Question: How do intelligence agencies contribute to the consolidation of power of the executive branch?
Answer Options:
By replacing Congress as the governmental body that reviews and authorizes executive military action By being independently funded they are not restrained by Congress’s power of the purse By permitting the president to sign executive agreements that do not conflict with current law without congressional action By allowing the president to justify military actions without fully disclosing evidence for congressional review
Answer: D: “By allowing the president to justify military actions without fully disclosing evidence for congressional review”
Question: Which action by the United States federal courts helps balance power between the branches of government?
Answer Options:
Protecting the Constitution from violations by the other branches Ensuring that public opinion is represented equally in each branch Finding common ground between the executive and legislative branches Defending the other branches of government from oppression by the masses
Answer: A: “Protecting the Constitution from violations by the other branches”
Question: Which factor determines the number of electoral votes allotted to a state?
Answer Options:
The number of registered voters in the state The party that holds the state’s governorship The total votes cast in the last presidential election The state’s representation in Congress
Answer: D: “The state’s representation in Congress”
Question: What is true regarding the Electoral College?
Answer Options:
It ensures the principle that one person has one vote. It results in the election of the candidate who wins the most popular votes. It encourages the existence of three or more major political parties. It represents a fundamental component of American federalism.
Answer: D: “It represents a fundamental component of American federalism.”
Question: What is an example of an exercise of the supremacy clause?
Answer Options:
The president signing a regional trade agreement A state being permitted to borrow money to fix roads A state being prohibited from trading with a foreign country The federal government imposing income taxes
Answer: C: “A state being prohibited from trading with a foreign country”
Question: Which provision in the United States Constitution affirms the reserved powers of the states?
Answer Options:
The Supremacy Clause The Fourth Amendment The Tenth Amendment The Full Faith and Credit Clause
Answer: C: “The Tenth Amendment”
Question: Which statement best describes the nomination of a presidential candidate?
Answer Options:
Political parties nominate a presidential candidate. The Electoral College nominates a presidential candidate. The voters nominate a presidential candidate. Presidential candidates nominate themselves.
Answer: A: “Political parties nominate a presidential candidate.”
Question: Which presidential duty is an example of how the Constitution balances power between the three branches of government?
Answer Options:
The president can negotiate treaties but cannot receive representatives of foreign nations without the advice and consent of the Senate. The president can sign congressional legislation but must issue a pocket veto if the law is not signed in one week. The president can nominate federal judges and officials but requires Senate approval on all appointments. The president can faithfully execute the laws but is not explicitly instructed how to execute the laws.
Answer: C: “The president can nominate federal judges and officials but requires Senate approval on all appointments.”
Question: How many electoral votes must a presidential candidate receive to win the election?
Answer Options:
270 320 400 538
Answer: A: “270”
Question: Which type of power does the president exercise when appointing a justice to the Supreme Court?
Answer Options:
Assumed power Reserve power Implied power Expressed power
Answer: D: “Expressed power”
Question: Who can vote for a United States senator?
Answer Options:
Any voter in the senator’s state Any voter in the United States Any voter in the senator’s party Any voter in a neighboring state
Answer: A: “Any voter in the senator’s state”
Question: Which concurrent power is shared between the federal and state governments?
Answer Options:
Establishing public schools Raising and maintaining armed forces Regulating foreign trade Defining crimes and punishments
Answer: D: “Defining crimes and punishments”
Question: Which act required candidates to include personal endorsements on political advertisements?
Answer Options:
The Tillman Act The Federal Election Campaign Act Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) Glass-Steagall Act
Answer: C: “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)”
Question: How does common law affect the powers of the judicial branch?
Answer Options:
The judicial branch becomes less powerful because it binds courts to the English system. It has a significant effect on the judicial branch’s powers because there is no legal code in the United States. It has little effect on the judicial branch’s powers because those powers are explicitly detailed in the Constitution. The judicial branch becomes more powerful because it allows for judicial interpretation of the law.
Answer: D: “The judicial branch becomes more powerful because it allows for judicial interpretation of the law.”
Question: How are U.S. Supreme Court opinions relevant to lower courts?
Answer Options:
Lower courts can use them to understand how to rule in similar cases. Lower courts can use them as a basis for rewriting laws declared unconstitutional. Lower courts can use them to explain a decision of refusal to hear a case. Lower courts can use them as a basis for appealing a higher court ruling.
Answer: A: “Lower courts can use them to understand how to rule in similar cases.”