UNIT 3 TEST The Structure of the United States Government Unit Test Flashcards
What is a primary effect of the census on the functioning of Congress?
A. It is used to determine the number of House representatives for each state.
B. It forces legislatures to gerrymander districts to reflect population changes
C. It determines the distribution of federal funds to state programs.
D. It makes it easier for interest groups to target safe and unsafe seats in Congress.
A. It is used to determine the number of House representatives for each state.
Which describes the purpose of Congressional appropriations committees?
A. They determine the government’s tax requirements
B. They set the government’s overall spending limits
C. They recommend how specific funds are allocated
D. They restrict the president’s use of discretionary funds
C. They recommend how specific funds are allocated
Which power is assigned to the House under the Constitution?
A. Originating congressional spending bills
B. Confirming cabinet appointments
C. Appointing federal judges
D. Ratifying treaties with foreign governments
A. Originating congressional spending bills
How does apportionment influence the makeup of Congress?
A. It determines the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives based on the equal proportions method.
B. It determines the allocation of seats in the Senate based on the popular vote.
C. It determines the allocation of seats in the Senate based on the equal proportions method.
D. It determines the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives based on the popular vote.
A. It determines the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives based on the equal proportions method.
What is an example of checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches of government?
A. The Speaker of the House decides which bills come to the floor for a vote.
B. The Senate has the power to expel its own members with presidential approval.
C. The Senate must confirm the president’s Supreme Court nominees.
D. The president has the power to fire the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
C. The Senate must confirm the president’s Supreme Court nominees.
Which presidential power can be directly restricted by Congress?
A. Appointing cabinet members
B. Negotiating executive agreements
C. Pardoning convicted criminals
D. Issuing executive orders
A. Appointing cabinet members
Which president was impeached by the House of Representatives?
A. Richard Nixon for his involvement in Watergate
B. Andrew Johnson for firing his secretary of war
C. Lyndon Johnson for invading Vietnam without a declaration of war
D. Harry Truman for firing General Douglas MacArthur
B. Andrew Johnson for firing his secretary of war
What is the general purpose of the president making recess appointments?
A. To fill cabinet vacancies while bypassing Senate approval
B. To appoint ambassadors to vacant posts in U.S. embassies
C. To appoint Supreme Court justices that might be unpopular
C. To fill open House or Senate seats before the next election
A. To fill cabinet vacancies while bypassing Senate approval
What is true about the U.S. court system?
A. It is a unitary court system centralized at the federal level.
B. It allows the Supreme Court original jurisdiction over most types of cases.
C. It does not serve as an arbiter in disputes between states.
D. It is a dual system with a federal court system and courts in each state.
D. It is a dual system with a federal court system and courts in each state.
What describes the Supreme Court’s use of the judicial principle of stare decisis?
A. The Supreme Court can determine the constitutionality of legislation.
B. The Supreme Court’s rulings can override state court decisions.
C. The Supreme Court can provide a check on the executive branch.
D. The Supreme Court’s precedents are treated as established law.
D. The Supreme Court’s precedents are treated as established law.
What was the significance of the Supreme Court’s ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland?
A. It established a loose constructionist view of the necessary and proper clause.
B. It established the Supreme Court’s authority of judicial review.
C. It provided the first ruling based on the principle of stare decisis.
D. It provided a loose constructionist view of the commerce clause.
A. It established a loose constructionist view of the necessary and proper clause.
Which type of power is a state’s power to tax?
A. An implied power
B. An expressed power
C. A concurrent power
D. A reserve power
C. A concurrent power
What is an example of a state exercising its reserve power?
A. Creating a special court to handle drug offenses
B. Issuing bonds to fund an infrastructure project
C. Using eminent domain to take land for a new highway
D. Establishing laws to regulate businesses in the state
D. Establishing laws to regulate businesses in the state
What is an example of a state exercising a concurrent power?
A. Developing laws to regulate businesses in the state
B. Establishing certification requirements for teachers
C. Creating a new law to allow charter schools
D. Issuing bonds to fund an infrastructure project
D. Issuing bonds to fund an infrastructure project
