AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
™
*AP and Advanced Placement are trademarks either owned or registered by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.
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AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
True or False
1. The Articles of Confederation were scrapped at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
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2. The Connecticut Compromise involved the development of the unicameral
legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. The Connecticut Compromise involved creating a bicameral legislature.
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3. The decision in McCulloch v. Maryland affirmed the “Supremacy Clause” found in Article IV of the Constitution as well as the doctrine of “implied powers.”
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4. The “party in the electorate” includes all the elected and appointed officials who represent a particular political party. The “party in the electorate” includes all the individuals who identify with a particular political party.
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5. Alexander Hamilton’s Anti-Federalists favored “state’s rights” over a strong
federal government. Alexander Hamilton was a Federalist.
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6. Article I of the Constitution sets out the powers and functions of the U.S. Congress. T
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7. The “Necessary and Proper Clause” provides states with the authority to thwart unnecessary and improper federal legislative actions. This clause gives Congress the authority to make the laws necessary to carry out its powers.
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8. The president pro tempore is the most powerful member of the Senate. In reality, the Senate majority leader is the most powerful member of the Senate.
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9. Only those eligible U.S. voters who actually cast ballots elect the President of the United States. The Electoral College elects the President.
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10. Presidential powers are expressly listed in Article III of the Constitution.
Article III deals with the judicial branch. T
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11. An “iron triangle” is a relationship among a federal agency, a congressional
committee, and an interest group.
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12. Five of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case for it to be “granted cert.” Only four of the justices need to agree to hear a case.
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13. The concept of judicial restraint says that the Supreme Court should leave social issues and other public policy decisions to the other branches of government.
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14. The right of citizens to peacefully assemble is found in the First Amendment to the Constitution.
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15. The right of freedom of religion is found in the First Amendment to the Constitution. T
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Activities
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
Free Response
Answer the following free-response questions using no more than 50 minutes to read and analyze the question
and to write your answers. Be certain to use clear, concrete examples and answer all parts of each question.
1. Judicial Philosophies
At various times throughout the history of the U. S. Supreme Court, opinions have been rendered that follow
either the judicial philosophy of judicial activism or judicial restraint.
a) Define the concepts of judicial activism and judicial restraint.
b) Choose three landmark Supreme Court cases from the list below and identify the decision of the Court
for each case selected.
c) For each case selected, argue the decision as an instance of judicial activism or judicial restraint and
provide a lasting effect of the decision.
• Marbury v. Madison (1803)
• Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954)
• Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
• Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)
• Roe v. Wade (1973)
• Bush v. Gore (2000)
• Gonzales v. Raich (2005)
• District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
2. Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances
The Framers of the Constitution separated the national government into three distinct branches—legislative,
executive, and judicial.
a) For each of the three branches, identify two powers given to that branch by the Constitution.
b) Describe one way each of the three branches “checks” the powers of the other two branches of
government.
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Activities
Answers
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
Free Response
Answer the following free-response questions using no more than 50 minutes to read and analyze the question
and to write your answers. Be certain to use clear, concrete examples and answer all parts of each question.
1. Judicial Philosophies
At various times throughout the history of the U. S. Supreme Court, opinions have been rendered that follow
either the judicial philosophy of judicial activism or judicial restraint.
a) Define the concepts of judicial activism and judicial restraint.
b) Choose three landmark Supreme Court cases from the list below and identify the decision of the Court
for each case selected.
c) For each case selected, argue the decision as an instance of judicial activism or judicial restraint and
provide a lasting effect of the decision.
The concept of judicial activism says that the Court should take an active role in guiding public policy
and social issues. The concept of judicial restraint says that Court should leave social issues and
other public policy decisions to the legislative and executive branches.
• Marbury v. Madison (1803)
- The Court denied Marbury’s petition for a writ of mandamus to force the Secretary of State to deliver his commission to a government post by ruling that the law of Congress allowing
Marbury to seek a writ of mandamus from the Supreme Court on original jurisdiction was
unconstitutional.
- Originated the concept of judicial review, establishing the U. S. Supreme Court as able to
declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.
- Strengthened the court’s ability to check the other two branches.
• Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954)
- Determined that “de jure” racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional;
overturned the “separate but equal” precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson.
- In many ways, this case marks the beginning of the integration of public schools and other
public facilities.
• Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
- Found that suspects be advised of their right to counsel and right to remain silent.
- Affirmed an individual’s right to have knowledge of and to exercise his or her Fifth and Sixth
Amendment rights.
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Activities
Answers
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
• Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)
- Determined that Pennsylvania’s reimbursement of teachers’ fees in non-public schools
violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
- Established the three-prong “Lemon Test“ for determining the constitutionality of legislation
that involves the government aiding/supporting religion. The legislation must: (1) have a secular
purpose; (2) have the primary effect of advancing or inhibiting religion; and (3) not excessively
entangle the government in religion.
• Roe v. Wade (1973)
- Affirmed a woman’s right to receive an abortion as proceeding from the right to privacy
derived from the Ninth Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
- The decision has created much debate between “pro-choice” and “pro-life” groups, has
affected consequent state and federal legislation, and has affected the subsequent nominations
and appointments of many Supreme Court justices.
• Bush v. Gore (2000)
- Ruled that the Florida Supreme Court’s method for recounting ballots in the 2000 presidential
election violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. - Effectively determined the winner of the 2000 presidential election.
• Gonzales v. Raich (2005)
- Determined that Congress, under the provisions of the Commerce Clause, may ban use of
marijuana even in those states that have approved its medical use (in this case, California’s
Proposition 215, approved by voters).
- Has continued the tension between the issue of “state’s rights” and federal government
supremacy.
• District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
- In striking down the District’s ban on “arms,” affirmed, for the first time, an individual’s right to
keep and bear arms under the protections of the Second Amendment.
- Continuing controversy on how the decision will affect local and state gun-ownership laws.
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Activities
Answers
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
2. Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances
The Framers of the Constitution separated the national government into three distinct branches—legislative,
executive, and judicial.
a) For each of the three branches, identify two powers given to that branch by the Constitution.
b) Describe one way each of the three branches “checks” the powers of the other two branches of
government.
Powers
Legislative: Has the power to: enact laws; coin, tax, and borrow money; regulate commerce; and to raise
and support armies. (Enumerated/Delegated powers listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution
Executive: The President is commander-in-chief of the military, can grant pardons, and can nominate
ambassadors and other public officials. (Powers listed in Article II)
Judicial: Has the power to interpret the laws of the United States as well as any treaties made and to hear
various cases involving states and foreign ambassadors. (Powers listed in Article III)
Checks and Balances
Legislative: Concerning the executive branch, Congress can impeach and remove the President
from office, can override vetoes, and has confirmation power concerning presidential appointments. Concerning the judicial branch, Congress creates the lower federal courts and determines their
jurisdiction, determines salaries, confirms judicial appointments, can impeach and remove federal judges
from office, and can propose constitutional amendments that overrule judicial decisions.
Executive: Concerning the legislative branch, the President can veto legislation. Concerning the judicial
branch, the President nominates federal justices, can issue pardons, and enforces judicial opinions.
Judicial: Concerning the other branches, the courts can rule congressional legislation and acts,
unconstitutional including presidential acts. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the
impeachment of the President.
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Worksheet
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
Know Your Articles
Identify each power, authority, or role below with its corresponding Constitutional Article.
1. Lists the qualifications for holding the office of Senator.
2. Lists the qualifications for holding the office of President of the United States.
3. Outlines the judicial power of the United States.
4. Provides the power to try all impeachments.
5. Outlines when the “writ of habeas corpus” can be suspended.
6. Provides that Congress can admit new states “into this Union.”
7. Vests the judicial power of the United States in one Supreme Court and any inferior courts that
Congress may ordain and establish.
8. Outlines how Congress can propose Amendments to the Constitution.
9. States that no religious test is required as a qualification for “any office or public trust under the United
States.”
10. Provides Congress the authority to constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court.
Know Your Amendments
For each right, power, or law below, identify the Constitutional Amendment in which it is contained.
11. Freedom of the press
12. Power of Congress to collect income tax
13. Abolishment of slavery
14. The right to a speedy and public trial
15. Powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the States or to the
people
16. Cruel and unusual punishment prohibited
17. Unreasonable search and seizure prohibited
18. The right to keep and bear arms
19. The right to petition government
20. Right of trial by jury
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Worksheet
Answers
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
Know Your Articles
Identify each power, authority, or role below with its corresponding Constitutional Article.
1. Lists the qualifications for holding the office of Senator. Article I
2. Lists the qualifications for holding the office of President of the United States. Article II
3. Outlines the judicial power of the United States. Article III
4. Provides the power to try all impeachments. Article I
5. Outlines when the “writ of habeas corpus” can be suspended. Article I
6. Provides that Congress can admit new states “into this Union.” Article IV
7. Vests the judicial power of the United States in one Supreme Court and any inferior courts that
Congress may ordain and establish. Article III
8. Outlines how Congress can propose Amendments to the Constitution. Article V
9. States that no religious test is required as a qualification for “any office or public trust under the United
States.” Article VI
10. Provides Congress the authority to constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court. Article III
Know Your Amendments
For each right, power, or law below, identify the Constitutional Amendment in which it is contained.
11. Freedom of the press First Amendment
12. Power of Congress to collect income tax Sixteenth Amendment
13. Abolishment of slavery Thirteenth Amendment
14. The right to a speedy and public trial Sixth Amendment
15. Powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the States or to the
people Tenth Amendment
16. Cruel and unusual punishment prohibited Eighth Amendment
17. Unreasonable search and seizure prohibited Fourth Amendment
18. The right to keep and bear arms Second Amendment
19. The right to petition government First Amendment
20. Right of trial by jury Sixth and Seventh Amendments
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Check Your
Knowledge
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
True or False (10 points)
1. The Articles of Confederation created a strong national government. T
F
2. James Madison’s, Federalist No.10 discusses the nature and potential danger of “factions.” T
F
3. The landmark Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland affirmed the “supremacy clause” of Article IV of the Constitution as well as the doctrine of “implied powers.”
T
F
4. Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Whigs Party was one of the first U.S. political parties. T
F
5. The Necessary and Proper Clause is also known as the Elastic Clause. T
F
Multiple Choice (20 points)
6. The term for all the individuals who identify with a
particular political party is
9. The Constitution contains:
a) 5 Articles
a) party in government
b) 7 Articles
b) party in office
c) 8 Articles
c) party in electorate
d) 9 Articles
d) party in citizenry
10. Federalist No.10 was written by:
7. Thomas Jefferson identified with this political party:
a) John Jay
a) Whig Party
b) James Madison
b) Bull Moose Party
c) Alexander Hamilton
c) Federalist Party
d) Thomas Jefferson
d) Democratic-Republican Party
8. This concept holds that government derives its
authority from the consent of the governed:
11. The United States’ first form of government was
organized under:
a) The Declaration of Independence
a) popular sovereignty
b) The Preamble
b) elitism
c) The Articles of Confederation
c) representative theocracy
d) The Constitution
d) checks and balances
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Check Your
Knowledge
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
12. The Necessary and Proper Clause provides
Congress:
14. The practice of redrawing congressional districts
for political benefit is known as:
a) enumerated powers
a) gerrymandering
b) reserved powers
b) granting “cert”
c) implied powers
c) hyperpluralism
d) prohibited powers
d) ex post facto
13. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not
delegated to the federal government nor prohibited
to the states by the Constitution for:
a) the people
b) the federal government and the people
c) the states and the people
15. The U.S. Constitution contains:
a) 10 Amendments
b) 17 Amendments
c) 27 Amendments
d) 33 Amendments
d) the states
Fill in the Blank (20 points)
16. The ___________________________ elects the President of the United States.
17. The Equal Protection Clause of _________________________________ has been used to provide many civil
rights protections.
18. ___________________________ is the concept that the judicial branch should leave social issues and other
public policy decisions to the legislative and executive branches.
19. ___________________________ of the Constitution outlines the powers and authority of the executive branch.
20. The ___________________________ is the presiding officer of the Senate.
21. The ______________________________ includes all the elected and appointed officials who represent a
particular political party.
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Check Your
Knowledge
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
22. A ___________________________________________ is a legally organized part of an interest group that
contributes funds to candidates for political offices.
23. The Free Exercise Clause is found in the _____________________________________________________.
24. __________________________________________ are “friend of the court” briefs.
25. “__________________________________________” exist among federal agencies, congressional committees,
and interest groups that together seek to achieve policies favorable to a particular interest.
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Check Your
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Answers
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
True or False (10 points)
T
F
2. James Madison’s, Federalist No.10 discusses the nature and potential danger of “factions.” T
F
3. The landmark Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland affirmed the “supremacy clause” of Article IV of the Constitution as well as the doctrine of “implied powers.”
T
F
4. Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Whigs Party was one of the first U.S. political parties. Jefferson’s party was the Democratic-Republicans.
T
F
5. The Necessary and Proper Clause is also known as the Elastic Clause. T
F
1. The Articles of Confederation created a strong national government. The Articles were supplanted by the Constitution, which created a strong national (federal) government.
Multiple Choice (20 points)
6. The term for all the individuals who identify with a
particular political party is
9. The Constitution contains:
a) 5 Articles
a) party in government
b) 7 Articles
b) party in office
c) 8 Articles
c) party in electorate
d) 9 Articles
d) party in citizenry
10. Federalist No.10 was written by:
7. Thomas Jefferson identified with this political party:
a) John Jay
a) Whig Party
b) James Madison
b) Bull Moose Party
c) Alexander Hamilton
c) Federalist Party
d) Thomas Jefferson
d) Democratic-Republican Party
8. This concept holds that government derives its
authority from the consent of the governed:
11. The United States’ first form of government was
organized under:
a) The Declaration of Independence
a) popular sovereignty
b) The Preamble
b) elitism
c) The Articles of Confederation
c) representative theocracy
d) The Constitution
d) checks and balances
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Check Your
Knowledge
Answers
AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT
AP* U.S. GOVERNMENT
& POLITICS EXAM PREP
12. The Necessary and Proper Clause provides
Congress:
14. The practice of redrawing congressional districts
for political benefit is known as:
a) enumerated powers
a) gerrymandering
b) reserved powers
b) granting “cert”
c) implied powers
c) hyperpluralism
d) prohibited powers
d) ex post facto
13. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not
delegated to the federal government nor prohibited
to the states by the Constitution for:
15. The U.S. Constitution contains:
a) the people
b) the federal government and the people
c) the states and the people
a) 10 Amendments
b) 17 Amendments
c) 27 Amendments
d) 33 Amendments
d) the states
Fill in the Blank (20 points)
16. The Electoral College elects the President of the United States.
17. The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has been used to provide many civil
rights protections.
18. Judicial restraint is the concept that the judicial branch should leave social issues and other public policy
decisions to the legislative and executive branches.
19. Article II of the Constitution outlines the powers and authority of the executive branch.
20. The Vice President is the presiding officer of the Senate.
21. The party in government includes all the elected and appointed officials who represent a particular
political party.
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