Government Mock Final

Name:

True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Common Sense was authored by Thomas Jefferson.

There was no executive branch under the Articles of Confederation.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a readdress of grievances.”

—First Amendment, 1791

According to the First Amendment, citizens have the right to criticize the government.

The Thirteenth Amendment changed the powers of the national and state governments.

The Preamble states that the U.S. Constitution was established—in part—to provide for the common defense.

“I have a firm belief we have too many laws on the books now. . . . I’ve made it pretty clear I believe constituent service is most important and is where a freshman can be most effective.”

—John J. Duncan, Jr., 1988

John J. Duncan, Jr. thinks that first-time Congress members should help shape new legislation.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) provides Congress financial experts to help plan the budget.

Congress has the power to borrow money

“We, therefore, conclude that the action of Congress in the adoption of the Act as applied here to a motel which concededly serves interstate travelers is within the power granted it by the ______________ of the Constitution, as interpreted by this Court for 140 years.”

—Justice Tom C. Clark, 1964

The Supreme Court agreed with Congress in Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States specifically because the motel served intrastate travelers.

10.

Winning electors meet in Washington D.C. to cast their votes for president and vice president.

11.

According to the Electoral College System, voters cast ballots, directly electing the president of the United States.

Popular and Electoral Votes 2000

12.

Ralph Nader received less than 2% of the popular vote.

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

13.

His ideas deeply influenced the colonists

a.	Thomas Jefferson	c.	King George III
b.	Thomas Paine	d.	John Locke

14.

This proposed a weak executive with more than one person

The New Jersey Plan

The Virginia Plan

15.

This proposed a two-house legislature

The New Jersey Plan

The Virginia Plan

16.

Congress under the Articles of Confederation has this power:

a.	make taxes	c.	regulate trade
b.	amend the Articles of Confederation	d.	enforce laws

17.

He made new taxes on the colonies

a.	Thomas Paine	c.	John Locke
b.	King George III	d.	Thomas Jefferson

18.

Many Americans wanted a strong national government after:

a.	the economic depression	c.	Shays’s Rebellion
b.	the Annapolis Convention	d.	the Northwest Ordinance

19.

This convinced the Confederation Congress to call a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation

a.	Shays’s Reellion	c.	the economic depression
b.	the Annapolis Convention	d.	the Northwest Ordinance

20.

He is the author of the Declaration of Independence

a.	Thomas Jefferson	c.	King George III
b.	John Locke	d.	Thomas Paine

21.

He is the author of Common Sense

a.	John Locke	c.	King George III
b.	Thomas Paine	d.	Thomas Jefferson

22.

Article I of the Constitution created the voice of the people in the

a.	House of Representatives.	c.	executive branch.
b.	Supreme Court.	d.	Senate.

23.

This elevated the Supreme Court to a higher status, balancing the powers of the other branches.

a.	Constitutional amendment	c.	judicial review
b.	judicial activism	d.	enumerated powers

“He shall, from time to time, give the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient . . . ”

— Article II, Section 3

24.

Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution details whose role in creating legislation.

a.	vice president’s	c.	president’s
b.	secretary of state’s	d.	Congress’s

25.

This section of the Constitution states why it was written.

a.	Amendments	c.	Bill of Rights
b.	Preamble	d.	Articles

26.

To protect liberty and specify its powers, the Framers gave Congress

a.	judicial reviews.	c.	judicial restraint.
b.	executive powers.	d.	expressed powers.

27.

This action is required to override a presidential veto.

a.	a Constitutional convention	c.	a two-thirds vote of each house
b.	a Supreme Court ruling	d.	a judicial review

28.

The first 10 amendments are called the

a.	enumerated Articles.	c.	Bill of Rights.
b.	Preamble.	d.	Constitution.

29.

The Founders created a Constitution that could be adapted for the future through

a.	Constitutional amendment.	c.	judicial restraint.
b.	Constitutional ratification.	d.	prior restraint.

30.

The Constitution is based on the concept of

a.	jurisdiction.	c.	popular sovereignty.
b.	judicial activism.	d.	expressed powers.

31.

What body decides if a territory will be admitted to the Union

a.	Judicial	c.	Congress
b.	Executive	d.	State Department

32.

This affects criminals who flee a state to avoid punishment.

a.	sunshine laws	c.	sunset laws
b.	extradition	d.	civil laws

33.

State and national governments share the power to levy taxes and

a.	declare war.	c.	coin money.
b.	regulate intrastate commerce.	d.	establish courts.

34.

The Constitution grants these powers to only the national government.

a.	reserved powers	c.	concurrent powers
b.	denied powers	d.	expressed powers

35.

Article IV of the Constitution obligates states to give this to one another's citizens.

a.	equal treatment	c.	obedience to the sunset laws
b.	interstate compacts	d.	full faith for credit cards

36.

The national government provides money to the states through this.

a.	mandates	c.	prior restraint
b.	federal grants	d.	preemption

37.

An agreement between states is called

a.	an interstate compact.	c.	the sunshine law.
b.	a judicial proceeding.	d.	a public act.

38.

Franklin D. Roosevelt and others who favor federal action believe in the

a.	sunshine law.	c.	nationalist position.
b.	sunset law.	d.	states' rights position.

39.

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney and others who favor local action believe in

a.	the nationalist position.	c.	the sunrise law.
b.	the sunset law.	d.	the states' rights position.

“A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.”

—Article IV, Section 2

40.

Under Article IV, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, states are required to do this to criminals and fugitives of other states.

a.	charge	c.	extradite or return
b.	provide immunity for	d.	provide representation for

41.

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the

a.	majority whip.	c.	vice president.
b.	Speaker.	d.	majority leader.

42.

This is NOT a qualification for election to the House of Representatives.

a.	a degree in law	c.	legal resident of state of election
b.	at least 25 years old	d.	a citizen for 7 years

43.

People in districts represented in Congress are called

a.	constituents.	c.	a caucus.
b.	a quorum.	d.	a census.

“The Rules Committee is an agent of the leadership. It is what distinguishes us from the Senate, where the rules deliberately favor those who would delay. The rules of the House . . . permit a majority to work its will on legislation rather than allow it to be bottled up and stymied.”

—Speaker Jim Wright, 1987

44.

According to Speaker Jim Wright, which governmental body takes too long to make decisions or take action?

a.	Senate	c.	Supreme Court
b.	Rules Committee	d.	Attorney General’s Office

45.

The process of setting up new congressional districts after reapportionment is called

a.	gerrymandering.	c.	redistricting.
b.	censuring.	d.	bicameral legislature.

46.

In Congress the majority and minority leaders are assisted by

a.	whips.	c.	the vice president.
b.	the president.	d.	the Speaker.

47.

These committees act as study groups for the combined House and Senate.

a.	standing committees	c.	conference committees
b.	joint committees	d.	select committees

48.

The president of the Senate is the

a.	vice president.	c.	majority leader.
b.	Speaker.	d.	minority leader.

49.

This is NOT a qualification for election to the Senate.

a.	married for 5 years	c.	a citizen for 9 years
b.	at least 30 years old	d.	legal resident of state of election

50.

This could bring about a vote of censure.

a.	heroism	c.	sleeping during session
b.	accepting a bribe	d.	missing a committee meeting

51.

Which branch of the government authorizes the sale of U.S. savings bonds?

a.	administrative	c.	legislative
b.	executive	d.	judicial

52.

All of the following are advantages of savings bonds EXCEPT:

a.	They provide a tax advantage.
b.	People can purchase bonds at twice their face value.
c.	They are a safe investment.
d.	They are an easy way to borrow money.

53.

The diagram lists reasons why the president and Congress often disagree. Choose the answer that best completes the diagram.

a.	separation of church and state	c.	partisan politics
b.	presidential committee system blocks legislation	d.	members of Congress represent broader interests than the president

—Justice Tom C. Clark, 1964

54.

According to Justice Tom C. Clark, which specific part of the Constitution granted Congress the powers it applied in Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States?

a.	Bill of Rights	c.	commerce clause
b.	elastic clause	d.	Preamble

55.

How many public bills passed by the 106th Congress were vetoed by the president?

a.	580	c.	12
b.	349	d.	11

56.

A legal order that a person appear in court or produce requested documents is called

a.	immunity.	c.	writ of habeas corpus.
b.	contempt.	d.	subpoena.

57.

Using this, Congress can call witnesses and collect evidence.

a.	Power to Investigate	c.	Legislative Powers
b.	Nonlegislative Powers	d.	Legislative Oversight

58.

Freedom from prosecution for witnesses whose testimony ties them to illegal acts is called

a.	perjury.	c.	immunity.
b.	contempt.	d.	writ of habeas corpus.

59.

This power allows Congress to check on how the executive branch is administering the law.

a.	impoundment	c.	legislative oversight
b.	impeachment	d.	immunity

“Witnesses cannot be compelled to give evidence against themselves. They cannot be subjected to unreasonable search and seizure. Nor can the 1st Amendment freedoms of speech, press, religion, or political belief and association be abridged.”

—Chief Justice Earl Warren, 1957

60.

In its decision in Watkins v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that

a.	witnesses could not be compelled to give evidence against themselves.
b.	First Amendment rights did not apply to congressional witnesses.
c.	witnesses could be compelled to give evidence against themselves.
d.	a person could refuse to release documents to congressional committees.

61.

This action was found unconstitutional because it violated the separation of powers.

a.	legislative powers	c.	presidential veto
b.	legislative override	d.	legislative veto

62.

Which power of Congress would most affect an entrepreneur

a.	Establish federal courts	c.	Create and maintain an army
b.	Grant copyrights and patents	d.	Borrowing money

“The result of the most careful and attentive consideration bestowed upon this clause is, that if it does not enlarge, it cannot be construed to restrain the powers of Congress or to impair the right of the legislature to exercise its best judgment in the selection of measures to carry into execution the constitutional powers of the government.”

—John Marshall

63.

According to Chief Justice John Marshall which branch of the government is responsible for upholding the U.S. Constitution?

a.	legislative	c.	judicial
b.	executive	d.	administrative

64.

Which clause of the U.S. Constitution does Marshall cite to support the Court’s decision in McCulloch v. Maryland?

a.	Supremacy clause	c.	Fugitive Slave Clause
b.	inelastic clause	d.	necessary and proper clause

65.

This is used by Congress to determine how well laws have been carried out by the executive.

a.	Nonlegislative Powers	c.	Legislative Oversight
b.	Legislative Powers	d.	Power to Investigate

66.

Proposed laws to authorize spending money are called

a.	appropriations bills.	c.	bills of attainder.
b.	writs of habeas corpus.	d.	revenue bills.

67.

One example is the Senate approving Presidential appointments

a.	Nonlegislative Powers	c.	Legislative Oversight
b.	Legislative Powers	d.	Power to Investigate

68.

Which is not a power of Congress

a.	Approve treaties	c.	Admission of new states
b.	Declare war	d.	Duties on intrastate commerce

69.

In which power does congress levy taxes and appropriate money?

a.	Legislative Oversight	c.	Legislative Powers
b.	Nonlegislative Powers	d.	Power to Investigate

70.

This is NOT a feature of all the states in today's world.

a.	democracy	c.	territory
b.	government	d.	population

71.

A plan that provides the rules for government is called a

a.	consensus.	c.	preamble.
b.	political party.	d.	constitution.

72.

Any system of government in which rule is by the people is called

a.	an autocracy.	c.	an oligarchy.
b.	a democracy.	d.	a monarchy.

73.

The form of democracy we have in this country is called

a.	indirect democracy.	c.	direct democracy.
b.	representative democracy.	d.	socialistic democracy.

74.

Private ownership and control of resources is characteristic of

a.	mixed-market economy.	c.	communism.
b.	capitalism.	d.	socialism.

75.

The effort to control or influence the conduct of government is called

a.	laissez-faire.	c.	constitutional law.
b.	free market.	d.	politics.

76.

Any system of government in which a small group holds power is called

a.	a monarchy.	c.	a democracy.
b.	an autocracy.	d.	an oligarchy.

77.

This system divides the power between the state and national governments.

a.	communist	c.	federal
b.	socialist	d.	unitary

78.

The four essential features of a state, or nation, include government, population, territory, and

a.	command economy.	c.	confederacy.
b.	sovereignty.	d.	democracy.

79.

The economic system in which freedom of choice is emphasized is

a.	command economy.	c.	capitalism.
b.	socialism.	d.	communism.

80.

All of the following served as Secretary of State before being elected president EXCEPT:

a.	James Monroe	c.	James Madison
b.	William H. Taft	d.	Thomas Jefferson

81.

Which presidential race was the closest electoral race?

a.	Adams/Jackson	c.	Harrison/Cleveland
b.	Hayes/Tilden	d.	Bush/Gore

Popular and Electoral Votes 2004

82.

Kerry received all of the following states’ electoral votes EXCEPT:

a.	Ohio	c.	California
b.	Pennsylvania	d.	Vermont

83.

Choose the answer that best completes the chart, identifying the qualifications for president.

a.	at least 55 years old	c.	at least 45 years old
b.	at least 35 years old	d.	at least 65 years old

84.

How many weeks pass between the time Congress counts the electoral votes and inauguration?

a.	10	c.	2
b.	4	d.	3

Vice Presidents Who Became President of the United States

85.

According to the chart, which of these individuals served the longest in the executive office?

a.	Thomas Jefferson	c.	Harry S Truman
b.	Richard M. Nixon	d.	George Bush

86.

All of the following served two terms as vice president EXCEPT:

a.	Richard M. Nixon	c.	John Adams
b.	Theodore Roosevelt	d.	George Bush

87.

All of the following served two terms as president EXCEPT:

a.	Harry S Truman	c.	Richard M. Nixon
b.	Theodore Roosevelt	d.	John Adams

88.

This system is often called a winner-take-all system.

a.	central clearance	c.	popular vote
b.	Federalist system	d.	the Electoral College

Popular and Electoral Votes 2000

89.

Bush won all of the following states’ electoral votes EXCEPT:

a.	Ohio	c.	Nevada
b.	Texas	d.	Pennsylvania

90.

In the 2000 election, Bush won the electoral vote by

a.	7%.	c.	5%.
b.	1%.	d.	3%.

91.

Choose the answer that best completes the flow chart, identifying the amendment that was created in reaction to Kennedy’s assassination.

a.	Twenty-fifth	c.	Twenty-third
b.	Twenty-first	d.	Eighteenth

92.

Choose the answer that best completes the flow chart.

a.	Twenty-third Amendment	c.	Fifth Amendment
b.	Twenty-second Amendment	d.	Eighteenth Amendment

93.

This group advises the president on military and foreign policy.

a.	National Security Council	c.	National Economic Council
b.	Executive Office of the President	d.	Council of Economic Advisers

94.

Electors are elected by popular vote, but the president is elected by

a.	the Electoral College.	c.	political parties.
b.	Congress.	d.	popular vote.

95.

Following the vice president, the next in succession for the presidency is the

a.	Speaker of the House.	c.	president pro tempore of the Senate.
b.	House whip.	d.	majority leader of the Senate.

96.

The first president of this country was elected by

a.	Congress.	c.	the Electoral College.
b.	popular vote.	d.	political parties.

97.

Commander of the national armed forces is the

a.	president.	c.	State of the Union general.
b.	vice president.	d.	attorney general.

Executive Employees from Roosevelt through Bush

Roosevelt-Truman-Eisenhower-Kennedy-Johnson-Nixon-Ford-Carter-Reagan-GHW Bush-Clinton-GW Bush

98.

According to the graph, which president had the most executive employees?

a.	Nixon	c.	Roosevelt
b.	Clinton	d.	Truman

99.

Which president had the least number of executive employees?

a.	Truman	c.	Ford
b.	Roosevelt	d.	George Bush

100.

This group is chosen by the president for their experience in selected areas.

a.	press corps	c.	chief of political parties
b.	Electoral College	d.	cabinet

101.

The Reorganization Act of 1939 created the

a.	National Economic Council.	c.	Executive Office of the President.
b.	Economic Report of the President.	d.	National Security Council.

102.

Choose the answer that best completes the chart, identifying the amendment created in response to this situation.

a.	Twenty-fifth	c.	Twelfth
b.	Eighteenth	d.	Fifth

103.

According to the chart, if the office of president, vice president, and Speaker of the house were vacant this person is next in line for the presidency.

a.	President pro tempore of the Senate	c.	Attorney General
b.	Secretary of Defense	d.	Secretary of State

104.

Choose the answer that best completes the chart, outlining the process for the selection and nomination of potential cabinet members.

a.	House holds confirmation hearings.
b.	Senate and House hold confirmation hearings.
c.	Supreme Court votes on nominees.
d.	Senate holds confirmation hearings.

105.

This is the largest agency of the Executive Office of the President.

a.	Council of Economic Advisers	c.	Congressional Budget Office
b.	National Security Council	d.	Office of Management and Budget

106.

Traditional, market/capitalist, and command are types of

a.	clothing stores.	c.	economic systems.
b.	government structures.	d.	government controls.

107.

An economic system that allows buyers and sellers to act in their own interest is this type of system.

a.	command	c.	traditional
b.	mixed	d.	market/capitalist

108.

Today, China’s economy is best described as

a.	communist.	c.	socialist.
b.	free market.	d.	democratic.

109.

Soviet farms were either collective farms or

a.	state farms.	c.	consumer farms.
b.	corporate-owned farms.	d.	family-owned farms.

110.

China has developed rapidly due in part to

a.	foreign aid.	c.	government control of industry.
b.	a large, cheap labor force.	d.	collective farming.

111.

A risk-taker who starts a business in search of profits is

a.	a capitalist.	c.	a terrorist.
b.	a militarist.	d.	an entrepreneur.

112.

This economic system has a central authority.

a.	command	c.	market
b.	traditional	d.	mixed

113.

These are the resources of an economic system.

a.	tariffs	c.	factors of production
b.	taxes	d.	quotas

114.

This is a free enterprise system.

a.	communism	c.	socialism
b.	democratic socialism	d.	capitalism

115.

States with little or no industry are

a.	developed nations.	c.	centralized planning nations.
b.	developing nations.	d.	newly developed nations.

116.

Critics claim socialism may cause

a.	a loss of esteem among nations.	c.	a welfare state.
b.	lower taxes.	d.	a move to communism.

117.

Limits on imports are called

a.	tariffs.	c.	free-market trades.
b.	quotas.	d.	trading partners.

118.

The world's most important economic group is

a.	NATO.	c.	EU.
b.	Allied National Union.	d.	NAFTA.

119.

This was introduced in an effort to reduce trade barriers

a.	GATT	c.	NATO
b.	ANU	d.	IUC

120.

Minerals such as copper or iron ore fall under which of the categories of the four factors of production?

a.	land	c.	labor
b.	capital	d.	entrepreneurs

121.

Which type of economic government utilizes a process called nationalization, in which private businesses taken over by the government?

a.	communism	c.	capitalism
b.	socialism	d.	free enterprise system

122.

Who was the last communist leader of the Soviet Union?

a.	Mikhail Gorbachev	c.	Milton Friedman
b.	Vladimir Putin	d.	Vladimir Lenin

123.

What is one reason that countries trade with others?

a.	non-tariff barriers	c.	comparative advantage
b.	embargoes	d.	dumping

124.

What policy or organization was created in 1994 to enforce the reduction of barriers on trade?

a.	European Union	c.	World Trade Organization
b.	General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade	d.	North American Free Trade Agreement

Economic Systems

125.

According to the chart, capitalism is the economic system with the least amount of government control or intervention. In what way is the government directly involved in capitalism?

a.	encourages competition among industries
b.	obtains capital
c.	owns and operates all productive resources
d.	plans ways to allocate resources

“Economic freedom is an essential requisite for political freedom. By enabling people to cooperate with one another without coercion or central direction, it reduces the area over which political power is exercised. . . . I know of no example . . . of a society that has been marked by a large measure of political freedom, and has not also used something comparable to a free market to organize the bulk of economic activity.”

—Milton Friedman, 1982

126.

Based on his statement, it is likely that Milton Friedman believes that this is the best economic system.

a.	communism	c.	totalitarianism
b.	socialism	d.	capitalism

Matching

a.	Necessary and proper	c.	Impeachment
b.	Interstate commerce	d.	Subpoena

127.

a writ ordering a person to attend a hearing.

128.

Remove officials of the executive or judicial branch

129.

Gives Congress the power to make laws.

130.

The buying, selling, or moving of products, services, or money across state borders.

Match each item with the correct statement below.

a.	developing nation	f.	communism
b.	socialism	g.	quotas
c.	embargo	h.	newly developed nations
d.	factors of production	i.	European Union
e.	comparative advantage	j.	nationalization

131.

economic resources

132.

recently had significant industrial growth

133.

government owns some means of production

134.

government owns all factors of production

135.

government takes control of industry

136.

state with little industry

137.

to produce and buy efficiently

138.

world’s most important regional economic group

139.

complete prohibition of trade with a nation

140.

limits on importing foreign products

Short Answer

141.

Explain how competition in a pure, unregulated capitalist system might actually result in less freedom of choice for consumers.

142.

If the United States had a multiparty system instead of two major parties, would conflict between the president and Congress increase or decrease? Explain your answer.

143.

Why might the writers of the Constitution have required that all tax laws originate in the House of Representatives rather than in the Senate?

144.

Explain why the Chinese economy has begun to grow so rapidly in recent years.

Essay

145.

Explain why some people say that the winner-take-all system of the Electoral College is undemocratic.

146.

Explain why a presidential candidate who holds extremely liberal or extremely conservative views would have a difficult time getting elected.