American Government
Mr. Bekemeyer
Theory of Modern Government, Constitutional Foundations, The
Constitution and Federalism
(Day ONE Review)
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that BEST completes the statement or
answers the question. (1 point each)
Theory of Modern Government
1.
Which of the following is considered a linkage institution?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
2.
All of the following are characteristics of politics except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
3.
individuals with similar ideas banding together to for political parties.
The means through which individuals and groups get involved.
Who gets what , when, how, and why.
The passing of laws that serve to further minority rights.
The interrelationship of individuals and groups.
Which of the following institutions established in the Constitution make
public policy?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
4.
the bureaucracy
the Congress
the executive department
the government
the media
the Senate, the presidency, and political parties
the Congress, the presidency, and the courts
the Congress, the courts, and the military
the Congress, the presidency, and the military
the Congress, the presidency, and the bureaucracy
Which of the following best defines a set of institutions linking government,
politics, and public policy?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
An educational system
A political system
A social system
An economic system
A socioeconomic system
5.
Which of the following are considered linkage institutions?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
6.
(D)
(E)
Federalists believed in a loose construction of the Constitution.
Federalists believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Federalists believed in a conservative interpretation of the
Constitution.
Federalists believed that Congress should be the main cog of
government.
Federalists believed that the interests of the common man should be
reflected in government.
All the following characteristics reflect the reasons why political parties are
formed except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
8.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and III only
I, II, III, and IV.
Which of the following principles describes a philosophy of the Federalist
Party?
(A)
(B)
(C)
7.
Congress
political parties
the media
the courts
people band together because of similar needs.
people band together because of their similar values.
people band together because of their similar incomes.
people band together because of their similar beliefs.
people band together because of their similar goals.
Which of the following groups examines a candidate’s record primarily on
specific issues?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
single interest groups
elite groups
plurality groups
Democrats
Republicans
9.
All of the following are basic principles of our democracy today except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
10.
Which of the following institutions is commonly called the fourth branch of
government?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
11.
free elections and universal suffrage
minority rule
universal public education
political parties
a written constitution
All of the following factors contribute to an enlightened understanding of
the electorate except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
13.
the bureaucracy
special interest groups
the executive branch
the Congress
the Supreme Court
Which of the following principles is most fundamental to democratic
theory?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
12.
the worth and dignity of the individual
the need for political equality
universal healthcare
the guarantee of individual freedoms
the need for a balance between freedom and order
interest groups.
the media.
the right to property.
political parties.
the Internet.
Which of the following theories contends that our society is divided along
class lines and that a narrow upper-class strata rules regardless of the formal
organization of government?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
elite
pluralist
hyperpluralist
socialist
egalitarian
14.
Which of the following theories claims that too many competing groups
cripple government’s ability to govern?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
15.
hyperpluralist theory
pluralist theory
elite theory
democratic theory
class-based theory
Which of the following theories stress that the public interest is rarely
translated into public policy?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E0
elitist and pluralist
pluralist and hyperpluralist
elitist and hyperpluralist
Democrat and Republicans
liberals and conservatives
Constitutional Foundations
1.
Which statement(s) best reflect what the U.S. Constitution represents?
I.
II.
2.
III.
The Constitution is a basic framework 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.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
I only
II only
I and III only
II and III only
I, II, and III
John Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government advocates
(A) a divine monarchy
(B) rights for the minority
(C) majority rights
(D) natural rights
(E) democratic rule
3.
4.
Which of the following statements best reflects the political philosophy
established after the colonists achieved their independence?
I.
II.
III.
the former colonists eliminated property criterion for political office.
the former colonists recognized the need for a strong executive.
The former colonists believed that the states should become the
dominant political and social force.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
I only
I and II only
I, II, and III
III only
II and III only
When the Articles of Confederation were adopted, the nations major
concern was dominated by
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
5.
slavery
religious freedom
equality for women
political dominance by central government.
economic issues
Which of the following documents represents the first adopted Constitution
for the U.S.?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Declaration of Independence
Bill of Rights
Articles of Confederation
Virginia Plan
Connecticut Plan
6.
Which of the following statements best describes the Articles of
Confederation?
I. domination of the government by the states
II. a national congress with one house and no executive
III. no national court system
IV. no ability of the central government to enforce the collection of taxes
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
7.
Which of the following statements in the Federalist Papers referred to “the
most common and durable source of faction”?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
8.
I only
I and II only
I, II, and III only
I and IV only
I, II, III, and IV
a new and emerging middle class
the absence of a strong national government
the unequal distribution of property
the abuse of minority rights
the powers given to the president
Madison believed that in order to prevent a “tyranny of the majority” the
new government should include all of the following except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
creating political institutions that could function with the consent of
the majority.
limiting the president’s term in office.
creating a system of branches of government with distinctive and
separate powers.
creating a system of checks and balances.
limiting the ability of the electorate to vote directly for government
officials except members of the House.
9.
Complete the following statement:
Even though the representatives of the Constitutional Convention came
from different parts of the country and had differing economic status, they
were able to agree to
10.
11.
I.
II.
III.
a series of political compromises.
a Republican government for each state.
the method to count slaves for representation purposes.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
I only
I and II only
I, II, and III
II and III only
I and III only
Which statement reflects Madison’s point of view in the Federalist Papers
regarding the consequences of unequal distribution of wealth?
I.
II.
III.
the formation of factions
the probability of minority discontent
the development of political parties.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
I only
II only
I and III only
I, II, and III
II and III only
Which of the following documents 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
The Constitution
1.
2.
Which of the following illustrates the effects that the system of checks and
balances and separation of powers has on the legislative process?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
It does not favor the party in power.
It can create gridlock.
It usually makes change easy to come by.
It can encourage political compromise.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
II only.
I and II only.
II and III only.
I, II, and III only.
II and IV only.
The Constitution’s writers carefully drafted a document that would create
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
3.
Strong states and a weak central government.
Weakened power in the state and national government.
The ability to adapt to changing times.
A dominant national government with no active participation from the
states.
(E) An equal distribution of power between the states and national
government.
Which of the following governmental bodies is most directly responsible to
the electorate?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
4.
The House of Representatives
The Senate
The executive branch
The Supreme Court
The bureaucracy
The question of the constitutionality of a term limit for legislators imposed
by a state constitution is based on which of the following arguments?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
The state’s ability to set time and manner of elections for state office
holders.
The fact that the Constitution sets the qualifications for congressmen.
The ability of the people to vote directly for senators and
representatives.
The ability of voters to create term limits for state office holders.
(E)
5.
The practice of judicial review was first established by which of the
following actions?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
6.
(C)
(D)
(E)
The principal of “one man, one vote” was established.
Congressional districts became gerrymandered based on political
considerations.
Congressional districts were created as a result of racial
considerations.
Congress modified existing voting districts for state offices.
Congress was able to modify congressional districts in states where
there was not equal representation.
All the following are considered enumerated powers of the Congress except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
8.
The Constitution gives life terms to Supreme Court justices.
Justices serve as long as they maintain good behavior.
The Supreme Court exercises judicial precedent.
The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction.
the Supreme Court can declare a congressional act unconstitutional.
Which of the following resulted after the Supreme Court made a ruling in
Baker v Carr?
(A)
(B)
7.
The fact that Congress is scheduled to vote for a term limits
amendment to the Constitution.
coining United States currency after the Constitution was ratified.
establishing inferior courts in addition to the Supreme Court.
setting up the first National Bank of the United States.
establishing uniform immigration laws.
regulating commerce among the several states.
The implied power clause in the Constitution has been described as the
ability of Congress to take which of the following actions?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
pass an assaults weapons ban
withdraw funds allocated to troops in Haiti
pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution
raise the price of stamps to 34 cents
pass a law setting quotas for immigrants
9.
In addition to the stated constitutional powers of the president, which of the
following roles does he take on?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
10.
Which of the following is the only stated constitutional responsibility of the
vice president?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
11.
attending funerals of foreign dignitaries
taking on special tasks assigned by the president
presiding over the Senate
filling in for the president when he is out of the country
presiding over the House of Representatives
Which of the following represents a major reason why the electoral college
was created?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
12.
acting as head of his political party
granting pardons
making treaties
giving a State of the Union address
signing or vetoing legislation
It would encourage 3rd party candidates.
It would enable a select group of electors to cast the final vote for the
president and vice president.
It would encourage greater voter turnout.
It would give more power to the Congress in determining the outcome
of presidential elections.
It would give the voters in smaller states a greater role in selecting the
president and vice president.
All the following represent examples of limited government except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
the application of habeas corpus in criminal appeals.
the prohibition of passage of bills of attainder laws.
Congress not being allowed to pass ex post facto laws.
the inability of the president to grant titles of nobility.
the Reserved Power Clause of the Tenth Amendment.
13.
All the following represent examples of the use of checks and balances
except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
14.
Which of the following actions increases the power of the president?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
15.
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 a conference committee made
changes.
Congress invoking the provisions of the War Powers Act.
a greater reliance on the states to solve problems.
a greater reliance on the federal government to solve problems.
the president having to work with a majority party in Congress
different from his own.
an increased investigative role by the media.
the downsizing of the federal bureaucracy.
The appointment of Supreme Court justices in the 1980s was characterized
by
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
quick approval by the Senate of nominees.
rejection of the majority of appointees.
limited background checks of the nominees.
limited input from legal associations and special interest groups.
bitter confrontation battles over personal and philosophical positions
of the nominees.
Federalism
1.
Which of the following represents the theoretical definition of federalism?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
2.
Advocates of a strong federal system believe in all the following except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
3.
a division of power between the federal government and state
governments.
a strict separation of power between the federal government and state
governments.
a division of power between the federal government and state
governments where the power emanates from the states.
a singular relationship that is characterized by control emanating one
way from a central government.
an equally shared power relationship among the branches of
government.
state and local governments do not have many of the resources
necessary to deal with the problems facing the country.
local politicians are provincial in their point of view.
State and local governments cannot support the vast programs
necessary to support citizens.
Local leaders are more suited to solve problems than national leaders.
Factions would be more likely to gain control in a country dominated
by local interests.
According to the writings of the Federalists Papers, which of the following
reflects a major reason for the support of a federal system?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Local governments are best suited to meet the needs of the majority
interests of the country.
Local governments will maintain their authority and will be able to
care for their citizens.
The central government is best suited to recognize the needs and
interests of local governments.
There will be a constant clashing of opinions between the interests of
the local and federal governments.
Factions would be strengthened by the formation of a federal system
of government.
4.
All of the following Supreme Court cases dealt with the issue of federalism
except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
5.
6.
The constitutional provision used in the Supreme Court case McCulloch v
Maryland was
I.
II.
III.
The “necessary and proper” clause.
The supremacy clause.
The interstate commerce clause.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
I only
II only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II, and II
The constitutional basis of dual federalism can be found in
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
7.
Gibbons v Ogden.
Marbury v Madison.
McCulloch v Maryland.
Barron v Baltimore.
Fletcher v Peck.
the “necessary and proper” clause.
the Tenth Amendment.
the elastic clause.
the implied power provision.
The enumerated powers.
Which general area of policy is generally left up to states?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
foreign policy
military policy
relations among the several states
health and welfare
immigration
8.
Which general area of policy is generally left up to the central government?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
9.
Which kind of federalism best describes an autonomous relationship
between the states and national government?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
10.
cooperative federalism
creative federalism
layer cake federalism
fiscal federalism
marble cake federalism
All the following are characteristics of marble cake federalism except
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
11.
health
interstate commerce
education
police
voting requirements
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.
The national government exercises its power independently from state
government.
There is a greater cooperation between the federal and state
governments.
Creative federalism of the Great Society was characterized by
I.
II.
III.
Shared costs between the national and state governments.
Guidelines and rules set down by the federal government.
Singular administration of programs.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
I only.
II only.
I and III only.
I and II only.
I, II, and III.
12.
Which historical period represents the introduction of competitive
federalism?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
13.
Which type of federalism is characterized by a pattern of competitive
grants?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
14.
15.
the Civil War
the New Deal
World War II
the Great Society
the 1970s and 1980s
dual federalism
cooperative federalism
fiscal federalism
creative federalism
marble cake federalism
Which of the following best represents the components of fiscal federalism?
I.
II.
III.
the passage of funded mandates
the passage of revenue sharing measures
the passage of categorical grants
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
I only
II only
III only
I and III only
I, II, and III
An alternative developed by the federal government that places the primary
fiscal responsibility in the states was
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
revenue sharing.
project grants.
formula grants.
unfunded mandates.
reimbursement grants.
16.
Which of the following laws was challenged by states because they felt that
the federal government imposed an unfair unfunded mandate?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
17.
Family and Medical Leave Act.
Motor Voter Registration Act
Clean Air Act
Clean Water Act
Crime Bill
Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan’s vision of a new federalism favored
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
an increase in the power and authority of the federal government.
A cooperative spirit between the federal and state governments.
An increase in federal mandates.
The downsizing of the federal government.
A decrease in the defense budget.