Practice Exam MC Sections Flashcards by Jessica Talley

A member of Congress votes in favor of a bill as a result of receiving many letters of support for the bill from constituents. Which form of democratic representation best describes this voting decision?

A. Trustee
B. Delegate
C. Elite
D. Pluralist

B. Delegate because they are voting as their constituents ask them to.

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Which of the following rulings is most likely to cite the Supreme Court’s decision in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) as a legal precedent in support of the decision?

A. A ruling in favor of students to print their opinions in a school newspaper.
B. A ruling against a public school’s practice of having prayer at school assemblies.
C. A ruling supporting the creation of gun-free zones in public schools.
D. A ruling enforcing mandatory vaccinations for all children before attending school.

A. A ruling in favor of students to print their opinions in a school newspaper because this case would use the free speech clause of the 1st amendment similarly to Tinker v. Des Moines.

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Which of the following is a direct outcome of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

A. The number of senators increased in slaveholding states.
B. Slavery quickly declined, especially in larger cities in the south.
C. Slaveholding state were able to count slaves to determine their number of senators.
D. The number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased

D. The number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased because the house of representatives is the legislative chamber affected by population of the state and if anything, the number of slaves would increase.

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The case United States v. Lopez (1995) struck down the Gun-Free School Zones Act because…

A. It violated the Fourth Amendment protections against unwarranted searches.
B. Congress exceeded its authority in the use of the commerce clause.
C. The Second Amendment is a right incorporated to the states.
D. Students retain their First Amendment rights while attending public schools.

B. Congress exceeded its authority in the use of the commerce clause because the supreme court felt that congress’ claim based on the commerce clause was too loosely connected.

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Which of the following statements represents a trend supported by the data in the bar graph? (https://o.quizlet.com/luQq8u36JdSoVlsi3AOJtA.png)

A. Both party caucuses in the House consisted of more moderate members in 2012 than 2002.
B. The Republican caucus consisted of more ideologically conservative members in 1982 than 2012.
C. The number of House members between most liberal republican and the most conservative Democrat decreased between 1982 and 2012.
D. The party caucuses on the senate are most ideologically diverse than those in the House of Representatives.

C. The number of House members between most liberal republican and the most conservative Democrat decreased between 1982 and 2012.

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Based on the data, which of the following is the most likely consequence for the legislative process in Congress? (https://o.quizlet.com/luQq8u36JdSoVlsi3AOJtA.png)

A. More competitive races for House seats in the general election.
B. A decrease in party-line voting on important legislation introduced in the House.
C. An increase in gridlock and failure to compromise on legislation.
D. Greater cooperation between Congress and the president on nominations.

C. An increase in gridlock and failure to compromise on legislation because the further they travel apart ideologically, the more likely they are to disagree and have more difficulty compromising on something.

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A woman is arrested for possessing illegal substances that were obtained after a warrantless search of her home by local police. Which of the following best explains whether the evidence could be used in a criminal trial?

A. The due process rights of the Fifth Amendment require that the evidence be reviewed by the prosecution before being admitted as evidence in court.
B. The exclusionary rule, derived from the Fourth Amendment, prevents the evidence from being used against the suspect.
C. Since the evidence obtained suggests illegal activity, the evidence may be used against the defendant in a criminal trial.
D. If the case is in the state court system, the evidence can be used against the defendant.

B. The exclusionary rule, derived from the Fourth Amendment, prevents the evidence from being used against the suspect because the fourth amendment protects people from unwarranted searches and seizures and the evidence was obtained unwarranted.

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“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government…”
“…Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled. The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise.
He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice.
He had withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men….
Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides.
He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead.
He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns.” -Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Seneca Falls Convention, 1848-

Which of the following best captures a portion of the author’s argument?

A. Women elected officials have not done enough to pass laws promoting women’s rights.
B. Men and women are legally equal, but women are morally superior.
C. The government has made women subservient by denying them the right to vote.
D. Women have faced too much suffrage due to the actions of the government.

C. The government has made women subservient by denying them the right to vote because she talks a lot about the fact that women have been denied the right to vote by the government and the men around them.

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The language in the first paragraph of the selection most closely parallels that of which of the following documents?

A. The Preamble to the United States Constitution
B. The Declaration of Independence
C. The Federalist 10
D. Brutus 1

B. The Declaration of Independence because the first words to the declaration of independence are “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” - not the preamble of the constitution “We the People…”

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Which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution addresses the grievance that a woman is not permitted “to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise”?

A. Fourteenth Amendment
B. Fifteenth Amendment
C. Seventeenth Amendment
D. Nineteenth Amendment

D. Nineteenth Amendment because it grants women suffrage. The fourteenth amendment grants equal protection and houses the due process clause, the fifteenth amendment grants suffrage no matter the race, while the seventeenth amendment grants the direct election of senators.

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Which statement best explains the information in the graphic? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 9)

A. The secretary was confirmed by a party-line vote.
B. Confirmation was blocked by one party.
C. Independents swayed the vote for the majority.
D. Attempts at compromise were unsuccessful.

A. The secretary was confirmed by a party-line vote because the only republicans voted yes and only democrats and independents voted no. This causes reasonable suspicion that the secretary in question was republican.

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In 2013 a parliamentary procedure was implemented in the Senate that allowed a simple majority vote to end debate on Cabinet member confirmations. Which of the following best explains how the procedural change relates to the information in the graphic? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 9)

A. If the procedural change had not occurred, the nomination of Tom Price would have been approved without delay.
B. The procedural change resulted in Democratic senators adding pork barrel legislation to the appropriations bill that funds the Department of Health and Human services.
C. If the procedural change had not occurred, Republican Senators would not have been able to immediately invoke cloture of a filibuster.
D. The procedural change required Republican senators to nominate a different person for secretary of Health and Human Services.

C. If the procedural change had not occurred, Republican Senators would not have been able to immediately invoke a cloture of a filibuster because they only had a simple majority of the senate and therefore would not have been able to get a full 2/3 to end debate if the change had not occurred.

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Which of the following scenarios explains hoe demographic factors affect voter participation in elections?

A. Wealthier individuals are more likely to become involved in campaigns because they believe that their actions may influence candidates.
B. Individuals who belong to marginalized groups are likely to participate in elections because their issues are often highlighted by political party leaders.
C. Political action committees (PACs) raise money from their donors, which they use to run television advertisements during campaigns.
D. Gerrymandered districts are likely to produce competitive districts, which leads to lower turnout rates in elections.

A. Wealthier individuals are more likely to become involved in campaigns because they believe that their actions may influence candidates because they have more money to donate which will make a candidate be more likely to listen to the donor to continue to get large sums of donations from said donor.

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Critics of the winner-take-all aspect of the electoral college are most likely to make which of the following arguments?

A. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college undermines the rights of the states.
B. A state’s presidential election results rarely mirror a state’s congressional election results.
C. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college drives presidential candidates to focus on winning states that are considered to be part of their core supporters.
D. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college encourages presidential candidates to focus their time and effort disproportionately on battleground states with larger populations.

D. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college encourages presidential candidates to focus their time and effort disproportionately on battleground states with larger populations, for example when presidential candidates visit North Carolina more than they do California because they know that California is going to vote democrat despite it’s large population, they know its a waste of time to go there since it’s practically already decided there. However, North Carolina also has a large population, but it could go either democrat or republic so candidates visit North Carolina to try to get the large number electors in North Carolina to vote for them.

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In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton argued that the federal judiciary “is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power.” Which of the following statements represents a reason he gave for this argument?

A. It has the power of the sword and the power of judgement but lacks the power of the purse.
B. Each branch must be given the ability to defend its power and check the others.
C. The federal government is further from the people and thus less accountable.
D. It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions.

D. It must depend on the executive for enforcement of its decisions because it is not given any other power other than judgement by the constitution.

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The Supreme Court ruled in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) that a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms at home for self-defense is protected from state and federal infringement. Which of the following is most relevant to that decision?

A. Full faith and credit clause
B. Selective incorporation
C. Equal protection
D. Eminent domain

B. Selective incorporation because the case incorporated the 2nd amendment in the bill of rights against the state.

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Which of the following statements regarding political parties is true based on the graphic? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 11)

A. The Democratic Party has consistently favored states’ rights.
B. The Republican Party Initially emerged as an antislavery political party.
C. Regional interests have not played a major role in any of the party systems.
D. The Democratic and Republican Parties were the two major political parties during the First Party System.

B. The Republican Party Initially emerged as an antislavery political party because in the 1856-1892 section, the republican party appeared and says that it was created to oppose slavery and advance industrialization.

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The graphic illustrates which of the following statements about political parties?

A. Federalism leads to a multiparty system in which at least three parties generally compete for control of local, state, and national government.
B. The founders refused to join political parties because they agreed that parties were contrary to the public interests, so parties did not form well after the ratification of the constitution.
C. There is an ongoing debate between political parties over the power and scope of the federal government, even as economic and demographic changes have altered party coalitions.
D. The Constitution settled the debate over the power of the federal government, but political parties formed nonetheless to help Congress organize itself over regional interests.

C. There is an ongoing debate between political parties over the power and scope of the federal government, even as economic and demographic changes have altered party coalitions, for example you can look at today and this is obvious.

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A political science professor is researching the effects that the Fifteenth and Twenty-Sixth Amendments had on the American political system. Which of the following is the most likely reason the professor is researching those amendments?

A. To study the expansion of the right to equal protection under the law.
B. To study the expansion of voting rights.
C. To study the expansion of due process rights
D. To study the expansion of the federal authority over states.

B. The expansion of voting rights because the 15th and 26th amendments increase suffrage.

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South Carolina passed a law to increase the state tax on gasoline to help fund repairs on highways and bridges. The state tax is in addition to the federal tax on every gallon of gasoline that is sold. Which of the following constitutional provisions does this scenario illustrate?

A. Delegated powers
B. Reserved powers
C. Concurrent powers
D. Exclusive powers

C. Concurrent powers because concurrent powers are powers that both the federal and state government have and share.

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Which of the following scenarios best explains the inclusion of Title IX as part of the Education Amendments of 1972?

A. Members of Congress added the amendment to the bill in response to social movements seeking to address inequality in education for women.
B. Paid Lobbyists added the amendment on behalf of teachers unions in order to increase pay and tenure for public school teachers.
C. President Lyndon B. Johnson used the power of the bully pulpit to pressure members of Congress to pass a bill that would legally desegregate schools.
D. The Department of Justice added the amendment in order to provide legal guidance to states to enforce the Equal Rights Amendment.

A. Members of Congress added the amendment to the bill in response to social movements seeking to address inequality in education for women because title ix of the education amendments of 1972 reduces discrimination and inequality of women in education. (A good way to remember this is the NINEteenth amendment increases suffrage to women and title NINE of the education amendments increases equality in education for women.

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Which of the following is an example of Congress using its implied powers?

A. Congress changing the tax code so that individuals making more than 350,000 per year have to pay higher taxes.
B. Congress requesting that the Supreme Court review the constitutionality of a gun-control law.
C. Congress passing occupational safety regulations for the private sector.
D. Congress ratifying a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada.

C. Congress passing occupational safety regulations for the private sector because congress changing tax codes is an expressed power, congress cannot request the supreme court to review the constitutionality of a law because they can only review a case brought to them, and congress ratifying trade agreements with foreign nations is also an expressed power. Thus, the only answer left is C.

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Which of the following statements about Americans’ trust in the mass media is best supported by the data in the graph? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 14)

A. It generally increased over time.
B. It experienced its largest increase in 2013.
C. It generally decreased over time.
D. It experienced its largest decrease in 2016

C. It generally decreased over time because in the graph, most of the time the line is going to the bottom right of the graph.

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Which best describes a likely reason for the information depicted in the graph? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 14)

A. An increase in corners over media bias.
B. An increase in the median age of the population.
C. A decrease in the number of media outlets.
D. A decrease in ideological new coverage.

A. An increase in concerns over media bias because the graph represents the amount of people who have fair trust in the mass media and the graph shows that the amount of people who have fair trust in the mass media decreases over time.

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Which of the following is an example of checks and balances? A. An unpopular Supreme Court ruling can be overturned by a majority vote of both houses of Congress. B. A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. C. A filibuster in the Senate can be ended with a cloture motion that has the support of 60 senators. D. A treaty negotiated by the president with a foreign government must be approved by a majority vote of the House.

B. A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court because checks and balances are when one branch makes sure another does not become too powerful and answer B is the best answer to support checks and balances.

On November 2, 2014, a Gallup Poll reported that 51 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana, while 47 percent oppose legalization. The reported margin of sampling error was +/- 4 percent. which of the following inferences can be made from the poll? A. More people support marijuana legalization than oppose it. B. More states are passing laws in support of marijuana legalization. C. A majority of people under 35 years of age support legalizing marijuana. D. It is unclear whether more people support marijuana legalization than oppose it.

D. It is unclear whether more people support marijuana legalization than oppose it because the margin of sampling error was +/- 4 percent, the percent of people who oppose and support legalization could fluctuate enough to change majorities.

Which of the following situations is an example of the president using the bully pulpit as a tool for agenda setting? A. President Clinton invoking executive privilege in resisting a subpoena by the United States Senate during the Whitewater investigation. B. President Bush issuing a signing statement in the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 that considerably weakened its provisions. C. President Obama issuing an executive order delaying the deportation of at least five million undocumented immigrants. D. President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes.

D. President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes because he used the bully pulpit by reaching out to the people via television to try to spur the public to pressure congress to include the reduction of federal taxes in the policy agenda.

Which of the following is true based on the information on the map? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 16) A. The number of people living in poverty is lower in Maine (ME) than in New Jersey (NJ). B. Northern states tend to have higher poverty rates than Southern states. C. The poverty rate in the United States has increased since the last census was taken. D. The poverty rate in the United States varies by state and region.

D. The poverty rate in the United States varies by state and region because each state and region has the potential to be different from their neighboring states and regions represented in the graph.

Which constitutional principle best explains the differences in poverty rates presented in the map? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 16) A. Checks and balances B. Federalism C. Equal protection D. Enumerated powers.

B. Federalism because anything that has to do with variation between state policies or outlooks is federalism because federalism means the separation of powers between the state and federal governments.

Which of the following statements best explains the diagram? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 17) A. The United States District Court is the starting place for all cases going to the United States Supreme Court. B. State supreme courts have the final say in all cases arising in the states. C. Cases arising at both the state and federal level may be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. D. The number of federal courts is greater than the number of state courts.

C. Cases arising at both the state and federal level may be appealed to the United States Supreme Court because there are many places where cases can originate, state supreme courts do not have the final say in state cases but rather the US supreme court does, and the number of state courts is larger than the number of federal courts, not vice versa.

Which of the following statements best explains the diagram? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 17) A. Article II of the Constitution established the three-tiered court system and the jurisdiction of each court in each tier. B. McCulloch v, Maryland (1819) allowed the Supreme Court to establish other federal courts. C. Article III of the Constitution established a Supreme Court, while other federal courts were established by Congress. D. Marbury v. Madison (1803) allowed Congress to create other federal courts.

C. Article III of the Constitution established a Supreme Court, while other federal courts were established by Congress because Article II was about the executive branch, McCulloch v. Maryland was about the federal government establishing federal banks and the necessary and proper clause expanding federal power, and Marbury v. Madison established judicial review while Congress already had the power to establish other federal courts in Article I of the Constitution

Which of the following is an example of the executive branch implementing a public policy passed by Congress? A. The Department of Health and Human Services determines eligibility requirements for government assistance. B. As chief diplomat, the president negotiates a treaty that is then ratified by the Senate. C. A Federal Trade Commission official is asked to testify before Congress about the agency’s activities. D. Congress passes a law reorganizing the structure of the federal bureaucracy.

A. The Department of Health and Human Services determines eligibility requirements for government assistance because this is bureaucratic discretion where a bureaucracy can make rules to help implement a law passed by Congress.

Which of the following illustrates a situation that would not be protected by the First Amendment due to time, place, and manner restrictions? A. A student is expelled from school for wearing a black T-shirt expressing opposition to a law recently passed by the state legislature. B. An organization regarded as a hate group is not able to obtain a permit to march through a major city because of its message. C. Antibusiness protestors are arrested and prosecuted for shutting down major intersections in New York City’s Times Square during rush hour. D. An independent political advocacy organization is prevented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from running political advertisements on television.

C. Antibusiness protestors are arrested and prosecuted for shutting down major intersections in New York City’s Times Square during rush hour because they could be posing a danger by having to shut down major intersections during rush hour as more people will have to use other roads and cause the smaller roads to be much more congested and in turn hazardous.

Congress passes a law requiring that all public accommodations provide access for people with disabilities. The United States Supreme Court rules that the law does not apply to the airline industry. Which of the following is the best way for Congress to provide people with disabilities access to the airline industry in light of the Court’s ruling? A. Appeal the ruling to the United States Court of Appeals. B. Override the court with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. C. Pass a new law that specifies that the airlines must provide access for people with disabilities. D. Remove members of the Supreme Court who ruled against the law and have the president appoint new justices.

C. Pass a new law that specifies that the airlines must provide access for people with disabilities because the Supreme Court is the highest court and thus the final say, Congress cannot override a ruling, only a future Supreme Court can do that, and Congress cannot remove justices because they don't agree with them.

Which of the following scenarios best explains how the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has influenced political behavior? A. Grassroots libertarian advocacy organizations have advocated in favor of less economic regulation of the marketplace. B. The Supreme Court has ruled that Fifth Amendment prohibition on double jeopardy was made applicable to the states. C. Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., cited constitutional arguments as a basis for opposing segregation and inequality. D. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s State of the Union address urged Congress to pass legislation that would ensure greater economic security for the American people.

C. Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., cited constitutional arguments as a basis for opposing segregation and inequality because the 14th amendment houses the equal protection clause which reduces the amount of discrimination a minority group member receives, and by doing this leaders like MLK Jr. use this amendment to argue the unjust actions of the government and those around them.

Based on the data in the chart, which of the following is true? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 19) A. The percentage of liberal decisions made by the federal districts courts on civil rights and civil liberties cases increased between 1900 and 1928. B. The percentage of liberal decisions made by the Supreme Court on civil rights and civil liberties cases decreased between 1964 and 1996. C. The number of civil rights and civil liberties cases heard by the Supreme Court declined between 1944 and 1952. D. The number of civil rights and civil liberties cases heard by the federal district courts decreased between 1972 and 1992.

B. The percentage of liberal decisions made by the Supreme Court on civil rights and civil liberties cases decreased between 1964 and 1996 because between th2 1964 and the 1996 mark on the bottom of the graph, the line went down to the bottom right side of the graph.

Which of the following factors most likely led to shifts in Supreme Court decision making over time? A. The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time. B. Rather than pass new legislation, Congress was inclined to refer civil rights legislation to the Supreme Court. C. After 1960, the Supreme Court deferred to the wishes of state and local governments rather than voting to expand the authority of the federal government. D. Constitutional amendments enabled the Supreme Court to issue more liberal decisions.

A. The ideological composition of the justices on the Supreme Court shifted to become less liberal over time because considering the general decrease in liberal decisions over time, we can assume the court became less liberal along with their decisions.

The Washington Post receives a top secret report that details how the executive branch mishandled a deal made with a foreign nation regarding nuclear weapons. The executive branch attempts to stop the publishing of the report, but the publishers cite the precedent in New York Times Company v. United States (1971) establishing which of the following legal rules? A. The application of strict scrutiny. B. The exclusionary rule for evidence. C. The heavy presumption against prior restraint. D. Time, place, and manner restrictions.

C. The heavy presumption against prior restraint because prior restraint is where the government tries to hold something from being published before it is published rather than putting charges on something after it is published and that is exactly what happened in NYT Co. v. US.

A person votes for Democratic candidates based on the belief that the policies of the Democratic Party will be personally beneficial. This type of voting matches which of the following voting behavior models? A. Prospective voting B. Retrospective voting C. Split-ticket voting D. Sociological voting

A. Prospective voting because retrospective voting is when one votes for a party based on what said party has done in the past (hence the retro) and split ticket voting is when one votes for different candidates of different parties in different offices in the same election.

In May of 2015, a federal appeals court ruled that the National Security Agency’s collection of Americans’ phone records was in violation of the USA PATRIOT Act. Which of the following core values are involved in the national debate regarding the surveillance program referred to in this scenario? A. Liberty versus stability and order. B. Majority rule versus minority rights. C. States' rights versus federal authority D. Common good versus freedom of expression

A. Liberty versus stability and order because the US was began collecting Americans phone records after 9/11 because the US was scared of terrorism so they had to sacrifice their liberty for stability and order.

Which of the following accurately compares the powers of Congress and the president? A. Congress has greater control: Judicial appointments - President has greater control: Foreign policy B. Congress has greater control: Budgetary policy - President has greater control: Cabinet appointments C. Congress has greater control: The bureaucracy - President has greater control: Fiscal policy D. Congress has greater control: Military leadership - President has greater control: Foreign treaties

B. Congress has greater control: Budgetary policy - President has greater control: Cabinet appointments because for all of the other answers, the president has more power over the answers given for the Congress.

Which of the following is a correct comparison between the United States Constitution and the Articles of Confederation? A. United States Constitution: Favored stronger national government - Articles of Confederation: Favored a federal government B. United States Constitution: Granted Congress the power to levy taxes - Articles of Confederation: Granted states alone the power to levy taxes C. United States Constitution: Required approval by three-fourths of Congress for a constitutional amendment - Articles of Confederation: Required unanimity of Congress to amend D. United States Constitution: Granted Congress the power to declare war - Articles of Confederation: Granted Congress the power to regulate trade

B. United States Constitution: Granted Congress the power to levy taxes - Articles of Confederation: Granted states alone the power to levy taxes because this one is the best comparison as both answers are correct and relevant to each other.

Which of the following is an accurate description of the powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate? A. House of Representatives: Conducts impeachment trials - Senate: Passes articles of impeachment B. House of Representatives: Initiates all revenue bills - Senate: Confirms presidential appointments C. House of Representatives: Ratifies treaties submitted by the president - Senate: Ratifies executive orders submitted by the president D. House of Representatives: Deploys troops for foreign combat - Senate: Negotiates treaties with foreign countries

B. House of Representatives: Initiates all revenue bills - Senate: Confirms presidential appointments because the senate does not pass articles of impeachment, revenue bills and presidential appointments are not relevant to each other, and the house does not deploy troops for combat.

Which of the following is a correct comparison of the positions of libertarians and conservatives on matters of social policy? A. Libertarians: Support the right of same-sex marriage - Conservatives: Oppose the right of same-sex marriage B. Libertarians: Oppose the criminalization of recreational drug use - Conservatives: Support stricter gun control laws C. Libertarians: Support the use of the death penalty - Conservatives: Oppose the use of the death penalty D. Libertarians: Support laws to restrict abortion - Conservatives: Oppose affirmative action programs

A. Libertarians: Support the right of same-sex marriage - Conservatives: Oppose the right of same-sex marriage because conservatives oppose stricter gun control laws, conservative do not oppose the use of the death penalty, and abortion and affirmative action programs are not relevant to each other.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the checks held by the legislative and judicial branches? A. Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Impeaching and removing federal judges - Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Declaring an entire law unconstitutional B. Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Confirming federal judges - Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Reviewing laws prior to enactment C. Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Appointing federal judges - Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Striking down a portion of a law D. Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Establishing the number of Supreme Court justices - Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Removing the Speaker of the House

A. Legislative checks to the judicial branch: Impeaching and removing federal judges - Judicial checks to the legislative branch: Declaring an entire law unconstitutional because the judiciary cannot review laws before they have been passed or enacted, the legislative branch does not appoint judges or justices, and the judiciary cannot remove the speaker of the house.

Which of the following scenarios is most closely related to the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)? A. A member of Congress establishes a political action committee to gain influence within the chamber. B. A labor union spends millions of dollars to independently run negative advertisements about a presidential candidate shortly before the election. C. A state senator receives a large cash donation from a corporate executive in exchange for specific political favors. D. A lobbyist writes the language of a bill that is later introduced into both chambers of Congress.

B. A labor union spends millions of dollars to independently run negative advertisements about a presidential candidate shortly before the election because that is essentially what happened in the case Citizens United v. FEC (2010).

A member of Congress who advocates for a more Keynesian approach to solving a recession will likely support which of the following policies? A. Lowering taxes on the wealthy to increase business investment. B. Doing nothing and letting the recession work itself out. C. Increasing federal spending on infrastructure programs. D. Increasing interest rates and reducing the money supply.

C. Increasing federal spending on infrastructure programs because a Keynesian approach would be like deficit spending to help the economy.

In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. -Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973- Which of the following statements is a correct implication of the author’s argument? A. The modern president has abused the power of the executive branch through the use of the bully pulpit. B. Federal courts play a substantial role in the American political system, but they have been unable to check the executive. C. The perception of multiple crises has led to the growth of an executive branch that is undermining the separation of powers in the government. D. The Constitution has failed to protect the separation of powers by giving the executive branch and the president too much power.

C. The perception of multiple crises has led to the growth of an executive branch that is undermining the separation of powers in the government.

Based on the passage above, which of the following constitutional provisions would the author most likely identify as a solution to the problem of the imperial presidency? A. Congress exercising the power to regulate commerce. B. Congress insisting that it declare war prior to the use of international force. C. The president making stronger use of bureaucratic discretion. D. Congress creating term limits for all members of government.

B. Congress insisting that it declare war prior to the use of international force.

Which of the following situations best reflects the author’s concern about an “imperial” presidency? A. The Senate ratifying treaties without executive approval. B. The president issuing an increasing number of executive agreements. C. Congress declaring war independent of the president. D. The president appointing a new secretary of education.

B. The president issuing an increasing number of executive agreements.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the text by Schlesinger and The Federalist 70? A. While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency’s effectiveness. B. While The Federalist 70 views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, Schlesinger views it as vital to the presidency’s effectiveness. C. Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous. D. Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as vital to the presidency’s effectiveness.

A. While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency’s effectiveness.

Which of the following is a limitation of the data when drawing a conclusion about the most important problem facing the country in 2017? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/ap-us-government-and-politics-2019-released-exam-mcq-1.pdf - Pg 25) A. The results are incomplete, as only 3% of respondents were taken into account when the list was compiled. B. The data were collected in a short time frame, which does not reveal full-year trends. C. The data were compiled from an exit poll; therefore, the data reflect only the views of registered voters. D. Respondents were presented with a list of problems from which they could choose more than one.

B. The data were collected in a short time frame, which does not reveal full-year trends because the data was only collected between January and February of 2017 which is too short of a time to get enough data.

Which of the following represents the most likely way the information in the table will be used? A. The media will use the data to present horse race coverage of elections. B. Political action committees (PACs) will use the data to determine which candidates for elected office they will support. C. Congress will use the data to suggest that there is support for their legislative proposals. D. Social movements will use this data in their legal briefings before the federal courts.

C. Congress will use the data to suggest that there is support for their legislative proposals because if this information is not very relevant to what would be covered in horse-race journalism...

A person claiming that the House can pass legislation with a simple majority, but the Senate is unlikely to pass legislation unless a bill has the support of a 60-vote supermajority is most likely to cite which of the following institutional differences as the cause of this trend? A. The House has fewer legislative committees than the Senate does. B. Members of the House often represent a much narrower constituency than senators do. C. Party leadership in the House is highly formalized, while leadership in the Senate is much more informal. D. The House has strict limits on debate, while the Senate allows unlimited debate.

D. The House has strict limits on debate, while the senate allows unlimited debate because the senate has filibusters which can only be ended by a supermajority vote of 60 senators so it is much less likely for a bill to be passed without a party having a supermajority to end a debate.

Arizona enacted an immigration law in 2010, claiming the legislation complemented existing federal law. The Obama administration disagreed, claiming the state law conflicted with national law. Which clause of the Constitution did the Supreme Court most likely use to strike down a section of the state law? A. Commerce clause B. Necessary and proper clause C. Full faith and credit clause D. Supremacy clause

D. Supremacy clause because the supremacy clause states if a federal and a state law conflict, the federal law wins because it is supreme over the state law.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of concurrent powers? A. The president negotiates a treaty regarding climate change with foreign governments, but for the treaty to take effect, it requires approval by the senate. B. As commander-in-chief of the military, the president orders troops to a foreign nation to address a potential threat to national security. C. A Senate committee holds a hearing to discuss potential misuse of funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs. D. The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the United States, while the other 75% of the funding comes from states.

D. The federal government provides about 25% of the total funding for highways and transit in the United States, while the other 75% of the funding comes from states because both the federal and state government can provide funds for projects.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a member of Congress supporting pork-barrel legislation? A. A senator from a coal-producing state voting against a job-training program for coal miners. B. A member of the House voting for urban renewal in exchange for increased funding for roads. C. A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state. D. A member of the House Armed Services Committee making up a bill that will increase funding for military bases.

C. A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state because the bill is already made and they are making it more appealing by adding funding for a project they support.

In which of the following situations would be the Supreme Court be most likely to utilize the doctrine of selective incorporation? A. When an individual claims that a right protected by the Bill of Rights is infringed upon the state. B. When there is a conflict among the branches of the national government. C. When a federal policy shifting oversight authority from a national agency to a state agency is challenged. D. When a former employee files a wrongful termination claim against a company headquartered in another state.

A. When an individual claims that a right protected by the Bill of Rights is infringed upon the state because the court uses selective incorporation with the bill of rights.

Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information? A. Investigative reporting dominates the news because it is less expensive than political commentary. B. Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption. C. The media is increasingly controlled by the major political parties, who determine which stories are covered by the press. D. There has been an increase in social media and Internet news consumption by the public, causing the top five media conglomerates to have greater control over public opinion.

B. Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption because more news operations have their own channels on cable televisions and periodically throughout the day have news broadcasts about various things that come up. For example, WRAL and the Today Show.

Which of the following statements is most accurately supported by the data in the table? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%205-6%20Table.jpg) A. President Clinton greatly reduce the use of presidential signing statements compared with his predecessors. B. While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections that President Clinton's. C. President Clinton's brief access to the power of the line-item veto allowed him to issue fewer signing statements that raised concerns about legislation. D. President George W. Bush was forced to issue more signing statements as a direct result of the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001.

B. While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his included more objections that President Clinton's because according to the table, President Clinton issued 381 signing statements total 70 of them being objections, while President George W. Bush issued 161 total signing statements 127 of which being objections.

Which of the following best explains a reason that a president might use a signing statement to express displeasure with a bill as opposed to issuing a veto? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%205-6%20Table.jpg) A. The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk congress overriding a veto. B. Congress has severely curtailed the power of the president to withhold funds of bills that have been adopted. C. The Supreme Court is hesitant to acknowledge the president's power to veto legislation. D. The president want to ensure executive agencies do not spend the money appropriated by Congress.

A. The president may have objections to provisions of a bill but does not want to risk congress overriding a veto because congress were able to override his veto, the law would have everything that Congress agreed on. If he issues a signing statement for Congress expressing what he would like to be changed or added, Congress would be more likely to amend the bill for the President as getting him to sign is easier than overriding his veto.

Which of the following describes the Twenty-Fourth Amendment? A. It desegregated places of public accommodation. B. It required elections for the United States Senate. C. It reduced barriers to political participation on the basis of gender. D. It eliminated poll taxes.

D. It eliminated poll taxes because the 24th amendment states "The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax."

On February 9, 2016, President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the 2017 fiscal year. Facing a Republican Congress, many declared the plan "dead on arrival." Among the cited issues was Obama's request for $582.7 billion in discretionary spending for defense, which many Republicans believed was not enough. Which of the following most accurately explains the interaction between the president and the Congress regarding the defense budget? A. The Congress has the enumerated power to raise revenue, but it is forces to work with the president because the president has the power to determine spending for each department in the upcoming fiscal year. B. The president can create a budget for defense spending, but Congress has the power to execute laws and operate the government, which can affect how much money is actually spent. C. Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill. D. The president introduces a specific budget for defense spending but Congress uses its power of legislative oversight to set up a negotiation process with the president.

C. Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill because the Constitution gives Congress the power to make a budget for the federal government, but it also gives the President the power to veto the budget bill, so it would be in Congress' best interest to consider the President's suggestions.

Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%209-10%20Picture.jpg) A. State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government's mandates. B. State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states. C. State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent. D. The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities.

C. State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent because the picture shows a person representing the federal government giving money and oversight to a person representing the state governments agreeing to the money but refusing the oversight.

Which of the following policies would the states most likely prefer according to the political cartoon? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%209-10%20Picture.jpg) A. Federal Mandates B. Regulatory Preemption C. Block Grants D. Categorical Grants

C. Block Grants because block grants are "blocks" or funds that the federal government grants to the states for a general area to spend on, but doesn't make them use it on a specific program.

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them or geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of the party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.... It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. Which of the following newspaper headlines best summarizes the excerpt from Washington's Farewell Address? A. Washington Boasts of the potential of the New Republic B. Washington Warns of Dangerous Party Factions C. Washington Endorses a Stronger Executive Branch D. Washington Takes Negative view of Checks and Balances.

B. Washington Warns of Dangerous Party Factions because in his farewell address, George Washington warns that factions are dangerous and will make the nation more divided.

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them or geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of the party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.... It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. In what respect does the Constitution address Washington's concern regarding the "spirit of encroachment" expressed in the excerpt? A. The Constitution distributes power across national institutions. B. The Constitution provides for equal representation of all citizens in Congress. C. The Constitution requires a simple majority vote in congress to overturn a veto. D. The Constitution requires the Supreme Court to approve all legislation.

A. The Constitution distributes power across national institutions because the Constitution uses separation of powers and separates the government's powers across several branches and institutions so that no one group or individual will become too powerful and tyrannical.

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them or geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of the party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.... It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. Which of the following scenarios illustrates Washington's concerns? A. An increasing number of voters are not turning out to vote in elections. B. Federalism can lead to different public policy outcomes between states. C. Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock. D. Members of the press fail to report on the illegal activities of certain members of the bureaucracy.

C. Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock because Washington fears parties, it would make sense that he would be especially nervous for Congress to be divided. He would be worried that they would not be able to agree on anything and not make any decisions.

Which of the following sets of policies would most likely be supported by a libertarian? A. Increase income and capital gains taxes on the wealthy to raise revenue for social security benefits B. Legalization of the commercial sale of marijuana and a reduction in government spending on prisons C. Elimination of the estate tax and promotion of government-funded prekindergarten education D. Expansion of the welfare state and a reduction in spending on national defense

B. Legalization of the commercial sale of marijuana and a reduction in government spending on prisons because a Libertarian wants the government to stay out of the economy and have as little government rule as possible without anarchy. This is the only choice in which the government lets go of the economy and government funded programs.

"If, therefore, the legislature pass any laws, inconsistent with the sense the judges put upon the constitution, they will declare it void; and therefore in this respect their power is superior to that of the legislature." -Brutus 15 Which of the following cases is most related to the quote? A. Marbury v. Madison (1803) B. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) C. McDonald v. Chicago (2010) D. United States v. Lopez (1995)

A. Marbury v. Madison (1803) because?

Which of the following is generally the most important agent of political socialization? A. Family B. The media C. Place of birth D. Social class

A. Family because generally, one's family will have the biggest impact on their political opinion which is why many people take a political position similar or opposite to their family's.

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy? A. A lobbyist representing the National Rifle Association refusing to meet with employees from the Department of Homeland Security B. The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee C. The White House chief of staff being formally censured by the president for publicly speaking out against the president's policy goals D. A federal judge being impeached for making legal decisions based on bribes

B. The secretary of defense being called to testify before a congressional committee because Congress has a formal power given by the Constitution of legislative oversight which allows them to ensure the bureaucracy is carrying out a law they made by means like holding hearings.

Which of the following constitutional amendments is most related to the issue shown on the map? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2018-19%20Map.jpg) A. Second Amendment B. Eighth Amendment C. Sixteenth Amendment D. Twenty-Sixth Amendment

B. Eighth Amendment because the map shows the states with or without capital punishment. The eighth amendment protects people from cruel and unusual punishment.

Which of the following constitutional principles best explains why there is variation among states on the use of capital punishment? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2018-19%20Map.jpg) A. Separation of powers B. Judicial review C. Checks and balances D. Federalism

D. Federalism because anything having to do with different states having different rules is Federalism.

An important Senate race takes place in the state of Georgia. Rather than focus on the issue positions taken by the candidates, a 24-hour cable news station instead focuses primarily on poll results and campaign strategies using a "big board" to show the counties where each candidate has the most support. Which of the following is an effect of this type of new coverage? A. The electorate will be increasingly divided along partisan lines. B. The electorate will be more likely to turn out to vote on Election Day. C. The electorate will be more likely to have expanded knowledge of the electoral process. D. The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.

D. The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election because there will be less news companies focusing on the policy platforms of the candidates in their news coverage making it more difficult for electorates to find news coverage of the candidate's policy platforms.

Which of the following is an example of how separation of powers creates friction between the executive and legislative branches in the policy-making process? A. The electoral college vote ends with no candidate receiving a majority of the votes, and the House of Representatives is delegated the task of selecting the next president. B. The Senate votes to impeach a sitting president for high crimes and misdemeanors. C. The secretary of state is dispatched along with a delegation of senators to negotiate a treaty with a foreign government. D. The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress continues to refuse to take action.

D. The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress continues to refuse to take action because often times, the President decides there should be a policy for something but they can't make legislation so they suggest to Congress an issue. Congress then decides to ignore the issue and the President decides that if Congress won't do something he has to take it into his own hands and has to threaten to make an executive order.

A new president has been elected after running on a campaign of lowering taxes and reducing spending on discretionary programs but now must work with Congress to ensure legislation passes which achieves those goals. Which of the leaders in the diagram plays the most critical role in shaping the legislation that the president wants passed? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2022-23%20Diagram.jpg) A. President pro-tempore B. Vice president C. Speaker of the House D. House majority leader

C. Speaker of the House because all appropriations bills start in the House and must be passed in the House to make it to the Senate. The most advantageous leader to have on the President's side for a idea like this would be the Speaker of the House for this reason.

Based on your knowledge and the diagram, which of the following is true regarding the leadership structure of Congress? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2022-23%20Diagram.jpg) A. The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party. B. The vice president is responsible for creating and setting the legislative agenda for the Senate. C. The Speaker of the House has very little power to control members of the majority party in the House of Representatives. D. The majority party leaders in both chambers work to ensure that a bipartisan agenda is passed in the Congress.

A. The role of the minority leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is to coordinate a strategy for the minority party because the minority party in either chambers can't really do much except try to coordinate strategies for themselves.

In the 1780s, proponents of the new Constitution cited Shays' Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? A. The national government did not provide sufficient protection of individual rights. B. The lack of a centralized judiciary made enforcement of national laws difficult. C. States with larger populations were underrepresented in Congress. D. There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns.

D. There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns because the nation couldn't defend itself from Shay's rebellion since it couldn't raise a standing army, so out of all of the choices, this answer makes the most sense.

The majority party in the Senate is concerned that the Supreme Court has made a number of ideologically dangerous and controversial rulings. Which of the following action could be taken by the Senate to limit the Supreme Court's power? A. Replace the chief justice of the Supreme Court with someone with whom they agree with ideologically. B. Pass legislation already passed by the House that would limit the impact of the Supreme Court's recent rulings. C. Ratify a constitutional amendment limiting the Supreme Court's power. D. Enforce term limits for justices on the Supreme Court.

B. Pass legislation already passed by the House that would limit the impact of the Supreme Court's recent rulings because Congress can't just replace a justice if they don't agree with a decision, and it would be inefficient to make an amendment to limit the court's power. (Congress couldn't enforce term limits for justices without making an amendment either)

Which of the following is most likely responsible for the increase in the number of southern African American state legislators between 1960 and 1992 as shown in the graph? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2026-27%20Graph.jpg) A. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 B. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) C. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 D. The Nineteenth Amendment

C. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 because it allowed more people to vote which would mean more minorities would vote for minority legislators.

Which of the following statements presents the most important limitation of the data in the graph? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2026-27%20Graph.jpg) A. The time frame for the data is misleading B. There is no information about the total number of legislators. C. There are insufficient data points to detect a trend. D. The trend over time is potentially misleading and would be easier to read in a pie chart.

B. There is no information about the total number of legislators because the time frame for the data was made clear, there are about 20 points on the graph which easily represents a trend, and the trend would be more difficult to read on a pie chart because it would be difficult to understand without the times.

Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety? A. The Supreme Court will be asked to review the legislation annually. B. States will be empowered to begin automobile manufacturing. C. The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations. D. Mandatory spending will be required in all future federal budgeting for the program.

C. The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations because the supreme court can only review legislation that is brought in front of them in a case, states would be less incentivized to make more automobiles as there are more rules regarding safety, and mandatory spending for all future federal budgeting is not relevant to this scenario.

A media organization is interested in reporting election results in a congressional election prior to the final tally of votes which will not occur until later in the evening. The organization randomly selects several polling places across the district asking voters whom they voted for. The type of poll being use in this scenario is known as A. an exit poll B. a benchmark poll C. an opinion poll D. a tracking poll

A. an exit poll because and exit poll is a poll taken at a polling place when people leave the area, in this example, the organization selected polling places and asked voters whom they voted for as they were leaving.

The clause of the United States Constitution that was used in the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) was A. The due process clause B. The necessary and proper clause C. The free exercise clause D. The equal protection clause

D. The equal protection clause because a black student was denied the ability to go to a school closer to her home because it was a white school. This was denying her equal rights protected by the equal protection clause in the 14th amendment.

A 2017 study in The American Economic Review found that watching Fox News during an election cycle increased a Democrat's chances of voting Republican by 28%. Conversely, by watching MSNBC Republicans were more inclined to vote Democrat by 8%. This scenario best illustrates which of the following about the media? A. Increased media choices ten dot reinforce existing beliefs when citizens are offered ideological choices in programming. B. Cable news programming is often times ideologically driven and effective in persuading citizens to adopt their point of view. C. The consumption of news tends to increase voter participation for Republicans but is less effective in increasing participation of Democrats. D. Modern political parties have launched air campaigns to persuade voters by purchasing advertisements on 24-hour news networks.

B. Cable news programming is often times ideologically driven and effective in persuading citizens to adopt their point of view because in the question, they talk about MSNBC having the ability to increase the inclination of republicans to vote democrat by 8% and Fox News having the ability to do the same for Democrats to vote republican by 28%. This answer makes the most sense in this question.

In the Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for A. a single executive who can respond quickly to crises B. a president who has a good understanding of public policy C. an electoral college in the selection of the president D. a president who is youthful and assertive

A. a single executive who can respond quickly to crises because Federalist 70 talks specifically about having a strong executive that respond quickly to crises but it does not talk about a president who can understand public policy, an electoral college system, or a president that is youthful and assertive.

Which of the following Supreme Court decisions allows public school students to wear T-shirts protesting a school board decision that eliminates funding for high school arts programs? A. Engel v. Vitale (1962) B. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) C. Tinker v, Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) D. New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

C. Tinker v, Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) because in Tinker v. Des Moines, A couple of students wore black arm bands because they opposed the war. The students were not allowed to come back to school until they agreed to stop wearing the armband. In this scenario, the students wore T-shirts protesting a decision to cut funding for high-school arts programs. The 2 cases are very similar meaning the decision from Tinker v. Des Moines was probably used as a precedent in this situation.

Given the information in the graph, in which of the following states would an individual's vote likely have more influence? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2034-35%20Graph.jpg) A. Wyoming B. West Virginia C. Alabama D. California

A. Wyoming because according to the graph, Wyoming has the least amount of people out of the 4 options. We know that the people a state has, the more an individual's vote counts for in the electoral college.

The data in the graph best illustrate which of the following common criticisms of the electoral college? A. Small states have fewer electoral votes than large states and therefore have no impact on presidential elections. B. Individuals in small-population states have a greater impact on the electoral college than individuals in large-population states. C. Candidates from states with a large number of electoral votes have a major advantage in the electoral college. D. Smaller states have more electoral votes than larger states, which distorts the popular vote.

A voter's decision to support the incumbent president in an upcoming election is based on recent economic growth and record low unemployment. Which of the following models of voting behavior best characterizes this voter's decision? A. Prospective voting B. Party-line voting C. Retrospective voting D. Rational choice voting

C. Retrospective voting because the voter is looking back on the recent economic growth and record low unemployment to decide who they want to vote for in the election.

During his confirmation hearing, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that Roe v. Wade (1973) "is the settled law of the land." This statement suggests that in a future case that challenges the constitutionality of legislation restricting privacy and reproductive rights, which of the following should be a key factor in the court's ruling? A. Briefs submitted by interested parties B. Contemporary societal norms C. The consensus of the other justices D. Reliance on legal precedent

D. Reliance on legal precedent because when he says the "settled law of the land" he means that the decision should be final and upheld like how the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land".

In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation.... ....While our Government has many programs directed at those issues, I do not pretend that we have the full answer to those problems. But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings...on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. Which of the following actions did President Johnson suggest he would take to address problems in public schools? A. Driving down the cost of education by removing ineffective teachers B. Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education C. Increasing school accountability by requiring schools to show evidence of improvement D. Scaling back the role of the federal government and allowing state and local governments to take the lead in education policy

B. Calling on experts to advise the federal government in finding ways to improve public education because he says "I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings...on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society".

In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation.... ....While our Government has many programs directed at those issues, I do not pretend that we have the full answer to those problems. But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings...on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. By using the phrase "creative federalism," President Johnson is most likely referring to which of the following features of the American system? A. The relationship between the federal and state governments evolves over time and is flexible enough to permit new forms of interaction. B. National policy making is constrained by the sharing of power between the three branches of government. C. The balance of power between the states and federal government has been trending toward more federal regulation and less state control. D. Congress may use the commerce clause to address problems in public schools such as lack of resources and school safety.

A. The relationship between the federal and state governments evolves over time and is flexible enough to permit new forms of interaction because when he says "creative federalism" it makes sense that he would refer to making new forms of interactions between the governments as creating something new is a form of creativity.

In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation.... ....While our Government has many programs directed at those issues, I do not pretend that we have the full answer to those problems. But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings...on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. Which of the following explains President Johnson's motivation for the speech in relation to his role as the head of the executive branch? A. President Johnson believes that Congress will soon pass a bill on education reform, and he would like to be able to claim credit for it. B. President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. C. President Johnson is expecting the Supreme Court to soon rule on the constitutionality of a law passed by the previous administration. D. President Johnson is issuing an executive order calling on local governments to increase training for teachers and address poverty among students.

B. President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education because he doesn't seem to believe that another branch plan to do anything with education at the moment, and he didn't make an executive order, but he seems to be addressing the public with the issue to raise awareness and hopes that by doing this, Congress might then make legislation for it.

In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation.... ....While our Government has many programs directed at those issues, I do not pretend that we have the full answer to those problems. But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings...on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. A liberal response to the "strained resources" of local government most likely would include A. a reduction of federal income taxes so that state and local governments can use those resources B. less federal regulation and more authority for local school boards to create curricula and standards C. an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities D. encouraging state and local governments to offer vouchers so that students can attend private or charter schools.

C. an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities because liberals are typically in favor of more government spending for programs to help less fortunate groups.

In a public opinion poll, a polling company used an online survey tool to randomly contact respondents who did not have telephone lines in addition to contacting people over the phone. Which of the following best explains this decision? A. The company saved money because it did not need to hire as many telephone interviewers to conduct the poll. B. The company was establishing a benchmark poll at the beginning of a campaign. C. The company was interested in asking different questions to different idividuals. D. The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random.

D. The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random because the company's savings or spendings are irrelevant in this question, this question does not provide enough information to tell which kind of poll is being done, and the question does not specify what question or questions they asked to the respondents so this answer makes the most sense for this scenario.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of rights protected and not protected by the First Amendment? A. Protected: Libel/slander; Not Protected: Fighting words B. Protected: Freedom of religion; Not Protected: Freedom assembly C. Protected: The right to burn a flag; Not Protected: Obscenity D. Protected: Online newspapers; Not Protected: The right of a student to pray in school

C. Protected: The right to burn a flag; Not Protected: Obscenity because the right to burn a flag is considered symbolic speech, and obscenity is not protected by the first amendment because it's obscenity.

Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution? A. Articles of Confederation: Protection of individual liberties; Constitution: No protection of specific individual rights B. Articles of Confederation: Powerful executive branch; Constitution: Federal government supreme over states C. Articles of Confederation: Unicameral legislature; Constitution: Bicameral legislature D. Articles of Confederation: Amendment requires unanimity of all states; Constitution: Amendment requires the president's approval

C. Articles of Confederation: Unicameral legislature; Constitution: Bicameral legislature because the Articles of Confederation did not specifically protect individual liberties, did not have an executive, the Constitution does specifically protect individual rights, and the last answer is not the best comparison.

Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president? A. Formal Power: Vetoing legislation to prevent a bill from becoming law; Informal Power: Using a pocket veto to prevent a bill from becoming law B. Formal Power: Using the bully pulpit to influence public opinion; Informal Power: Appointing ambassadors and receiving diplomats from other nations C. Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military; Informal Power: Singing executive agreements with foreign nations D. Formal Power: Using the power of the purse to support government programs; Informal Power: Using signing statements to shape legislation

C. Formal Power: Acting as commander in chief of the military; Informal Power: Singing executive agreements with foreign nations because the Constitution gives the president the power to command the military, but does not specifically give him the power to sign executive agreements.

Which of the following makes a correct comparison between political parties and interest groups in the United States? A. Political Parties: Political parties recruit and run candidates in elections; Interest Groups: Interest groups seek to influence public policy B. Political Parties: Political parties have small constituencies and thus try to win elections by energizing their base to vote for them; Interest groups: Interest groups alert and educate voters regarding pending legislation C. Political Parties: Political parties have organizations that donate money to candidates for public office; Interest Groups: Interest groups are barred by law from donating money to political campaigns D. Political Parties: Political parties achieve the bulk of the changes they seek through the use of the courts; Interest Groups: Interest groups build relationships with congressional committees and the bureaucracy to form iron triangles.

A. Political Parties: Political parties recruit and run candidates in elections; Interest Groups: Interest groups seek to influence public policy because political parties do not receive the bulk of the changes they seek through courts, interest groups are not barred by law from donating money to campaigns, and A is the best comparison because they are both talking about how they try to influence policies.

Which of the following pair of Supreme Court cases best illustrates how views of federalism have shifted in the United States? A. Case 1: Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka (1954); Case 2: Baker v. Carr (1962) B. Case 1: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819); Case 2: United States v. Lopez (1995) C. Case 1: Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010); Case 2: McDonald v. Chicago (2010) D. Case 1: Schenk v. United States (1919); New York Times v. United States (1971)

B. Case 1: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819); Case 2: United States v. Lopez (1995) because the two cases had the largest gap between them out of the options for this question.

Which of the following is true based on the information graphic? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2048-49%20Diagram.jpg) A. All citizens over 18 years old are eligible to vote regardless of where they live, but only about 56% actually do vote. B. Voters from 18 and 54 are far more likely to vote than voters over 54, but this can depend on which stat they live in. C. Over 75% of the population is eligible to vote, but only about half the electorate actually voted in the presidential election. D. Voters ages 18-35 are less likely to vote because some states restrict voting only to citizens over the age of 21.

C. Over 75% of the population is eligible to vote, but only about half the electorate actually voted in the presidential election because according to the graphic, only 77% of the population is eligible to vote and only 56% of the population participated in the 2016 election.

Which of the following best explains why eligibility criteria vary by state as shown on the information graphic? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2048-49%20Diagram.jpg) A. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment is not incorporated to the states. B. States can create criteria for voting rights so long as they do not violate the United States Constitution. C. The president is selected through the electoral college process, and therefore citizens do not actually have a real vote in presidential elections. D. The Voting Rights Act guarantees that each state may determine its own procedures for elections.

B. States can create criteria for voting rights so long as they do not violate the United States Constitution because according to the graphic, the states reserve the right to determine other criteria for voting eligibility.

Which of the following scenarios is an example of the trustee model of representation? A. The NAACP leadership sends representatives to Washington to lobby for changes to the Voting Rights Act. B. Congress passes a bill allocating money to clean up nuclear waste sites after a wave of large-scale peaceful protests. C. A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down national debt. D. A presidential candidate advocates using an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors.

C. A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down national debt because a trustee model of representation is a person the people put their trust in to vote the way their constituents want them to. The first and second choice is not focused on an individual and can't be a delegate or trustee model.

Two interest groups are competing for influence in Congress. One group represents banking institutions, while the other advocates for consumer protections. A critic of the influence of interest groups would make which of the following claims? A. The interest groups will nominate a slate of candidates for office to compete against each other in the next election in order to determine which interests prevail. B. The consumer protection group will appeal only to Republican leaders, while the banking interests will appeal only to Democratic leaders. C. The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers that the consumer protection group. D. The consumer protection group is prohibited by federal regulations from direct lobbying.

C. The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group because?

Which of the following is a likely effect of the trend depicted in the bar graph on voting and elections? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2052-53%20Graph.jpg) A. There will be fewer restrictions placed on voting. B. Voter turnout is likely to increase among non-Whites. C. The Democratic Party will win more elections, based on current voting trends. D. There will be more retrospective voting among young voters.

C. The Democratic Party will win more elections, based on current voting trends because the projection currently shows that the non-white voter turnout will increase meaning minority races will participate in elections more and likely vote democrat.

Which of the following best explains how political parties are likely to respond to the data in the chart? (file:///C:/Users/guess/Downloads/AP%20Gov%20MCQ%2052-53%20Graph.jpg) A. Political parties are likely to continue to stand by their traditional positions and not bother to appeal to groups that have not bother to appeal to groups that have not previously been included in their base. B. Political parties will adapt their positions and find ways to appeal to voters from growing demographic groups. C. Political parties will adapt by switching from candidate-centered campaigns to campaigns that strategically mobilize voters across the country with a consistent message. D. Political parties will advocate for proportional representational systems so that groups with larger populations are able to win seats and be represented more fairly in government.

B. Political parties will adapt their positions and find ways to appeal to voters from growing demographic groups because they want more votes and by finding ways to appeal to more people, they will (in theory) earn more votes.

A public school district implemented a policy that allowed students to vote on whether they wanted a student-led prayer to be read at football games. This policy was later found to be unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Which of the following clauses did the policy most likely violate? A. The interstate commerce clause B. The free exercise clause C. The supremacy clause D. The establishment clause

D. The establishment clause because the establishment clause ensures that the government will not "establish" a national religion. This means that any and all government operations will not establish a religion in their operation for their people. (With the exception of Congress starting their meetings with a prayer because it ties deeply into American history) This includes schools because public schools are run by the government.

Which of the following Supreme Court cases established that those accused of felonies who cannot afford legal counsel are entitled to legal counsel provided by the state? A. United States v. Lopez (1995) B. McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) D. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Practice Exam MC Sections Flashcards

2019 and 2020 AP Practice Exams (110 cards)