Ch 2 Quizzes

Question 1

Federalism involves the sharing of power between __________.

Answer 1

the national and state governments

Question 2

Under federalism, the primary responsibility of the national government is __________.

Answer 2

military and foreign policy

Question 3

The power of judicial review in the United States lies in the hands of __________.

Answer 3

both state and national courts

Question 4

The __________ is the portion of the Constitution aimed at limiting the government and empowering the individual.

Answer 4

Bill of Rights

Question 5

Under federalism, one way the national government can force state and local compliance with its wishes is by __________.

Answer 5

threatening to withhold government grants

Question 6

As a result of federal laws and the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, federal courts __________.

Answer 6

often have jurisdiction in areas once completely under state control

Question 7

Why do state constitutions tend to be longer than the U.S. Constitution?

Answer 7

They blur constitutional law and legislative law.

Question 8

A state’s Bill of Rights protects __________.

Answer 8

individuals from unreasonable state government action

Question 9

Legislative law, in Texas, refers to __________.

Answer 9

bills passed by the legislature and enacted by the governor

Question 10

Texas drafted its first constitution __________.

Answer 10

as a part of the Mexican Federation

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true of the constitution of 1845?

Answer 11

It was written in order to gain admission to the United States.

Question 12

Which of the following provisions was included in the 1869 Texas constitution?

Answer 12

the extension of voting rights to African Americans

Question 13

Which group had the greatest influence on the development of the 1876 Texas constitution?

Answer 13

the Texas Grange

Question 14

Which of the following is true of the 1876 Texas constitution?

Answer 14

It set greater limits on the power of the state government.

Question 15

Amendments to the Texas constitution require __________.

Answer 15

majority approval from voters

Question 16

The last major attempt to revise the Texas constitution occurred __________.

Answer 16

in 1974

Question 17

Which of the following is true of the proposed constitution submitted to the 1974 Texas Constitutional Convention?

Answer 17

It was a much shorter document that would have drastically changed the structure of Texas government.

Question 18

What are the current prospects for revision of the Texas constitution?

Answer 18

not hopeful, because the process is difficult and the political rewards are limited

Question 19

Which of the following accurately describes the powers of the state governments and the national government in the United States?

Answer 19

Education, transportation, and health care are programs administered concurrently by federal and state governments.

Question 20

Jaime asserts that the United States is a pure representative democracy. Alan disagrees. Which of the following statements is true and supports Alan’s view?

In a pure representative democracy, constitutional law is supreme.

When a law is passed by the U.S. Congress, it cannot be struck down even if a majority is against it.

In the United States, a coalition that can form a majority on a particular issue will always have its policy enacted.

In the United States, laws passed can be struck down if they are unconstitutional, even if they are supported by a majority of the people.

Answer 20

In the United States, laws passed can be struck down if they are unconstitutional, even if they are supported by a majority of the people.

Question 21

Fred, a student of political science, is of the opinion that despite the federalist system in the United States, the national government has gained more power than the states. Which of the following statements supports his opinion?

The U.S. Supreme Court has used the Fourteenth Amendment to apply portions of the Bill of Rights to state governments.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that would have allowed women who had been sexually assaulted to recover damages in federal civil court.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that banned guns in the vicinity of schools.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a provision of the Brady Bill that required local law enforcement agencies to perform background checks on people attempting to purchase handguns.

Answer 21

The U.S. Supreme Court has used the Fourteenth Amendment to apply portions of the Bill of Rights to state governments.

Question 22

One difference between the Bill of Rights and many of the constitutional amendments that followed is that __________.

Answer 22

the former was aimed at restricting national power, while the latter have often restricted state action

Question 23

Martha argues that the U.S. Constitution constrains Congress, rendering it no more powerful than the states. Which of the following statements diminishes the validity of her argument?

Answer 23

Congress has the power to compel states to pass legislation by threatening to withhold federal grants.

Question 24

Which of the following best reflects Jacksonian democracy?

Answer 24

an 1850 amendment to the 1845 constitution, which transferred the selection of the attorney general, comptroller, treasurer, and judges to the voters

Question 25

Which of the following statements is the best argument for revision of the Texas constitution?

The Texas constitution is bulky and has been amended more than 400 times.

Most voters are keenly interested in revising the Texas constitution.

The current constitution was adopted during the 1930s.

The Texas constitution includes a broad framework for government but little detail.

Answer 25

The Texas constitution is bulky and has been amended more than 400 times.

Question 26

The Constitutional Convention of 1974 proposed a constitution that was perceived by many delegates to be better than the present one. Yet, when subjected to a vote, the proposal fell short by three votes. Which of the following factors contributed to its defeat?

a provision that the legislature would meet twice a year, instead of once every two years

a provision that would have prevented the state from levying an income tax

a provision that would have required judges to be elected rather than appointed

a right-to-work provision that guaranteed that workers could not be required to belong to a union to get a job

Answer 26

a right-to-work provision that guaranteed that workers could not be required to belong to a union to get a job

Question 27

Assume that the state of Texas is attempting to make major changes to its constitution. One of the main provisions that is being proposed is the sharing of the Permanent University Fund with all public universities and colleges in the state. Which of the following groups would likely be most resistant to this constitutional provision?

major newspapers that support higher education

private colleges and universities in the state

those universities and colleges that do not currently receive revenue from the fund

those universities that currently benefit from the fund

Answer 27

those universities that currently benefit from the fund

Question 28

Andrew, a political science student, is writing a paper on the 1876 Texas constitution. Which of the following statements will strengthen his stance that the 1876 constitution limited government power?

The number of district courts and the terms of judges were increased.

The legislature, not the governor, was given the power to call special sessions.

The 1876 constitution allowed the governor to appoint his cabinet.

The 1876 constitution restricted the power of the legislature by returning to biennial sessions.

Answer 28

The 1876 constitution restricted the power of the legislature by returning to biennial sessions.