Practice Tests Flashcards
The majority rule principle in US governmental design means that…
A. The proposal with the majority of votes wins
B. A proposal requires more than 50% of votes to win
C. The largest states get extra seats in the senate
D. The political party with the most registered voters wins
B
During the formation of the US Constitution, debate raged between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. What central tenet did the Federalists propose?
A. A stronger central government
B. A weak central/state government system where “we the people” retained power
C. Lower taxes on trade between states
D. A smaller central government made of strong state governments
A
While interest groups draw many critics, James Madison (our fourth president and the “Father of the Constitution”) wrote a stirring defense in Federalist Paper No. 10. Why did he defend the idea?
A. Because interest groups let minorities pool their influence behind one hard-hitting idea
B. Because interest groups force corporate influence campaigns to remain somewhat transparent
C. Because competing interest groups make sure no single majority can completely take over
D. Because interest groups bring much needed money to Washington
C
Which of the following best explains the consistent growth of the federal bureaucracy over the past hundred years?
A. Increases in federal income tax since 1925
B. The inability of Congress to cut programs
C. The success of Democratic presidents in promoting their policies
D. Public demand for and expectation of social services
E. United States Supreme Court rulings requiring Congress to assist those living in poverty
D
Public opinion is given a lot of attention in democracies because the democratic form of government rests on
A. underwriting by the wealthy
B. access to politicians
C. the consent of the governed
D. mobilization of the poor
E. the capabilities of bureaucrats
C
An oral statement that is false and intended to damage an individual is known as
A. slander
B. libel
C. testimony
D. argument
E. free speech
A
Which of the following clearly outlines the tasks charged to the Federal Reserve as a regulatory agency?
A. Protecting market users and the public from fraud, manipulation, and abusive practices related to the sale of commodity and financial futures and options
B. Eliminating and preventing what regulators perceive to be harmfully anticompetitive business practices, such as coercive monopolies
C. Disclosing campaign-finance information and overseeing the public funding of presidential elections
D. Developing government-wide, cost-minimizing policies and offering superior workplaces, expert solutions, acquisition services, and management policies
E. Providing financial services to depository institutions, the United States government, and foreign institutions and playing a key role in operating the nation’s payments system
E
Although the Constitution does not explicitly give Congress the right to enact a military draft, which clause in the Constitution allows Congress to do so?
A. Necessary and proper clause
B. Take care clause
C. Taxing and spending clause
D. Due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
E. Equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
A
The formation of numerous interest groups during the post–Civil War industrialization shows the
A. influence of debates about slavery on the public
B. growing influence of women’s rights groups
C. minimal influence of the federal government on group formation
D. influence of social tensions and economic stress on group formation
E. shift in federal government funding for interest groups
D
Which of the following is the best definition of civil liberties?
A. Procedures that guarantee a fair criminal justice process
B. Rights gained through citizenship that provide protection from discrimination
C. Actions and freedoms that the government may not arbitrarily prohibit or interfere with
D. Types of speech that are not protected by the Constitution such as profanity or slander
E. Organizations outside of government that provide avenues of public participation in society
C
Congress possesses all of the following enumerated powers EXCEPT the power to
a. regulate commerce.
b. appoint federal judges.
c. establish post offices.
d. declare war.
B
Why can the House of Representatives often agree on new legislation faster than the Senate?
a. The Senate is more partisan than the House of Representatives.
b. The Senate’s Debate Committee often makes agreement difficult.
c. The House has stricter limits than the Senate for debate time.
d. The House does not require proposed bills to go to committee first.
C
A filibuster can be used to
a. kill proposed legislation in the Senate by extending debate indefinitely.
b. kill proposed legislation in the House by extending debate indefinitely.
c. prevent a bill from leaving a committee by extending debate indefinitely.
d. override a veto on a new bill by extending debate indefinitely.
A
Which of the following is the BEST description of the trustee view of representation?
a. Representatives are entrusted to vote in accordance with the views of their constituents and therefore should do so.
b. Representatives should vote their consciences and in order to serve the nation as a whole.
c. Representatives are entrusted to bring tangible benefits to their constituents and should work to do so.
d. Representatives should vote in accordance with the principles of the political party to which they belong.
B
The majority party in Congress has the authority to do all of the following EXCEPT
a. choose the Speaker of the House and the Senate majority leader.
b. hold the majority of congressional committee seats.
c. require congresspersons to vote with the party line.
d. choose the chairpersons of all congressional committees.
C
