AP Government

Practice Multiple-Choice Questions

History and Theory

Which is a linking institution?

• The bureaucracy

• The Congress

• The executive department

• The government

• The media

Media (also elections, political parties, and special interest groups) = linkage institutions. Linkage institution is means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy. Connects people to government.

All of the following are characteristics of politics

EXCEPT:• Individuals with similar ideas banding

together to form political parties• The means through which individuals and

groups get involved• Who gets what, when, how, and why• The passing of laws that serve to further

minority rights• The interrelationship of individuals and

groupsAll are characteristics except D, the passing of laws, which is an outcome of gov’t

Which of the following institutions established in the

Constitution make public policy?• The Senate, the presidency, and political

parties• The Congress, the presidency, and the

courts• The Congress, the courts, and the military• The Congress, the presidency, and the

military• The Congress, the presidency, and the

bureaucracyB, other stuff not given the power in Constitution

Which of the following best defines a set of institutions

linking government, politics, and public policy?

• An educational system

• A political system

• A social system

• An economic system

• A socioeconomic system

B

Which of the following are considered linkage

institutions?I. Congress II. Political parties III. Media IV. Courts • I only

• I and II only

• II and III only

• I, II, and III only

• I, II, III and IV

C

Which of the following principles describes a

philosophy of the Federalist Party?• Federalists believed in a loose construction of

the Constitution• Federalists believed in a strict interpretation of

the Constitution• Federalists believed in a conservative

interpretation of the Constitution• Federalists believed that Congress should be

the main cog of government• Federalists believed that the interests of the

common man should be reflected in governmentA

All of the following characteristics reflect the

reasons why political parties are formed EXCEPT:

• People band together because of similar needs• People band together because of similar values• People band together because they have similar

income• People band together because of similar beliefs• People band together because they have similar

goals

C

Which of the following groups examines a candidate’s record

only on specific issues?• Single-interest groups

• Elite groups

• Plurality groups

• Democrats

• Republicans

A

All of the following are basic principles of our democracy

today EXCEPT a belief in• The worth and dignity of the individual

• The need for political equality

• Universal healthcare

• The guarantee of individual freedoms

• The need for a balance between freedom and order

C

Which of the following institutions is commonly called

the fourth branch of government?

• The bureaucracy

• Special interest groups

• The executive branch

• The Congress

• The Supreme CourtA

Which of the following principles is most fundamental

to democratic theory?• Free elections and universal suffrage

• Minority rule

• Universal public education

• Political parties

• A written constitution

A

All of the following factors contribute to an enlightened

understanding of the electorate EXCEPT:

• Interest groups

• The media

• The right to property

• Political parties

• The internet

C

Which of the following groups believes that bargaining and

compromise are essential to a democracy?

• Elitists

• Pluralists

• Hyperpluralists

• Democrats

• Republicans

B. Pluralism: different groups vying for control of policy – have to compromise and move toward centrism. Elite and class theory says economic elite controls policy. Hyperpluralism is pluralism gone amuck: so many interest groups the government can’t effectively compromise.

Which of the following theories contends that our society is divided along class lines and

that a narrow upper-class strata rules regardless of the

formal organization of government?• Elite

• Pluralist

• Hyperpluralist

• Socialist

• egalitarianA

Which of the following theories claims that too many

competing groups cripple government’s ability to

govern?• Hyperpluralist theory

• Pluralist theory

• Elite theory

• Democratic theory

• Class-based theory

A

Which of the following theories stress that the public interest is rarely translated into public

policy?• Elitist and pluralist

• Pluralist and hyperpluralist

• Elitist and hyperpluralist

• Democrats and Republicans

• Liberals and conservatives

C

Which statement(s) best reflects what the United States

Constitution represents?• I. The Constitution is a set of basic laws

for the government

• II. The Constitution is an explanation fo the way government operates, assigning separate powers to each branch and guaranteeing their rights

• III. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land

All of them

John Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government advocates• Divine monarchy

• Rights for the minority

• Majority rights

• Natural rights

• Democratic rule

D

Which statement(s) best reflects the political philosophy established after the colonists achieved their independence?

• Former colonists eliminated property criterion for political office

• Former colonists recognized the need for a strong executive

• Former colonists believed that the states should become the dominant political and social force

III

When the Articles of Confederation were adopted,

the nation’s major concern was dominated by:• Slavery

• Religious freedom

• Equality for women

• Political dominance by the central government

• Economic issues

E

Which of the following documents represents the first

adopted Constitution for the U.S.?

• Declaration of Independence

• Bill of Rights

• Articles of Confederation

• Virginia Plan

• Connecticut Plan

C

Which of the following statements best describes the

Articles of Confederation?• Domination of the government by the

states

• A national congress with one house and no executive

• No national court system

• No ability of the central government to enforce the collection of taxes

all

Which of the following statements in the Federalist Papers referred to “the most

common and durable source of faction”?• A new and emerging middle class

• The absence of a strong national government

• The unequal distribution of property

• The abuse of minority rights

• The powers given to the presidentC

Madison believed that in order to prevent a “tyranny of the

majority” the new government should include all of the

following EXCEPT:• Creating political institutions that could function with the consent of a majority

• Limiting the president’s term of office• Creating different branches of government

with distinctive and separate powers• Creating a system of checks and balances• Limiting the ability of the electorate to vote

directly for government officials except members of the House B

Even though the representatives to the

Constitutional Convention came from different parts of the country and had differing economic status, they were

able to agree to:• A series of political compromises

• A Republican government for each state

• The method to count slaves for representation purposes

all

Which statement reflects James Madison’s point of view

in the Federalist Papers regarding the consequences of unequal distribution of wealth?• I. The formation of factions

• II. The probability of minority discontent

• III. The development of political parties

all

Which of the following documents created a

compromise that led to the formation of a bicameral

legislature?• Articles of Confederation

• Connecticut Compromise

• New Jersey Plan

• Virginia Plan

• 3/5 Compromise

B, the Connecticut Compromise becomes the Great Compromise

The Federalists believed that a nation dominated by factions

would lead to:

• A tyranny of the majority

• Protection of minority rights

• A recognition that factions would be in the best interests of the country

• Another revolution

• Favorable economic growthA

Constitutional Order

Which of the following illustrates the effects that the

system of checks and balances and separation of powers had

on the legislative process?• I It does not favor the party in power

• II it can create gridlock

• III It usually makes change easy to come by

• IV It can encourage political compromiseII and IV

The Constitution’s writers carefully drafted a document

that would create:• Strong states and a weak central gov’t• Weakened power in the state and national

gov’t• The ability to adapt to changing times• A dominant national government with no

active participation from the states• A totally equal distribution of power

between the states and national government

C

Which of the following governmental bodies is most

directly responsible to the electorate?

• House of Representatives

• Senate

• Executive branch

• Supreme Court

• The bureaucracy

A

The question of the constitutionality of a term limit for

legislators imposed by a state constitution is based on which of

the following arguments?• The state’s ability to set time and manner of

elections for state office• The fact that the Constitution sets the

qualifications for congressmen• The ability of people to vote directly for senators

and representatives• The ability of voters to create term limits for state

office holders• The fact that the Congress is scheduled to vote

for a term limits amendment to the ConstitutionB

The practice of judicial review was first established by which

action?• The Constitution gives life terms to Supreme

Court justices• Justices serve as long as they maintain good

behavior• The Supreme Court exercises judicial precedent• He Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction• The Supreme Court can declare a congressional

act unconstitutional

E: Marbury v. Madison

All of the following are enumerated powers of the

Congress EXCEPT:• Coining money

• Establishing inferior courts in addition to the Supreme Court

• Setting up the first national Bank of the US

• Establishing uniform immigration laws

• Regulating commerce among the several states

C

In addition to the stated constitutional powers of the

president, which of the following roles does he take

on?• Acting as title or head of his political party

• Granting pardons

• Making treaties

• Giving a State of the Union address

• Signing or vetoing legislation

A

Which of the following is the only stated constitutional responsibility of the vice

president?• Attending funerals of foreign dignitaries

• Taking on special tasks assigned by the president

• Presiding over the Senate

• Filling in for the president when he is out of the country

• Presiding over the House of Representatives

C

Which of the following represents a major reason why

the electoral college was created?

• It would encourage 3rd party candidates• It would enable a select group of electors to cast

the final vote for president and vice president• It would encourage greater voter turnout• It would give more power to the Congress in

determining the outcome of presidential elections

• It would give all the states an equal say in electing the president

B

All the following represent examples of the use of checks

and balances EXCEPT:• the 35 successful vetoes made by President

Bush (senior)• The Senate rejection of the 1999

Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty• The Supreme Court ruling the Flag Desecration

Act unconstitutional• Congress passing the Crime Bill after a

conference committee made changes• Congress invoking the provisions of the War

Powers ActD

Which of the following actions increases the power of the

president?• A greater reliance on the states to solve

problems• A greater reliance on the federal government to

solve problems• The president having to work with a majority

party in Congress different from his own• An increased investigative role by the media• The downsizing of the federal bureaucracy

B

The appointment of Supreme Court justices in the 1980s was

characterized by:• Quick approval by the Senate of nominees• Rejection of the majority of appointees• Limited background checks of the

nominees• Limited input from elgal associations and

special interest groups• Bitter confirmation battles over personal

and philosophical positions of the nominees

E

Federalism

Which of the following represents the theoretical definition of federalism?

• Division of power between federal government and state governments

• Strict separation of power between the federal government and state governments

• A division of power between the federal government and state governments where the power emanates from the states

• A singular relationship that is characterized by control emanating one way from a central government

• An equally shared power relationship among the branches of government

A

Advocates of a strong federal system (with a strong federal government) believe in all the

following EXCEPT:• State and local governments do not have all the

resources necessary to deal with the problems facing the country

• Local politicians are provincial in their point of view

• State and local governments cannot support the vast programs necessary to support citizens

• Local leaders are more suited to solve problems than national leaders

• An elitist group would be more likely to gain control in a country dominated by local interests

D

According to the Federalist papers, which of the following reflects a major reason for the support of a federal system?

• Local governments are best suited to meet the needs of the majority interests of the country

• Local governments will maintain their authority and will be able to care for their citizens

• The central government is best suited to recognize the needs and interests of local governments

• There will be a constant clashing of opinions between the interests of the local and federal governments

• Factions would be strengthened by the formation of a federal system of government

B

The Constitutional provision used in the Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland

was:• I. The “necessary and proper” clause

• II. The supremacy clause

• III. The interstate commerce clause

I and II; interstate commerce was invoked in Gibbons v. Ogden

The Constitutional basis of dual federalism can be found in:

• The necessary and proper clause

• The 10th amendment

• The elastic clause

• The implied power provision

• The enumerated powers

B

Which general area of policy is generally left up to the states?

• Foreign policy

• Military policy

• Relations among the several states

• Health and welfare

• Immigration

D

Which general area of policy is generally left up to the central

govt?• Health

• Interstate commerce

• Education

• Police

• Voting requirements

B

Rights and Liberties

Which of the following Supreme Court decisions dealt

with the issue of prior restraint?

• New York Times v. Sullivan

• United States v. Nixon

• New York Times v. United States

• Miller v. California

• Near v. Minnesota

C: Pentagon Papers case

The recent trend of the courts with respect to the rights of criminal defendants can be

best described by which of the following?• Police and prosecutors have greater flexibility in

collecting evidence• Courts are reluctant to grant warrants because

of police corruption• The police are permitted to ignore the Fourth

Amendment• The use of confidential informants by the police

is unconstitutional• Individuals placed under arrest no longer have

to be given the Miranda warningA, consider the good faith exception, the automobile exception, and inevitable discovery

In Griswold v. Connecticut, the Court found a constitutionally

protected right of privacy in all of these EXCEPT:

• 3RD Amendment

• 9th Amendment

• 4th Amendment

• 5th Amendment

• 10th Amendment

10th, has to do with rights of states, not individuals

Under the exclusionary rule,

• Evidence seized illegally cannot be used in court• The police must have a search warrant before

collecting evidence• A search is legal only if there is probable cause• Evidence collected by federal authorities cannot

be used in state courts• The only evidence that cannot be used is a

forced confession

A

The Supreme Court opposed a state law requiring display of 10 Commandments in school

classrooms because:• It might offend atheists

• It represented an unnecessary state involvement with public education

• The law had no secular purpose

• It violated the free exercise clause

• The cost was a burden on school districts

C, failed the Lemon Test

Which of the following statements about a

pornographic magazine is valid?• The state can prevents its publication

• The publishers can be prosecuted for violating state law after publication

• The content of the magazine must contain violent photographs

• Even obscene materials are protected under the 1st Amendment

• Obscenity is judged by national standards alone

B; can’t be prevented (no prior restraint). Roth v. U.S. says obscenity can be restricted. Standards are local.

The main concern of the Supreme Court with the death

penalty is that:• The death penalty must be applied equitably

without regard to income or race• Methods of execution other than lethal injection

are “cruel and unusual punishment”• The death penalty itself is a violation of the 8th

Amendment• A defense attorney in a death penalty case must

have previous experience in a capital case• States cannot drop the death penalty without the

approval of CongressA; Inequality prompted court to strike down Georgia’s death penalty in Furman v. Georgia

Recent Supreme Court decisions on abortion have:

• Expanded the rights granted women under Roe v. Wade

• Allowed the states to impose restrictions on abortion

• Outlawed abortions for minors or the mentally ill• Required federal funding for abortions for

women on Medicare• Allowed the procedure only in cases of rape or

incest

B; parental consent, waiting period, fetal viability tests are all allowed

Which one of the following forms of expression is NOT protected under

the 1st Amendment?• A newspaper ad that makes inaccurate statements about a product

• A statement by a member of Congress against the president

• Defacing an American flag during a political demonstration

• Pornographic photographs published in an adult magazine

• A speech by a religious leader urging opposition to war

D; Obscenity is not protected, but pornography is not necessarily obscene (according to the Court, not me) – maybe it’ll pass the LAPS test, then its ok

All of the following statements about the Bill of Rights are

accurate EXCEPT:• The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution after ratification

• The protections provided by the Bill of Rights are not absolute

• The Bill of Rights recognizes that there may be additional rights than those mentioned

• The first eight amendments are applicable to the states through the 14th Amendment

• Most of the Bill of Rights relate to the rights of suspects and criminal defendants

D; Not incorporated: 2nd & 3rd Amendments, indictment by grand jury, jury trial in civil cases, and excessive bail don’t apply to states

The Miranda Warning that police are required to give a person placed under arrest is

based on:• The probable cause requirement for a search warrant

• Freedom of speech protection in the 1st Amendment

• Protection against self-incrimination in the 5th Amendment

• The right to be represented by an attorney at trial

• The right to know the charges brought against you

C

Celebrities and other public figures who bring libel actions

against publications:• Have a higher burden of proof than the average

citizen• Usually win the law suit without great difficulty• Only have to show that what was written was

false• Almost never win because judges decide the

cases• Look to settle quickly because they are afraid of

the publicity

A; have to show it was false the publishers knew that in advance and printed it anyway

In practice, the scope and extent of the civil liberties Americans enjoy under the Constitution are determined

by:• Laws enacted by Congress

• The President, who has the authority to see that laws are faithfully executed

• The Supreme Court through its decisions

• The Bill of Rights

• The Justice Department

C, for better or for worse!

Under Regents of the University of California v.

Bakke, colleges can consider race a factor in admissions

because:• Reverse discrimination is constitutional• It is a remedy for contemporary

discrimination• A diverse student body is a legitimate

educational goal• Such students are economically

disadvantaged as well• Numerical quotas are acceptable in certain

circumstancesC

The abolition of the poll tax was accomplished through the:• Voting Rights Act of 1965

• 1964 executive order issued by President Johnson

• Supreme Court decision in Smith v. Allwright

• Civil Rights Act of 1964

• 24th Amendment

E

Until the 1970s, claims of gender discrimination were

routinely rejected by the Supreme Court because:• Women were not citizens within the

meaning of the Constitution• The Court had no female members• Limitations on women’s rights were usually

considered “reasonable”• The women’s movement was not well

organized• The justices did not believe that the 14th

Amendment applied to womenC

The status of gays and lesbians is best described by which of

the following statements?• Same sex marriages are widely recognized

throughout the United States• The Supreme Court has struck down laws

criminalizing homosexual behavior• Openly homosexual men and women can serve

in the armed services• Gays and lesbians have not yet organized to

push their civil rights claims• Neither Congress nor the courts are willing to

extend civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation

B; Lawrence v. Texas

All of the following statements about the civil rights

movement in the South between 1955-1965 are true

EXCEPT:• Boycotts and sit-ins were effective techniques of

achieving goals• The federal government took a hands off policy

throughout the period• Blacks and whites marched and demonstrated

together• Desegregation and voter registration were key

issues• Violence against civil rights demonstrators

increased public support for the movement

B

The ability of the federal government to prohibit discrimination in private

businesses such as motels and restaurants derives from:• The equal protection clause of the 5th

Amendment

• Its implied powers under the elastic clause

• Privileges and immunities

• The supremacy clause

• Its power to regulate interstate commerce

E

The most important consequence of the Voting

Rights Act of 1965 was:• Extending the right to vote to Native

Americans• A shift in African American voting patterns

to the Democratic Party• An increase in black voter registration in

the South• An increasing liberal bent in Southern

politics• The use of race in legislative redistrictingC

In Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857), the Supreme Court held that African Americans were not citizens of the U.S.

This was effectively overturned by the:• 13th Amendment

• 14th Amendment

• 15th Amendment

• 16th Amendment

• 17th AmendmentB

Which of the following statements about women’s

suffrage is valid?• Women were not allowed to vote in the U.S. until

1920• The key factor in the ratification of the 19th

Amendment was the work and service of women during WWI

• Granting women the right to vote dramatically canged American politics in the 1920s

• The Equal Rights Amendment was not proposed until the ’70s

• Women were united in seeking other rights once they won the right to vote

B

Congress

The official who is an intermediary between the

party leadership and the rank and file members of Congress

is the:• Speaker of the House

• Majority leader

• Majority whip

• President pro tempore

• Clerk of the House

C

Which of the following activities that members of

Congress routinely perform is most important to their

constituents?• Attending the meeting of the party caucus• Going to a fundraiser sponsored by a political

action committee• Giving an interview on national defense issues• Drafting an amendment to the Department of

Transportation appropriation bill• Contacting the Social Security Administration

regarding a claim for benefits

E

Incumbent senators face greater competition when they run for

reelection than members of the House for all of the following

reasons EXCEPT:• A state is more diverse than a congressional district, providing a greater base for opposition

• Senators have less contact with the constituents• Voters are less likely to know the issue positions

of their senators• Senators tend to have better known opponents• To overcome their advantage, Senate

challengers outspend incumbents

E

When courts examine the legislative history of a bill, they give most weight to which type

of evidence?• Committee hearings

• Committee reports

• The mark-up bill

• Floor debate in The Congressional Record

• The bill as introduced

B

Responsibility for reconciling the House and Senate versions

of a bill falls to a:• Conference committee

• Standing committee

• Select committee

• Oversight committee

• Joint committee

A

Which of the following provisions of a defense

appropriations bill is considered a rider?• Funding for a new missile defense system

• Increase in benefits for military dependents

• Price support for dairy farmers in New England

• Construction of family housing units at a naval air station

• Research and development funding for anti-terrorism tactics

C. Rider: provision added to bill which has nothing to do with it. Vehicle for pork.

Those who oppose term limits for members of Congress

argue that:• I. A tremendous amount of legislative

experience will be lost if term limits are imposed

• II. The people have the right to vote for whomever they want

• III. The Supreme Court will never allow term limits

• IV. A less experienced Congress will lead the country into war

I and II

All of the following statements about the legislative process

are true EXCEPT:• Only a small percentage of bills introduced

become law• Anyone can write a bill, but only a member of

Congress can introduce it• A majority of the House does not have to be

present to debate a bill on the floor• A cloture vote cuts off debate on a bill

immediately, and the Senate must vote• Identical bills can be introduced in both the

House and the Senate

D

Which of the following is the only non-legislative function

the House of Representatives has under the Constitution?

• To impeach federal officials

• To approve appoints to federal courts

• To “advise and consent” on treaties negotiated by the president

• To try cases of impeachment

• To debate all revenue bills

A

A bill or a provision of a bill that provides clear benefits to

the district of a member of Congress is an example of:

• Logrolling

• A Christmas tree

• A public bill

• Private bill

• Pork barrel legislation

E

Political action committees make larger total contributions

to House races than Senate races because:• House members are more likely to vote the way

the PAC wants• House members have more influence on

legislation than the Senate• The entire house is up for election every two

years• Senators are much wealthier than

representatives• Senators cannot take PAC money under the

Senate rulesC

In the process of enacting legislation, the House Rules

Committee is responsible for:• Establishing the procedures Congress

follows

• Appointing members of standing committees

• Setting the limits of debate on the floor

• Holding hearings on all revenue bills

• Assigning bills to the proper committees

C; remember, no Senate counterpart

All of the following are examples of Congress exercising its oversight

function EXCEPT:• Holding floor debate on a bill to reduce eligibility requirements for Medicare

• Hearing a Department of Defense official testify on B-1 bomber cost overruns

• Submitting data to a committee on complaints against the Internal Revenue Service

• Holding committee hearings on regulations issued by the Federal Communications Commission

• Cutting the budget of a federal agency that consistently fails to meet its goals

A

A newly elected member of Congress that represents a

district with a large number of aerospace companies would

prefer to serve on which of the following committees?• Banking and Financial Services

• Judiciary

• Ways and Means

• International Relations

• Armed Services

E

Which of the following statements about the Speaker

of the House are valid?• I. The Speaker is elected by only the

members of the majority party

• II. The Speaker is next in line for succession after the vice-president

• III. The Speaker presides over the House

• IV. The Speaker assigns bills to committees

II, III, and IV

The Presidency

The period immediately after a new president is inaugurated is

known as the honeymoon because:• Other nations do not challenge the US

• The president’s popularity is at its highest level

• There is no in-fighting between the president’s staff

• The president has not vetoed any legislation

• Partisanship in Congress is high

B

All of the following are powers granted to the president under

the Constitution EXCEPT:• Negotiate treaties with other nations

• Nominate justices to the Supreme Court

• Present legislation to Congress

• Serve as the leader of a political party

• Call Congress into special session

D

Examples of Congress delegating additional powers to the president include the

• I legislative veto

• II line item veto

• III War Powers Act

• IV Budgeting and Accounting Act

II and IV: Budgeting and Accounting Act allows pres to set budgets for fed. agencies

The responsibilities of the vice president in an administration

are determined by:• The provisions of the Constitution

• The relationship between the president and vice president

• Polls indicating the popularity of the vice president

• Size of the election victory

• Whether the president’s party also controls Congress

B

Which of the following agencies are NOT part of the

Executive Office of the President?• Office of Management and Budget

• National Security Council

• Council of Economic Advisers

• Office of Personnel Management

• Environmental Protection Agency

E: the EPA is an independent executive agency. While the EPA administrator does have cabinet rank, the agency itself is not part of the Executive office of the President

The only presidential appointment on which the House of Representatives

votes is:• Chief justice of the Supreme Court

• US Ambassador to the United Nations

• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

• Vice president, if the position is vacant

• Director of the CIA

D, 25th Amdmt

In mid-term elections, the president’s party usually:

• Loses seats in both houses of Congress

• Loses seats in the Senate but increases its support in the House

• Loses seats in the House but increases its support in the Senate

• Gains seats in both houses of Congress

• No patterns of gains or losses is discernible

A

Which of the following statements about the use of

the veto is valid?• The use of the veto has become more common

all the time• A veto override is more likely when the president

and Congress are from the same party• Pocket vetoes are less successful than regular

vetoes• Once a bill is vetoed, it is not likely to be passed• Democratic presidents use the veto more often

than Republicans

D

The strongest basis for withholding information from

Congress under a claim of executive privilege is:• The need for secrecy in military planning and

diplomacy• To protect the president from embarrassment• To ensure the president does not turn over

incriminating evidence• The powers granted to the president under the

Constitution• Legislation that recognizes that Congress

cannot subpoena the president

A; National Security is best argument

The president can take action without the approval of

Congress through:• I executive orders

• II recess appointments

• III judicial appointments

• IV executive agreements

I, II, and IV

An important function of the White House staff is to:

• Prepare the administration’s budget for Congress

• Assume responsibility for executive departments

• Supervise campaign fundraising activities• Liason with Congress on the bills of

interest to the administration• Communicate the administration’s views

on matters before the Supreme Court

D; rest is done by others

Which of the following statements about the Cabinet

is NOT valid?• The Cabinet is too large to be an effective

policy-making body• The president can give officials other than the

heads of departments cabinet rank• The cabinet is made up of close associates of

the president who were involved with the campaign

• Recent presidents have made cabinet appointments with an eye toward diversity

• Cabinet members are primarily responsible for managing their own departments

C; Applies more to White House staff than Cabinet.

Which of the following would be affected if Congress invoked

the War Powers Act?• The closing of an army base in California• A cost of living increase for enlisted navy

personnel• The commitment of American ground

forces to monitor a Middle East peace• A defense treaty between the US and the

Russian Federation• Implementation of a missile defense

system in Alaska

C

The term “presidential coattails” refers to:

• The ability of a president to get legislation through Congress

• A president’s success in getting nominees confirmed by the Senate

• The election of candidates from the president’s party when he is on the ticket

• The president’s apointment of campaign workers to government jobs

• Public support for a president’s program

C; this effect has diminished over time, however

All of the following are correct statements about a pocket

veto EXCEPT:• It can only be used within 10 days before

the end of a Congress’ term• It is not overridden by a 2/3 vote of both

houses• The president does not sign a pocket veto• A bill that receives a pocket veto can be

introduced in the next session• The bill automatically becomes law in the

next session E

The Executive Bureaucracy

Which of the following statements best describes the

federal civilian work force?• Political factors play no role in making civil

service appointments• Employees must pass competitive examinations

to be hired and promoted• Half of the employees in the executive branch

are appointed by the president• Federal employees face no limitations on their

participation in the political process• Once hired, a federal employee can never lose

his/her job

B

The growth of the federal bureaucracy can be attributed to all of the following EXCEPT:

• The need to regulate business• Responsibility of the government for the

welfare of the people• Administrators who push for larger

budgets and staff• Supreme Court decisions on federal-state

relations• The creation of new agencies to give

policy issues a high profile

D

An important difference between an independent executive agency

and an independent regulatory agency is that:• Executive agences are funded through

executive departments• The head of an executive agency holds cabinet

rank• Presidential appointments to a regulatory

agency serve for a fixed term• Executive agencies do not engage in rule

making• Actions by regulatory agencies must be

approved by Congress

C

An iron triangle refers to the close relationship between:

• The White house press corps, the press secretary, major networks

• Congressional committees, interest groups, and federal agencies

• The national security advisor, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State

• Congressional campaign committees, PACs, party national committees

• Defense contractors, Department of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff

B

A common criticism of the federal bureaucracy is that:

• Too many civil servants are political appointees• There are no controls over federal agencies• The public is unaware of how federal agencies

make decisions• Overlapping jurisdiction contribute to wasteful

spending• It is constantly growing in responsibilities and

labor force

D

Which of the following is NOT a government corporation?

• Corporation for Public Broadcasting

• Tennessee Valley Authority

• Amtrak

• US Postal Service

• National Endowment for the Arts

E; National Endowment for the Arts is part of the National Foundation for the Arts and Humanities, an independent executive agency

Which of the following is NOT part of the rule-making

process?• Publication of proposed rules in the

Federal Register• Review of proposed rules by the Office of

Management and Budget• Comment period on proposed rules• Publication of final rules in the Federal

Register• Review of final rules by congressional

oversight committees

E

Critics of government regulation of business argue

that:• I regulation leads to higher prices for

consumers

• II regulation adds to corporate profits

• III regulation ultimately harms the environment

• IV regulation makes the United States less competitive in world markets

I and IV

With regard to the federal bureaucracy, recent presidents

have tried to:• Reduce the size of the work force and

reorganize the structure

• Increase spending for all federal agencies

• Get Congress to approve additional staffing levels for executive departments

• Eliminate the Department of Labor

• Limit congressional oversight of independent regulatory agencies

A

A regulatory agency that selects from a range of policy options is said to exercise its:

• Rule-making authority

• Administrative discretion

• Oversight responsibility

• Mandate power

• Administrative routine

B

All of the following are included in the standard definition of

bureaucracy EXCEPT:• Hierarchical organization

• Standard operating procedures

• Patronage

• Specialized tasks

• Formal rules

C

Which of the following tools at the disposal of a president is LEAST likely

to impact the bureaucracy?• The appointment of people to government

positions that are committed to his policy goals• The use of executive orders to direct

bureaucracy to take a particular action• The appointment of federal judges who support

the principle of judicial activism• Either reducing or increasing funding for an

agency in the administration’s budget• The ability of the president to speak directly to

agency heads about the administration’s priorities

C

The purpose of the Pendleton Act was to:

• Ensure that federal workers were paid the same as workers in the private sector

• Give federal workers the right to form labor unions

• Develop a professional civil service system based on merit

• Reduce corruption by substantially increasing the salaries of federal employees

• Allow the president to appoint the higher levels of the federal civil service

C

The means Congress has at its disposal to control the

bureaucracy include all of the following EXCEPT:

• Issue networks

• Power of the purse

• Confirmation of presidential appointments

• Agency/program authorization

• Oversight hearings

A

The Judiciary

The tradition of senatorial courtesy is criticized because:

• It effectively allows a senator to nominate a federal judge

• It gives too much power to the Senate to investigate judicial nominees

• It gives the President Pro Tempore responsibilities not provided for in the Constitution

• It allows the Senate Judiciary Committee to delay hearings on a judicial appointment

• It allows the Senate Judiciary Committee alone rather than the full Senate the power to reject a nominee to the federal bench A

Which of the following courts has only original jurisdiction?

• US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

• California Supreme Court

• US District Court of the Southern District of NY

• New York State Court of Appeals

• US Supreme Court

C

In making nominations to the federal courts, recent

Democratic presidents have• Selected more women and minorities than

Republicans

• Not taken party affiliation into account

• Required that candidates have previous judicial experience

• Relied heavily on recommendations from large corporations

• Looked for candidates who were pro-life

A

The Supreme Court will agree to hear a case when:

• The Chief Justice orders it

• A majority of the justices agree

• A single justice insists a case be put on the docket

• There is unanimous agreement among the justices

• Four justices agree

E

The authority to determine how many justices sit on the Supreme

Court is in the hands of:• The Supreme Court itself

• Congress

• The President

• The Judicial Conference of the United States

• The House Judiciary Committee

B

A Supreme Court justice who agrees with the decision but

not with the legal reasoning is likely to write a:• Majority opinion

• Per curiam opinion

• Concurring opinion

• Dissenting opinion

• Plurality opinion

C

Which of the following cases is LEAST likely to reach the

Supreme Court?• A dispute between Oregon and Washington over

coastal fishing• A case on the rights of students to publish a

newspaper without supervision by the administration

• A case involving the constitutionality of a state law limiting abortion

• A case that challenges the president’s right to establish military tribunals to try suspected terrorists

• A case involving the murder of a police officer during a drug arrest

E

All of the following statements about the judicial branch are

true EXCEPT:• The overwhelming majority of criminal cases are

handled by state courts• Only judges hear cases in the federal courts• The only court specifically established in the

Constitution is the Supreme Court• Most judges that sit on state or municipal courts

are elected• Most cases come to the supreme Court on

appeal from the lower federal courts

B

Supreme Court Justice William Douglas said, “I don’t follow

precedents. I make ‘em.” This statement reflects:• Judicial conservatism

• Judicial activism

• Strict constructionism

• Judicial restraint

• Stare decisis

B

Which of the following statements about amicus curiae briefs is NOT valid?

• Amicus briefs are an opportunity for third parties to provide information to the Court

• Most amicus briefs are filed by individuals who want the Court to consider their case

• Amicus briefs are filed in connection with petitions for a writ of certiorari

• With the exception of the solicitor general, attorneys who submit amicus briefs cannot participate in oral argument

• Amicus briefs are a factor in the decision of the Court to hear a case

B

A ruling made by a court of appeals is:

• Valid only within the states that make up the circuit of that court

• Automatically brought to the Supreme Court

• Most likely the result of a decision of all the judges in the circuit

• Based on the factual evidence introduced at trial

• Made on the basis of oral argument aloneA

When President Jackson said, “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!” This raises the issue of:• Judicial nationalism

• Judicial federalism

• Judicial implementation

• Judicial review

• Judicial jurisdiction

C

In establishing the Judicial branch, Article III of the

Constitution provided for all of the following EXCEPT:• Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

• The scope of appellate jurisdiction

• The definition of treason

• Trial by jury

• Office of the Attorney General

E

Public Opinion

A poll conducted over the Internet is of questionable

accuracy b/c:• The participants were not randomly

selected

• The margin of error is over +/- 3%

• The sample is biased in favor of the more affluent

• The sample is too large

• Questions are typically not worded clearly

A; no random selection = no sample, no scientific poll. It is biased in favor of more affluent, but THERE IS NO SAMPLE

In light of the “graying of America,” which issues are likely to get attention from

elected officials?• Deregulation of the energy industry

• Missile defense programs

• Term limits for members of Congress

• Patient’s Bill of Rights

• Gun control

D

Which of the following statements about political

ideology in the US are accurate?• I political movements on the extreme right

and left have had little support• II people who identify themselves as

conservatives always oppose laws restricting abortions

• III most Americans consider themselves moderates

• IV consistency is not essential to political ideology

I and III

Political socialization refers to:

• Why a person identifies with a political party

• How an individual’s political views are developed

• The measure of the public’s attitude on national issues

• A person’s position on social questions such as abortion

• The role of government in promoting national identity B

Data collected on the political attitudes of ethnic/racial

groups shows that:• All minorities tend to take liberal positions on

major policy questions• African Americans are shifting back to the

Republican Party• The views of African Americans are not

significantly affected by income• Asian American support for the Democratic

Party is strong• Hispanic Americans are the most consistently

liberal group C; Dem. Across the board

A month before a primary election, a poll shows the

following breakdown in a 3 candidate race:

Candidate A 45%; Candidate B 32%; Candidate C 23%. Margin

of error +/- 3%. • Candidate A will get a majority of votes

cast• Candidate C will drop out of race b/c of

limited support• The election is too close to predict b/c of

margin of error• No conclusion can be drawn b/c election is

a month away• There will be a runoff between A and B

D

Women are more likely than men to favor:

• Capital punishment

• Gun control legislation

• No increases in federal minimum wage

• Less spending on public housing

• Abortion

B

Libertarians support all of the following EXCEPT:

• An end to tax breaks for large corporations• A prescription drug plan for seniors paid

for by the federal government• The repeal of laws restricting gun

ownership• The legalization of marijuana and similar

drugs• Full exercise of freedom of speech,

including materials considered “obscene”B

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between an individual’s income

and attitudes toward federal spending?• Lower income groups support spending for

social programs• There is no correlation between income and

views on federal spending• Economic self-interest requires wealthy

Americans to back more government spending for jobs

• Minorities approve of higher defense spending• Higher income Americans tend to support the

Democratic PartyA

Despite migration from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt, the

South:• I is a more conservative region than the

Northeast

• II is a stronghold for the religious right

• III remains committed to the Democratic Party

I and II

The political party an individual identifies with is largely

determined by:• Mass media

• Peers

• Teachers

• Parents

• Employers

D

A politician who advocates raising the minimum wage,

cutting spending on weapons systems, and increasing the

budget for the Environmental Protection Agency is:

• Populist

• Liberal

• Conservative

• Radical

• LibertarianB

Polls taken during an election campaign focus on:

• Which candidate is ahead

• The views of the candidates on the issues

• The amount of money each candidate has raised

• The character of the candidates

• The candidates’ position on foreign policy

A

In recent years, occupation has become less significant to

determining political attitudes because:• Few Americans are blue collar workers

• Americans are more mobile than in the past

• Education is a more important factor

• Political parties do not frame issues in terms of class

• Workers adopt the views of their unionsC; and more Ams finishing high school and going to college

Which of the following is NOT a conservative position?

• Support for prayer in the public schools

• Support for voucher plans for private schools

• Support for increases in corporate and income taxes

• Support for deregulation of business

• Support for limits on affirmative action programs

C

Political Parties

Voting a straight ticket reflects:

• Voter apathy

• Party loyalty

• Weak party structure

• Influence of campaign advertising

• Support for the Democratic Party

B

When the Republican Party emerged in the 1850s, it

replaced which of the following?• Federalists

• Know-nothings

• Whig party

• Populist party

• Labor Reform Party

C

The party platform is developed:

• By the nominee’s campaign staff

• By the chair of the national committee

• At the national convention by the platform committee

• Through questionnaires sent to registered members for the party

• By members of the party’s Senate and House campaign committees

C

The Democrats’ New Deal Coalition relied on support

from all of the following groups EXCEPT:• Southerners

• Labor union members

• Catholics and Jews

• African Americans

• Business leaders

E

The boss, who was a fixture in local party politics in many American cities, kept power

through:• Rigging elections

• Support for primary elections

• Patronage

• Constituent services

I, II, and IV

Party realignment occurs when:

• A majority of the voters register as independents

• There is a shift in voter support from one party to another

• There is a change in which party controls one or both houses of Congress

• The president is from one party but the Congress is in the hands of another

• A third party determines the outcome of the election

B

Which of the following is NOT a function of a political party?

• To select candidates for office

• To inform voters about issues

• To run political campaigns

• To raise money for candidates

• To determine qualifications for office holders

E

The most successful third parties:

• Represent a particular region of the country

• Have strong ties to an ideological position

• Break off from one of the two major parties

• Focus on a single issue

• Support a particular groups

C

Which statement best characterizes the relative

strengths of the Democratic and Republican parties in the period

between 1968 and 2000?• Republican presidents always faced a Congress controlled by Democrats

• The Democrats controlled the House from 1968-1994

• Democrats were more successful than Republicans in presidential elections

• Divided government was the rule under Democratic presidents

• The Republicans had a majority of the seats in the Senate as a result of the 2000 election

B

Reforms in the Democratic Party after the 1968 election

resulted in:• More power given to party professionals and

activists• The creation of the Democratic Leadership

Council• A substantial increase in the amount of money

raised for presidential campaigns• Greater participation of historically

underrepresented groups at the convention• A decline in the number of presidential parties

D

Those who argue that political parties are declining in importance point to:

• I a decline in voter turnout

• II candidate-run campaigns

• III increase in ticket splitting

• IV increase in the cost of running for office

II and III

During the campaign and during his first term, Republican George W. Bush adopted which issue that

was usually considered Democatic?• Tax cuts

• Missile defense systems

• Campaign finance reform

• Support for gays in the military

• Greater federal support for education

E

Voting and Elections

The National Voter Registration Act encouraged voting by:

• Requiring states to allow election day registration

• Declaring election day a federal holiday

• Allowing voter registration at DMV offices

• Eliminating residency requirements for voting

• Imposing fines on eligible voters who do not register C; it was nicknamed the “motor voter act”

Which of the following statements about voter turnout

is valid?• I Income and education levels have no

effect on minority voting• II the gender gap refers to the fact that

women are more likely to vote than men• III the lowest voter turnout is among

college-age Americans• IV the most common reason given by

Americans for not voting in that they were too busy

III and IV

One of the effects of winner-take-all primaries is that:

• Candidates can get a majority of the delegates quickly

• The cost of the campaign is higher

• The media focuses on who is ahead

• Candidates stay in the race longer

• More candidates decide to enter the primaries

A

Today, the most important function of a party’s national

convention is to:• Select the electors for the electoral college• Develop the strategy for the general

election• Formally nominate the president and vice

president• Choose the party’s leaders for the House

and the Senate• Name a new chair for the national

committeeC

An amendment to the Constitution that did NOT

extend the right to vote to a particular group was the:• 15th

• 19th

• 26th

• 24th

• 23rd

D; that one abolished the poll tax

A primary election in which a registered Democrat can ask for

a Republican ballot is a:• Presidential primary

• Open primary

• Closed primary

• Blanket primary

• Proportional representation primary

B

Supreme Court ruled in Buckley v. Valeo (1976) ruled

that:• Limits on a candidate’s use of personal money

was unconstitutional• Limits on individual contributions violated the 1st

Amendment• Labor union contributions were protected under

the right of association• Federal matching funds had to be made

available for state races• Contributions to political parties for voter

registration drives were valid

A

Lower voter turnout in the US can be explained by all of the

following EXCEPT:• Weak political parties

• An aging electorate

• Difficulty in registering

• Difficulty in voting

• Frequency of voting

B

In recent years, the efforts at campaign finance reform have

focused on:• Reducing the influence of political action

committees• Curbing spending on negative advertising• Decreasing the cost of presidential

elections• Prohibiting the use of union dues for

political campaigns• Eliminating soft money available to

political parties E

Over the last 30 years, most successful candidates for the

presidency have served:• In the Cabinet

• As senators

• As business executives

• As govenors

• In the House of Representatives

D

During the general election, a candidate is likely to do which

of the following?• I Moderate positions taken during the

primaries to appeal to the electorate as a whole

• II Campaign vigorously in all 50 states

• III Participate in a series of televised debates with the other major party candidate

• IV Continue to actively raise money

I and III

Above all else, the results of the 2000 presidential election

showed that:• The “solid South” remains a fact of

American politics

• The winner of the popular vote always wins the electoral vote

• The vote of every person is important

• A balanced ticket is the key to victory

• The party that spends the most will win the presidency

C

A candidate who qualifies for federal matching funds:

• Loses the money if contributions over $250 are accepted

• Must accept spending limits during the primaries• Needs to finish in the top four in each primary

entered• Does not have to report contributions less than

$250 to the FEC• Receives a check from the Treasury for the total

amount raised during the campaign

B

The campaign staff a presidential candidate puts together includes all of the

following EXCEPT:• A pollster

• A media specialist

• A foreign policy consultant

• A domestic policy advisor

• A political action committee chair

E

In comparing congressional and presidential elections,

which of the following statements are NOT valid?• I the power of incumbency is stronger in

congressional races

• II Congressional candidates get no federal matching funds

• III Presidential campaigns are considerably longer

• IV The money spent on congressional and presidential campaigns remained stable

IV

Media

In covering a political campaign, the media is best

described as a:• Watchdog

• Scorekeeper

• Muckraker

• Gatekeeper

• Cheerleader

B

Under the Federal Communications Commission’s equal access rules,

broadcasters must:• Give free airtime to all candidates for public

office• Assure that both sides on a controversial subject

like abortion get equal time• Air debates for candidates running for office in

their market• Provide the same opportunity for all political

candidates to present their views• Take the diversity of their market into account in

deciding news coverage

D

Which of the following contemporary news outlets is

similar to the yellow journalism of the late nineteenth century?• Network news programs

• Radio talk shows

• Newspapers like USA Today

• All news cable stations

• Tabloid press

E

The fact that election campaigns are often reduced to sound bites suggests that:

• Television provides superficial coverage of politics

• Politicians are not very dynamic speakers

• Voters turn to newspapers and magazines to understand the issues

• Network news shows are too long

• Editors need to take more responsibility for programming

A

Cross-ownership refers to:

• A company owning radio and television stations in different parts of the country

• Companies like Gannett that own numerous newspapers

• A company owning a newspaper and television station in the same market

• Entertainment giants like the Walt Disney Company that own television networks

• Cable companies that are the sole service providers in a community

C

All of the following work against a liberal bias in the

media EXCEPT:• Most news about government and politics comes

from official sources• Journalists are trained to be objective and

present both sides of a story• Editors and publishers are more conservative

than reporters• Broadcast and print journalists as a group tend

to support the Democratic Party• Major media outlets are owned by larger

corporations whose primary business is not news

D

The Supreme Court made it more difficult for public officials falsely attacked in the media

to sue for libel in:• New York Times v. Sullivan

• New York Times v. US

• Red Lion Broadcasting v. FCC

• Engel v. Vitale

• Bucley v. Valeo

A

News coverage of Congress:

• Is devoted to scandals like the impeachment of President Clinton

• Is primarily the responsibility of C-SPAN• Focuses on the leadership in the House

and the Senate• Is influenced by the White House press

secretary• Is more thorough on network television

than in the pressC

Which of the following newspaper headlines suggests

investigative reporting?• “Abuse of patients in nursing homes in the

state uncovered”• “Fire guts office structure; arson suspected”• “President to hold summit with Chinese

leaders”• “Stock prices drop as corporate

brankruptcies rise”• “Attorney General to rule on Special

Prosecutor”A

The media plays a key role in politics by:

• Determining who gets elected to state and federal offices

• Helping to set the issues that political leaders need to address

• Presenting elected officials in the best possible light to the public

• Reinforcing values such as patriotism and family

• Paying candidates for exclusive stories

B

Interest Groups

When a political action committee makes a

contribution to an elected official, the expectation is:• The elected official will vote the way the interest

group wants• The interest group will have access to the

elected official• The elected official will provide jobs for members

of the interest group• The elected official will make sure the interest

group is not audited by the IRS• The elected official will kick back a portion of the

contribution to lobbyists

B

All of the following are examples of economic interest

groups EXCEPT:• American Farm Bureau Federation

• Consumer Union of the US

• Service Employees International Union

• American Bankers Association

• American Federation of Teachers

B; that’s a public interest grp

In order to contribute to the campaign of a presidential

candidate, an interest group:• Can make the donation directly to the

candidate

• Must earmark money for voter education

• Can only give the money to the national party

• Must create a political action committee to raise and distribute money

• Must approve ads bought with its moneyD

The free-rider problem refers to:

• Candidates for office who face no primary opposition

• A candidate with great personal wealth who does not need PAC money

• Members of Congress who take gifts from lobbyists

• Non-germane amendments added to a bill• A person who benefits from an interest

group but does not joinE

Lobbyists try to influence public policy by all of the

following EXCEPT:• Mobilizing grass roots support

• Testifying before congressional committees

• Meeting with federal district judges

• Speaking with heads of federal agencies

• Providing research data to government officialsC: such meetings really not allowed

A lobbyist for the NRA is most likely to get the support of:

• A Republican who voted for the Brady Bill

• An incumbent facing a difficult reelection

• A liberal Democrat

• A newly elected Senator

• A conservative Republican

E

Interest groups participate in electoral politics by:

• I endorsing candidates

• II urging members to vote for a candidate

• III running candidates for office

• IV lobbying for term limits for Congress

I and II

The people attracted to interest groups are most likely:• College-educated

• Social conservatives

• Committed independent voters

• Liberal activists

• Racial/ethnic minorities

A

Which one of the following statements about lobbyists is

NOT true?• Lobbyists are often former government officials• Lobbyists must register with the House and the

Senate• Lobbyists cannot represent foreign countries• Many interest groups have their own lobbyists

on staff• Strong interpersonal skills are important to a

lobbyist’s success

C; i.e. Israeli Lobby

A former under secretary in the Department of Energy

becomes a consultant for the American Petroleum Institute and testifies before Congress

on the regulation of offshore oil drilling. This is:

• An iron triangle

• Influence peddling

• An issue network

• The revolving door

• Effective lobbying

D

Which of the following statements about interest

groups is valid?• Interest groups only try to influence

policymaking at the federal level• Interest groups are only composed of individual

members• The potential membership of an interest group is

almost always greater than its actual membership

• Interest groups get all of their funding from membership dues

• Interest groups are most effective when they deal with multiple issues

C

Lobbyists must file reports of their activities, including information

about their clients, with:• The Federal Election Commission

• The Justice Department

• The Securities and Exchange Commission

• The House of Representatives and the Senate

• Office of Management and Budget

D