Practice Multiple-Choice Questions

Practice Multiple-Choice Questions
AP Government Practice Multiple-Choice Questions

History and Theory

Which is a linking institution?
The bureaucracy The Congress The executive department The government The media Media (also elections, political parties, and special interest groups) = linkage institutions. Linkage institution is means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy. Connects people to government.

All of the following are characteristics of politics EXCEPT:
Individuals with similar ideas banding together to form 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 All are characteristics except D, the passing of laws, which is an outcome of gov’t

Which of the following institutions established in the Constitution make public policy?
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 B, other stuff not given the power in Constitution

Which of the following best defines a set of institutions linking government, politics, and public policy? An educational system A political system A social system An economic system A socioeconomic system B

Which of the following are considered linkage institutions. I
Which of the following are considered linkage institutions? I. Congress II. Political parties III. Media IV. Courts I only I and II only II and III only I, II, and III only I, II, III and IV C

Which of the following principles describes a philosophy of the Federalist Party?
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 A

All of the following characteristics reflect the reasons why political parties are formed EXCEPT:
People band together because of similar needs People band together because of similar values People band together because they have similar income People band together because of similar beliefs People band together because they have similar goals C

Which of the following groups examines a candidate’s record only on specific issues?
Single-interest groups Elite groups Plurality groups Democrats Republicans A

All of the following are basic principles of our democracy today EXCEPT a belief in
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 C

Which of the following institutions is commonly called the fourth branch of government?
The bureaucracy Special interest groups The executive branch The Congress The Supreme Court A

Which of the following principles is most fundamental to democratic theory?
Free elections and universal suffrage Minority rule Universal public education Political parties A written constitution A

All of the following factors contribute to an enlightened understanding of the electorate EXCEPT:
Interest groups The media The right to property Political parties The internet C

Which of the following groups believes that bargaining and compromise are essential to a democracy?
Elitists Pluralists Hyperpluralists Democrats Republicans B. Pluralism: different groups vying for control of policy – have to compromise and move toward centrism. Elite and class theory says economic elite controls policy. Hyperpluralism is pluralism gone amuck: so many interest groups the government can’t effectively compromise.

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? Elite Pluralist Hyperpluralist Socialist egalitarian A

Which of the following theories claims that too many competing groups cripple government’s ability to govern? Hyperpluralist theory Pluralist theory Elite theory Democratic theory Class-based theory A

Which of the following theories stress that the public interest is rarely translated into public policy? Elitist and pluralist Pluralist and hyperpluralist Elitist and hyperpluralist Democrats and Republicans Liberals and conservatives C

Which statement(s) best reflects what the United States Constitution represents?
I. The Constitution is a set of basic laws for the government II. The Constitution is an explanation fo the way government operates, assigning separate powers to each branch and guaranteeing their rights III. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land All of them

John Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government advocates
Divine monarchy Rights for the minority Majority rights Natural rights Democratic rule D

Which statement(s) best reflects the political philosophy established after the colonists achieved their independence? Former colonists eliminated property criterion for political office Former colonists recognized the need for a strong executive Former colonists believed that the states should become the dominant political and social force III

When the Articles of Confederation were adopted, the nation’s major concern was dominated by:
Slavery Religious freedom Equality for women Political dominance by the central government Economic issues E

Which of the following documents represents the first adopted Constitution for the U.S.?
Declaration of Independence Bill of Rights Articles of Confederation Virginia Plan Connecticut Plan C

Which of the following statements best describes the Articles of Confederation?
Domination of the government by the states A national congress with one house and no executive No national court system No ability of the central government to enforce the collection of taxes all

Which of the following statements in the Federalist Papers referred to “the most common and durable source of faction”? 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 C

Madison believed that in order to prevent a “tyranny of the majority” the new government should include all of the following EXCEPT: Creating political institutions that could function with the consent of a majority Limiting the president’s term of office Creating different 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 B

Even though the representatives to the Constitutional Convention came from different parts of the country and had differing economic status, they were able to agree to: A series of political compromises A Republican government for each state The method to count slaves for representation purposes all

Which statement reflects James Madison’s point of view in the Federalist Papers regarding the consequences of unequal distribution of wealth? I. The formation of factions II. The probability of minority discontent III. The development of political parties all

Which of the following documents created a compromise that led to the formation of a bicameral legislature? Articles of Confederation Connecticut Compromise New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan 3/5 Compromise B, the Connecticut Compromise becomes the Great Compromise

The Federalists believed that a nation dominated by factions would lead to:
A tyranny of the majority Protection of minority rights A recognition that factions would be in the best interests of the country Another revolution Favorable economic growth A

Constitutional Order

Which of the following illustrates the effects that the system of checks and balances and separation of powers had on the legislative process? I It does not favor the party in power II it can create gridlock III It usually makes change easy to come by IV It can encourage political compromise II and IV

The Constitution’s writers carefully drafted a document that would create:
Strong states and a weak central gov’t Weakened power in the state and national gov’t The ability to adapt to changing times A dominant national government with no active participation from the states A totally equal distribution of power between the states and national government C

Which of the following governmental bodies is most directly responsible to the electorate?
House of Representatives Senate Executive branch Supreme Court The bureaucracy A

The question of the constitutionality of a term limit for legislators imposed by a state constitution is based on which of the following arguments? The state’s ability to set time and manner of elections for state office The fact that the Constitution sets the qualifications for congressmen The ability of people to vote directly for senators and representatives The ability of voters to create term limits for state office holders The fact that the Congress is scheduled to vote for a term limits amendment to the Constitution B

The practice of judicial review was first established by which action?
The Constitution gives life terms to Supreme Court justices Justices serve as long as they maintain good behavior The Supreme Court exercises judicial precedent He Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court can declare a congressional act unconstitutional E: Marbury v. Madison

All of the following are enumerated powers of the Congress EXCEPT:
Coining money Establishing inferior courts in addition to the Supreme Court Setting up the first national Bank of the US Establishing uniform immigration laws Regulating commerce among the several states C

In addition to the stated constitutional powers of the president, which of the following roles does he take on? Acting as title or head of his political party Granting pardons Making treaties Giving a State of the Union address Signing or vetoing legislation A

Which of the following is the only stated constitutional responsibility of the vice president?
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 C

Which of the following represents a major reason why the electoral college was created?
It would encourage 3rd party candidates It would enable a select group of electors to cast the final vote for 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 all the states an equal say in electing the president B

All the following represent examples of the use of checks and balances EXCEPT:
the 35 successful vetoes made by President Bush (senior) 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 D

Which of the following actions increases the power of the president?
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 B

The appointment of Supreme Court justices in the 1980s was characterized by:
Quick approval by the Senate of nominees Rejection of the majority of appointees Limited background checks of the nominees Limited input from elgal associations and special interest groups Bitter confirmation battles over personal and philosophical positions of the nominees E

Federalism

Which of the following represents the theoretical definition of federalism?
Division of power between federal government and state governments 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 A

Advocates of a strong federal system (with a strong federal government) believe in all the following EXCEPT: State and local governments do not have all 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 An elitist group would be more likely to gain control in a country dominated by local interests D

According to the Federalist papers, which of the following reflects a major reason for the support of a federal system? 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 B

The Constitutional provision used in the Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland was:
I. The “necessary and proper” clause II. The supremacy clause III. The interstate commerce clause I and II; interstate commerce was invoked in Gibbons v. Ogden

The Constitutional basis of dual federalism can be found in:
The necessary and proper clause The 10th amendment The elastic clause The implied power provision The enumerated powers B

Which general area of policy is generally left up to the states?
Foreign policy Military policy Relations among the several states Health and welfare Immigration D

The concept of "dual federalism" is best characterized by which of the following statements?
The states may exercise only those powers delegated to them by Congress. The states have reserved powers which Congress may regulate as it sees fit. The powers of the states and the federal government overlap to such a degree that it is impossible to distinguish the two in practice. The state and federal governments are each sovereign and independent within their respective spheres of influence The states created the federal government and have the right to nullify laws which, in their opinion, violate the federal Constitution D

An important outcome of Marshall's ruling in McCulloch v
An important outcome of Marshall's ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland was to place limits on the constitutional powers granted to Congress by refusing McCulloch's appeal give greater power to the states in taxing agents of the federal government, including banks. state that legislatures could not deprive honest investors of the lands they had acquired under a corrupt grant. define commerce expansively to include people and new technologies such as a steamboat confirm the supremacy of the federal government and the existence of its implied powers E

Under a federal system of government,
power is concentrated in the central government. power rests primarily in subnational units which control the national budget. the national government and subnational units would share power. each state has a veto over national policy in areas such as defense policy. states would typically have no power over local matters such as schools, roads, and police services C

Congress would be required to use the "elastic clause" of the Constitution in order to
change citizenship requirements impose workplace safety standards increase tax rates authorize the treasury to print money declare war B

Compared to marble cake federalism, Reagan's new federalism aimed to
increase the size of the federal government. reduce the number of block grants given to the states. downsize the federal government and turn more authority over to the states. increase the amount of federal taxes to reduce the deficit reduce the size of the Defense Department and give the savings back to the states. C

The section of the Constitution that clearly states the concept of federalism is
Article I Article II Article III the Tenth Amendment the Preamble D

Which of the following is considered responsible for the doctrine of Nullification?
John Marshall Andrew Jackson John C Calhoun Franklin Roosevelt Alexander Hamilton C

Rights and Liberties

Which of the following Supreme Court decisions dealt with the issue of prior restraint?
New York Times v. Sullivan United States v. Nixon New York Times v. United States Miller v. California Near v. Minnesota C: Pentagon Papers case

The recent trend of the courts with respect to the rights of criminal defendants can be best described by which of the following? Police and prosecutors have greater flexibility in collecting evidence Courts are reluctant to grant warrants because of police corruption The police are permitted to ignore the Fourth Amendment The use of confidential informants by the police is unconstitutional Individuals placed under arrest no longer have to be given the Miranda warning A, consider the good faith exception, the automobile exception, and inevitable discovery

In Griswold v. Connecticut, the Court found a constitutionally protected right of privacy in all of these EXCEPT: 3RD Amendment 9th Amendment 4th Amendment 5th Amendment 10th Amendment 10th, has to do with rights of states, not individuals

Under the exclusionary rule,
Evidence seized illegally cannot be used in court The police must have a search warrant before collecting evidence A search is legal only if there is probable cause Evidence collected by federal authorities cannot be used in state courts The only evidence that cannot be used is a forced confession A

The Supreme Court opposed a state law requiring display of 10 Commandments in school classrooms because: It might offend atheists It represented an unnecessary state involvement with public education The law had no secular purpose It violated the free exercise clause The cost was a burden on school districts C, failed the Lemon Test

Which of the following statements about a pornographic magazine is valid?
The state can prevents its publication The publishers can be prosecuted for violating state law after publication The content of the magazine must contain violent photographs Even obscene materials are protected under the 1st Amendment Obscenity is judged by national standards alone B; can’t be prevented (no prior restraint). Roth v. U.S. says obscenity can be restricted. Standards are local.

The main concern of the Supreme Court with the death penalty is that:
The death penalty must be applied equitably without regard to income or race Methods of execution other than lethal injection are “cruel and unusual punishment” The death penalty itself is a violation of the 8th Amendment A defense attorney in a death penalty case must have previous experience in a capital case States cannot drop the death penalty without the approval of Congress A; Inequality prompted court to strike down Georgia’s death penalty in Furman v. Georgia

Recent Supreme Court decisions on abortion have:
Expanded the rights granted women under Roe v. Wade Allowed the states to impose restrictions on abortion Outlawed abortions for minors or the mentally ill Required federal funding for abortions for women on Medicare Allowed the procedure only in cases of rape or incest B; parental consent, waiting period, fetal viability tests are all allowed

Which one of the following forms of expression is NOT protected under the 1st Amendment?
A newspaper ad that makes inaccurate statements about a product A statement by a member of Congress against the president Defacing an American flag during a political demonstration Pornographic photographs published in an adult magazine A speech by a religious leader urging opposition to war D; Obscenity is not protected, but pornography is not necessarily obscene (according to the Court, not me) – maybe it’ll pass the LAPS test, then its ok

All of the following statements about the Bill of Rights are accurate EXCEPT:
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution after ratification The protections provided by the Bill of Rights are not absolute The Bill of Rights recognizes that there may be additional rights than those mentioned The first eight amendments are applicable to the states through the 14th Amendment Most of the Bill of Rights relate to the rights of suspects and criminal defendants D; Not incorporated: 2nd & 3rd Amendments, indictment by grand jury, jury trial in civil cases, and excessive bail don’t apply to states

The Miranda Warning that police are required to give a person placed under arrest is based on:
The probable cause requirement for a search warrant Freedom of speech protection in the 1st Amendment Protection against self-incrimination in the 5th Amendment The right to be represented by an attorney at trial The right to know the charges brought against you C

Celebrities and other public figures who bring libel actions against publications:
Have a higher burden of proof than the average citizen Usually win the law suit without great difficulty Only have to show that what was written was false Almost never win because judges decide the cases Look to settle quickly because they are afraid of the publicity A; have to show it was false the publishers knew that in advance and printed it anyway

In practice, the scope and extent of the civil liberties Americans enjoy under the Constitution are determined by: Laws enacted by Congress The President, who has the authority to see that laws are faithfully executed The Supreme Court through its decisions The Bill of Rights The Justice Department C, for better or for worse!

Under Regents of the University of California v
Under Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, colleges can consider race a factor in admissions because: Reverse discrimination is constitutional It is a remedy for contemporary discrimination A diverse student body is a legitimate educational goal Such students are economically disadvantaged as well Numerical quotas are acceptable in certain circumstances C

The abolition of the poll tax was accomplished through the:
Voting Rights Act of 1965 1964 executive order issued by President Johnson Supreme Court decision in Smith v. Allwright Civil Rights Act of 1964 24th Amendment E

Until the 1970s, claims of gender discrimination were routinely rejected by the Supreme Court because: Women were not citizens within the meaning of the Constitution The Court had no female members Limitations on women’s rights were usually considered “reasonable” The women’s movement was not well organized The justices did not believe that the 14th Amendment applied to women C

The status of gays and lesbians is best described by which of the following statements?
Same sex marriages are widely recognized throughout the United States The Supreme Court has struck down laws criminalizing homosexual behavior Openly homosexual men and women can serve in the armed services Gays and lesbians have not yet organized to push their civil rights claims Neither Congress nor the courts are willing to extend civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation B; Lawrence v. Texas

All of the following statements about the civil rights movement in the South between are true EXCEPT: Boycotts and sit-ins were effective techniques of achieving goals The federal government took a hands off policy throughout the period Blacks and whites marched and demonstrated together Desegregation and voter registration were key issues Violence against civil rights demonstrators increased public support for the movement B

The ability of the federal government to prohibit discrimination in private businesses such as motels and restaurants derives from: The equal protection clause of the 5th Amendment Its implied powers under the elastic clause Privileges and immunities The supremacy clause Its power to regulate interstate commerce E

The most important consequence of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was:
Extending the right to vote to Native Americans A shift in African American voting patterns to the Democratic Party An increase in black voter registration in the South An increasing liberal bent in Southern politics The use of race in legislative redistricting C

In Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857), the Supreme Court held that African Americans were not citizens of the U.S. This was effectively overturned by the: 13th Amendment 14th Amendment 15th Amendment 16th Amendment 17th Amendment B

Which of the following statements about women’s suffrage is valid?
Women were not allowed to vote in the U.S. until 1920 The key factor in the ratification of the 19th Amendment was the work and service of women during WWI Granting women the right to vote dramatically canged American politics in the 1920s The Equal Rights Amendment was not proposed until the ’70s Women were united in seeking other rights once they won the right to vote B

Congress

The official who is an intermediary between the party leadership and the rank and file members of Congress is the: Speaker of the House Majority leader Majority whip President pro tempore Clerk of the House C

Which of the following activities that members of Congress routinely perform is most important to their constituents? Attending the meeting of the party caucus Going to a fundraiser sponsored by a political action committee Giving an interview on national defense issues Drafting an amendment to the Department of Transportation appropriation bill Contacting the Social Security Administration regarding a claim for benefits E

Incumbent senators face greater competition when they run for reelection than members of the House for all of the following reasons EXCEPT: A state is more diverse than a congressional district, providing a greater base for opposition Senators have less contact with the constituents Voters are less likely to know the issue positions of their senators Senators tend to have better known opponents To overcome their advantage, Senate challengers outspend incumbents E

When courts examine the legislative history of a bill, they give most weight to which type of evidence? Committee hearings Committee reports The mark-up bill Floor debate in The Congressional Record The bill as introduced B

Responsibility for reconciling the House and Senate versions of a bill falls to a:
Conference committee Standing committee Select committee Oversight committee Joint committee A

Which of the following provisions of a defense appropriations bill is considered a rider?
Funding for a new missile defense system Increase in benefits for military dependents Price support for dairy farmers in New England Construction of family housing units at a naval air station Research and development funding for anti-terrorism tactics C. Rider: provision added to bill which has nothing to do with it. Vehicle for pork.

Those who oppose term limits for members of Congress argue that:
I. A tremendous amount of legislative experience will be lost if term limits are imposed II. The people have the right to vote for whomever they want III. The Supreme Court will never allow term limits IV. A less experienced Congress will lead the country into war I and II

All of the following statements about the legislative process are true EXCEPT:
Only a small percentage of bills introduced become law Anyone can write a bill, but only a member of Congress can introduce it A majority of the House does not have to be present to debate a bill on the floor A cloture vote cuts off debate on a bill immediately, and the Senate must vote Identical bills can be introduced in both the House and the Senate D

Which of the following is the only non-legislative function the House of Representatives has under the Constitution? To impeach federal officials To approve appoints to federal courts To “advise and consent” on treaties negotiated by the president To try cases of impeachment To debate all revenue bills A

A bill or a provision of a bill that provides clear benefits to the district of a member of Congress is an example of: Logrolling A Christmas tree A public bill Private bill Pork barrel legislation E

Political action committees make larger total contributions to House races than Senate races because: House members are more likely to vote the way the PAC wants House members have more influence on legislation than the Senate The entire house is up for election every two years Senators are much wealthier than representatives Senators cannot take PAC money under the Senate rules C

In the process of enacting legislation, the House Rules Committee is responsible for:
Establishing the procedures Congress follows Appointing members of standing committees Setting the limits of debate on the floor Holding hearings on all revenue bills Assigning bills to the proper committees C; remember, no Senate counterpart

All of the following are examples of Congress exercising its oversight function EXCEPT:
Holding floor debate on a bill to reduce eligibility requirements for Medicare Hearing a Department of Defense official testify on B-1 bomber cost overruns Submitting data to a committee on complaints against the Internal Revenue Service Holding committee hearings on regulations issued by the Federal Communications Commission Cutting the budget of a federal agency that consistently fails to meet its goals A

A newly elected member of Congress that represents a district with a large number of aerospace companies would prefer to serve on which of the following committees? Banking and Financial Services Judiciary Ways and Means International Relations Armed Services E

Which of the following statements about the Speaker of the House are valid?
I. The Speaker is elected by only the members of the majority party II. The Speaker is next in line for succession after the vice-president III. The Speaker presides over the House IV. The Speaker assigns bills to committees II, III, and IV

The Presidency

The period immediately after a new president is inaugurated is known as the honeymoon because:
Other nations do not challenge the US The president’s popularity is at its highest level There is no in-fighting between the president’s staff The president has not vetoed any legislation Partisanship in Congress is high B

All of the following are powers granted to the president under the Constitution EXCEPT:
Negotiate treaties with other nations Nominate justices to the Supreme Court Present legislation to Congress Serve as the leader of a political party Call Congress into special session D

Examples of Congress delegating additional powers to the president include the
I legislative veto II line item veto III War Powers Act IV Budgeting and Accounting Act II and IV: Budgeting and Accounting Act allows pres to set budgets for fed. agencies

The responsibilities of the vice president in an administration are determined by:
The provisions of the Constitution The relationship between the president and vice president Polls indicating the popularity of the vice president Size of the election victory Whether the president’s party also controls Congress B

Which of the following agencies are NOT part of the Executive Office of the President?
Office of Management and Budget National Security Council Council of Economic Advisers Office of Personnel Management Environmental Protection Agency E: the EPA is an independent executive agency. While the EPA administrator does have cabinet rank, the agency itself is not part of the Executive office of the President

The only presidential appointment on which the House of Representatives votes is:
Chief justice of the Supreme Court US Ambassador to the United Nations Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice president, if the position is vacant Director of the CIA D, 25th Amdmt

In mid-term elections, the president’s party usually:
Loses seats in both houses of Congress Loses seats in the Senate but increases its support in the House Loses seats in the House but increases its support in the Senate Gains seats in both houses of Congress No patterns of gains or losses is discernible A

Which of the following statements about the use of the veto is valid?
The use of the veto has become more common all the time A veto override is more likely when the president and Congress are from the same party Pocket vetoes are less successful than regular vetoes Once a bill is vetoed, it is not likely to be passed Democratic presidents use the veto more often than Republicans D

The strongest basis for withholding information from Congress under a claim of executive privilege is: The need for secrecy in military planning and diplomacy To protect the president from embarrassment To ensure the president does not turn over incriminating evidence The powers granted to the president under the Constitution Legislation that recognizes that Congress cannot subpoena the president A; National Security is best argument

The president can take action without the approval of Congress through:
I executive orders II recess appointments III judicial appointments IV executive agreements I, II, and IV

An important function of the White House staff is to:
Prepare the administration’s budget for Congress Assume responsibility for executive departments Supervise campaign fundraising activities Liason with Congress on the bills of interest to the administration Communicate the administration’s views on matters before the Supreme Court D; rest is done by others

Which of the following statements about the Cabinet is NOT valid?
The Cabinet is too large to be an effective policy-making body The president can give officials other than the heads of departments cabinet rank The cabinet is made up of close associates of the president who were involved with the campaign Recent presidents have made cabinet appointments with an eye toward diversity Cabinet members are primarily responsible for managing their own departments C; Applies more to White House staff than Cabinet.

Which of the following would be affected if Congress invoked the War Powers Act?
The closing of an army base in California A cost of living increase for enlisted navy personnel The commitment of American ground forces to monitor a Middle East peace A defense treaty between the US and the Russian Federation Implementation of a missile defense system in Alaska C

The term “presidential coattails” refers to:
The ability of a president to get legislation through Congress A president’s success in getting nominees confirmed by the Senate The election of candidates from the president’s party when he is on the ticket The president’s apointment of campaign workers to government jobs Public support for a president’s program C; this effect has diminished over time, however

All of the following are correct statements about a pocket veto EXCEPT:
It can only be used within 10 days before the end of a Congress’ term It is not overridden by a 2/3 vote of both houses The president does not sign a pocket veto A bill that receives a pocket veto can be introduced in the next session The bill automatically becomes law in the next session E

The Executive Bureaucracy

Which of the following statements best describes the federal civilian work force?
Political factors play no role in making civil service appointments Employees must pass competitive examinations to be hired and promoted Half of the employees in the executive branch are appointed by the president Federal employees face no limitations on their participation in the political process Once hired, a federal employee can never lose his/her job B

The growth of the federal bureaucracy can be attributed to all of the following EXCEPT:
The need to regulate business Responsibility of the government for the welfare of the people Administrators who push for larger budgets and staff Supreme Court decisions on federal-state relations The creation of new agencies to give policy issues a high profile D

An important difference between an independent executive agency and an independent regulatory agency is that: Executive agences are funded through executive departments The head of an executive agency holds cabinet rank Presidential appointments to a regulatory agency serve for a fixed term Executive agencies do not engage in rule making Actions by regulatory agencies must be approved by Congress C

An iron triangle refers to the close relationship between:
The White house press corps, the press secretary, major networks Congressional committees, interest groups, and federal agencies The national security advisor, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State Congressional campaign committees, PACs, party national committees Defense contractors, Department of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff B

A common criticism of the federal bureaucracy is that:
Too many civil servants are political appointees There are no controls over federal agencies The public is unaware of how federal agencies make decisions Overlapping jurisdiction contribute to wasteful spending It is constantly growing in responsibilities and labor force D

Which of the following is NOT a government corporation?
Corporation for Public Broadcasting Tennessee Valley Authority Amtrak US Postal Service National Endowment for the Arts E; National Endowment for the Arts is part of the National Foundation for the Arts and Humanities, an independent executive agency

Which of the following is NOT part of the rule-making process?
Publication of proposed rules in the Federal Register Review of proposed rules by the Office of Management and Budget Comment period on proposed rules Publication of final rules in the Federal Register Review of final rules by congressional oversight committees E

Critics of government regulation of business argue that:
I regulation leads to higher prices for consumers II regulation adds to corporate profits III regulation ultimately harms the environment IV regulation makes the United States less competitive in world markets I and IV

With regard to the federal bureaucracy, recent presidents have tried to:
Reduce the size of the work force and reorganize the structure Increase spending for all federal agencies Get Congress to approve additional staffing levels for executive departments Eliminate the Department of Labor Limit congressional oversight of independent regulatory agencies A

A regulatory agency that selects from a range of policy options is said to exercise its:
Rule-making authority Administrative discretion Oversight responsibility Mandate power Administrative routine B

All of the following are included in the standard definition of bureaucracy EXCEPT:
Hierarchical organization Standard operating procedures Patronage Specialized tasks Formal rules C

Which of the following tools at the disposal of a president is LEAST likely to impact the bureaucracy? The appointment of people to government positions that are committed to his policy goals The use of executive orders to direct bureaucracy to take a particular action The appointment of federal judges who support the principle of judicial activism Either reducing or increasing funding for an agency in the administration’s budget The ability of the president to speak directly to agency heads about the administration’s priorities C

The purpose of the Pendleton Act was to:
Ensure that federal workers were paid the same as workers in the private sector Give federal workers the right to form labor unions Develop a professional civil service system based on merit Reduce corruption by substantially increasing the salaries of federal employees Allow the president to appoint the higher levels of the federal civil service C

The means Congress has at its disposal to control the bureaucracy include all of the following EXCEPT: Issue networks Power of the purse Confirmation of presidential appointments Agency/program authorization Oversight hearings A

The Judiciary

The tradition of senatorial courtesy is criticized because:
It effectively allows a senator to nominate a federal judge It gives too much power to the Senate to investigate judicial nominees It gives the President Pro Tempore responsibilities not provided for in the Constitution It allows the Senate Judiciary Committee to delay hearings on a judicial appointment It allows the Senate Judiciary Committee alone rather than the full Senate the power to reject a nominee to the federal bench A

Which of the following courts has only original jurisdiction?
US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit California Supreme Court US District Court of the Southern District of NY New York State Court of Appeals US Supreme Court C

In making nominations to the federal courts, recent Democratic presidents have
Selected more women and minorities than Republicans Not taken party affiliation into account Required that candidates have previous judicial experience Relied heavily on recommendations from large corporations Looked for candidates who were pro-life A

The Supreme Court will agree to hear a case when:
The Chief Justice orders it A majority of the justices agree A single justice insists a case be put on the docket There is unanimous agreement among the justices Four justices agree E

The authority to determine how many justices sit on the Supreme Court is in the hands of:
The Supreme Court itself Congress The President The Judicial Conference of the United States The House Judiciary Committee B

A Supreme Court justice who agrees with the decision but not with the legal reasoning is likely to write a: Majority opinion Per curiam opinion Concurring opinion Dissenting opinion Plurality opinion C

Which of the following cases is LEAST likely to reach the Supreme Court?
A dispute between Oregon and Washington over coastal fishing A case on the rights of students to publish a newspaper without supervision by the administration A case involving the constitutionality of a state law limiting abortion A case that challenges the president’s right to establish military tribunals to try suspected terrorists A case involving the murder of a police officer during a drug arrest E

All of the following statements about the judicial branch are true EXCEPT:
The overwhelming majority of criminal cases are handled by state courts Only judges hear cases in the federal courts The only court specifically established in the Constitution is the Supreme Court Most judges that sit on state or municipal courts are elected Most cases come to the supreme Court on appeal from the lower federal courts B

Supreme Court Justice William Douglas said, “I don’t follow precedents
Supreme Court Justice William Douglas said, “I don’t follow precedents. I make ‘em.” This statement reflects: Judicial conservatism Judicial activism Strict constructionism Judicial restraint Stare decisis B

Which of the following statements about amicus curiae briefs is NOT valid?
Amicus briefs are an opportunity for third parties to provide information to the Court Most amicus briefs are filed by individuals who want the Court to consider their case Amicus briefs are filed in connection with petitions for a writ of certiorari With the exception of the solicitor general, attorneys who submit amicus briefs cannot participate in oral argument Amicus briefs are a factor in the decision of the Court to hear a case B

A ruling made by a court of appeals is:
Valid only within the states that make up the circuit of that court Automatically brought to the Supreme Court Most likely the result of a decision of all the judges in the circuit Based on the factual evidence introduced at trial Made on the basis of oral argument alone A

When President Jackson said, “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!” This raises the issue of: Judicial nationalism Judicial federalism Judicial implementation Judicial review Judicial jurisdiction C

In establishing the Judicial branch, Article III of the Constitution provided for all of the following EXCEPT: Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court The scope of appellate jurisdiction The definition of treason Trial by jury Office of the Attorney General E

Public Opinion

A poll conducted over the Internet is of questionable accuracy b/c:
The participants were not randomly selected The margin of error is over +/- 3% The sample is biased in favor of the more affluent The sample is too large Questions are typically not worded clearly A; no random selection = no sample, no scientific poll. It is biased in favor of more affluent, but THERE IS NO SAMPLE

In light of the “graying of America,” which issues are likely to get attention from elected officials? Deregulation of the energy industry Missile defense programs Term limits for members of Congress Patient’s Bill of Rights Gun control D

Which of the following statements about political ideology in the US are accurate?
I political movements on the extreme right and left have had little support II people who identify themselves as conservatives always oppose laws restricting abortions III most Americans consider themselves moderates IV consistency is not essential to political ideology I and III

Political socialization refers to:
Why a person identifies with a political party How an individual’s political views are developed The measure of the public’s attitude on national issues A person’s position on social questions such as abortion The role of government in promoting national identity B

Data collected on the political attitudes of ethnic/racial groups shows that:
All minorities tend to take liberal positions on major policy questions African Americans are shifting back to the Republican Party The views of African Americans are not significantly affected by income Asian American support for the Democratic Party is strong Hispanic Americans are the most consistently liberal group C; Dem. Across the board

A month before a primary election, a poll shows the following breakdown in a 3 candidate race: Candidate A 45%; Candidate B 32%; Candidate C 23%. Margin of error +/- 3%. Candidate A will get a majority of votes cast Candidate C will drop out of race b/c of limited support The election is too close to predict b/c of margin of error No conclusion can be drawn b/c election is a month away There will be a runoff between A and B D

Women are more likely than men to favor:
Capital punishment Gun control legislation No increases in federal minimum wage Less spending on public housing Abortion B

Libertarians support all of the following EXCEPT:
An end to tax breaks for large corporations A prescription drug plan for seniors paid for by the federal government The repeal of laws restricting gun ownership The legalization of marijuana and similar drugs Full exercise of freedom of speech, including materials considered “obscene” B

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between an individual’s income and attitudes toward federal spending? Lower income groups support spending for social programs There is no correlation between income and views on federal spending Economic self-interest requires wealthy Americans to back more government spending for jobs Minorities approve of higher defense spending Higher income Americans tend to support the Democratic Party A

Despite migration from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt, the South:
I is a more conservative region than the Northeast II is a stronghold for the religious right III remains committed to the Democratic Party I and II

The political party an individual identifies with is largely determined by:
Mass media Peers Teachers Parents Employers D

A politician who advocates raising the minimum wage, cutting spending on weapons systems, and increasing the budget for the Environmental Protection Agency is: Populist Liberal Conservative Radical Libertarian B

Polls taken during an election campaign focus on:
Which candidate is ahead The views of the candidates on the issues The amount of money each candidate has raised The character of the candidates The candidates’ position on foreign policy A

In recent years, occupation has become less significant to determining political attitudes because:
Few Americans are blue collar workers Americans are more mobile than in the past Education is a more important factor Political parties do not frame issues in terms of class Workers adopt the views of their unions C; and more Ams finishing high school and going to college

Which of the following is NOT a conservative position?
Support for prayer in the public schools Support for voucher plans for private schools Support for increases in corporate and income taxes Support for deregulation of business Support for limits on affirmative action programs C

Political Parties

Voting a straight ticket reflects:
Voter apathy Party loyalty Weak party structure Influence of campaign advertising Support for the Democratic Party B

When the Republican Party emerged in the 1850s, it replaced which of the following?
Federalists Know-nothings Whig party Populist party Labor Reform Party C

The party platform is developed:
By the nominee’s campaign staff By the chair of the national committee At the national convention by the platform committee Through questionnaires sent to registered members for the party By members of the party’s Senate and House campaign committees C

The Democrats’ New Deal Coalition relied on support from all of the following groups EXCEPT:
Southerners Labor union members Catholics and Jews African Americans Business leaders E

The boss, who was a fixture in local party politics in many American cities, kept power through:
I Rigging elections II Support for primary elections III Patronage IV Constituent services I, II, and IV

Party realignment occurs when:
A majority of the voters register as independents There is a shift in voter support from one party to another There is a change in which party controls one or both houses of Congress The president is from one party but the Congress is in the hands of another A third party determines the outcome of the election B

Which of the following is NOT a function of a political party?
To select candidates for office To inform voters about issues To run political campaigns To raise money for candidates To determine qualifications for office holders E

The most successful third parties:
Represent a particular region of the country Have strong ties to an ideological position Break off from one of the two major parties Focus on a single issue Support a particular groups C

Which statement best characterizes the relative strengths of the Democratic and Republican parties in the period between 1968 and 2000? Republican presidents always faced a Congress controlled by Democrats The Democrats controlled the House from Democrats were more successful than Republicans in presidential elections Divided government was the rule under Democratic presidents The Republicans had a majority of the seats in the Senate as a result of the 2000 election B

Reforms in the Democratic Party after the 1968 election resulted in:
More power given to party professionals and activists The creation of the Democratic Leadership Council A substantial increase in the amount of money raised for presidential campaigns Greater participation of historically underrepresented groups at the convention A decline in the number of presidential parties D

Those who argue that political parties are declining in importance point to:
I a decline in voter turnout II candidate-run campaigns III increase in ticket splitting IV increase in the cost of running for office II and III

During the campaign and during his first term, Republican George W
During the campaign and during his first term, Republican George W. Bush adopted which issue that was usually considered Democatic? Tax cuts Missile defense systems Campaign finance reform Support for gays in the military Greater federal support for education E

Voting and Elections

The National Voter Registration Act encouraged voting by:
Requiring states to allow election day registration Declaring election day a federal holiday Allowing voter registration at DMV offices Eliminating residency requirements for voting Imposing fines on eligible voters who do not register C; it was nicknamed the “motor voter act”

Which of the following statements about voter turnout is valid?
I Income and education levels have no effect on minority voting II the gender gap refers to the fact that women are more likely to vote than men III the lowest voter turnout is among college-age Americans IV the most common reason given by Americans for not voting in that they were too busy III and IV

One of the effects of winner-take-all primaries is that:
Candidates can get a majority of the delegates quickly The cost of the campaign is higher The media focuses on who is ahead Candidates stay in the race longer More candidates decide to enter the primaries A

Today, the most important function of a party’s national convention is to:
Select the electors for the electoral college Develop the strategy for the general election Formally nominate the president and vice president Choose the party’s leaders for the House and the Senate Name a new chair for the national committee C

An amendment to the Constitution that did NOT extend the right to vote to a particular group was the: 15th 19th 26th 24th 23rd D; that one abolished the poll tax

A primary election in which a registered Democrat can ask for a Republican ballot is a:
Presidential primary Open primary Closed primary Blanket primary Proportional representation primary B

Supreme Court ruled in Buckley v. Valeo (1976) ruled that:
Limits on a candidate’s use of personal money was unconstitutional Limits on individual contributions violated the 1st Amendment Labor union contributions were protected under the right of association Federal matching funds had to be made available for state races Contributions to political parties for voter registration drives were valid A

Lower voter turnout in the US can be explained by all of the following EXCEPT:
Weak political parties An aging electorate Difficulty in registering Difficulty in voting Frequency of voting B

In recent years, the efforts at campaign finance reform have focused on:
Reducing the influence of political action committees Curbing spending on negative advertising Decreasing the cost of presidential elections Prohibiting the use of union dues for political campaigns Eliminating soft money available to political parties E

Over the last 30 years, most successful candidates for the presidency have served:
In the Cabinet As senators As business executives As govenors In the House of Representatives D

During the general election, a candidate is likely to do which of the following?
I Moderate positions taken during the primaries to appeal to the electorate as a whole II Campaign vigorously in all 50 states III Participate in a series of televised debates with the other major party candidate IV Continue to actively raise money I and III

Above all else, the results of the 2000 presidential election showed that:
The “solid South” remains a fact of American politics The winner of the popular vote always wins the electoral vote The vote of every person is important A balanced ticket is the key to victory The party that spends the most will win the presidency C

A candidate who qualifies for federal matching funds:
Loses the money if contributions over $250 are accepted Must accept spending limits during the primaries Needs to finish in the top four in each primary entered Does not have to report contributions less than $250 to the FEC Receives a check from the Treasury for the total amount raised during the campaign B

The campaign staff a presidential candidate puts together includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A pollster A media specialist A foreign policy consultant A domestic policy advisor A political action committee chair E

In comparing congressional and presidential elections, which of the following statements are NOT valid? I the power of incumbency is stronger in congressional races II Congressional candidates get no federal matching funds III Presidential campaigns are considerably longer IV The money spent on congressional and presidential campaigns remained stable IV

In covering a political campaign, the media is best described as a:
Watchdog Scorekeeper Muckraker Gatekeeper Cheerleader B

Under the Federal Communications Commission’s equal access rules, broadcasters must:
Give free airtime to all candidates for public office Assure that both sides on a controversial subject like abortion get equal time Air debates for candidates running for office in their market Provide the same opportunity for all political candidates to present their views Take the diversity of their market into account in deciding news coverage D

Which of the following contemporary news outlets is similar to the yellow journalism of the late nineteenth century? Network news programs Radio talk shows Newspapers like USA Today All news cable stations Tabloid press E

The fact that election campaigns are often reduced to sound bites suggests that:
Television provides superficial coverage of politics Politicians are not very dynamic speakers Voters turn to newspapers and magazines to understand the issues Network news shows are too long Editors need to take more responsibility for programming A

Cross-ownership refers to:
A company owning radio and television stations in different parts of the country Companies like Gannett that own numerous newspapers A company owning a newspaper and television station in the same market Entertainment giants like the Walt Disney Company that own television networks Cable companies that are the sole service providers in a community C

All of the following work against a liberal bias in the media EXCEPT:
Most news about government and politics comes from official sources Journalists are trained to be objective and present both sides of a story Editors and publishers are more conservative than reporters Broadcast and print journalists as a group tend to support the Democratic Party Major media outlets are owned by larger corporations whose primary business is not news D

The Supreme Court made it more difficult for public officials falsely attacked in the media to sue for libel in: New York Times v. Sullivan New York Times v. US Red Lion Broadcasting v. FCC Engel v. Vitale Bucley v. Valeo A

News coverage of Congress:
Is devoted to scandals like the impeachment of President Clinton Is primarily the responsibility of C-SPAN Focuses on the leadership in the House and the Senate Is influenced by the White House press secretary Is more thorough on network television than in the press C

Which of the following newspaper headlines suggests investigative reporting?
“Abuse of patients in nursing homes in the state uncovered” “Fire guts office structure; arson suspected” “President to hold summit with Chinese leaders” “Stock prices drop as corporate bankruptcies rise” “Attorney General to rule on Special Prosecutor” A

The media plays a key role in politics by:
Determining who gets elected to state and federal offices Helping to set the issues that political leaders need to address Presenting elected officials in the best possible light to the public Reinforcing values such as patriotism and family Paying candidates for exclusive stories B

Interest Groups

When a political action committee makes a contribution to an elected official, the expectation is:
The elected official will vote the way the interest group wants The interest group will have access to the elected official The elected official will provide jobs for members of the interest group The elected official will make sure the interest group is not audited by the IRS The elected official will kick back a portion of the contribution to lobbyists B

All of the following are examples of economic interest groups EXCEPT:
American Farm Bureau Federation Consumer Union of the US Service Employees International Union American Bankers Association American Federation of Teachers B; that’s a public interest grp

In order to contribute to the campaign of a presidential candidate, an interest group:
Can make the donation directly to the candidate Must earmark money for voter education Can only give the money to the national party Must create a political action committee to raise and distribute money Must approve ads bought with its money D

The free-rider problem refers to:
Candidates for office who face no primary opposition A candidate with great personal wealth who does not need PAC money Members of Congress who take gifts from lobbyists Non-germane amendments added to a bill A person who benefits from an interest group but does not join E

Lobbyists try to influence public policy by all of the following EXCEPT:
Mobilizing grass roots support Testifying before congressional committees Meeting with federal district judges Speaking with heads of federal agencies Providing research data to government officials C: such meetings really not allowed

A lobbyist for the NRA is most likely to get the support of:
A Republican who voted for the Brady Bill An incumbent facing a difficult reelection A liberal Democrat A newly elected Senator A conservative Republican E

Interest groups participate in electoral politics by:
I endorsing candidates II urging members to vote for a candidate III running candidates for office IV lobbying for term limits for Congress I and II

The people attracted to interest groups are most likely:
College-educated Social conservatives Committed independent voters Liberal activists Racial/ethnic minorities A

Which one of the following statements about lobbyists is NOT true?
Lobbyists are often former government officials Lobbyists must register with the House and the Senate Lobbyists cannot represent foreign countries Many interest groups have their own lobbyists on staff Strong interpersonal skills are important to a lobbyist’s success C; i.e. Israeli Lobby

A former under secretary in the Department of Energy becomes a consultant for the American Petroleum Institute and testifies before Congress on the regulation of offshore oil drilling. This is: An iron triangle Influence peddling An issue network The revolving door Effective lobbying D

Which of the following statements about interest groups is valid?
Interest groups only try to influence policymaking at the federal level Interest groups are only composed of individual members The potential membership of an interest group is almost always greater than its actual membership Interest groups get all of their funding from membership dues Interest groups are most effective when they deal with multiple issues C

Lobbyists must file reports of their activities, including information about their clients, with:
The Federal Election Commission The Justice Department The Securities and Exchange Commission The House of Representatives and the Senate Office of Management and Budget D

Practice Multiple-Choice Questions

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