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58 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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The fundamental law by which a state or nation is organized and governed and to which ordinary legislation must conform, is the definition of which of the following?
A)Bicameralism B)Separation of Powers C)Constitution D)Federalism |
C)Constitution
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Which of the following can be defined as a political system in which the citizens vote directly on matters of public opinion?
A)Representative Democracy B)Direct Democracy C)Republic D)Confederation |
B)Direct Democracy
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Suppose that the majority of the people of a particular political district adhere to the same religion. The majority uses it control of the government to adopt policies that limit public office to members of that religion, and they seriously disadvantage people who do not share their belief. The framers of the Constitution would use which of the following terms or phrase to describe that situation?
A)Tyranny of the majority B)Representative democracy C)Direct democracy D)Separation of powers with checks and balances |
A)Tyranny of the majority
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Which of the following can be defined as a political system in which citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf?
A)Federalism B)Direct Democracy C)Unitary Government D)Representative Democracy |
D) Representative democracy
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Congress passes a law that criminalizes past actions that were taken before the law was passed. This law would be an example of which of the following?
A)Ex post facto law B)Bill of Attainder C)Habeas Corpus D)Separation of Powers |
A)Ex post Facto Law
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The Constitution guarantees accused person the right to a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to legal counsel. These provisions embody which of the following constitutional principles?
A)Separation of Powers B)Tyranny of the Majority C)Checks and Balances D)Due Process of Law |
D)Due process of law
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The Constitutional principle that government does not have unrestricted authority over individuals is the definition for which of the following terms?
A)Limited goverment B)Due process of law C)Separation of powers D)Bicameralism |
A)LImited Goverment
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The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as which of the following?
A)Declaration of Independence B)Articles of Confederation C)Bill of rights D)Bill of Attainder |
C)BILL of Rights
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Do the provisions of the Bill of Rights apply to state govenrments?
A)NO. the bill of rights applies only to the actions of the federal government B)Yes the Supreme Court has ruled that the entire BIll of Rights applies to state govenrments as well as the national govenments C)Yes the supreme courts has ruled that the bill of rights applies to the states but not to the national goverment D)Yes for the most part the supreme court has ruled that most of the provisions of the bill of rights apply to the states |
D)Yes for the most part the supreme court has ruled that the bill of rights applies to the states
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the selective incorporation of the bill of rights to the states is based on which of the following constitutional provisions?
A)The Due Process Clause of the 14th amendment B)the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment C)The Privelges and Immunities Clause of the 14th Amendment D) The 13th Amendment |
A)The Due Process Clause of the 14th amendment
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The political thought of Baron de Montesquieu is assoctiated with which of the following constitutional principles?
A)Bill of rights B)Separation of powers C)Federalism D)Due process of law |
B)Separation of Powers
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According to James Madison what constitutional principle was designed to prevent the concentration of powers in the hands of one governmental official or set of officials?
A)Separation of Powers B)Federalist Papers C)Tyranny of the majority D)Bill of Rights |
A)Separation of Powers
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The president nominates Person A to the US Supreme Court but the Senate rejects the nomination. This scenario is an example of what?
A)Federalism B)Bicameralism C)Checks and Balances D)Tyranny of the Majority |
C)checks and balances
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The state of California has tougher automobile emissions standards that the national government. This situation reflects which of the following constitutional principles?
A)Representative democracy B)Bicameralism C)Separation of powers with checks and balances D)Federalism |
D)Federalism
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Why did the framers of the Constitution create a bicameral legislative branch?
A)They wanted to ensure that the executive branch would be the dominant branch of government B)They wanted to prevent the legislative branch from becoming too powerful C)They wanted to prevent the judicial branch from becoming too powerful D)They wanted to strengthen the legislative branch |
B)they wanted to prevent the legislative branch from becoming too powerful
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Which of the following statements is true of the British Parliamentary system?
A)It is undemocratic because it does not have separation of powers B)The House of the Lords and the House of Commons are equally powerful C)The prime minister is chosen by the queen D)none of the above |
D)none of the above
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Which of the following is a means through which the Constitution changes?
A)Practice and experience B)Constitutional amendment C)Judicial interpretation D)all of the above |
D)all of the above
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Which of the following is NOT a step in the process of amending the Constitution?
A)The house votes to propose the amendment by a two thirds vote B)The senate votes to propose teh amentment by a two thirds vote C)the president signs the proposed amendment D)three fourths of the states ratify the proposed amendments |
C)the president signs the proposed amendment. NO
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What was the significance of Marbury vs Madison?
A)It was the first case in which the US Supreme Court declared an act of Congress unconstitutional B)the US Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation was constitutional C)the US Supreme Court ruled that state laws requiring racially segregated schools were unconstitutional D)the US supreme court ruled that federal law takes precedence over state laws |
A)it was the first time the Supreme Court ruled an act of Congress unconstitutional
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How does the US Constitution affect the policymaking process?
A)Change comes slowly because the Constitution fragments political power B)Public policies often reflect compromise among various interests and groups C)drastic policy changes are unlikely to occur D)all of the above |
D)all of the above
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Which of the following is the foremost goal of the no child left behind act?
A)To ensure that students with disabilites have access to educational opportunities B)To ensure that all public schools are racially integrated C)To make public school systems accountable for the progress of all students D)To provide free or reduced rate meals for school children from low-income families |
C)To make public school systems accountable for the progress of all students
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A political system taht divides power between a central government with authority over the whole nation and a series of state governments is known as which of the following?
A)Federal system of goverment B)Confederation C)Unitary government D)Republic |
A)federal system of goverment
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Article 1 section 8 of the US Constitution declares that Congress has the authority to coin money. Coining money is an example of which of the following?
A)Delegated powers B)Implied powers C)Checks and balances D)concurrant powers |
A)delegated powers. it says they can do it
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Which of the following is true about congress?
A)The constitution vests legistlative power in congress B)Congress has the power of the purse C)The Constitution delegates certain powers to Congress in Article 1 sec 8 D)all of the above |
D)all of the above
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Which of the following statements is accurate about the powers of congress?
A)Congress can exercise any power it wishes to exercise because it is a soveirgn body B)Congress can exercise any power except those powers prohibited by the US constitution C)Congress can exercise only those powers delegated to it by the US constitution or implied through the application of teh Necessary and Proper Clause D)congress can exercise only those powers given to it in the Bill of Rights |
C)Congress can exercise only powers given to it by the constitution and those implied through the application of the Necessary and Proper Clause
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In Article 1 sec 8 the constitution grants congress to regulate commerce among the several states. Congress passes legislation establishing regulations for interstate trucking, including safety standards for trucks and drivers. Which of the following constitutional provisions or princilples gives congress the authority to set standards for trucks and truck drivers?
A)National Supremecy Clause B)Implied powers C)Concurrant powers D)Equal Protection Clause |
B)Implied Powers
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The Elastic Clause is another name for which of the following constitutional provisions?
A)National Supremecy Clause B)Equal Protection Clause C)NEcessary and Proper Clause D)Commerce Clause |
C)Necessary and Proper Clause
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The Constitution delegates which of the following powers to the president?
A)The power to regulate commerce among the states B)The power to command the armed forces C)The power to declare war D)all of the above |
B)the power to command the armed forces
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Suppose Congress passes a law which conflicts with the state constitution of Georgia. Which takes precedent-the US law or the Georgia Constitution?
A)The Georgia Constitution, because of the 10th amendment B)The Georgia Constitution because all constitutions take precedent before laws C)The US law because of delegated powers D)The US law because of the National Supremecy Clause |
D) The National Supremacy Clause
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A person wanted for a crime in New York flees to Florida where he is now arrested. The procedure for returning the accused person to New York to face criminal charges is known as which of the following?
A)Full Faith and Credit B)Priveledges and Immunities C)Extradition D)Delegated Powers |
C)extradition
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The tenth amendment is the constitutional basis for which of the following?
A)Reserved powers B)delegated powers C)implied powers D)concurrent powers |
A)reserved powers
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Both state and the national goverment have the constitutional authority to tax and spend. Therefore the power to tax and spend is an example of which of the following?
A)reserved powers B)delegated powers C)implied powers D)concurrent powers |
D)concurrent powers
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Which of the following statements would be most likely to come from an advocate of a strong national goverment as opposed to a supporter of states rights?
A)National control makes for better public policies B)the constitution is a compact among the states and the powers of the national government should be narrowly interpreted C)the powers of the national govenment shoulu be closely limited to the delegated powers D)all of the above |
A)national control makes for better public policies
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Would states rights advocates favor or appose NCLB
A)they would favor the law because it provides federal money to support state education programs B)They would favor the law because a republican president was behind the adoption of the measure C)they would appose the law because it would increase federal involvement in education policy, which is traditionally an area of state responsibiblity D)They would oppose the law because it didnt provide enough money to support public education |
C)they would oppose bc it increased federal involvement in education policy
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which of the following of the supreme courts rulings in mcculloch vs maryland
A)the supreme court ruled that congress lacked constitutional authority to charter a bank B)the supreme court ruled that the powers of congress were limited to the delegated powers C)the supreme court upheld the maryland tax on the bank D)none on the above |
D)none of the above
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A federal grant program that provides funds to state and local governments for a fairly narrow, specific purpose is known as which of the following?
A)block grant B)formula grant C)Categorical Grant D)Program Grant |
C)Categorical grant
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A federal grant program that provides money for a program in a broad general policy area such as childcare or job training is known as which of the following?
A)Block grant B)formula grant C)categorical grant D)program grant |
A)block grant
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A grant program that requires state and local govermentes to compete for available federal money is known as which of the following?
A)block grant B)formula grant C)categorical grant D)project grant |
D)project grant
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A grant program that awards funding on the basis of a formula established by congress is known as which of the following?
A)block grant B)formula grant C)categorical grant D)program grant |
B)formula grant
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NCLB requires that states meet certain goals in order to contiue recieving federal funds. this requirement is an example of which of the following?
A)federal mandate B)Matching funds requirments C)federal preemption of state authority D)progect grant` |
A)federal mandate
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What happens if the house and senate pass different versions of a bill to address a particular policy issue but cannot agree on compromise legislation?
A)the president creates a conference to negotiate a compromise B)the measure fails because nothing passes congress unless both houses pass it in identical form C) the supreme court determines which measure becomes law D)the house bill goes to the president for his signature |
B)the measure fails bc nothing passes without making it through both houses with the same wording
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Which of the following best describes the house than it does the senate?
A)it makes decisions strictly by majority vote B)it has a tradition as a great debating society where its members enjoy broad freedom C)it is an indiviualistic body where one member has considerable influence on the legislative process D)all of the above |
A) it makes decisions purely by majority
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Which of the following statements better describes the senate than it does the house?
A)every member stands for reelection every two years B)a minority of members has the power to bring legislative business to a halt in the chamber C)members of this chanmber sometimes run for seats in the other chamber D)none of the above |
B)a minority can stop things with a fillibuster
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The office of congresswoman helps a district resident with a problem. this is an example of what?
A)fillibuster B)logrolling C)closed rule D)constituency work (aka case work) |
D)constituency work aka case work
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Which of the following statements about congressional turnover is NOT true?
A)most members of congress are reelected B)teh reelection rate for house members is higher than it is for senators C)congress experiences significant turnover bc they restrict their terms to 12 years D)voters typically express a higher level of approval for their repressentative in congress than they do for the institution as a whole |
C)congress limited to 12 year term. no false
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in practice, which of the following officials is the most important leader in the US SENATE?
A)speaker of the house B)senate president pro tempare C)senate majority leader D)vice president |
C)senate majority leader
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Which of the following officials is the most important leader in the US HOUSE?
A)speaker of the house B)senate president pro tempare C)seante majority leader D)vice president |
A)speaker of the house
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How is the Senate majority leader selected?
A)by vote of members of the majority party in the senate B)by popular vote in a national election C)by the president D)he or she is longest serving member |
A)vote by members of majority party
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why do major legislative measures often take the form of omnibus bills which are complex, highly detailed legislative proposals covering one or more subjects or programs?
A)complex programs require complex solutions B)congress is in session only part of the year and omnibus bills enable it to get more done in a short period of time C)congressional leaders assemble on omnibus bills in order to attract as much support as possible |
C)congressional leaders use omnibus bills bc it gets a lot of people involved, more likely more people will like it
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Which of the following individuals has the authority to introduce a bill in the us senate?
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a senator
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The detailed work of congress takes place at which point in the legislative process?
A)on the floor B)in committee C)in conference committee D)in the rules committee |
B)in committee
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legislative mark up occurs at which stage of the legislative process?
A)on the floor B)in committee C)in conference commitee D) in rules commiittee |
B)in committee
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What is the purpose of a discharge petition?
A)it is the porcess that is used to end a filitbuster B)it is a demand that a member of congress e expelled for misconduct C)is is a good procedure used to force a committee to report a bill to the floor of the house D)it is the beginning of the impeachment process |
C)it is the procedure used to force a committee to report a bill to the floor of the house
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How often is a discharge petition used?
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not often because if you force someone to take out a bill they could do it to you too
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What is the purpose of closed rule?
A)it prohibits consideration of amendments to a bill on the floor of the house B)it is a procedure for ending a fillibuster C)it is means of coordinating the work of committees when a bill is multiply referred D)it is a procedure used to force a commitee to report a bill to the floor of the house |
A)it prohibits consideration of amendments to a bill on the floor of the house. the rules committee sets this
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an amendment designed to make a measure so unattractive that it will lack enough support to pass is known as what?
A)discharge petition B)non germane amendment C)killer amendment D)cloture petition |
C)killer amendment
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The senate is considering a controversal measure. how many votes will the measure's supporters need to ensure passage in the chamber?
A)legistlation is passed by majority B)it takes 2/3s to pass bills in the senate C)it takes 60 votes to invoke cloture and overcome a fillibuster D)it takes 40 votes to invoke cloture |
C)it takes 60 votes to invoke cloture and overcome a fillibuster
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a conference committee agrees on a conference report. it passes the house, but it fails in the snate. what is the status of the bill?
A)the measure goes to the president B)the measure is dead unless the senate reconsiders it and passes it C)the house votes again on the measures and if it passes again it goes to president D)the president convenes a reconciliation committee involving the leadership of both the house and senate |
B)the measure dies unless the senate re looks at it and passes it
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