote.
it failed to contain a bill of rights.
the national government was still too weak.
10. Which statement(s) best reflects what the United States Constitution represents?
I.
II.
III.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The Constitution is a set of basic laws for the government.
The Constitution is an explanation of the way government operates, assigning separate powers to each
branch and guaranteeing citizens their rights.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
I only
III only
I and III only
II and III only
I, II, and III
11. Complete the following statement:
Even though the representatives to the Constitutional Convention came from different parts of the country and
had differing economic status, they were able to agree to
I.
II.
III.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
a series of political compromises.
a Republican government.
the method to count slaves for representation purposes.
I only
I and II only
I, II, and III
II and III only
I and III only
12. Which of the following created a compromise that led to the formation of a bicameral legislature?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Articles of Confederation
Connecticut Compromise
New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan
Three-Fifths Compromise
13. The Founders believed that the separation of powers was important in order to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
make the government more efficient.
allow more people to hold office.
prevent the misuse of power.
provide for legislative supremacy.
make government more powerful.
14. The idea that political power is derived from the people is called
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
popular sovereignty.
judicial review.
unitary government.
limited government.
popular government.
15. The delegates to the Philadelphia Convention were authorized to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
draft treaties governing international trade.
write a new constitution for the nation.
amend the Articles of Confederation.
develop a plan for admitting new states to the union.
select the next President under the Articles of Confederation.
16. In debate over representation in Congress, the larger states generally favored
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
equal representation.
proportional representation.
one representative per state.
bipartisan representation.
limited representation.
17. According to the supremacy clause of the Constitution, “supreme law of the land” refers to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
acts of the president.
decisions of the Supreme Court.
the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties.
laws passed by state legislatures.
decisions made by the federal bureaucracy.
18. The right of the Senate to approve or disapprove a treaty made by the president is an example of
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the “general welfare” clause.
separation of powers.
proportional representation.
federalism.
judicial review.
19. Among the important tasks facing the First Congress in 1789 was the need to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
create a system of federal courts.
ratify the Bill of Rights.
appoint the cabinet secretaries.
ratify the treaty which ended the Revolutionary War.
choose a president.
20. In our federal system, the scope of the national government’s authority grew significantly due to the Supreme
Court’s interpretation of the
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
“privileges and immunities” clause.
“free exercise” clause.
“necessary and proper” clause.
“full faith and credit” clause.
“commerce” clause.
21. Which of the following is a concurrent power that both the national and state governments have?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
power to tax
powers to coin money
powers to establish marriage laws
power to establish requirements to earn a diploma
national defense
22. According to the principle of federalism, who has the reserved powers?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the national government
congress
the courts
the states
the federal bureaucracy
23. Our first attempt at a national government was called
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the Confederation of the United States.
the Articles of Confederation
the Constitution
the Bill of Rights
the Declaration of Independence
24. The Constitution provides all of the following methods for amending the Constitution EXCEPT:
A. Amendments may be proposed by a 2/3 vote of each house of Congress and ratified by at least ¾ of the state
legislatures.
B. Amendments may be proposed by national constitutional convention and ratified by 2/3 vote of each house of
Congress.
C. Amendments may be proposed by a 2/3 vote of each house of Congress and ratified by specially called
conventions in ¾ of all states.
D. Amendments may be proposed by national constitutional convention and ratified by ¾ of the state legislatures.
E. Amendments may be proposed by national constitutional convention and ratified by specially called
conventions in ¾ of all states.
25.
a.
b.
c.
d.
The following compromise created a bicameral legislative branch
the three-fifths compromise
the commerce compromise
the Articles of Confederation
the great compromise
26. All of the following represent reasons why voters choose congressional candidates EXCEPT
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
endorsements by groups who represent different views than the voter.
political advertisements.
the positions the candidates take on key issues.
party affiliation of the voter.
the candidates positive standing in political polls.
27. All of the following are characteristics of marble cake federalism EXCEPT
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
there are mingled responsibilities and blurred distinctions between the levels of government.
the federal government becomes more intrusive in state affairs.
there is a greater sharing of responsibilities between the federal and state levels of government.
the national government exercises its power independently from state governments.
there is greater cooperation between federal and state governments.
28. Which general area of policy is generally left up to the central government?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Health
interstate commerce
education
police
voting requirements
29. Which general area of policy is generally left up to the states?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
foreign policy
military policy
relations among the several states
health and welfare
immigration
30. The constitutional basis of dual federalism can be found in
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the “necessary and proper” clause
the Tenth Amendment
the elastic clause
the implied power provision
the enumerated powers.
31. The constitutional provision used in the Supreme Court case McCulloch v Maryland was:
I.
II.
III.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
the “necessary and proper” clause
the supremacy clause
the interstate commerce clause
I only
II only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III
32. Which of the following represents the theoretical definition of federalism?
A. a division of power between the federal government and state governments with each having power over
different spheres
B. a strict separation of power between the federal government and state governments
C. a division of power between the federal government and state governments where the power comes from the
states.
D. a singular relationship that is characterized by control emanating one way from the central government to the
states.
E. an equally shared power relationship among the three branches of government.
33. Which of the following represents a major reason why the Electoral College was created?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
It would encourage third-party candidates.
It would enable a select group of electors to cast the vote for president.
It would encourage voter turnout.
It would enable congress to choose the President.
It would give the voters in smaller states a greater role in electing the President.
34. All of the following represent examples of the use of checks and balances EXCEPT
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the 35 successful vetoes made by President George Bush.
the Senate rejection of the 1999 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
the Supreme Court ruling the Flag Desecration Act unconstitutional.
Congress passing the Crime Bill after the conference committee made changes.
Congress overriding the Presidents’ veto with a 2/3 majority vote in both houses.
35. The Constitution’s writers carefully drafted a document that would create
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
strong state governments and a weak central government.
weakened power in the state and national government.
the ability to adapt to the changing times
a dominant national government with no active participation from the states.
an equal distribution of power between the states and national government.
36. The main reason that no amendments were ever added to the Articles of Confederation was that
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
amendments were not needed because everyone was happy with the document as it was written.
Jefferson wrote the Articles and his work was considered nearly perfect.
amendments needed the consent of all 13 States.
congress mandated that amendments could not be made.
amendments were never proposed.
37. Why must a conference committee meet on a compromise bill even if both houses pass similar bills?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
It is an unwritten custom.
The Constitution requires identical bills for the President’s consideration.
To create something for legislators to do.
It makes it easier for the President to enforce laws.
None of the above.
38. What happens to most bills put before Congress?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
they go on to become laws
they get voted on in full session
they die in committee
they go to the President for signing
they get vetoed
39. Members of Congress differ from their constituents in all of the following ways EXCEPT
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
wealth
education
age
political party membership
ethnic status
40. Which of the following governmental bodies is most directly responsible to the electorate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the House of Representatives
the Senate
the executive branch
the Supreme Court
the bureaucracy
41. Which of the following individuals presides over the House of Representatives?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the House Minority Leader
the House Pro Tem
the House Majority Leader
the Speaker of the House
the House Majority Whip
42. Which of the following represents an indirect consequence of a bicameral legislature?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Gridlock may take place.
Political compromise can take place.
An additional check and balance takes place.
There is usually a tremendous decrease in proposed laws.
I only
II only
II and III only
III and IV only
I, II, and III only
43. The qualifications for members of the House of Representatives are found in Article I of the Constitution. All of
the following are requirements for a House member EXCEPT
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
must be 25 years old.
muse be an American citizen for seven years.
muse be a resident from the state represented.
can be a naturalized citizen.
cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms.
44. Which of the following factors generates the most significant advantage for a congressional candidate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
being wealthier than the opponent
getting the most press coverage
being invited to the most town meetings
being an incumbent
taking positions on key social issues
45. Senators and representatives are often criticized for making deals with other legislators or the president in order
to get programs, projects and grants moving along the legislative process. What is this called?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
constituent laws
rider legislation
logrolling
pork barrel legislation
legislative veto
46. A member of the House of Representatives who wishes to be influential in the House would most likely seek a
place on which of the following committees?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Agriculture
District of Columbia
Public Works and Transportation
Rules
Veterans Affairs
47. The Speaker of the House has many responsibilities. All of the following reflect the roles the speaker plays
EXCEPT
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
acting as chief presiding officer of the House.
serving as the third in line in presidential succession.
playing a key role in appointing committee chairs.
choosing the House Minority Leader.
Exercises substantial control over which bills get assigned to which committees.
48. Which function of congress earns them more votes for re-election?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
making laws
oversight
public education
serving their constituents
serving on committees
49. All of the following are characteristics of the House of Representatives EXCEPT
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
It initiates all revenue bills.
It initiates impeachment procedures.
Representatives serve two-year terms.
Representatives must be native-born Americans.
It has 435 members.
50. A “cloture motion” passed in the Senate does which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
ends a filibuster
formally removes a President who has been impeached
brings a bill directly to a vote with out formal committee approval.
returns a bill to committee.
kills a bill in committee.