The legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT BY:

passing a law making a presidential action unconstitutional

Which of the following is NOT a way in which the federal government regulates campaigns?

By prohibitions on negative advertising

The Voting Rights Act of 1965...

helped increase African-American and minority voters.

The term "pork barrel" refers to legislation specifically designed to...

provide funding for local projects that benefit constituents

The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in...

the United States House of Representatives

Which of the following is an example of congressional oversight?

Holding hearings to review an executive agency's activities

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

the single-member district electoral system

Since 1972, voters in presidential elections have...

become more focused on individual candidates

Which of the following statements about writs of certiorari is accurate?

It is granted for less than 5% of appealed cases.

Which statement about political parties and the United States Constitution is true?

Political parties aren't addressed in the Constitution.

>>Which statement is true given the data in the table below?<<

Cubans are more Republican than Mexicans or Puerto Ricans

>>The table below about partisanship & the 1984 presidential election indicates that<<

partisanship was a good predictor of the way a person voted.

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

Chief executive officer of the Department of Justice

An example of a categorical grant is when money is given to...

states for special education programs.

Explanations for low voter turnout include all of the following EXCEPT

laws protecting voting rights for minorities

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

There is increased similarity of network news coverage.

Political action committees (PACs)...

make campaign contributions to gain access to legislators.

Which of the following is the most likely consequence of divided government?

Delays in confirmation of federal court nominees.

Which of the following statements about the Senate is true?

Senators have more individual power than Representatives.

Nominations to the Supreme Court must be approved by a...

simple majority vote in the Senate only.

Which of the following best explains the principle of stare decisis?

It encourages judges to follow precedent when deciding cases

Federal budget entitlements refer to spending...

to provide individual benefits established by legislation

The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about...

The scope of power of the central government

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) was a significant Supreme Court ruling because it

held the "separate but equal" clause as unconstitutional

In the process and structure of public policy-making, "iron triangles" refer to the...

networks of committees, bureaucratic agencies, and IG's

Which of the following statements about motions for cloture is true?

They are used to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote

Which of the following is an example of presidential use of inherent powers?

Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase

When none of the candidates receives a majority in the main election, the president is chosen

by the House with a majority vote of its state delegations

Which of the following statements about gerrymandering is true?

It is used by political parties to draw favorable districts.

The free-exercise clause protects...

voluntary prayer by student groups before school.

Which of the following is a fundamental element of the United States Constitution?

Government authority divided across political institutions

The President's pocket veto power...

ocurs when Congress is adjourned & the president does nothin

The Supreme Court has ruled which of the following concerning the death penalty?

It is not considered cruel and unusual punishment.

Cooperative federalism can best be described by which of the following statements?

All levels of government decide common policy areas

studbud

AP Gov Diagnostic Test

60 termsStudBud Administration2,592 plays

-Only One right answer -Based on AP 2009 -Use Real Name -60 MC ->>extra time questions<< -default time 30 -Shuffle all and minimize

Flashcards60 cardsFPractice quizPHost liveL

Questions 60

Answers

1
The legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT BY:
removing the president through impeachment and conviction
overriding a presidential veto
passing a law making a presidential action unconstitutional
refusing to approve a presidential appointment
2
Of the following, which is the most powerful figure in Congress?
The Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
The Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee
The Speaker of the House
The Majority Whip of the House
3
Which of the following is NOT a way in which the federal government regulates campaigns?
By limits on the distribution of soft money
Federal agencies to regulate campaign finance activities
Disclosure of campaign donations
By prohibitions on negative advertising
4
The Voting Rights Act of 1965...
helped increase African-American and minority voters.
only applies to southern African Americans.
requires that minority officeholders be elected.
was declared unconstitutional in Shaw v. Reno.
5
The term "pork barrel" refers to legislation specifically designed to...
equalize representation between farming & other states
distribute excess produce to the poor
ensure the careful inspection of farm goods and other foods
provide funding for local projects that benefit constituents
6
The Americans with Disabilities Act, which helps the disabled, is an example of
horizontal federalism
affirmative action
dual federalism
a federal mandate
7
Which concept directly addresses the relationship between the national and state governments?
Separation of powers
Representation
Federalism
Checks and balances
8
Giving states greater discretion to decide how to achieve the specific goals is called...
dual federalism
an unfunded mandate
devolution
affirmative action
9
When independent regulatory agencies make, enforce, and oversee rules, they risk violating...
federalism
due process of law
separation of powers
equal protection of the laws
10
Interest groups engage in all of the following activities EXCEPT
filing federal lawsuits
lobbying federal agencies
using the franking privilege
testifying before congressional committees
11
The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in...
a White House budget resolution
the United States Senate
the United States House of Representatives
the Office of Management and Budget
12
Judicial review permits the Supreme Court to overrule all of the following EXCEPT
lower-court decisions
the Bill of Rights
acts of Congress
executive orders
13
Which of the following is an example of congressional oversight?
Conducting ethics investigations of congressional leadership
Assisting constituents with particular problems
Reporting campaign contributions to the FEC
Holding hearings to review an executive agency's activities
14
The main intent of "motor voter" laws is to...
prevent states from using literacy requirements for voting
provide transportation to polls for people without cars
allow sixteen year olds to vote with a valid drivers license
increase voter registration
15
One reason for the persistence of a two-party system in the United States is...
low voter turnout in most elections
the separation of powers
the lack of a strong labor movement
the single-member district electoral system
16
Congress ensures that executive agencies are carrying out their legislated responsibilities via
judicial review
executive privilege
legislative oversight
federalism
17
Since 1972, voters in presidential elections have...
become more focused on local rather than national conditions
become more focused on individual candidates
become more likely to rely on print media for information
increasingly based their votes on televised debates
18
Which of the following statements about writs of certiorari is accurate?
It has been granted to all separation of powers cases.
The solicitor general automatically grants certiorari.
It is granted for less than 5% of appealed cases.
It isn't granted to cases involving state laws.
19
Which statement about political parties and the United States Constitution is true?
Political parties aren't addressed in the Constitution.
Political party leaders must be native-born US citizens.
Political parties are restricted by federal and state law.
Only two major political parties may exist at any time.
20
>>Which statement is true given the data in the table below?<<
Latinos are more supportive of the Democrats than in 1950
Cubans are more Republican than Mexicans or Puerto Ricans
Latinos are homogeneous in their party identification
The majority of Latinos voted for Bill Clinton in 1992
21
>>The table below about partisanship & the 1984 presidential election indicates that<<
there were fewer strong Democrats than strong Republicans.
Independents vote less than party identifiers.
partisanship was a good predictor of the way a person voted.
Democrats voted for their own party more than Republicans.
22
Which of the following best describes the primary formal role of the attorney general?
Liaison between the presidentand the Supreme Court
Legal advisor for the president & the cabinet secrataries
Director of the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Chief executive officer of the Department of Justice
23
Extending the Bill of Rights through the Fourteenth Amendment to apply to states is known as...
judicial review
stare decisis
federalism
incorporation
24
An example of a categorical grant is when money is given to...
states to spend at their discretion on transportation.
private business directly for economic development.
individuals in the form of tax rebates.
states for special education programs.
25
Explanations for low voter turnout include all of the following EXCEPT
weak party affiliation
laws protecting voting rights for minorities
frequency of elections at the state and local level
registration requirements
26
The framers of the United States Constitution left decisions on voting eligibility to the...
civil rights agencies
individual states
Supreme Court
Congress
27
The main predictor of how individuals vote in a congressional election is...
Newspaper endorsement
Occupation
Gender
Partisanship
28
What is a consequence of the growing concentration of ownership of the news media?
Coverage of political events has gotten more liberal.
Newspaper prices have gone down.
Prices for televised campaign ads have gone down.
There is increased similarity of network news coverage.
29
Political action committees (PACs)...
effectively control the presidential campaigns.
make campaign contributions to gain access to legislators.
can only contribute to one candidate in a given contest.
are a part of political party organizations.
30
Which of the following is the most likely consequence of divided government?
Reorganization of the federal bureaucracy.
Conflicts between national government and states.
Delays in confirmation of federal court nominees.
Conflicts between states.
31
Which of the following statements about the Senate is true?
The Senate, unlike the House, has a Rules Committee.
Senators have more individual power than Representatives.
The Senate has a strict time limit on debates.
Each state is represented according to its population.
32
Nominations to the Supreme Court must be approved by a...
two-thirds vote in the House only.
two-thirds vote in the House and Senate.
simple majority vote in both the House and Senate.
simple majority vote in the Senate only.
33
Which of the following best explains the principle of stare decisis?
It increases the number of cases judges are required to hear
It reinforces the philosophy of judicial activism.
It requires at least 4 Supreme Court justices to hear a case
It encourages judges to follow precedent when deciding cases
34
Which of the following is a member of the White House Staff?
The attorney general
The chair of the Federal Reserve Board
The secretary of commerce
The national security advisor
35
Federal budget entitlements refer to spending...
to provide individual benefits established by legislation
by legislators while visiting their home states
on behalf of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
targeted to benefit residents of specific districts
36
>>The differences shown in the table below demonstrate which of the following?<<
Men's greater political participation
The gender gap
Political efficacy
Age discrimination
37
Which of the following Supreme Court cases established the principle of judicial review?
Gibbons v. Ogden
Marbury v. Madison
McCulloch v. Maryland
Roe v. Wade
38
Gitlow v. New York and New York Times v. Sullivan are SC cases that dealt with which amendment?
Fifth Amendment
Fourth Amendment
First Amendment
Second Amendment
39
The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about...
The scope of power of the central government
The representation of large and small states
The existence of slavery
The need to establish a standard currency
40
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) was a significant Supreme Court ruling because it
prevented Communists from being school teachers
gave states freedom of press through the 14th amendment
held the "separate but equal" clause as unconstitutional
limited the federal government & affirmed state's rights
41
In the process and structure of public policy-making, "iron triangles" refer to the...
power of corporate control in pushing for economic expansion
federal, state, & local governments when creating policy
networks of committees, bureaucratic agencies, and IG's
advisors for the President's foreign policy agenda
42
Which of the following statements about motions for cloture is true?
They are applied to bills that failed in previous sessions
They force a bill out of committee for a full house vote
They occur whenever a bill is reported out of committee
They are used to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote
43
Which of the following is an example of presidential use of inherent powers?
Bill Clinton's line-item veto of some funds to the states
George H. W. Bush's appointment of Clarence Thomas
Dwight Eisenhower's deployment of troops to Arkansas
Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase
44
The cooperation of NAACP & ACLU to defeat a nomination to the Supreme Court is an example of
the initiative process
impeachment
litigation
coalition building
45
When none of the candidates receives a majority in the main election, the president is chosen
by the House with a majority vote of its state delegations
in a national runoff election with the two top candidates
by the Senate with a majority vote of its entire membership
directly by the Supreme Court
46
Which of the following statements about gerrymandering is true?
It ensures liberal control of the House of Representatives.
It has been banned by Supreme Court in Baker v.Carr.
It guarantees constituency control over its representatives.
It is used by political parties to draw favorable districts.
47
The free-exercise clause protects...
individuals who, for religious reasons, refuse to pay taxes.
the president from having to reveal private conversations.
a person's right to burn the American flag.
voluntary prayer by student groups before school.
48
Which of the following is a fundamental element of the United States Constitution?
Direct election of members of the executive branch
The executive branch is more powerful than the legislature
The centrality of political parties in government
Government authority divided across political institutions
49
The President's pocket veto power...
strikes down specific provisions of a bill
ocurs when Congress is adjourned & the president does nothin
may be overridden by a two-thirds vote in Congress
is used when Congress has two versions of the same bill
50
The Supreme Court has ruled which of the following concerning the death penalty?
It is not considered cruel and unusual punishment.
The death penalty violates the Fifth Amendment.
A state may not impose the death penalty on a non-citizen.
Lethal injection is the only constitutional method.
51
Cooperative federalism can best be described by which of the following statements?
The government cooperates with the people to make decisions
All levels of government decide common policy areas
The federal government regulation's apply to all states
Business & government work to accomplish shared goals
52
Which of the following best describes the concept of political efficacy?
One can make a difference in politics by acting politically.
The media must provide unbiased information to citizens.
The average citizen can make no difference in an election.
Intelligent voting decisions require information.
53
Which is a fundamental difference between political parties and interest groups?
IG's aren't required to disclose campaign finances.
IG's are focused mainly on a narrow set of issues.
Political parties can't sponsor campaign advertisements.
Political parties tend to focus on national politics.
54
Since the early 1980's, the Republican Party platform has been increasingly influenced by...
environmental activists
evangelical Christians
civil libertarians
active military officers
55
Which of the following is true about the terms of federal judges appointed by the president?
For life unless impeached and convicted by Congress.
For life and not subject to congressional impeachment.
Ten-year terms.
As long as the appointing president stays in power.
56
The difference between an appellate court and a district court is that an appellate court...
reviews previous court decisions
has original jurisdiction
does not follow the principle of stare decisis
conducts trials by jury
57
Which of the following best describes the difference between an open and closed primary?
Anyone can be a candidate in an open primary.
A poll tax is needed for a closed primary.
Independents can't vote in closed primaries.
Split tickets are not allowed for open primaries.
58
Unlike the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution does which of the following?
Emphasizes state sovereignty over national sovereignty.
Emphasizes both national sovereignty and federalism.
Restricts Congress from creating an army or navy.
Restricts the ability of Congress to tax.
59
In Plessy v. Ferguson, state-imposed racial segregation is constitutional, based on the...
necessary and proper clause
"separate but equal" doctrine
"clear and present danger" doctrine
privileges and immunities clause
60
Compared to the general population, delegates to presidential nomination conventions are...
financially worse off
less educated
less interested in politics
more ideological

AP Gov Diagnostic Test Flashcards | StudBud