Question 1

The term divided government refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the period in which the Southern states seceded from the union. 
B)  a period in which one party controls the presidency and another controls at least one chamber of the Congress. 
C)  a period in which the national government is controlled by one party and a sizeable number of states are controlled by another party. 
D)  the period between the presidential election and the formal vote by the Electoral College. 
E)  the separation of powers between the presidency and the Congress. 
A)  the period in which the Southern states seceded from the union. 
B)  a period in which one party controls the presidency and another controls at least one chamber of the Congress. 
C)  a period in which the national government is controlled by one party and a sizeable number of states are controlled by another party. 
D)  the period between the presidential election and the formal vote by the Electoral College. 
E)  the separation of powers between the presidency and the Congress.

Question 2

Regulations

Accepted Answer

A)  determine how a law is actually implemented. 
B)  are written by Congress. 
C)  set broad principles rather than specific rules about how legislation is to be implemented. 
D)  are written in a way that is independent of the input of interested parties. 
E)  all of these 
A)  determine how a law is actually implemented. 
B)  are written by Congress. 
C)  set broad principles rather than specific rules about how legislation is to be implemented. 
D)  are written in a way that is independent of the input of interested parties. 
E)  all of these

Question 3

The cabinet is

Accepted Answer

A)  established by the Constitution. 
B)  fixed in size. 
C)  comprised of the chief officers of the judiciary. 
D)  comprised of the chief officers of the major executive departments. 
E)  appointed by Congress as a means to exercise power over the president. 
A)  established by the Constitution. 
B)  fixed in size. 
C)  comprised of the chief officers of the judiciary. 
D)  comprised of the chief officers of the major executive departments. 
E)  appointed by Congress as a means to exercise power over the president.

Question 4

Progressive income taxation means that

Accepted Answer

A)  those with higher incomes pay a higher percentage of tax. 
B)  all citizens pay the same amount in taxes regardless of income. 
C)  taxes on investments that generate additional revenue is higher than those on income. 
D)  those with higher incomes pay a lower percentage of tax. 
E)  taxes increase as governmental spending increases. 
A)  those with higher incomes pay a higher percentage of tax. 
B)  all citizens pay the same amount in taxes regardless of income. 
C)  taxes on investments that generate additional revenue is higher than those on income. 
D)  those with higher incomes pay a lower percentage of tax. 
E)  taxes increase as governmental spending increases.

Question 5

Which statement about the distribution of income in the United States is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  The unequal distribution of income in the United States is comparable to that of other advanced democracies. 
B)  The distribution of income in the United States has been steadily becoming more equal over the past 30 years. 
C)  The distribution of income is much more unequal in the United States than in other advanced democracies and has been steadily rising over the past 30 years. 
D)  The unequal distribution of income in the United States has become of particular concern to U.S. politicians since 1980 due to fears of class warfare. 
E)  The unequal distribution of income in the United States is fairly evenly spread across racial groups. 
A)  The unequal distribution of income in the United States is comparable to that of other advanced democracies. 
B)  The distribution of income in the United States has been steadily becoming more equal over the past 30 years. 
C)  The distribution of income is much more unequal in the United States than in other advanced democracies and has been steadily rising over the past 30 years. 
D)  The unequal distribution of income in the United States has become of particular concern to U.S. politicians since 1980 due to fears of class warfare. 
E)  The unequal distribution of income in the United States is fairly evenly spread across racial groups.

Question 6

Which of the following about immigration to the United States is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  Prior to the 2008 recession, over 1 million people legally immigrated to the United States annually, while about 500,000 people did so illegally. 
B)  The U.S. immigration policy is an example of a redistributive policy. 
C)  The United States has historically used immigration to solve its labor shortages and grow its economy. 
D)  The United States is one of only four countries that allows immigration of those who do not already have a cultural tie to the country. 
E)  While previous waves of immigrants experienced only 1 - 2 generations of political and societal exclusion, today's immigrants who possess skills and education acculturate even quicker. 
A)  Prior to the 2008 recession, over 1 million people legally immigrated to the United States annually, while about 500,000 people did so illegally. 
B)  The U.S. immigration policy is an example of a redistributive policy. 
C)  The United States has historically used immigration to solve its labor shortages and grow its economy. 
D)  The United States is one of only four countries that allows immigration of those who do not already have a cultural tie to the country. 
E)  While previous waves of immigrants experienced only 1 - 2 generations of political and societal exclusion, today's immigrants who possess skills and education acculturate even quicker.

Question 7

The U.S. government subsidizes agriculture in all of the following ways EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  guaranteeing a minimum price for many commodities. 
B)  providing subsidized crop insurance. 
C)  paying farmers to leave some land fallow. 
D)  subsidizing crops sold abroad. 
E)  strictly regulating the flow of immigration to the United States. 
A)  guaranteeing a minimum price for many commodities. 
B)  providing subsidized crop insurance. 
C)  paying farmers to leave some land fallow. 
D)  subsidizing crops sold abroad. 
E)  strictly regulating the flow of immigration to the United States.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT illustrative of the structural weakness of the presidency?

Accepted Answer

A)  Presidents must rely upon the operations of Congress 
B)  In terms of formal powers, the president is weaker than Congress 
C)  The president must receive support from Congress to implement his/her agenda 
D)  The president can make treaties, but these must have the approval of two-thirds of the Senate 
E)  The president's role as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. military 
A)  Presidents must rely upon the operations of Congress 
B)  In terms of formal powers, the president is weaker than Congress 
C)  The president must receive support from Congress to implement his/her agenda 
D)  The president can make treaties, but these must have the approval of two-thirds of the Senate 
E)  The president's role as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. military

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT an example of how the founders intended to make Congress the central branch of government in the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  By concentrating the most important powers in the U.S. Congress 
B)  By relegating to the presidency only a poorly defined administrative role 
C)  By granting Congress oversight powers over presidential leadership 
D)  By granting both legislative and budgetary powers to Congress 
E)  By establishing the requirement that the President present a yearly state of the union address to Congress 
A)  By concentrating the most important powers in the U.S. Congress 
B)  By relegating to the presidency only a poorly defined administrative role 
C)  By granting Congress oversight powers over presidential leadership 
D)  By granting both legislative and budgetary powers to Congress 
E)  By establishing the requirement that the President present a yearly state of the union address to Congress

Question 10

Which statement about the United States' geographical setting is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has always had low population densities. 
B)  It is rich in natural resources. 
C)  Occupying nearly a fourth of North America, it is larger than any other country in the world. 
D)  It has many protected ports and navigable rivers, making trade much easier. 
E)  It has two neighbors, neither of which is a military threat. 
A)  It has always had low population densities. 
B)  It is rich in natural resources. 
C)  Occupying nearly a fourth of North America, it is larger than any other country in the world. 
D)  It has many protected ports and navigable rivers, making trade much easier. 
E)  It has two neighbors, neither of which is a military threat.

Question 11

All of the following about the U.S. deficit is true EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  Running a deficit-bringing in less than is spent-can be beneficial in the short run as it allows the government to borrow money to help stimulate the economy. 
B)  Unlike the national government, most state governments do not have the ability to continually run a large annual deficit. 
C)  The size of the national debt could slow national economic growth because it diverts money that could be spend on private sector activities. 
D)  In 2014, the national government will spend about $230 billion in interest on a national debt that is about $17.5 trillion. 
E)  The term national debt refers to the gap between income and expenditures run by the federal government. 
A)  Running a deficit-bringing in less than is spent-can be beneficial in the short run as it allows the government to borrow money to help stimulate the economy. 
B)  Unlike the national government, most state governments do not have the ability to continually run a large annual deficit. 
C)  The size of the national debt could slow national economic growth because it diverts money that could be spend on private sector activities. 
D)  In 2014, the national government will spend about $230 billion in interest on a national debt that is about $17.5 trillion. 
E)  The term national debt refers to the gap between income and expenditures run by the federal government.

Question 12

Amendments to the Constitution, passed since the Bill of Rights, have generally focused upon

Accepted Answer

A)  extending democratic election procedures and changing procedural deficiencies in the original Constitution. 
B)  expanding the scope of individual freedoms from governmental power. 
C)  expanding the power of the government to regulate the economy. 
D)  limiting the power of special interests in the United States. 
E)  reducing waste and inefficiency in government. 
A)  extending democratic election procedures and changing procedural deficiencies in the original Constitution. 
B)  expanding the scope of individual freedoms from governmental power. 
C)  expanding the power of the government to regulate the economy. 
D)  limiting the power of special interests in the United States. 
E)  reducing waste and inefficiency in government.

Question 13

Which statement about the U.S. legislative process is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  For a bill to become a law, it must first be reviewed by the relevant committee in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, although in reality, few bills get such a hearing. 
B)  Only a bill that has received support from the relevant committee can be debated in the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
C)  Debate of a bill can be limited on the floor of the Senate by the Rules Committee. 
D)  For a bill to become a law, it must be passed in the same form by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before being sent to the president. 
E)  The House and Senate leadership are central to deciding which bills receive hearings. 
A)  For a bill to become a law, it must first be reviewed by the relevant committee in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, although in reality, few bills get such a hearing. 
B)  Only a bill that has received support from the relevant committee can be debated in the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
C)  Debate of a bill can be limited on the floor of the Senate by the Rules Committee. 
D)  For a bill to become a law, it must be passed in the same form by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before being sent to the president. 
E)  The House and Senate leadership are central to deciding which bills receive hearings.

Question 14

All of the following are TRUE about the Bill of Rights EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  this term refers to the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. 
B)  it establishes a set of specific prohibitions on the U.S. national government. 
C)  it was necessary for the ratification of the Constitution. 
D)  it specifies limits on governmental action that were initially directed at the U.S. federal government but now applies to the states as well. 
E)  it has helped to limit the power of the federal courts. 
A)  this term refers to the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. 
B)  it establishes a set of specific prohibitions on the U.S. national government. 
C)  it was necessary for the ratification of the Constitution. 
D)  it specifies limits on governmental action that were initially directed at the U.S. federal government but now applies to the states as well. 
E)  it has helped to limit the power of the federal courts.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true about the U.S. judiciary?

Accepted Answer

A)  Despite the steady increase in its power, the judiciary remains structurally weaker than the other branches. 
B)  The courts, and especially the Supreme Court, have moved steadily to the ideological right. 
C)  With courts being increasingly involved in contentious national issues, the Senate has taken its confirmation role more seriously and has slowed the confirmation of appointees. 
D)  The power of the courts ultimately rests with their ability to persuade the citizenry that their procedures are fair and that their judgments are based on the Constitution and law. 
E)  The courts must rely on Congress to enforce their decisions. 
A)  Despite the steady increase in its power, the judiciary remains structurally weaker than the other branches. 
B)  The courts, and especially the Supreme Court, have moved steadily to the ideological right. 
C)  With courts being increasingly involved in contentious national issues, the Senate has taken its confirmation role more seriously and has slowed the confirmation of appointees. 
D)  The power of the courts ultimately rests with their ability to persuade the citizenry that their procedures are fair and that their judgments are based on the Constitution and law. 
E)  The courts must rely on Congress to enforce their decisions.

Question 16

The Federal Reserve Board

Accepted Answer

A)  was the central policy-making agency in the wake of the 2008 economic downturn seeking to avert a recession in the United States. 
B)  is a mechanism whereby the country's money supply is controlled by elected officeholders. 
C)  lacks autonomy because of Congressional control, which has raised concerns about the United States to act as a global leader. 
D)  has too many ties to the U.S. banking industry, because its leaders are appointed by the heads of major banks. 
E)  is part of the U.S. Treasury Department. 
A)  was the central policy-making agency in the wake of the 2008 economic downturn seeking to avert a recession in the United States. 
B)  is a mechanism whereby the country's money supply is controlled by elected officeholders. 
C)  lacks autonomy because of Congressional control, which has raised concerns about the United States to act as a global leader. 
D)  has too many ties to the U.S. banking industry, because its leaders are appointed by the heads of major banks. 
E)  is part of the U.S. Treasury Department.

Question 17

The federal bureaucracy is comprised of about ______ civil servants.

Accepted Answer

A)  5 million 
B)  3 million 
C)  2 million 
D)  1 million 
E)  7 million 
A)  5 million 
B)  3 million 
C)  2 million 
D)  1 million 
E)  7 million

Question 18

Which of the following about U.S. voters is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although an increasing number of people label themselves as "independents," they tend to lean reliably toward one party or another. 
B)  Generally, Democrats are less likely to vote on Election Day, especially in an off year. 
C)  The electorate is evenly divided between the two parties, especially when one accounts for independents who lean towards one party or another. 
D)  Republicans are strongest in the South and Mountain West whereas Democrats are strongest in the Northeast and West Coast. 
E)  Of the two parties, the Republicans have a more fragile coalition. 
A)  Although an increasing number of people label themselves as "independents," they tend to lean reliably toward one party or another. 
B)  Generally, Democrats are less likely to vote on Election Day, especially in an off year. 
C)  The electorate is evenly divided between the two parties, especially when one accounts for independents who lean towards one party or another. 
D)  Republicans are strongest in the South and Mountain West whereas Democrats are strongest in the Northeast and West Coast. 
E)  Of the two parties, the Republicans have a more fragile coalition.

Question 19

The Founders designed the House of Representatives to be more responsive to popular will. This is evidenced by all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the longer terms of office of its members. 
B)  the size of the districts being smaller than those of the Senate. 
C)  the fact that, in theory, the entire chamber can be replaced in a single election. 
D)  the fact that seats in the House are allocated by population and thus are altered every ten years based on the results of the U.S. census. 
E)  its committee system, which allows each member to specialize in a particular area of interest to their constituency. 
A)  the longer terms of office of its members. 
B)  the size of the districts being smaller than those of the Senate. 
C)  the fact that, in theory, the entire chamber can be replaced in a single election. 
D)  the fact that seats in the House are allocated by population and thus are altered every ten years based on the results of the U.S. census. 
E)  its committee system, which allows each member to specialize in a particular area of interest to their constituency.

Question 20

Congress can override a presidential veto by a

Accepted Answer

A)  simple majority vote (over 50%) in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
B)  two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
C)  super-majority (75%) vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
D)  simple majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate but only if the Supreme Court agrees. 
E)  super-majority (90%) majority in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. 
A)  simple majority vote (over 50%) in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
B)  two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
C)  super-majority (75%) vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
D)  simple majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate but only if the Supreme Court agrees. 
E)  super-majority (90%) majority in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

The term divided government refers to

Regulations

The cabinet is

Progressive income taxation means that

Which statement about the distribution of income in the United States is CORRECT?

Which of the following about immigration to the United States is INCORRECT?

The U.S. government subsidizes agriculture in all of the following ways EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT illustrative of the structural weakness of the presidency?

Which of the following is NOT an example of how the founders intended to make Congress the central branch of government in the U.S. Constitution?

Which statement about the United States' geographical setting is INCORRECT?

All of the following about the U.S. deficit is true EXCEPT

Amendments to the Constitution, passed since the Bill of Rights, have generally focused upon

Which statement about the U.S. legislative process is NOT correct?

All of the following are TRUE about the Bill of Rights EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT true about the U.S. judiciary?

The Federal Reserve Board

The federal bureaucracy is comprised of about ______ civil servants.

Which of the following about U.S. voters is NOT true?

The Founders designed the House of Representatives to be more responsive to popular will. This is evidenced by all of the following EXCEPT

Congress can override a presidential veto by a

Introducing Comparative Politics

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Exam 8: The United States

The term divided government refers to

Regulations

The cabinet is

Progressive income taxation means that

Which statement about the distribution of income in the United States is CORRECT?

Which of the following about immigration to the United States is INCORRECT?

The U.S. government subsidizes agriculture in all of the following ways EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT illustrative of the structural weakness of the presidency?

Which of the following is NOT an example of how the founders intended to make Congress the central branch of government in the U.S. Constitution?

Which statement about the United States' geographical setting is INCORRECT?

All of the following about the U.S. deficit is true EXCEPT

Amendments to the Constitution, passed since the Bill of Rights, have generally focused upon

Which statement about the U.S. legislative process is NOT correct?

All of the following are TRUE about the Bill of Rights EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT true about the U.S. judiciary?

The Federal Reserve Board

The federal bureaucracy is comprised of about ______ civil servants.

Which of the following about U.S. voters is NOT true?

The Founders designed the House of Representatives to be more responsive to popular will. This is evidenced by all of the following EXCEPT

Congress can override a presidential veto by a

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britian

France

Germany

European Union

Japan

India

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

The Russian Federation

Iran

China

Filters