2009 Multiple Choice

Question 1

The term “pork barrel” refers to legislation specifically designed to…

Answer 1

Provide funding for local project that are intended to benefit constituents.

Question 2

Define “pork.”

Answer 2

Legislation that allows representatives to bring money and jobs to their districts in the form of public works programs, military bases, or other programs.

Question 3

In 1987, the cooperation among the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Organization for Women (NOW), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to defeat Robert Bork’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court was an example of…

Answer 3

Coalition building.

Question 4

The free-exercise clause protects…

Answer 4

Voluntary prayer by student groups before school (free exercise of religion).

Question 5

What is NOT a way in which the federal government regulates campaigns?

Answer 5

By prohibitions on negative advertising.

Question 6

What are ways in which the federal government regulates campaigns?

Answer 6

1) Requirements for disclosure of campaign donations
2) Establishment of federal agencies to regulate campaign finance activities
3) Limits on the distribution of soft money
4) Limits on individual donations to campaigns.

Question 7

What is soft money?

Answer 7

Campaign contributions that are not regulated or limited by the Federal Election Commission. Soft money may not be given directly to a candidate, but may be used for indirect issue advocacy on the candidate’s behalf so long as the candidate’s name is not directly mentioned and the contribution efforts are not coordinated with the campaign.

Question 8

What groups obtain soft money?

Answer 8

527 committees (tend to favor Democrats) and 501(c) groups (tend to favor Republicans – ex. NRA).

Question 9

The Framers of the Constitution left decisions on voting eligibility to the…

Answer 9

Individual states.

Question 10

In the process of public policymaking, “iron triangles” refer to the…

Answer 10

Networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process.

Question 11

One reason for the persistence of a two-party system in the United States is…

Answer 11

The single-member district electoral system.

Question 12

What are reasons for the persistence of a two-party system in the United States?

Answer 12

1) The single-member district electoral system
2) The winner-take-all system
3) The Electoral College

Question 13

Both Gitlow v. New York and New York Times v. Sullivan are United States Supreme Court cases that dealt with which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution?

Answer 13

First Amendment.

Question 14

What is true of political action committees (PACs)?

Answer 14

They make campaign contributions to gain access to legislators.

Question 15

What is NOT true of political action committees (PACs)?

Answer 15

1) They are a part of political party organizations.
2) They are allowed to contribute to only one candidate in a given contest.
3) They effectively control presidential campaigns.
4) They may operate at the state level but not at the national level.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the primary formal role of the attorney general?

Answer 16

Serving as the chief executive officer of the Department of Justice.

Question 17

How is a president chosen when none of the candidates receives a majority of the Electoral College cote?

Answer 17

The House chooses a new president by a majority vote of its state delegations.

Question 18

The Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for the disable, is an example of…

Answer 18

A federal mandate.

Question 19

Define “affirmative action.”

Answer 19

Policies designed to give special attention or compensatory treatment to members of a previously disadvantaged group.

Question 20

Define “dual federalism.”

Answer 20

The belief that having separate but equally powerful levels of government is the best arrangement.

Question 21

Define “federal mandate.”

Answer 21

A requirement or an order from the central government that all state and local government must comply with.

Question 22

What is accurate about writs of certiorari?

Answer 22

The Supreme Court grants certiorari for less than 5% of the cases appealed to it.

Question 23

Define “writs of certiorari.”

Answer 23

A request for the Supreme Court to order up the records from a lower court to review the case.

Question 24

When independent regulatory agencies make rules, enforce those rules, and adjudicate disputes arising under those rules, they risk violating the constitutional concept of…

Answer 24

Separation of powers.

Question 25

Since 1972, voters in presidential elections have…

Answer 25

Become more focused on individual candidates.

Question 26

The main intent of “motor voter” laws is to..

Answer 26

Increase voter registration.

Question 27

What is a consequence of the growing concentration of ownership of the news media?

Answer 27

There is increased similarity of network news coverage.

Question 28

The difference between an appellate court and a district court is that an appellate court…

Answer 28

Review previous court decisions.

Question 29

What is a categorical grant?

Answer 29

Grants, issued by the United States Congress, which may be spent only for narrowly defined purposes. (Ex. special education programs)

Question 30

Since the early 1980s, the Republican Party platform has been increasingly influenced by…

Answer 30

Evangelical Christians.

Question 31

What is true of most federal judges appointed by the president?

Answer 31

They serve for life on good behavior unless impeached and convicted by Congress.

Question 32

Federal budget entitlements refer to spending…

Answer 32

To provide individual benefits established by legislation.

Question 33

What is true about the pocket veto?

Answer 33

It occurs when the President takes no action on a bill for ten days during which Congress is adjourned.

(A pocket veto is a veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.)

Question 34

Define “impeachment.”

Answer 34

Delegated power to the House of Representatives in the Constitution to charge the president, vice president or “civil officers,” including federal judges, with “Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.” This is the first step in the congressional process of removing someone from office.

Question 35

Define “recall.”

Answer 35

Election in which voters can remove an incumbent prior to the next scheduled election.

Question 36

Define “initiative.”

Answer 36

An election that allows citizens to propose legislation or state constitutional amendments by submitted them to the electorate for popular vote.

Question 37

Define “litigation.”

Answer 37

Lawsuit; when people go to court in order to get a positive ruling for their cause. If there is a law that hurts a certain group of people, interest groups can go to court and say that it is unlawful, and that it impinges on their rights. Civil rights groups like the NAACP use litigation to force lawmakers to bring forth fair regulations as guaranteed in the Constitution.