Political Science 101 - Introduction to American Government and Politics » Fall 2022 » Test 1 Chapter 1-3

Need help with your exam preparation?

Question #1
Which of the following statements describes the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of a government in which there is a constitutional separation between them as in the United States Constitution?
A.   The executive branch has more power.
B.   The legislative branch has more power.
C.   The branches are separate but equal.
D.   The judicial branch has more power.
Question #2
Anti-Federalist wanted a strong central government that took power away from the states
A.   TRUE
B.   FALSE
Question #3
Which of the following does NOT describe the Great Compromise?
A.   equal representation in the Senate
B.   a Congress made up of 2 houses
C.   representation in the House of Representatives was based on the population of the state
D.   3/5 of the slaves counted toward the state populations
Question #4
What important power did the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation?
A.   It could not impose taxes.
B.   It could not conduct foreign affairs.
C.   It could not coin money.
D.   It could not declare war.
Question #5
The Supreme Court is part of what institution?
A.   executive branch
B.   electoral college
C.   legislative branch
D.   judicial branch
Question #6
In which form of government does a small group of elite people hold political power?
A.   direct democracy
B.   totalitarian
C.   oligarchy
D.   monarchy
Question #7
Why were the Federalist Papers written?
A.   To encourage people to vote for George Washington as the nations first president
B.   To encourage New York to ratify the Constitution
C.   To encourage states to oppose the Constitution
D.   To oppose the admission of slaveholding states to the federal union
Question #8
How many states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law?
A.   all
B.   two-thirds
C.   three-fourths
D.   The approval of the President and the Supreme Court
Question #9
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court invoked which provisions of the constitution?
A.   taxing power and necessary and proper clause
B.   Tenth Amendment and spending clause
C.   necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause
D.   commerce clause and supremacy clause
Question #10
Which is not a merit of cooperative federalism?
A.   Federal assistance encourages state and local governments to generate positive externalities.
B.   Federal cooperation helps mitigate the problem of collective action among states.
C.   Cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government.
D.   Federal assistance ensures some degree of uniformity of public services across states.
Question #11
The elite theory of government maintains that________________________________
A.   special interest groups make government policy
B.   poor people and people of color should not be allowed to vote
C.   wealthy, politically powerful people control government, and government has no interest in meeting the needs of ordinary people
D.   politicians who have held office for a long time are favored by voters
Question #12
British colonists in North America in the late seventeenth century were greatly influenced by the political thought of _______
A.   James Madison
B.   Thomas Jefferson
C.   King James II
D.   John Locke
Question #13
How did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention resolve their disagreement regarding slavery?
A.   It was agreed that 60 percent of a state’s slave population would be counted for purposes of both representation and taxation.
B.   It was agreed that a state’s slave population would be counted for purposes of representation but not for purposes of taxation.
C.   It was agreed that Congress would abolish slavery in 1850.
D.   It was agreed that a state’s slave population would be counted for purposes of taxation but not for purposes of representation.
Question #14
How many states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law?
A.   one-half
B.   three-fourths
C.   all
D.   two-thirds
Question #15
What is the bill of rights?
A.   twenty-seven amendments added to the Constitution over the years
B.   document authored by Thomas Jefferson that details the rights of the citizens
C.   first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual freedoms
D.   powers given to Congress in Article I of the Constitution
Question #16
Which of the following is not a benefit of federalism?
A.   Federalism provides for multiple levels of government action.
B.   Federalism promotes political participation.
C.   Federalism accommodates a diversity of opinion.
D.   Federalism encourages economic equality across the country.

Need help with your exam preparation?