political science exam #3 review

Question 1

Which aspect of the government did the Framers of the Constitution consider the “first branch”?

Answer 1

Congress

Question 2

True or False:

In the Senate, a whip helps party leaders stay informed about what the party members are thinking and rounds up members when important votes are being taken.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Who is the most important person in the House of Representatives?

Answer 3

The Speaker

Question 4

True or False:

The term bicameral, used to describe the U.S. legislature, means that the legislature has two chambers, or parts.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

How many senator votes does it take to cut off debates?

Answer 5

60 votes

Question 6

True or False:

A filibuster is a political district in which candidates elected to the Senate win in close elections.

Answer 6

False

Question 7

The text suggests that the real work of Congress occurs

a. in committees
b. on the campaign trail
c. in lobbying organizations
d. during a filibuster

Answer 7

In committees

Question 8

The franking privilege allows members of Congress to

Answer 8

mail letters to their constituents free of charge

Question 9

A cloture rule would be used in the Senate as a way to

Answer 9

end or limit debate

Question 10

True or False:

Once the president vetoes a bill, it cannot be amended.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

The president’s persuasive powers are aimed at three audiences. Which of the following is NOT one of those audiences?

Answer 11

the media

Question 12

A process whereby electors, no citizens, from each state vote for the next president and vice president is

Answer 12

The electoral college

Question 13

The text lists three rules of thumb that the president uses when dealing with political problems. Which of the following is NOT one of those rules?

a. move it or lose it
b. Cabinets don’t get much accomplished; people do
c. If you can hear it, you are too close
d. Avoid details

Answer 13

If you can hear it, you are too close

Question 14

In the United States, a unified government occurs when

Answer 14

the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress

Question 15

Under whose presidency were the relations between the president and Congress and the nature of presidential leadership altered?

Answer 15

Andrew Jackson

Question 16

All of the following are powers of the president alone EXCEPT the power to

a. take care that the laws be faithfully executed
b. serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces
c. grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment)
d. appoint ambassadors, judges, and high officials

Answer 16

appoint ambassadors, judges, and high officials

Question 17

Which of the following is the greatest source of presidential power?

Answer 17

politics and public opinion

Question 18

True or False:

Today, senior White House staff members are drawn from the ranks of the Congress

Answer 18

False

Question 19

True or False:

The Clinton administration made use of ad hoc staff organization when First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and White House adviser Ira Magaziner spearheaded a new health care policy.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

An impeachment charge must be approved by a majority of

Answer 20

the House of Representatives

Question 21

By definition, a bureaucracy must have each of the following EXCEPT.

a. divided authority
b. a large size
c. a complex structure
d. elected officials

Answer 21

elected officials

Question 22

Which of the following is an example of a bureaucracy?

Answer 22

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Question 23

When an agency such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes an important decision, it is quite likely to be taken to court. This is an example of what is meant by

Answer 23

adversary culture

Question 24

Before the Hatch Act, appointments to the civil service were based primarily on

Answer 24

patronage

Question 25

The number of civilians working for the federal bureaucracy has not increased much since 1960. This observation fails, however, to account for the

Answer 25

growing number of people who work indirectly for the government

Question 26

The discretionary authority of appointed officials is their authority to

Answer 26

make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws

Question 27

One major constraint under which government agencies operate is the

Answer 27

large number of regulations to which they must adhere

Question 28

The Freedom of Information Act and the Administrative Procedure Act are examples of

Answer 28

constraints on bureaucracy

Question 29

Under the Privacy Act of 1974, what must be kept confidential?

Answer 29

Social Security and tax records

Question 30

An “iron triangle” is a strong coalition, comprised of

Answer 30

an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Question 31

In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton described the Supreme Court as

Answer 31

the least dangerous branch

Question 32

Judicial review is the power if the Supreme Court to

Answer 32

declare laws unconstitutional

Question 33

When judges believe that they must confine themselves to applying rules stated in or clearly implied by the language of the Constitution, they are following what approach?

Answer 33

judicial restraint

Question 34

The first chief justice of the Supreme Court was

Answer 34

John Marshall

Question 35

The current chief justice of the Supreme Court is

Answer 35

John G. Roberts

Question 36

What case in the Supreme Court, in a decision authored by Chief Justice John Marshall, held that the Court could declare an act of Congress unconstitutional?

Answer 36

Marbury v. Madison

Question 37

Legislative courts are created by

Answer 37

Congress

Question 38

In recent years, the percentage of nominees to federal court who have been confirmed by the Senate

Answer 38

has decreased significantly

Question 39

Federal courts can hear all cases

Answer 39

arising under the Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties

Question 40

True or False:

Today, most cases make their way to the Supreme Court when at least four justices agree to hear a case and issue a writ of certiorari.

Answer 40

True