AP Government and Politics Test
Prep Questions
Topic I
Constitutional Underpinnings of the
United States Government
(5 – 15% of the question on the test
will relate to these questions)
Fast Track to a 5
p. 274 #5
5.
The president has all of the following expressed powers
under the constitution EXCEPT…
a. To grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses.
b. To convene congress in special sessions.
c. To exercise the line-item veto.
d. to appoint ambassadors, subject to senate confirmation.
e. to commission officers in the armed forces.
Answer
#5
C is correct
While the president may veto a bill in its
entirety, he/she cannot veto a portion of a
bill
Fast track to a 5
p. 274 #8
8.
Which of the following serves as a check by congress over
the executive?
a. congress can change the number and jurisdiction of the
lower courts.
b. Congress can refuse to confirm a person nominated to
be a judge.
c. All revenue bills must originate in the House of Reps.
d. Congress can override a presidential veto by a
majority of both houses.
e. Congress can remove cabinet secretaries.
Answer
#8
B is correct
Congress can refuse to confirm a judge nominated by the
president. This is a check on both the executive and the
judicial branches.
Fast track to a 5
p.278 #35
35.
Which constitutional provision gives states most of their
powers?
a. The 9th Amendment
b. The 10th Amendment
c. The commerce clause
d. The full faith and credit clause
Answer
#35
B is correct
The 10th amendment reserves powers not delegated to the
national government, nor prohibited to the states, to the
states and the people. It is the main basis for state power.
Fast track to a 5
p.279 #42
42.
Which constitutional provision has expanded the power of
the federal government in regulating privately owned
businesses?
a. The Commerce Clause
b. The 10th Amendment
c. Full Faith and Credit Clause
d. The power to lay and collect taxes
e. The power to borrow money
Answer
#42
A es correcto
The commerce clause comma in conjunction with necessary
and proper clause comma allows the federal government to
regulate private businesses. End of story.
Fast track to a 5
p.296 #1
1.
How can the executive branch check the judicial branch?
a. by proving the nomination of federal judges
b. By nominating federal judges subject to senate
approval
c. By issuing an executive order, overturning a court’s
decision
d. By firing a federal judge for cause
e. By reducing the # of federal courts
Answer
#1
D es correcto
Mmm project grants are based on competitive applications
for (para in espanol) specific undertakings.
Pearson Series
p. 207 #2
2.
All of the following are examples of the system of checks
and balances EXCEPT
a. The president’s power to veto
b. congress’s confirmation of presidential appointments
c. The supreme court’s power of judicial review
d. congress’s authority to impeach the president
e. The president’s control over the budget
Answer
#2
E is correct
The Constitution establishes the system of checks and
balances to maintain equal power among the three
branches of government. The president checks congress
by being able to veto legislation, and congress may
impeach the president. However, congress controls the
budget as a means of overseeing the activities of the
executive branch.
Pearson Series
p. 209 #13
13.
The failure of the Articles of confederation and necessity for a
new Constitution were made evident by the
a. Success of the American Revolution
b. Legislature’s inability to select a president
c. Need for a bicameral legislature
d. Government’s inability to subdue Shay’s rebellion
e. Excess of centralized power in the national government
Answer
#13
D is correct
Shay’s Rebellion occurred when a group of
Massachusetts farmers raided several courthouses in
protest of the government’s foreclosure of their farms.
Under the articles of confederation, the national
government was not able to raise a militia to stop the
group, and so the rebellion was an embarrassing failure
for the new government. It served as the final proof that
the government established by the articles lacked
centralized power and legitimacy.
Pearson Series
p. 212 #30
30.
Congress did the most to check the military of presidents by
a. refusing to confirm their appointments for defense
secretary.
b. Amending Article II of the constitution
c. Taking away their control over the defense budget
d. Agreeing always to vote not to declare war
e. passing the War Powers Revolution
Answer
#30
E is correct
In an attempt to reassert its own authority
to declare war, congress limited the power
of the president by passing the War Powers
Resolution. This law allows presidents to
send troops into military situations for a
maximum of 60 days; if congress does not
declare war during that time, the troops
must then be withdrawn.
Pearson Series
p. 214 #40
40.
The Framer’s distrust of the public when writing the
Constitution is best illustrated by the
a. Electoral College
b. Bill of Rights
c. Process of electing federal judges
d. Creation of a bicameral legislature
e. Ability to amend the Constitution
Answer
# 40
A is correct
The authors of the constitution were a group of elite
intellectuals who distrusted leaving government too
much in the hands of the uneducated masses.
Therefore, they arranged for the president to be chosen
by the electoral college, a group of chosen electors,
rather than by the public at large. Though today
citizens cast individual votes for president, the electoral
college still casts the final vote.
Pearson Series
p. 216 #55
55.
The establishment clause, as interpreted by the supreme
court, prevents
a. States from passing laws that conflict with federal
laws
b. The government from violating the rights of
individuals
c. Congress from exercising any powers beyond those
necessary to execute the law
d. Gender discrimination in the workplace
e. The incorporation of religion into policy
Answer
#55
E is correct
The establishment clause, located in the 1st
Amendment of the constitution, establishes
the separation of church and state in all
levels of government. Religious
qualifications cannot be imposed on public
officials, and the government cannot
regulate, restrict, or endorse religious
worship.
Pearson Series
p.215 #44
44. The principle that the constitution
gives states all powers neither
granted to the federal government
nor denied the states refers to…
a. States rights
b. Reserved powers
c. Federal supremecy
d. Concurrent powers
e. Federalism
Answer
#44
B is correct
The 10th amendment articulates the reserved
powers of the states. All powers not denied by the
constitution or specifically designated to the
federal government are held by the states. Many
states have used this principle of reserved powers
to their advantage, particularly in the case of civil
rights. Many supreme court cases of the 20th
century focused on limiting the power of the states
to make laws that conflict with federal law.
Pearson Series
p.236 #6
#6. The elastic clause grants Congress the authority to …
a)
amend the presidents budget proposal as it sees fit
b)
make any laws that enable it to carry out its
assigned responsibilities
c)
expand the federal bureaucracy by creating new
executive departments
d)
create any number of legislative committees and
subcommittees
e)
reapportion seats based on the nations changing
population
Answer
#6
B is correct
Located in article 1 of the constitution, the elastic
clause enumerates the implied powers of congress.
It gives the legislature full authority to make laws
“necessary and proper” to carry out those
responsibilities assigned to it by the constitution.
Pearson Series
P.242 #31
31. Article II of the constitution grants the president
power to do all of the following except
a. Authorize troop movements during the war
b. Oversee the federal budget
c. Veto proposed legislation
d. Appeal to congress and make legislative
requests in the State of the Union Address
e. Establish or discontinue relations with
foreign governments
Answer
#31
B is correct
Presidents so have a significant amount of influence
over the federal budget, because they compile the
budget proposal for all of the dept. in the
executive branch. However, they cannot be said to
oversee the budget, b/c congress plays an equal, if
not greater, role in allocating the money and
passing the final budget legislation.
Pearson Series
p. 244 #41
41. Federalism is a system of government which
a. An executive, legislative, and judicial branch share
equal powers
b. Political officials are elected by the public in a
popular election
c. Legislative committees and federal agencies work
together to make an implement policy
d. More than one level of government oversees a
body of people
e. The president is chosen by an electoral college
rather than by popular election
Answer
#41
D is correct
Federalism imposes a tiered structure on
government. More than 1 level shares authority
over the people. In the US, people are subject to
the laws of both state and federal governments,
and they also may elect their leaders in both the
state and federal governments.
Pearson Series
p. 243 #37
37. The greatest weakness of the articles of
confederation was that thy established a
government that was unable to
a. Raise a militia
b. Be recognized by foreign governments
c. Pay off its war debts
d. Centralize its powers
e. Make decisions through a legislative process
Answer
#37
D is correct
The articles did prevent the US from raising a militia
and paying its war debts. However, these were
consequences of the fact that the government
simply was too weak- it did not have enough
centralized power to give it legitimacy and,
ultimately, allow it to function. The end.
Pearson Series
p. 245 #47
47. The power of the president has expanded for which of
the following reasons?
I. Increasing importance of foreign realtions
II. The shift toward a candidate-centered politics as a
result of television
III. The use of primaries in presidential elections
IV. The easing of tension among social gorups as a
result of the civil rights movement
a. II only
b. IV only
c. I and II only
d. III and IV only
e. I, II, and III only
Answer
#47
C is correct
The new global economy and frequent military crises
have increased the president’s power and
prominence as chief diplomat. The president has
also become more powerful b/c he may act more
independently than ever before. Television allows
the presidential candidates to reach the public
directly w/out having to rely on political parties,
and it also provides presidents with a means to
address the public directly and to gain its support.
Topic II
Political Beliefs and Behaviors
10-20% of questions will be on
this topic
Why was the Voting Rights Act successful in acheving its goal of
increasing african-american voter registration in the south?
•I. Because the goal was clear, to increase African-American voter registration
•II. Because Federal officials oversaw the law
•III. Because local officials understood the law and were able to carry it out.
•IV.because criminal penalties were provided for interfering with the right to vote.
•A) I and II
•B) I, II, and IV
•C) II, III, and IV
•D) I, III, and IV
•E) II and IV
The answer is B. The voting
rights act of 1965 had a clear goal
of increasing registration and
voting by blacks. (Fast track to a
Five Pg 273 # 2)
All of the following statements about voter turnout is true
EXCPET!!!
•A) voter turnout in presidential elections was at its highest point un the late 1800’s
•B) people ages 18-21 have the lowest voter turnout rates
•C) Voter turnout has dropped in every presidential election since 1960
•D) voter turnout is higher in federal elections than in state and local elections
•E) voter turnout is greater in presidential elections than in midterm congressional
elections
The answer is C. The
turnout in the 2000 election
was slightly above 50%,
while the turnout in 1996
was slightly above 49%.
(Fast track to a Five – pg 274
# 6)
How would HUD, under the policy of its last two decades, handle
a complaint about unfair housing practices?
a.) Take the accused party to court
b.) refer the case to congress for action
c.) refer the case to local authorities when possible
d.) investigate and then fine the accused parties
e.) fine the state in which the infraction took place
The answer is C. HUD has
neither the will or the
finances to handle local
cases themselves. Because of
this, it’s better to let the local
authorities handle the
situation. (Pg 147 # 58)
Which of the following actions taken by President Lincoln during his
tenure as president was based on a presidential power explicitly laid out
in the constitution?
a.) consult with the rules committee of congress frequently
b.) issue the emancipation proclamation
c.) remove General McClellan as commander of the army of the Potomac
d.) Formulate the 10% plan of reconstruction
e.) visit various states in the union
The answer is C. Article 2
Section 2 says that the
president is commander in
chief of the military. (Master
the AP – Gov and Politics –
Pg 158 # 5
The most effective way that the Federal reserve system can be used by
the government to influence the economy is to
a.) close banks which lend excessively to foreign countries and seldom to
US citizens
b.) take large amounts of money out of circulation in order to curb
inflation
c.) raise or lower interests in order to influence interest rates of private
banks
d.) levy taxes on luxury items in order to create more revenue for the
government
e.) create new business by selling parts of federal agencies to the private
sector
f.) all of the above
g.) none of the above
The answer is C. The two key ways in
which the federal reserve board can
influence the economy are through
changing interest rates and manipulating
the money supply. (Master the AP – Gov
and Politics)
The following statement can be found in which part of the
constitution? “All persons born or naturalized in the United States,
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United
States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or
enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of
citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person
of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to
any person within its juisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
a.) The Fourteenth Amendment
b.) Preamble
c.) Article One, Section 5
d.) Article One, Section 10
e.) Bill of rights
The correct answer is A. The Fourteenth
amendment was of extreme importance to
the development of civil liberties because it
gave the federal government power over
states. (Pg 137 #4)
“No person held to service in labor in one State under the laws thereof,
escaping into another, in consequence of any law or regulation therein,
be discharged up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor
may be due.” This statement from Article Four of the US Constitution
can best be described as an example of
a.) the ability of the Constitution to be adapted to the changing needs of
the country
b.) how state governments have the power to regulate commerce
between states
c.) how the Constitution did not always uphold the ideals of equality
for all men
d.) how the constitution has consistently upheld civil rights
e.) the changes to the Constitution after the civil war
The correct answer is C.The passage refers to slavery,
and specifically to slaves who were moved from state to
state. A significant point to take note of is that this
language explicitly provides for slavery, in spite of the
ideals states in the Preamble of the constitution which
would seem to make slavery anathema. (Pg 138 #5)
Topic III
Political Parties, Interest Groups,
Mass Media
10-20%
(All questions and answers taken from Fast
Track to a 5-Preparing for the AP* United
States Government and Politics
Examination book.)
How do interest groups differ
from PACs?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Interest groups donate money to candidates, while PACs hire lobbyists
to influence policy making.
Interest groups can hire PACs to help them conduct polls, create direct
mail solicitations, and produce TV ads
PACs are committees, often set up by interest groups, to raise and
spend more on the
campaigns and causes.
Interest groups are required to register with the Federal Election
Commission, but there are no registration requirements for PACs.
PACs run candidates for elections, while interest groups do not.
C
Which of the following groups
have led a social movement?
Pg 19 question 19
I.labor union members
II.civil rights advocates
III.environmentalists
IV.tax protests
A) I and II
B) I, II and III
C) II,III and IV
D)I, II, III and IV
B
What is the impact of third
parties on the American political
system?
Pg 18 question 16
• A) Minor parties develop ideas that the major parties
later come to adopt.
• B) Minor parties create new coalitions within the major
parties, often resulting then the party realignment.
• C) Minor parties tend to develop around charismatic
personalities, who are recruited as candidates by the major
parties.
• D) Minor parties usually get enough votes to prevent a
majority vote in the Electoral College.
• E) Minor parties have had no significant impact on the
American political system.
A
When candidates run for office, they often promise
to present certain legislative programs once elected.
Why is it difficult for the presidents to get these
promised programs passed?
Pg 24 question 38
• I.Unexpected crisis may divert attention from previous plans.
• II.Controversial aspects of a program may face adverse and well-publicized
reactions.
• III.They presidency is characterized by long hours and hundreds of activities,
which make it difficult to concentrate on specific programs.
• IV.The public rarely expects politicians to deliver on their promises, so they
are frequently abandoned.
A)I and II
•
B)II and III
C)II, III and IV
D)I, II and IV
E)I, II and III
E
In the 1970’s and the 1980’s, the Democratic Party made
reforms that unintentionally led to it becoming more
fragmented. What was the original purpose of these reforms?
Pg 128 question 4
• A) to include more union members as delegates to the
Democratic convention
• B) to improve the fund-raising efforts of the Democratic
party
• C) less media coverage of the elections and campaigns
• D) the realignment of coalitions
• E) a decrease in the number of people identifying
themselves as independents
E
The McGovern Commission reforms
were intended to make the Democratic party
more reflective of the population as a whole
by including more women and minorities as
delegates and changing the rules for
delegate selection.
Which of the following features have
encouraged the development of a two-party
system in the United States?
Pg 129 question 7
• I. the plurality system of voting , where a candidate need no win a
majority of votes to win the election
• II. the winner-take-all feature of the electoral college
• III. the numerous state and local elections because of federalism
• IV. the fact that the House of representatives is based upon a state’s
population
–
–
–
–
–
A) I and II
B) I and III
C) I, II and III
D) II, III, and IV
E) I, II and IV
A
• The “first to post” plurality system allows a
candidate to win an election without a majority of
the votes. As a result, there are no runoff elections
like the ones that make smaller parties more
competitive in Europe. In addition, the winnertake-all feature of the electoral college makes it
difficult for smaller parties to get any electoral
college votes because, in order to do so they must
receive a majority of the votes in a state.
What is the impact of religion on
the political participation?
Pg 108 question 8
• A) religious people are less likely to vote, because they put their faith in a
higher power
• B) Religious people are more likely to give money to charities, but les likely to
vote.
• C) Being active in a religious organization increases the likelihood of
charitable volunteer work as well as voting.
• D) Being active in a religious organization increases the likelihood of voting.
• E) Religion has no measurable impact on the likelihood of voting.
C
The majority of religious people participate
in several forms of nonpolitical activities,
including joining organizations, attending
church services, and making charitable
church contributions. In addition religious
people are more likely to vote.
How does federal law restrict fundraising for presidential campaigns?
Pg 117 question 2
I. Individual contributions are limited to $2,000
II. PAC contributions are limited to $5,000
III. Federal matching funds are available to candidates who
raise $5,000, in individual contributions of $250 or less,
in twenty states
IV. Candidates are limited to $2,000 in spending their own
personal funds.
A) I and II
B) I, II and III
C) I, II and IV
D) I, III and IV
B
There is a limit on spending by individuals
of $2,000 and by PACs of $5,000 . To
qualify for matching funds, candidates must
raise at least $5,000 in $250 contributions in
twenty states. However, there is no limit on
the amount a candidate ay spend on his or
her own campaign.
How do European political
parties compare with political
parties in Europe?
Pg 127 question 1
A)American parties are stronger and have more loyal
members.
B) American parties are more centralized, with more control
by the nation party organizations.
C) Because of federalism, American political parties are
decentralized, with significant power at the state and local
levels.
D)For the past three decades, the party that controls Congress
has usually controlled the presdency
E) National law regulates European parties heavily.
C
Because of federalism, many important
governmental decisions are made at the
state and local levels. This gives state and
local parties more authority, weakens the
national party organizations, and
decentralizes power.
All of the Following characterize a
period of critical realignment
EXCEPT!!!!
Pg 128 question 2
A) A sharp and lasting shift in the coalitions
supporting the political parties
B) A series of crises, resulting in a reaction against
the two major parties
C) The major defeat of a party, with another party
taking its place
D) When a new issue of importance to voters cuts
across existing party divisions
E) When voters become apathetic and turnout falls
below 50 percent
E
Realignment occurs when there is a
major shift in voting patterns. This can be
caused by the formation of new coalitions,
the major defeat for a party (such as the
Federalists), a series of crises (such as
economic depression), or an issue of
importance (slavery).
III. B.
Political Parties, Interest Groups
and Mass Media
Jordan & Kendra
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#1 p.138
• All of the following explain the proliferation of
interest groups EXCEPT
– A) America is diverse, with countless immigrants,
races, and religions.
– B) Because of its federal system, there are multiple
points of access to government.
– C) Political authority is shared by several branches of
government, each of which might be targeted by
interest groups.
– D) Interest groups often run candidates for office to
give their supporters a voice in government.
– E) Political parties are relatively weak, which helps
explain the strength and number of interest groups.
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#1 p.138
• D)
• Interest groups occur because of diversity.
They target all levels of government.
American political parties are weaker than
in many other countries, but interest groups
may be stronger. However, interest groups
do not usually run candidates for office.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q# 2 p.138
• Throughout American history, which of the
following conditions has led to an increase in
interest groups’ activity?
I. A strong economy with low inflation.
II. The rise of professional societies, such as the American
Medical Association (AMA)
III. Government policies that create new groups, such as
veterans.
IV. Leaders who are willing to make personal sacrifices.
•
•
•
•
•
A) I and II
B) I, II, and III
C) II, III, and IV
D) I, II, and IV
E) III and IV
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q# 2 p.138
• C)
• Interest groups have been created by professional
organizations, such as the AMA, and new
government policies, such as wars that create
veterans. Interest groups often have a strong
leader- historically, the NAACP has had manywho is willing to make personal sacrifices.
Interest groups are less likely to arise in good
economic times.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#3 p. 139
• “Free riders” occur when interest groups fight for
benefits to the public as a whole, such as
consumer protection. How can interest groups
prevent the free-rider problem?
• A)By ensuring that the benefits they seek will help
only their members.
• B)By providing people an incentive to join the
interest group, such as a subscription to a
magazine.
• C)By limiting membership to a few carefully
screened members.
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#3 p.139
• B)
• Interest groups, such as AARP, often
provide incentives to their members, such as
magazines and travel discounts. This
encourages people to pay a fee to become
members of the group.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#5 p.139
• Why are lobbyists useful to members of Congress
in considering legislation?
• A)Because most lobbyists are lawyers and can
draft bills using technical legal language.
• B)Because lobbyists have bigger research staffs
than members of Congress.
• C)Because lobbyists are policy generalists who
have knowledge about a broad range of topics.
• D)Because members of Congress must listen to
lobbyists in order to get electoral support.
• E)Because members of Congress are policy
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#5 p.139
• E)
• Members of Congress are policy generalists
who must decide about a broad range of
issues. Lobbyists have expertise in specific
fields. Members of Congress need credible
information and often rely on lobbyists to
provide it.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#2 p.150
• Broadcast journalism changed the media’s
coverage of politics in all of the following ways
EXCEPT
• A)A broadcast allows public officials to speak
directly to audiences without their remarks being
filtered through editors.
• B)Politicians can reach voters on a national scale
without the support of political parties.
• C)People could easily ignore a speech by
changing the channel.
• D)Citizens get more detailed and specific
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#2 p.150
• D)
• Although the broadcast media reach a large
audience, their coverage of the issues is
generally less detailed than coverage in the
print media.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#9 p.152
• Since the early 1970s, how has the relationship
between the president and the press changed?
• A) It has become friendlier because presidents are
now more willing to answer questions.
• B)It has become more adversarial, partly as a
result of the Vietnam War and Watergate.
• C)It has become more adversarial because
embarrassing stories sell more newspapers.
• D)It has not changed, because we have always had
a free press.
• E)It has become less critical of the president
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#9 p.152
• B)
• After the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the
Iran-contra affair, the press became more
adversarial with presidents. Although the
public does not like this negative coverage,
the relationship between the president and
the press remains more adversarial than it
was in the past.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#4 p.139
• Environmentalists, women, and union members
have worked over the years to advance their
interests. What is the best description of these
causes?
• A)They are social movements that have spawned
several related interest groups.
• B)They are PACs, which give money to political
campaigns.
• C)They are social movements because all of them
have liberal goals.
• D)They are interest groups because all of them
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#4 p.139
• A)
• A social movement is a widely shared
demand for change in some aspect of the
social or political order. These movements,
such as those led by environmentalists,
women, and unions, often result in the
creation of several related interest groups.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#7 p.129
• Which of the following features have encouraged
the development of a two-party party system in the
United States?
I. The plurality system of voting, where a candidate
need not win a majority of votes to win the
election.
II. The winner-take-all feature of the electoral
college
III. The numerous state and local elections because
of federalism.
IV. The fact that the House of Representatives is
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#7 p.129
• A)
• The “first past the post” plurality system allows a
candidate to win an election without a majority of
the votes. As a result, there are no runoff elections
like the ones that make smaller parties more
competitive in Europe. In addition, the winnertake-all feature of the electoral college votes
because, in order to do so, they must receive a
majority of the votes in a state.
III. Barron’s How to Prepare:
Q#18 p.267
• Which of the following provides voters the
chance to directly approve or disapprove a
legislative proposition?
• A) a recall petition
• B) a secondary primary
• C) a referendum
• D) a run-off primary
• E) an indirect primary
ANSWER:
III. Barron’s How to Prepare:
Q#18 p.267
• E)
• Polling has been used more and more to
determine attitudes and trends. If you do
not construct a poll with a sampling error of
under 5 percent, you risk the opportunity of
reaching invalid conclusions.
III. Barron’s How to Prepare:
Q#6 p.265
• With the exception of Bill Clinton and George W.
Bush, no one has been elected president since
1952 without first having won which presidential
primary?
• A) Iowa
• B) New Hampshire
• C) Maine
• D) New York
• E) California
ANSWER:
III. Barron’s How to Prepare:
Q#6 p.265
• B)
• Even though you probably do not know the
chronological order of every primary winner since
1952, because Clinton broke the pattern of having
to win the New Hampshire primary and being
called “the comeback kid” despite his loss, you
should be able to easily identify which primary the
question was talking about. Bush lost the primary
in 2000 but went on to beat John McCain.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#2 p.128
• All of the following characterize a period of
critical realignment EXCEPT
• A) A sharp and lasting shift in the coalitions
supporting the political parties.
• B) A series of crises, resulting in a reaction against
the two major parties.
• C) The major defeat of a party, with another party
taking its place.
• D) When a new issue of importance to voters cuts
across existing party divisions.
• E) When voters become apathetic and turnout falls
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#2 p.128
• E)
• Realignment occurs when there is a major
shift in voting patterns. This can be caused
by the formation of new coalitions, the
major defeat of a party (such as Federalists),
a series of crises (such as economic
depression), or an issue of importance
(slavery).
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#8 p.130
• Long standing third parties, such as the
Socialist, Libertarian, and Green parties, are
examples of
• A) Ideological parties
• B) One-issue parties
• C) Economic-protest parties
• D) Factional parties
• E) Candidate-centered parties
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#8 p.130
• A)
• Ideological parties profess a comprehensive
view of American society and government
that is radically different from that of the
established parties. Ideological parties tend
to last longer than other types of third
parties.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#16 p.275
• What was the biggest change to campaign
financing made by the Campaign Finance Reform
Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold)?
• A) The elimination of PAC contributions to
candidates
• B) The elimination of “soft money”
• C) New requirements for full disclosure of
campaign contributions
• D) The creation of new, nonpartisan, board of
directors of the Federal Election Commission
• E) The banning of all advertising by any political
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#16 p.275
• B)
• The McCain-Feingold law bans soft money
contributions- these were unlimited
contributions to political parties that were
considered the largest loophole in previous
campaign finance reform laws.
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#15 p.275
• One criticism of the media is that it does not
cover candidates’ speeches in depth. This is
best illustrated in which of the following?
• A) The rise of the Internet
• B) Horse-race journalism
• C) The shrinking sound bite
• D) The liberal bias in the media
• E) Sensationalism
ANSWER:
III. Fast Track to a 5: Q#15 p.275
• C)
• The sound bite dropped from about 42
seconds in 1968 to 7.3 seconds in 2000. As
a result, candidates’ speeches are not
covered in depth.
Topic IV
Institutions of National Government: the
Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy,
and the Federal Courts
(35-45%)
Barron’s
page 42
1. Which of the following is considered a linkage institution?
A) the beauracracy
B) the congress
C) the executive
department
D) the government
E) the media
E) The media
Barron’s
page 44
10. Which of the following institutions is commonly called
the fourth branch of government?
A) The bureaucracy
C) The executive branch
E) The supreme court
B) Special interest
groups
D) The congress
A) Bureaucracy
Barron’s
page 76
1. 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
E. II and IV only
Barron’s
page 77
4. The question of the constitutionality of a term limit for
legislators imposed by state constitutions is based on which of
the following arguments?
A) The state’s ability to set
B) The fact that the
time and manor of
constitution sets the
elections for state office
qualifications for
holders
congresspeople.
C) The ability of people to
vote directly for senators D) The ability of voters to
create term limits for state
and representatives
office holders
E) The fact that the congress
is scheduled to vote for a
term limits amendment
to the constitution.
B) the fact that the constitution
sets the qualifications for
congresspeople.
Barron’s
page 78
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)
Acting as titular head of his political party
Granting pardons
Making treaties
Giving a state of the Union address
Signing or vetoing legislation
A) Acting as titular head of the political party
Barron’s
page 78
10. Which of the following is the only stated constitutional
responsibility power of the vice president?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Taking on special tasks assigned by the president
Presiding over the senate
Filling in Attending funerals of foreign dignitaries
for the president when he is out of the country
Presiding over the House of Representatives
• C) presiding over the Senate
Barron’s
page 78
14. Which of the following actions increases the power of the
president?
A) a greater reliance of the states to solve problems
B) Greater reliance of the government to solve
problems
C) The president having to work with the majority
party in Congress different from his own
D) An increased investigative role by the media
E) A downsizing of the federal bureaucracy
• B) a greater reliance on the federal
government to solve problems
Barron’s
Page 83
Read the following point of view based on the proposed
change of rule voted on in the House of Representatives that
would have required a three-fifths vote to enact laws that
increase taxes:
When the constitution departs from its basic commitment
to majority rule it does so explicitly: A two-thirds vote of
both houses is required to override a presidential veto.
Two-thirds majorities are needed when the Senate
approves a treaty or impeaches a president. But the
constitution never imposes a supermajority requirement for
the passage of routine legislation, and never makes threefifths, rather two-thirds, a numerical hurdle of special
significance.
Support or refute the validity of the proposal to impose a
three-fifths vote to enact laws that increase taxes by giving
three examples of how the proposal would impact the
legislative process.
For Answer, see page 83-83 of
Barron’s
Barron’s
Page 418
Question 7
In viewing the relationship between the president and
congress in the area of foreign policy, which action on the
part of congress attempted to reduce presidential authority?
•
•
•
•
•
A) Congress Impoundment Act
B) War Powers
C) Gulf of Tokin resolution
D) approval of the SALT agreement
E) approval of NAFTA
Barron’s
Page 418
Question 7
B) War Powers
Barron’s
Page 418
Question 8
One way congress can respond to a supreme court ruling that
declares a law unconstitutional is to
• A) appoint new justices
• B) draft a referendum that the voters would approve
• C) pass new legislation that addresses the issues raised by
the Court
• D) pass a law limiting the terms of the justices
• E) reargue the issue in a state court
Barron’s
Page 418
Question 8
• C) pass new legislation that addresses the
issue raised by the Court
Barron’s
page 418
Question 9
In attempting to gain public support for his agenda, the
president uses all of the following techniques EXCEPT:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Using the bully pulpit
Giving the media a photo op.
Providing sound bites
Holding a press conference
Holding a private meeting with joint chief
of staffs
E) Holding a private meeting with joint chief
of staffs
Barron’s
page 418
Question 10
A supreme Court that creates precedent is described
as on that relies on:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Unanimous court decisions
Judicial federalism
Judicial restraint
Judicial activism
Stare decisis
D) Judicial activism
Barron’s
page 419
Question 13
Whips have which of the following responsibilities? They
A) Act as direct liaisons to the White House
B) Work closely with the minority party in the
name of bipartisanship
C) Make appointments to the various House and
Senate committees
D) Are responsible for keeping party members in
line
E) Preside over the House when the speaker is
absent
D) Are responsible for keeping party members
in line
Barron’s
page 419
Question 14
Which of the following is a major cause of Congressional
gridlock?
A) The number of bills proposed by the
president
B) Lobbyists influencing Congress
C) Divided party control of the Congress
D) The increased number of southern
Republicans elected to Congress
E) The change of party identification of
voters
C) Divided party control of the Congress
Barron’s
page 419
Question 15
Sunshine laws were passed in order to give
A) Congress greater flexibility in determining
meeting times
B) C-SPAN the ability to televise Congressional
sessions
C) Citizens the ability to attend meetings that
previously were held in secret sessions
D) Citizens the ability to attend meetings that were
previously held in secret session
E) The press the right to get information from
citizens
D) Citizens the ability to attend meetings that
were previously held in secret
Barron’s
page 420
Question 16
Which of the following is a characteristic of the electoral
college? It
A) Mandates presidential lectors to vote for the candidate to
whom they are pledged
B) Establish as a power base for third-party candidates
C) Has resulted in frequent occasions when a president wins
the electoral vote but not the popular vote
D) Became part of the constitution to give more power to
the voters
E) Gives the House of Representatives the power to
determine who will be president if no candidate gets the
majority of the electoral vote.
E) Gives the House of Representatives the power to
determine who will be president if no candidate gets the
majority of the electoral vote.
Barron’s
page 420
Question 17
Standing House committees such as the Ways and Means
Committee are important because they
A) Do not engage in partisan behavior
B) Mark up bills before they go to the entire
House for debate
C) Can act independently from established
House rules
D) Receive conference committee reports
E) Are equally divided in membership
between democrats and republicans
B) Mark up bills before they go to the entire
House for debate
Barron’s
page 420
Question 18
The constitution provides that 1/3 of the Senates membership
is up for election every two years so that
A) House members may decide whether to run for
the Senate
B) Committee assignments can be alternated
between democrats and republicans
C) Voters has less of a chance to change control of
the Senate from on party to another
D) The entire House and entire Senate are not voted
on in the same year
E) Congressional apportionment can alter the size
of House districts
D) The entire House and entire Senate are not
voted on in the same year
Barron’s
page 420
Question 19
Which of the following groups voted most heavily republican
during the 1990’s?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Jews
Evangelical Christians
African-Americans
Asian-Americans
Labor-union members
B)Evangelical Christians
Barron’s
page 421
Question 23
What is the result of a continuing resolution agreed upon by
both houses of Congress? It
A) Authorizes the president to borrow money in
advance of an approved budget
B) Allows a president to send the troops abroad on
a temporary basis
C) Prevents the shut down of any governmental
operation if a new budget is not enacted
D) Directs the Congress to meet until a budget is
voted on
E) Creates a new legislative agenda
C) Prevents the shut down of any
governmental operation if a new budget is
not enacted
Barron’s
page 422
Question 27
Which of the following is true about senatorial courtesy?
Senators
A) Have final say regarding presidential judicial
appointments
B) Of the state from which the candidate comes are
consulted by the president prior to the candidates
appointment as a federal judge.
C) Rely on the expertise of their fellow senators before
approving judicial appointments.
D) Consult with the American Bar Association before
voting on judicial appointments.
E) Poll their constituents before deciding on whether to
accept a presidential appointment.
B) Of the state from which the candidate
comes are consulted by the president prior
to the candidates appointment as a federal
judge.
Barron’s
page 450
Question 5
Which of the following reforms has been recommended to
change the electoral college?
A) Closed polls throughout the country the
same time on election day.
B) Ban exit polling by the networks
C) Eliminate the winner-take-all provision of
the system.
D) Move up the date that electors vote.
E) Expand the concept of choosing electors
to Congressional races.
C) Eliminate the winner-take-all provision of
the system.
Barron’s
page 450
Question 6
Supreme Court cases mainly derive from
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Plea bargains that fail.
Congressional legislation that is vetoed.
State legislation that goes unchallenged.
Original jurisdiction cases.
Appellate jurisdiction cases.
E) Appellate jurisdiction cases.
Barron’s
page 451
Question 11
Which of the following House committees has the most
influence in determining the fate of legislation?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Agricultural committee
Ways and Means committee
Post Office committee
Education committee
Foreign Affairs committee
B) Ways and Means committee
Barron’s
page 455
Question 30
The “fighting words” doctrine outlined in Supreme Court
decisions deals with
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Freedom of the press.
Separation of church and state
Freedom of speech
Freedom of assembly
Freedom to petition
C) Freedom of speech
Barron’s
page 455
Question 31
A major characteristic of independent regulatory agencies is
that they are
A) quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial in
function.
B) Highly influenced by special interest
groups.
C) Sensitive to the needs of the electorate.
D) Decreasing in size, scope, and influence.
E) Minimally influential in determining
public policy.
A) quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial in
function
Barron’s
page 456
Question 38
Historically, the approval rating of the president usually
A) Remains around 50 percent during his entire
term.
B) Fluctuates depending on his response to national
and international problems.
C) Is lowest during times of war.
D) Is highest toward the end of his presidency.
E) Depends of the kind of media coverage he gets.
B) Fluctuates depending on his response to
national and international problems.
Barron’s
page 460
Question 54
Which of the following events occurs first during the
impeachment of a president?
A) A media frenzy forces the House to vote to
impeach the president.
B) The House Judiciary Committee votes on
articles of impeachment.
C) A special prosecutor issues a report to Congress.
D) The Senate Judiciary Committee votes on
articles of impeachment.
E) The Supreme Court rules on the guilt or
innocence of the president.
B) The House Judiciary Committee votes on
articles of impeachment.
Topic V
Public Policy
5-15%
Barron’s Model pg. 311 #1
• An interest group is most likely to have influence in
Congress with which of the following situations?
• A. An issue that is narrow in scope and low in public
visibility
• B. An issue that is part of the president’s legislative
package
• C. An issue that has been highly dramatized by the media
• D. An issue that engages legislators’ deeply held
convictions
• E. An issue that divides legislators along party lines
Answer
• A. because even though interest groups are
involved with all the situations that are
described a narrowly scoped issue with low
visibility has the greatest chance of
lobbying success
Barron’s pg. 311 #2
• All the following statements concerning interest groups are
true except that they
• A. Are policy experts
• B. Attempt to appeal to a broad spectrum of political
interests
• C. Often run their own candidates for public office
• D. Lobby different levels of government
• E. Have specific policy goals
ANSWER
• C. Even though interest groups support
candidates for political office through their
PACs it is highly unlikely that they will
actually run their own candidates for
elective office
Barron’s pg. 311 #3
•
•
•
•
•
•
Special interest groups do all of the following except
A. Testify at congressional hearings
B. Donate money to federal judges
C. Endorse candidates for political office
D. Try to influence the media
E. Work on campaigns for candidates
ANSWER
• B. It should be obvious that special interest
groups can’t donate money to federal judges
Barron’s pg. 312 #4
• All the following arguments are essential to the special
interest theory of politics except
• A. Interest groups compete with each other
• B. Interest groups provide linkage between people in
government
• C. One or two interest groups may dominate the debate
over legislation
• D. Interest groups encourage membership from diverse
groups that may disagree with their goals
• E. Interest groups have been protected by Supreme Court
decisions
ANSWER
• D. by definition a special interest group is
formed over a specific issue
Barron’s pg. 312 #5
• Which of the following represents a major reason for the
proliferation of special interests and lobby groups?
• A. The reactive nature of interest groups and lobbyists to
new issues
• B. The increase in donations received by interest groups
from their membership
• C. The trust citizens have in the legislative process
• D. the ability of lobbyists and special interest groups to get
members from their own group to run for political office
• E. the increasing demand for campaign reform
ANSWER
• A. For most issues brought up before Congress
you will be able to find some interest group that
exists and hopes to influence the legislative
process even though some interest groups are
getting increased donations from their members,
that is the exception not the rule & even if there is
an increased demand for campaign reform, it does
not follow that more interest groups would form
Choice C is clearly not the perception of the
public, and interest groups do not run their own
members for political office
Barron’s pg. 312 #6
• Which of the following officials do lobbyists most succeed
with?
• A. officials who have a basic philosophical affinity with
the lobbyist
• B. officials who have a basic philosophical difference with
the lobbyist
• C. officials who are neutral with the lobbyist’s position
• D. officials who have strong convictions
• E. officials who are very conservative
ANSWER
• A. The best chance for success comes with
the elected officials who, going into the
situation, basically agrees with the strong
feelings about the issue being discussed
Barron’s pg. 312 #7
• A significant amount of PAC money most likely
goes to?
• A. candidates challenging Republican seats
• B. candidates challenging Democratic seats
• C. candidates who are new to the political scene
• D. candidates who have wide philosophical
differences with the PAC
• E. candidates who hold incumbent status
ANSWER
• E. Although millions of dollars are pumped
into the political coffers of both political
parties and even candidates who are new to
the political scene, most PAC money goes
to incumbents. It is rare for money to be
invested in candidates who will most likely
vote against the position the PAC is taking
Barron’s pg. 312 #8
• Which of the following techniques would a
lobbyist be likely to use to influence legislation in
Congress?
• I. Organize a demonstration in Washington just
before a key House vote
• II. Ensure that the corporation’s PAC makes
donations to the campaigns of members of key
committees
• III. Meet informally with Senate aids over lunch
or cocktails
• IV. Bring influential constituents to Washington to
discuss important policy matters with their reps.
Continued
•
•
•
•
•
A. I only
B. II only
C. II, III, IV
D. I, II, III
E. I, II, III, IV
Answer
• E. A lobbyist has a link to special interest
groups who also have links to their PAC, a
lobbyist can and does act as a catalyst
before a major vote takes place. Therefore,
each of the situations described can and
does take place as a result of lobbyists’
efforts, though the lobbyists themselves
may not be directly involved in each of the
situations
Barron’s pg. 313 #9
• Which of the following statements represents a legislative
victory for a special interest group? They
• A. eventually want to end up as political office holders
• B. nominate candidates for political office
• C. Have the primary function of funding political
campaigns
• D. want to influence office holders and achieve legislative
goals
• E. attempt to recruit an elite membership in order to
become influential
ANSWER
• D. A special interest group attracts membership as
a result of an identification process. People who
believe that every woman has the right to have an
abortion will look for pro-choice groups; gun
advocates will look for a group like the NRA.
Choices A and B are incorrect because these
groups’ major function is to endorse candidates.
Choice C is wrong because funding is not their
primary function.
Barron’s pg. 313 #11
• All of the following are techniques used by lobbyists
except
• A. testifying at Congressional hearings
• B. providing officials with research information
• C. appearing on the floor of Congress as staff assistants to
Senators and Representatives
• D. taking Senators and Representatives to conferences
sponsored by a special interest groups
• E. giving Senators and Representatives feedback from their
constituents
ANSWER
• C. Lobbyists’ main purpose is to “hang out”
in the lobby of Congress so that, when
Senators and Representatives entered or left
the floor the lobbyist could approach the
Representative without an appointment
Barron’s pg. 313 #12
• Which of the following statements represents a political conflict of
interest? Lobbyists
• A. Work closely with the interest groups that hired them
• B. Are former government officials who have close ties with current
legislators
• C. Are persistent in making sure that the results they get do not change
before a vote
• D. Know as much and sometimes even more than legislators about
pending legislation
• E. Attempt to convince Senators and Representatives that if they
support their position they will receive the support of their
constituency
ANSWER
• B. The only answer that represents a
conflict of interest is that many lobbyists are
former Senators, Representatives, or
Executive Staffers
Barron’s pg. 313 #13
• The major impact of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1974 was that it
• A. Eliminated lobbyist gifts and vacations for legislators
• B. Set strict contribution limitations for Congressional
campaigns
• C. Created matching funds for Congressional campaigns
• D. Legitimized and increased the number of interest groups
• E. Created strict registration procedures for lobbyists
ANSWER
• D. The act created matching funds for presidential, not
congressional, campaigns and was silent regarding gifts,
vacations, and campaign contributions for congressional
campaigns
Barron’s pg. 289 #1
• Which of the following conclusions can be made about
voting behavior?
• A. Young people turn out more than any other age group
• B. Minorities generally support Republican candidates
• C. Southerners vote more than Northerners
• D. Voting is a class based activity
• E. Women vote more for Republican candidates than men
ANSWER
• D. It’s the only logical answer because the
others cancel each other out
Barron’s pg. 289 #2
•
•
•
•
•
•
Which section of the country is the lowest voter turnout?
A. the South
B. the Northwest
C. the Midwest
D. the West
E. the Southwest
ANSWER
• A. Many African Americans in the South
are still not registered to voted
Barron’s pg. 289 #3
• Which class of people has the highest percentage of voter
turnout?
• A. middle class
• B. lower class
• C. upper class
• D. upper middle class
• E. voter turnout has no relationship to class
ANSWER
• C. People who are most aware of who they
are voting for and why they are voting are
mainly in the upper class
Barron’s pg. 289 #4
• Which of the following definitions reflects the
idea that the victorious party should carry out it’s
proposed agenda?
• A. Constituents service by the elected
representatives
• B. The integrity of the political party
• C. The party’s platform
• D. Voter Referendums
• E. The mandate theory of elections
ANSWER
• E. If the electorate speaks loudly and clearly
for a candidate or a party, the election is
interpreted as a mandate or direction for
change
Barron’s pg. 290 #10
• Which of the following statements best explains
why people vote? People vote mainly as a result of
• A. Religious views
• B. Political socialization
• C. Gender politics
• D. The economic class to which they belong
• E. Issues raised in the campaign
ANSWER
• B. Gender and class are reasons why people
vote, as well as religion and the process of
political socialization. Surveys have no
direct impact on why people vote.
Barron’s pg. 290 #11
• Which of the following trends most closely
reflects the last 40 years of American electoral
history?
• A. an increase in suffrage opportunities
• B. a consistent increase in voter turnout
• C. third party victories
• D. campaign finance reform affecting
congressional races
• E. Congressional incumbents losing elections
ANSWER
• A. Voter turnout has been on the decline;
third parties have never won significant
electoral victories; congressional
incumbents win the vast majority of the
time
Barron’s pg. 291 #14
• In a presidential election, if no candidate receives
an electoral college majority,
• A. the winner of the popular election becomes
president
• B. A runoff election is held with a new slate of
electors
• C. The election is thrown into the House
• D. The election is thrown into the full Congress
• E. The Supreme Court determines the winner
ANSWER
• C. The Constitution states that the electoral
college if tied will defer to the House
Barron’s pg. 291 # 15
• It has been shown in recent elections that during
times of severe economic troubles the electorate
• A. Do not vote as often as they do during good
times
• B. Tend to vote out incumbents
• C. Tend to vote incumbents back in
• D. Are more likely to vote in Congressional races
than the presidential race
• E. Register in large numbers
ANSWER
• B. If you think of the Depression you
should be able to reach the conclusion that
incumbents are voted out during times of
economic hardship
Barron’s pg. 291 #16
• Which of the following has had a positive
impact on the youth vote?
• I. Large numbers of youth involved with the
religious right
• II. Jesse Jackson’s rainbow coalition efforts
• III. MTV’s “Rock the Vote” efforts
• IV. Republican support of the Motor Voter
Bill
continued
•
•
•
•
•
A. I only
B. III only
C. III and IV only
D. I, II, and III only
E. II, and III only
ANSWER
• E. All the other answers contributed towards
youth voting but were not as significant as
the answers provided in II and III
Barron’s pg. 291 #17
• Which of the following statements is true about
the effect of ethnic groups on voter choice during
the Presidential elections of the 1990’s?
• A. Catholics tend to voted Republican
• B. Northern Protestants tend to vote Democrat
• C. Jews tend to vote Democrat
• D. The religious right tends to vote Democrat
• E. Hispanics tend to vote Republican
ANSWER
• C. Traditionally, the one ethnic group most
closely identified with a political party has
been Jews
Barron’s pg. 239 #1
• Which of the following defines a team of men
(and women) banding together seeking to control
the governing apparatus by gaining office in a
duly constituted election?
• A. Political party
• B. Political Opportunism
• C. Political Constituency
• D. Political Agenda
• E. Political Policy
answer
• A. The statement is a straight definition of a
political party
Barron’s pg. 239 #2
• All of the following are characteristics of politics EXCEPT
• A. Individuals with similar ideas banding together to form
political parties
• B. The means by which individuals and groups get
involved
• C. Who gets what, when, how, and why
• D. The passage of laws that serve to further minority
groups
• E. The interrelationship of individuals and groups
ANSWER
• E. Choices A, B, C, and D are all
characteristics of politics. Choice E is
correct because one of the outcomes of
government is the making of public policy
Barron’s pg. 239 #3
• Relationships among which of the following
exist in political parties?
• A. The party and the electorate
• B. The party and the individual
• C. The party and the gov.
• D. The party and the candidate
• E. The party and the courts
ANSWER
• E. Choice E, the relationship between the
party and the courts is an external
relationship that goes beyond the
organizational characteristics of political
parties
Barron’s pg. 239 #4
• Which of the following translate inputs
from the public into outputs from the policy
makers?
• A. Linkage Institutions
• B. Bureaucratic institutions
• C. Agenda setters
• D. Policy setters
• E. Policy coordinators
ANSWER
• A. Because a political party is one of the
linkage institutions, we should be able to
apply the function of a political party to the
statement describing the general meaning of
a linkage institution
Barron’s Pg. 239 #5
• Which of the following is considered
linkage institutions?
• I. Congress
• II. Political parties
• III. The media
• IV. The courts
CONTINUED
•
•
•
•
•
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. I, II, and III only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, III, and IV
ANSWER
• D. Choice D is the correct answer because
political parties in the media are considered
linkage institutions. Choices A, B, C, and E
are incorrect because the courts and
Congress are not linkage institutions
Barron’s pg. 240 #6
• Which of the following philosophies is
reflected by the majority of the American
electorate?
• A. A middle of the road philosophy
• B. Extremely liberal philosophy
• C. Extremely Conservative philosophy
• D. Radical philosophy
• E. Reactionary philosophy
ANSWER
• A. By process of elimination in realizing
that a centrist position is the predominant
philosophy of the electorate, you should
pick middle of the middle of the road as the
only reasonable answer.
Barron’s pg. 240 #7
• In the long history of the American party
system, successful parties rarely stray from
• A. Supporting big government
• B. A liberal point of view
• C. A conservative point of view
• D. The midpoint of public opinion
• E. A reactionary point of view
ANSWER
• D. Political parties should try to stay with
the middle point of view to please the
electorate.
Topic VI
Civil Rights and Liberties
Barron’s Model pg 450 #8
The provisions of the Fifth Amendment have
all of the following components EXCEPT
•
•
•
•
•
A. prohibition of double jeopardy
B. the right to a speedy trial
C. the protection against self-incrimination
D. the right of eminent domain.
E. protection of life, liberty, and property.
Answer: B
Pg 455 #30
The “fighting words” doctrine outlined in
Supreme Court Decisions deals with
•
•
•
•
•
A. freedom of the press
B. separation of church and state
C. freedom of speech
D. Freedom of assembly
E. Freedom to petition
Answer: C
Pg 456 #37
The original intent of the Fourteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution
as interpreted by the Supreme Court was to
• A. force the states to follow the Bill of Rights
• B. provide equal protection under the law for freed
slaves
• C. expand voting for women
• D. give states the right to pass laws that guarantee
separate but equal status to their citizens
• E. enable Congress to pass affirmative action
legislation
Answer: B
Barron’s Model Pg. 457 #40
The use of racial quotas was made illegal in
the United States as a direct result of the
• A. Supreme Court decision in the University of
California v. Bakke.
• B. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of
Education of Topeka
• C. Proposition 209-The California Civil Rights
Initiative
• D. Civil Rights Act 1964
• E. affirmative action programs created by
individual states.
Answer: A
Barron’s Model Pg 459 #48
Supreme Court decisions in the 1990’s related
to the separation of church and state reflect
the Court’s approval of
• A. greater government support for the
accommodation of religion in public schools
• B. the use of school vouchers for tax deductions
• C. the limited right to have silent prayer in public
schools
• D. a complete ban at time of Christmas on
religious symbols in schools
• E. the right to have clergy speak at school
graduation
Answer: A
#55
Southern states that created “MajorityMinority” congressional districts did so
because they were
• A. directed to do so by the Supreme Court
• B. attempting to abide by the provisions of the
Voting Rights Act of 1965
• C. hopeful that African Americans would vote
Republican
• D. confident that white candidates would be given
an advantage over African Americans
• E. responding to an executive order of the
president
Answer: B
The 1999 Released Exam. Pg 23 #14
Which of the following did the most to
expand civil rights in the 1950’s?
• A. State Legislative decisions desegregating
public accommodations
• B. State Court decisions outlawing poll taxes
• C. The passage of voting rights legislation by
Congress
• D. Executive Orders mandating affirmative action
• E. The Supreme Court decision declaring state
mandated school segregation to be
unconstitutional.
Answer: E
Pg. 23 #15
Which of the following is true about the right
of free speech, as currently interpreted by the
Supreme Court?
• A. It protects the right to express opinions even
without the actual use of words.
• B. It protects the use of language deemed obscene
by the courts.
• C. It allows citizens to disobey laws that they
believe to be unjust.
• D. It is protected from infringement by the Federal
Government but not from infringement by State
government.
• E. It cannot be limited in any manner.
Answer: A
Pg 26 #30
Most of the individual protections of the Bill of
Rights now apply to the states because of the
Supreme Courts interpretation of the Constitutions
•
•
•
•
•
A. Preamble
B. Necessary and Proper Clause
C. Supremacy Clause
D. 10th Amendment
E. 14th Amendment
Answer: E
Pg 29 #45
The Miranda Warning represents an attempt to
protect criminal suspects against
•
•
•
•
•
A. Unfair police interrogation
B. Unbiased jury selection
C. Imprisonment without trial
D. Illegal wiretapping
E. Unjustified police surveillance.
Answer: A
Pg 29 #48
When 18-20 year-olds received the right to
vote in 1971, in the 1972 national elections
they did which of the following?
• A. Voted overwhelmingly for Republican
candidates
• B. Voted overwhelmingly for Democratic
candidates
• C. Voted overwhelmingly for radical candidates
• D. Turned out at a lower rate than the rest of the
electorate
• E. Turned out at the same rate as the rest of the
electorate
Answer: D
Pg 31 #59
The Establishment Clause in the 1st
Amendment does which of the following?
• A. Guarantees freedom of speech to all
citizens
• B. Prevents prior restraint of the press
• C. Prohibits the setting up of a state church
• D. Defines the concept of dual citizenship
• E. Allows citizens to enter freely into
contracts with other citizens
Answer: C
Pg 31 #60
Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade are
similar Supreme Court cases in that both cases
are based on the
• A. Rights of gay men and lesbian women
• B. Right of privacy
• C. Right to an abortion
• D. Right to freedom from cruel and unusual
punishment
• E. Right of women to equal protection
before the law
Answer: B
Preparing for the US Gov’t AP* Exam Pg. 208 #5
The government began to pursue civil rights
in the 1950’s when
• A. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act
• B. Civil rights activists marched on Washington to
demand government action
• C. The Supreme Court declared segregation
unconstitutional
• D. States agreed to discontinue their use of poll
taxes as a means of preventing people from voting
• E. The president issued an executive order to
desegregate all public transportation
Answer: C
Pg 212 #28
The Supreme Court has upheld which of the
following in its interpretation of the freedom
of speech?
• A. All forms of speech including obscenity are
protected under the 1st Amendment
• B. The government cannot under any
circumstances censor information
• C. Protest against the government are not
protected under the 1st Amendment
• D. Forms of symbolic speech are protected under
the 1st Amendment
• E. The freedom of speech is guaranteed by Federal
Law, but it does not have to be upheld by the
states.
Answer: D
Pg 214 # 43
In Miranda v. Arizona, the Supreme Court
ruled that persons accused of a crime
•
•
•
•
•
A. cannot be denied bail.
B. have the right to a fair trial.
C. have rights during police questioning.
D. have equal protection under the law
E. cannot be searched illegally.
Answer: C
Pg. 217 #56
Regions of the University of California v.
Bakke and Adarand Constructors v. Pena are
Supreme Court cases that addressed
• A. affirmative action
• B. prayer in school
• C. the rights of the accused
• D. the right of privacy
• E. desegregation through busing.
Answer: A
Government and Politics Test pg 138 #6
What principle protects citizens from being
punished twice for the same crime?
•
•
•
•
•
A. Trial by jury
B. Presentment
C. Double Jeopardy
D. Self-incrimination
E. Due Process
Answer: C
Pg. 147 #57
Opponents to the concept of comparable
worth advocated by NOW and other women’s
rights groups would most likely argue that
• A. Women have always had the same rights as
men.
• B. They would increase expenses and make US
business less competitive
• C. Women already earn as much as men.
• D. Women are physically unable to do many of the
higher paying jobs.
• E. It would take away from needed government
involvement in business
Answer: B
Pg 157 #4
The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Federal
Constitution protects the civil liberties of an
individual by
• A. requiring that at least two witnesses defend the
accused in a juried trial.
• B. prohibiting family members of a convicted
criminal from being punished for his or her crime.
• C. making it illegal for a person to be arrested
without first being read his or her rights.
• D. preventing an acquitted defendant from being
tried twice for the same criminal charge.
• E. giving a criminal defendant the right to not
testify against him/herself.
Answer: D
Pg 159 #16
All the following Bill of Rights amendments,
Supreme Court cases and descriptions are
grouped accurately EXCEPT
• A. 1st Amendment, freedom of speech, Gitlow v.
New York
• B. 4th Amendment, Exclusionary rule, Mapp v.
Ohio
• C. 4th Amendment, protection from unreasonable
searches and seizures, Wolf v.Ohio
• D. 5th Amendment, prohibition of double jeopardy,
Bakke v. University of California
• E. 1st Amendment, freedom of press, Near v.
Minnesota
Answer: D
Pg. 156 #52
What case established some limits on the 1st
Amendment guarantee to worship freely?
•
•
•
•
•
A. Wisconsin v. Yoder
B. Reynolds v. United States
C. Sherbert v. Verner
D. Engle v. Vitale
E. Widmer v. Vincent
Answer: B
Pg. 166 #55
All the following amendments protect the
right of due process EXCEPT
•
•
•
•
•
A. 4th Amendment
B. 5th Amendment
C. 6th Amendment
D. 8th Amendment
E. 10th Amendment
Answer: E
If you have read through all of these questions
and studied your review book then you
should have nothing to worry about on the
test.
Good Luck!!!!