Political Science 1010 - American National Government » Spring 2021 » Module V

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Question #1
The process of redistricting can present problems for congressional representation because __________.
A.   states have been known to create more districts than they have been apportioned
B.   districts must include urban and rural areas
C.   districts are often drawn to benefit partisan groups
D.   states can gain but never lose districts
Question #2
Which of the following is an implied power of Congress?
A.   the power to override a presidential veto
B.   the power to regulate the sale of tobacco in the states
C.   the power to increase taxes on the wealthiest one percent
D.   the power to put the president on trial for high crimes
Question #3
Senate races tend to inspire __________.
A.   less money than House races
B.   less media coverage than House races
C.   narrow discussion of specific policy issues
D.   broad discussion of policy issues
Question #4
Stopping a filibuster requires that __________.
A.   a majority of senators agree on a bill
B.   the speaker steps away from the podium
C.   the chamber votes for cloture
D.   the Speaker or majority leader intervenes
Question #5
Saying a bill is being marked up is just another way to say it is being __________.
A.   neglected
B.   tabled
C.   vetoed
D.   amended
Question #6
While each state has two senators, members of the House are apportioned __________.
A.   based on each state's need
B.   according to the state's population
C.   according to the state's geographic size
D.   based on the state's economic size
Question #7
Many at the Continental Congress were skeptical of allowing presidents to be directly elected by the legislature because __________.
A.   they feared the opportunities created for corruption
B.   they worried about subjecting the commander-in-chief to public scrutiny
C.   they were worried about giving the legislature too much power
D.   they knew the weaknesses of an electoral college
Question #8
Which of the following is a way George Washington expanded the power of the presidency?
A.   He refused to run again afters serving two terms.
B.   He worked with the Senate to draft treaties with foreign countries.
C.   He appointed the heads of various federal departments as his own advisors.
D.   He submitted his neutrality proclamation to the Senate for approval.
Question #9
How did the election of 1824 change the way presidents were selected?
A.   The election convinced many that the parties must adopt the king caucus as the primary method for selecting presidents.
B.   The selection of the candidate with fewer electoral votes triggered the rise of party control over nominations.
C.   Following this election, presidents were directly elected.
D.   Jackson's supporters decided to create a device for challenging the Electoral College.
Question #10
Which of the following is an unintended consequence of the rise of the primary and caucus system?
A.   Sometimes candidates unpopular with the party leadership reach the top.
B.   The conventions have become more powerful than the voters.
C.   Often incumbent presidents will fail to be renominated by the party.
D.   Campaigns have become shorter and more expensive.
Question #11
President Theodore Roosevelt's concept of the bully pulpit was the office's __________.
A.   authority to use force, especially military force
B.   ability to use technology to enhance the voice of the president
C.   premier position to pressure through public appeal
D.   constitutional power to veto legislation
Question #12
The passage of the Tenure of Office Act in 1867 was just one instance in a long line of __________.
A.   struggles for power between the president and Congress
B.   unconstitutional presidential power grabbing
C.   impeachment trials
D.   arguments over presidential policy
Question #13
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review __________.
A.   enables it to declare acts of other branches unconstitutional
B.   is given to it in the constitution
C.   established the three-tiered court system
D.   allows it to hear cases
Question #14
The Supreme Court most typically functions as __________.
A.   a district court
B.   a trial court
C.   an appeals court
D.   a court of original jurisdication
Question #15
In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton characterized the judiciary as the __________ branch of government.
A.   most political
B.   least dangerous
C.   strongest
D.   most unnecessary
Question #16
Of all the court cases in the United States, the majority are handled __________.
A.   at the state level
B.   by the US district courts
C.   by the circuit courts
D.   by the US Supreme Court
Question #17
Besides the Supreme Court, there are lower courts in the national system called __________.
A.   civil and common courts
B.   district and circuit courts
C.   state and local courts
D.   state and federal courts
Question #18
In standing by precedent, a judge relies on the principal of __________.
A.   laissez-faire
B.   judicial activism
C.   stare decisis
D.   amicus curie
Question #19
The justices of the Supreme Court are __________.
A.   elected by citizens
B.   nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate
C.   chosen by Congress
D.   confirmed by the president
Question #20
When a Supreme Court ruling is made, justices may write a __________ to show they agree with the majority but for different reasons.
A.   majority opinion
B.   concurring opinion
C.   brief
D.   dissenting opinion
Question #21
The "spoils system" allocated political appointments on the basis of __________.
A.   merit
B.   background
C.   party loyalty
D.   specialized education
Question #22
The Civil Service Commission was created by the __________.
A.   Pendleton Act of 1883
B.   Hatch Act of 1939
C.   Political Activities Act of 1939
D.   Lloyd-LaFollette Act of 1912
Question #23
Which describes the ideal bureaucracy according to Max Weber?
A.   an apolitical, hierarchically organized agency
B.   an agency that shows clear electoral responsiveness
C.   a wasteful, poorly organized agency
D.   an organization that competes with other bureaucracies for funding
Question #24
An example of a government corporation is __________.
A.   the State Department
B.   NASA
C.   Amtrak
D.   the CIA
Question #25
The Freedom of Information Act of 1966 helps citizens exercise oversight over the bureaucracy by __________.
A.   opening government records to citizen scrutiny
B.   requiring annual evaluations by the president
C.   forcing agencies to hold public meetings
D.   empowering Congress
Question #26
Which of the following is an example of an executive agreement?
A.   The president changes a regulation on undocumented immigrant status without congressional approval.
B.   The president negotiates an agreement with China and submits it to the Senate for ratification.
C.   The president issues recommendations to the Department of Justice on what the meaning of a new criminal statute is.
D.   The president signs legally binding nuclear arms terms with Iran without seeking congressional approval.

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