Question 1

Which of the following would best be described as a case where incorporation occurs?

Accepted Answer

A)  NFIB v. Sebelius (2012), where the Supreme Court decided that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional due to the taxing clause in the U.S. Constitution 
B)  Marbury v. Madison (1803), where the Supreme Court established its power over judicial review 
C)  Baker v. Carr (1962), in which the Supreme Court established the "one man, one vote" standard 
D)  McDonald v. Chicago (2010), where the right to bear arms is extended to state and local governments 
E)  Loving v. Virginia (1967), where interracial marriage bans are struck down 
A)  NFIB v. Sebelius (2012), where the Supreme Court decided that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional due to the taxing clause in the U.S. Constitution 
B)  Marbury v. Madison (1803), where the Supreme Court established its power over judicial review 
C)  Baker v. Carr (1962), in which the Supreme Court established the "one man, one vote" standard 
D)  McDonald v. Chicago (2010), where the right to bear arms is extended to state and local governments 
E)  Loving v. Virginia (1967), where interracial marriage bans are struck down

Question 2

Why is balance so important to the question of rights and liberties decisions by the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)  Balance allows for future nuance in rulings. 
B)  Balance serves to help maintain a society that is both ordered and protects rights and liberties. 
C)  Balance allows the other branches of government to make decisions. 
D)  Balance makes the public debate the issue more thoroughly. 
E)  Balance leads to generally calmer discourse on policy. 
A)  Balance allows for future nuance in rulings. 
B)  Balance serves to help maintain a society that is both ordered and protects rights and liberties. 
C)  Balance allows the other branches of government to make decisions. 
D)  Balance makes the public debate the issue more thoroughly. 
E)  Balance leads to generally calmer discourse on policy.

Question 3

Which are efforts to redress previous discrimination against women and minorities through active measures to promote their employment and educational opportunities?

Accepted Answer

A)  affirmative action 
B)  suffrage 
C)  Jim Crow 
D)  remedial progress 
E)  naturalization 
A)  affirmative action 
B)  suffrage 
C)  Jim Crow 
D)  remedial progress 
E)  naturalization

Question 4

Which standard of judicial review requires a statute to advance a "compelling state interest" and represent the "least intrusive means" to do so?

Accepted Answer

A)  the rational basis test 
B)  the undue burden test 
C)  the Monroe Doctrine 
D)  intermediate scrutiny 
E)  strict scrutiny 
A)  the rational basis test 
B)  the undue burden test 
C)  the Monroe Doctrine 
D)  intermediate scrutiny 
E)  strict scrutiny

Question 5

The constitutionality of a state law prohibiting legal immigrants from adopting children would be reviewed under ________ by the Supreme Court.

Accepted Answer

A)  the rational basis test 
B)  an undue burden test 
C)  the Monroe Doctrine 
D)  intermediate scrutiny 
E)  strict scrutiny 
A)  the rational basis test 
B)  an undue burden test 
C)  the Monroe Doctrine 
D)  intermediate scrutiny 
E)  strict scrutiny

Question 6

The constitutionality of a state law prohibiting single men but not single women from adopting children would be reviewed under ________ by the Supreme Court.

Accepted Answer

A)  the rational basis test 
B)  an undue burden test 
C)  the Monroe Doctrine 
D)  intermediate scrutiny 
E)  strict scrutiny 
A)  the rational basis test 
B)  an undue burden test 
C)  the Monroe Doctrine 
D)  intermediate scrutiny 
E)  strict scrutiny

Question 7

Which of the following democracies best resembles the United States both in terms of history and its approach to civil rights and liberties?

Accepted Answer

A)  the United Kingdom 
B)  the Netherlands 
C)  France 
D)  Portugal 
E)  Mexico 
A)  the United Kingdom 
B)  the Netherlands 
C)  France 
D)  Portugal 
E)  Mexico

Question 8

According to moral claims on the justification for rights and liberties, how are rights and liberties justified?

Accepted Answer

A)  Rights and liberties are inherent in the Bible, an important historic text used in the development of the Constitution. 
B)  Society is bettered by a multitude of voices and opinions. 
C)  The very notion of humanity gives people rights. 
D)  Historically revered documents like the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence give people civil rights and liberties. 
E)  The community collectively gives rights in order to maximize the group dynamic. 
A)  Rights and liberties are inherent in the Bible, an important historic text used in the development of the Constitution. 
B)  Society is bettered by a multitude of voices and opinions. 
C)  The very notion of humanity gives people rights. 
D)  Historically revered documents like the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence give people civil rights and liberties. 
E)  The community collectively gives rights in order to maximize the group dynamic.

Question 9

Which of the following would fall under the rights and liberties protections that safeguard U.S. citizens from government intrusion?

Accepted Answer

A)  the right to assemble 
B)  the right to vote 
C)  the right to party 
D)  the right to a court-appointed lawyer 
E)  the right to petition the government 
A)  the right to assemble 
B)  the right to vote 
C)  the right to party 
D)  the right to a court-appointed lawyer 
E)  the right to petition the government

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the reaction (in terms of the balance between security and liberty) to the movement in the 1960s by the federal government to infiltrate and spy on groups opposed to the Vietnam War?

Accepted Answer

A)  These actions are generally considered to be just today, with their constitutionality well-defined by the courts and scholars. 
B)  The spying is considered to have been legitimate, but infiltration was considered to be nonlegitimate, with the Supreme Court finding that infiltration of a group violates its freedom to assemble. 
C)  The infiltration is considered to have been legitimate, but spying was considered to be nonlegitimate, with the Supreme Court finding that spying on a group violates its freedom of speech. 
D)  Both infiltration and spying were thrown out as methods of police action due to the Supreme Court case Marsh v. Chambers (1983). 
E)  There has been no consensus on whether these tactics were legitimate law enforcement or violations of civil rights and liberties. 
A)  These actions are generally considered to be just today, with their constitutionality well-defined by the courts and scholars. 
B)  The spying is considered to have been legitimate, but infiltration was considered to be nonlegitimate, with the Supreme Court finding that infiltration of a group violates its freedom to assemble. 
C)  The infiltration is considered to have been legitimate, but spying was considered to be nonlegitimate, with the Supreme Court finding that spying on a group violates its freedom of speech. 
D)  Both infiltration and spying were thrown out as methods of police action due to the Supreme Court case Marsh v. Chambers (1983). 
E)  There has been no consensus on whether these tactics were legitimate law enforcement or violations of civil rights and liberties.

Question 11

Which body played an especially important role in the implementation of voting rights laws and other laws that began to deal with the discrepancies between African Americans and others in the aftermath of the civil rights movement?

Accepted Answer

A)  the U.S. House of Representatives 
B)  the U.S. Senate 
C)  the U.S. Department of Justice 
D)  the U.S. Supreme Court 
E)  the United Nations 
A)  the U.S. House of Representatives 
B)  the U.S. Senate 
C)  the U.S. Department of Justice 
D)  the U.S. Supreme Court 
E)  the United Nations

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the Founders' use and conception of equality and liberty in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Founders relied on notions of equality and liberty to placate the state of Massachusetts, which found Virginia's lack of rights especially disturbing. 
B)  Rights and liberties related to equality and liberty were constructed from common law rights and similar rights espoused in the Magna Carta. 
C)  The Founders based their laws on French republican law, which had cemented itself in the aftermath of the French Revolution. 
D)  Notions of a God-given "natural law" that is independent of government, which emphasizes human sameness, was central to the Founders' conceptions. 
E)  The Founders based their laws on the Roman Twelve Tables, which increased the rights of the plebes versus the patricians in the 500s BC. 
A)  The Founders relied on notions of equality and liberty to placate the state of Massachusetts, which found Virginia's lack of rights especially disturbing. 
B)  Rights and liberties related to equality and liberty were constructed from common law rights and similar rights espoused in the Magna Carta. 
C)  The Founders based their laws on French republican law, which had cemented itself in the aftermath of the French Revolution. 
D)  Notions of a God-given "natural law" that is independent of government, which emphasizes human sameness, was central to the Founders' conceptions. 
E)  The Founders based their laws on the Roman Twelve Tables, which increased the rights of the plebes versus the patricians in the 500s BC.

Question 13

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between civil rights and civil liberties?

Accepted Answer

A)  Civil liberties are protections provided by the government, whereas civil rights are protections from the government. 
B)  Civil rights are protections provided by the government, whereas civil liberties are protections from the government. 
C)  The terms can be used interchangeably. 
D)  Civil liberties require obligations from the government, and civil rights establish boundaries on the government. 
E)  The relationship is difficult to define because it is always changing. 
A)  Civil liberties are protections provided by the government, whereas civil rights are protections from the government. 
B)  Civil rights are protections provided by the government, whereas civil liberties are protections from the government. 
C)  The terms can be used interchangeably. 
D)  Civil liberties require obligations from the government, and civil rights establish boundaries on the government. 
E)  The relationship is difficult to define because it is always changing.

Question 14

Which is the most restrictive standard of review used by the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)  the rational basis test 
B)  the undue burden test 
C)  the Monroe Doctrine 
D)  intermediate scrutiny 
E)  strict scrutiny 
A)  the rational basis test 
B)  the undue burden test 
C)  the Monroe Doctrine 
D)  intermediate scrutiny 
E)  strict scrutiny

Question 15

What is one reason the courts are often seen as an institution capable of protecting minority rights?

Accepted Answer

A)  Courts have enforcement measures that require legislatures and executives to comply with their rulings. 
B)  The U.S. Congress gave the courts this jurisdiction through the Judiciary Act of 1789. 
C)  Historically, the Court has been a better representative body for minorities than the other two bodies. 
D)  The Court is a nonelected body, and thus is immune from electoral pressures. 
E)  The Court is immune to a presidential veto. 
A)  Courts have enforcement measures that require legislatures and executives to comply with their rulings. 
B)  The U.S. Congress gave the courts this jurisdiction through the Judiciary Act of 1789. 
C)  Historically, the Court has been a better representative body for minorities than the other two bodies. 
D)  The Court is a nonelected body, and thus is immune from electoral pressures. 
E)  The Court is immune to a presidential veto.

Question 16

What important social movement promoted the goals of equal treatment under the law and nondiscrimination, particularly for African Americans?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jim Crow 
B)  the pacifist movement 
C)  the labor movement 
D)  the civil rights movement 
E)  the feminist movement 
A)  Jim Crow 
B)  the pacifist movement 
C)  the labor movement 
D)  the civil rights movement 
E)  the feminist movement

Question 17

Which statement best describes the current state of the debate over abortion in U.S. politics?

Accepted Answer

A)  The issue was resolved in Roe v. Wade (1973). 
B)  Abortion is an issue only within the states and is not a national issue. 
C)  The Court has stayed out of the issue since Roe v. Wade, allowing states and the federal government to make laws. 
D)  Abortion remains controversial and has polarized presidential politics, parties, and Supreme Court nominations. 
E)  State governments have for the most part followed the decision in Roe v. Wade as their primary guidepost on new abortion policy. 
A)  The issue was resolved in Roe v. Wade (1973). 
B)  Abortion is an issue only within the states and is not a national issue. 
C)  The Court has stayed out of the issue since Roe v. Wade, allowing states and the federal government to make laws. 
D)  Abortion remains controversial and has polarized presidential politics, parties, and Supreme Court nominations. 
E)  State governments have for the most part followed the decision in Roe v. Wade as their primary guidepost on new abortion policy.

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

A)  to ensure the effective representation of political majorities 
B)  to limit the ability of political minorities to influence the political process 
C)  to balance the interests of political factions 
D)  to protect the rights and liberties of political minorities against the actions of a political majority 
E)  to expand Congress's set of enumerated powers 
A)  to ensure the effective representation of political majorities 
B)  to limit the ability of political minorities to influence the political process 
C)  to balance the interests of political factions 
D)  to protect the rights and liberties of political minorities against the actions of a political majority 
E)  to expand Congress's set of enumerated powers

Question 19

What is the principle reason that American courts must depend on legitimacy to ensure compliance with their decisions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Courts usually lack independent mechanisms to enforce their decisions. 
B)  Most court decisions are unpopular. 
C)  The president and Congress are prohibited from enforcing judicial decisions under the separation of powers. 
D)  States may nullify illegitimate judicial decisions. 
E)  The Bill of Rights declares judicial legitimacy. 
A)  Courts usually lack independent mechanisms to enforce their decisions. 
B)  Most court decisions are unpopular. 
C)  The president and Congress are prohibited from enforcing judicial decisions under the separation of powers. 
D)  States may nullify illegitimate judicial decisions. 
E)  The Bill of Rights declares judicial legitimacy.

Question 20

The Equal Rights Amendment proposed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  race 
B)  religion 
C)  immigrant status 
D)  sex 
E)  ethnicity 
A)  race 
B)  religion 
C)  immigrant status 
D)  sex 
E)  ethnicity

Which of the following would best be described as a case where incorporation occurs?

Why is balance so important to the question of rights and liberties decisions by the Supreme Court?

Which are efforts to redress previous discrimination against women and minorities through active measures to promote their employment and educational opportunities?

Which standard of judicial review requires a statute to advance a "compelling state interest" and represent the "least intrusive means" to do so?

The constitutionality of a state law prohibiting legal immigrants from adopting children would be reviewed under ________ by the Supreme Court.

The constitutionality of a state law prohibiting single men but not single women from adopting children would be reviewed under ________ by the Supreme Court.

Which of the following democracies best resembles the United States both in terms of history and its approach to civil rights and liberties?

According to moral claims on the justification for rights and liberties, how are rights and liberties justified?

Which of the following would fall under the rights and liberties protections that safeguard U.S. citizens from government intrusion?

Which of the following best describes the reaction (in terms of the balance between security and liberty) to the movement in the 1960s by the federal government to infiltrate and spy on groups opposed to the Vietnam War?

Which body played an especially important role in the implementation of voting rights laws and other laws that began to deal with the discrepancies between African Americans and others in the aftermath of the civil rights movement?

Which of the following best describes the Founders' use and conception of equality and liberty in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between civil rights and civil liberties?

Which is the most restrictive standard of review used by the Supreme Court?

What is one reason the courts are often seen as an institution capable of protecting minority rights?

What important social movement promoted the goals of equal treatment under the law and nondiscrimination, particularly for African Americans?

Which statement best describes the current state of the debate over abortion in U.S. politics?

What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

What is the principle reason that American courts must depend on legitimacy to ensure compliance with their decisions?

The Equal Rights Amendment proposed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of ________.

Introduction

The Constitution

Federalism

Congress

The Presidency

The Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Public Opinion

Political Participation

Interest Groups and Social Movements

Political Parties

Elections and Campaigns

Mass Media and the Press

Economic Policy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy

Filters

Exam 4: Civil Rights and Liberties

Which of the following would best be described as a case where incorporation occurs?

Why is balance so important to the question of rights and liberties decisions by the Supreme Court?

Which are efforts to redress previous discrimination against women and minorities through active measures to promote their employment and educational opportunities?

Which standard of judicial review requires a statute to advance a "compelling state interest" and represent the "least intrusive means" to do so?

The constitutionality of a state law prohibiting legal immigrants from adopting children would be reviewed under ________ by the Supreme Court.

The constitutionality of a state law prohibiting single men but not single women from adopting children would be reviewed under ________ by the Supreme Court.

Which of the following democracies best resembles the United States both in terms of history and its approach to civil rights and liberties?

According to moral claims on the justification for rights and liberties, how are rights and liberties justified?

Which of the following would fall under the rights and liberties protections that safeguard U.S. citizens from government intrusion?

Which of the following best describes the reaction (in terms of the balance between security and liberty) to the movement in the 1960s by the federal government to infiltrate and spy on groups opposed to the Vietnam War?

Which body played an especially important role in the implementation of voting rights laws and other laws that began to deal with the discrepancies between African Americans and others in the aftermath of the civil rights movement?

Which of the following best describes the Founders' use and conception of equality and liberty in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between civil rights and civil liberties?

Which is the most restrictive standard of review used by the Supreme Court?

What is one reason the courts are often seen as an institution capable of protecting minority rights?

What important social movement promoted the goals of equal treatment under the law and nondiscrimination, particularly for African Americans?

Which statement best describes the current state of the debate over abortion in U.S. politics?

What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

What is the principle reason that American courts must depend on legitimacy to ensure compliance with their decisions?

The Equal Rights Amendment proposed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of ________.

Introduction

The Constitution

Federalism

Congress

The Presidency

The Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Public Opinion

Political Participation

Interest Groups and Social Movements

Political Parties

Elections and Campaigns

Mass Media and the Press

Economic Policy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy

Filters