Question 1

The State of the Union address is

Accepted Answer

A)  required by a law passed by Congress in 1802 and renewed ever since. 
B)  requested by the president, and comity demands that his or her request is always accepted. 
C)  based on tradition but was discontinued during the Great Depression and World War II. 
D)  mandated by the Constitution. 
E)  requested by the media and nearly always agreed to by the president and Congress. 
A)  required by a law passed by Congress in 1802 and renewed ever since. 
B)  requested by the president, and comity demands that his or her request is always accepted. 
C)  based on tradition but was discontinued during the Great Depression and World War II. 
D)  mandated by the Constitution. 
E)  requested by the media and nearly always agreed to by the president and Congress.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an expressed power of the president under Article II of the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  to serve as commander in chief of the armed forces 
B)  to declare war 
C)  to grant pardons for federal crimes 
D)  to faithfully execute the laws 
E)  the power to veto legislation 
A)  to serve as commander in chief of the armed forces 
B)  to declare war 
C)  to grant pardons for federal crimes 
D)  to faithfully execute the laws 
E)  the power to veto legislation

Question 3

The turning point in American politics toward a president-centered government came about during the administration of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Andrew Jackson 
B)  Abraham Lincoln 
C)  Franklin Roosevelt 
D)  Dwight Eisenhower 
E)  Lyndon Johnson 
A)  Andrew Jackson 
B)  Abraham Lincoln 
C)  Franklin Roosevelt 
D)  Dwight Eisenhower 
E)  Lyndon Johnson

Question 4

________ was the first first lady to seek public office on her own.

Accepted Answer

A)  Dolley Madison 
B)  Eleanor Roosevelt 
C)  Betty Ford 
D)  Hillary Clinton 
E)  Laura Bush 
A)  Dolley Madison 
B)  Eleanor Roosevelt 
C)  Betty Ford 
D)  Hillary Clinton 
E)  Laura Bush

Question 5

Which of the following has caused an increase in the president's delegated powers?

Accepted Answer

A)  recent constitutional amendments broadening the president's powers 
B)  the increasing scope and complexity of legislation 
C)  the War Powers Resolution 
D)  the shift toward a more bipartisan political environment in Congress 
E)  a series of Supreme Court decisions that have reinterpreted Article II of the Constitution 
A)  recent constitutional amendments broadening the president's powers 
B)  the increasing scope and complexity of legislation 
C)  the War Powers Resolution 
D)  the shift toward a more bipartisan political environment in Congress 
E)  a series of Supreme Court decisions that have reinterpreted Article II of the Constitution

Question 6

In Youngstown Co. v. Sawyer (1952), the Supreme Court justices determined that

Accepted Answer

A)  segregation in the public schools was unconstitutional. 
B)  in the emergency powers granted to the president, it is legal for them to take control of private industry under extreme circumstances. 
C)  the phrase "under God" could be legally added to the Pledge of Allegiance. 
D)  President Truman could not nationalize the steel mills in America. 
E)  none of the above 
A)  segregation in the public schools was unconstitutional. 
B)  in the emergency powers granted to the president, it is legal for them to take control of private industry under extreme circumstances. 
C)  the phrase "under God" could be legally added to the Pledge of Allegiance. 
D)  President Truman could not nationalize the steel mills in America. 
E)  none of the above

Question 7

Which of the following statements about Congress and the executive branch is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Constitution explicitly prohibits Congress from providing specific guidelines to executive agencies for implementing laws. 
B)  Starting around the time of the New Deal, Congress has tended to draft legislation that offers very specific guidelines for implementation by the executive. 
C)  Congress has never given executive agencies broad mandates and has always drafted legislation that offers very specific guidelines for implementation by the executive. 
D)  Starting around the time of the New Deal, Congress has tended to give executive agencies broad mandates and to draft legislation that offers few clear guidelines for implementation by the executive. 
E)  Throughout all of American history, Congress has tended to give executive agencies broad mandates and to draft legislation that offers few clear guidelines for implementation by the executive. 
A)  The Constitution explicitly prohibits Congress from providing specific guidelines to executive agencies for implementing laws. 
B)  Starting around the time of the New Deal, Congress has tended to draft legislation that offers very specific guidelines for implementation by the executive. 
C)  Congress has never given executive agencies broad mandates and has always drafted legislation that offers very specific guidelines for implementation by the executive. 
D)  Starting around the time of the New Deal, Congress has tended to give executive agencies broad mandates and to draft legislation that offers few clear guidelines for implementation by the executive. 
E)  Throughout all of American history, Congress has tended to give executive agencies broad mandates and to draft legislation that offers few clear guidelines for implementation by the executive.

Question 8

Why was George Washington's reception of Edmond Genet as ambassador of France during the French Revolution so significant?

Accepted Answer

A)  It demonstrated that the United States could use diplomacy to stay out of European conflicts. 
B)  It reflected the authority of the president to officially recognize specific regimes as the sovereign power of a nation when there is doubt as to who rules. 
C)  It was the first time any nation had recognized the United States as independent. 
D)  It prevented the economic embargo of American goods by the king of France. 
E)  It ensured that France would be America's ally in any foreign conflict. 
A)  It demonstrated that the United States could use diplomacy to stay out of European conflicts. 
B)  It reflected the authority of the president to officially recognize specific regimes as the sovereign power of a nation when there is doubt as to who rules. 
C)  It was the first time any nation had recognized the United States as independent. 
D)  It prevented the economic embargo of American goods by the king of France. 
E)  It ensured that France would be America's ally in any foreign conflict.

Question 9

An informal group of advisers to the president is often called the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  kitchen cabinet 
B)  plumbers 
C)  round table 
D)  colloquium 
E)  good ole boys (despite the fact that many women have entered these ranks) 
A)  kitchen cabinet 
B)  plumbers 
C)  round table 
D)  colloquium 
E)  good ole boys (despite the fact that many women have entered these ranks)

Question 10

Which statement about the Cabinet is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Cabinet has no legal status under the Constitution. 
B)  The Cabinet does not make decisions collectively. 
C)  The Cabinet does not meet as a group, except during the State of the Union address. 
D)  The Senate must approve the president's choice of cabinet secretaries. 
E)  Cabinet members are not responsible to the Senate or Congress at large. 
A)  The Cabinet has no legal status under the Constitution. 
B)  The Cabinet does not make decisions collectively. 
C)  The Cabinet does not meet as a group, except during the State of the Union address. 
D)  The Senate must approve the president's choice of cabinet secretaries. 
E)  Cabinet members are not responsible to the Senate or Congress at large.

Question 11

When members of Congress delegate power to the executive branch, it

Accepted Answer

A)  substantially reduces the power of the federal government compared to state governments. 
B)  has no impact on the importance of the presidency at all. 
C)  violates the Constitution by violating the separation of powers. 
D)  substantially reduces the importance of the presidency. 
E)  substantially enhances the importance of the presidency. 
A)  substantially reduces the power of the federal government compared to state governments. 
B)  has no impact on the importance of the presidency at all. 
C)  violates the Constitution by violating the separation of powers. 
D)  substantially reduces the importance of the presidency. 
E)  substantially enhances the importance of the presidency.

Question 12

The Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisers are both parts of the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Cabinet 
B)  White House staff 
C)  Office of the Vice President 
D)  Executive Office of the President 
E)  Department of the Interior 
A)  Cabinet 
B)  White House staff 
C)  Office of the Vice President 
D)  Executive Office of the President 
E)  Department of the Interior

Question 13

An executive order is

Accepted Answer

A)  a rule or regulation issued unilaterally by the president that has the status of a law. 
B)  an emergency decree that is law only for the duration of a crisis or pending congressional approval. 
C)  a demand to Congress that it vote on a particular piece of legislation. 
D)  any act of the executive branch that does not have to be made public. 
E)  a decree issued by the president that requires the federal courts to hear a particular case regarding the Constitution. 
A)  a rule or regulation issued unilaterally by the president that has the status of a law. 
B)  an emergency decree that is law only for the duration of a crisis or pending congressional approval. 
C)  a demand to Congress that it vote on a particular piece of legislation. 
D)  any act of the executive branch that does not have to be made public. 
E)  a decree issued by the president that requires the federal courts to hear a particular case regarding the Constitution.

Question 14

In undertaking the campaign against the Taliban in 2001, George W. Bush

Accepted Answer

A)  sought and received a declaration of war from Congress. 
B)  sought but failed to receive a declaration of war from Congress. 
C)  sought and received congressional authorization for the bombing but not a declaration of war. 
D)  took action without approval from Congress. 
E)  launched military operations only after Congress passed a formal declaration of war that legally required the president to attack Afghanistan. 
A)  sought and received a declaration of war from Congress. 
B)  sought but failed to receive a declaration of war from Congress. 
C)  sought and received congressional authorization for the bombing but not a declaration of war. 
D)  took action without approval from Congress. 
E)  launched military operations only after Congress passed a formal declaration of war that legally required the president to attack Afghanistan.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Public administrators have a great deal of discretion in the modern world. 
B)  In the modern era, political power has shifted away from the presidency and to Congress. 
C)  In the modern era, political power has shifted away from Congress and to the presidency. 
D)  both a and c 
E)  The Supreme Court is more powerful than Congress and the presidency. 
A)  Public administrators have a great deal of discretion in the modern world. 
B)  In the modern era, political power has shifted away from the presidency and to Congress. 
C)  In the modern era, political power has shifted away from Congress and to the presidency. 
D)  both a and c 
E)  The Supreme Court is more powerful than Congress and the presidency.

Question 16

The last time Congress exercised its constitutional power to declare war was during ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  World War II 
B)  the Korean War 
C)  the Vietnam War 
D)  the Afghanistan War 
E)  the Iraq War 
A)  World War II 
B)  the Korean War 
C)  the Vietnam War 
D)  the Afghanistan War 
E)  the Iraq War

Question 17

The president's power to set the debate concerning public policy in Congress is called a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  executive mandate 
B)  executive privilege 
C)  legislative initiative 
D)  executive order 
E)  presidential prerogative 
A)  executive mandate 
B)  executive privilege 
C)  legislative initiative 
D)  executive order 
E)  presidential prerogative

Question 18

When North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950,

Accepted Answer

A)  Congress declared war before President Truman could formally request it. 
B)  President Truman asked for a declaration of war from Congress and received one. 
C)  President Truman asked for a declaration of war and was rebuffed by Congress. 
D)  President Truman sent American troops to Korea without asking for a declaration of war. 
E)  President Truman did not immediately send American troops to Korea because the Supreme Court justices ruled that it would be an unconstitutional use of presidential power. 
A)  Congress declared war before President Truman could formally request it. 
B)  President Truman asked for a declaration of war from Congress and received one. 
C)  President Truman asked for a declaration of war and was rebuffed by Congress. 
D)  President Truman sent American troops to Korea without asking for a declaration of war. 
E)  President Truman did not immediately send American troops to Korea because the Supreme Court justices ruled that it would be an unconstitutional use of presidential power.

Question 19

Federal executive agencies do each of the following in implementing legislation EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  follow specific guidelines and standards established by Congress. 
B)  interpret the intent of Congress. 
C)  promulgate rules based on the legislation. 
D)  seek advisory opinions from the federal courts as to the constitutionality of the rules. 
E)  issue orders to groups and individuals designed to impel conformity with the law. 
A)  follow specific guidelines and standards established by Congress. 
B)  interpret the intent of Congress. 
C)  promulgate rules based on the legislation. 
D)  seek advisory opinions from the federal courts as to the constitutionality of the rules. 
E)  issue orders to groups and individuals designed to impel conformity with the law.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about signing statements is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Constitution requires that the president explain his or her interpretation of every law he or she signs by issuing a signing statement. 
B)  Although signing statements were commonly used prior to 1900, no modern president has issued them when signing a piece of legislation into law. 
C)  Signing statements never instruct executive agencies whether to implement sections of a new law and never interpret ambiguous provisions of the law. 
D)  While presidents have made signing statements throughout American history, they have only recently been recorded and made part of the official legislative record. 
E)  Signing statements were invented during the Reagan administration as a way for the president to circumvent the federal court system. 
A)  The Constitution requires that the president explain his or her interpretation of every law he or she signs by issuing a signing statement. 
B)  Although signing statements were commonly used prior to 1900, no modern president has issued them when signing a piece of legislation into law. 
C)  Signing statements never instruct executive agencies whether to implement sections of a new law and never interpret ambiguous provisions of the law. 
D)  While presidents have made signing statements throughout American history, they have only recently been recorded and made part of the official legislative record. 
E)  Signing statements were invented during the Reagan administration as a way for the president to circumvent the federal court system.

The State of the Union address is

Which of the following is NOT an expressed power of the president under Article II of the U.S. Constitution?

The turning point in American politics toward a president-centered government came about during the administration of ________.

________ was the first first lady to seek public office on her own.

Which of the following has caused an increase in the president's delegated powers?

In Youngstown Co. v. Sawyer (1952), the Supreme Court justices determined that

Which of the following statements about Congress and the executive branch is most accurate?

Why was George Washington's reception of Edmond Genet as ambassador of France during the French Revolution so significant?

An informal group of advisers to the president is often called the ________.

Which statement about the Cabinet is INCORRECT?

When members of Congress delegate power to the executive branch, it

The Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisers are both parts of the ________.

An executive order is

In undertaking the campaign against the Taliban in 2001, George W. Bush

Which of the following statements is true?

The last time Congress exercised its constitutional power to declare war was during ________.

The president's power to set the debate concerning public policy in Congress is called a(n) ________.

When North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950,

Federal executive agencies do each of the following in implementing legislation EXCEPT

Which of the following statements about signing statements is most accurate?

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

Congress

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

Filters

Exam 13: The Presidency

The State of the Union address is

Which of the following is NOT an expressed power of the president under Article II of the U.S. Constitution?

The turning point in American politics toward a president-centered government came about during the administration of ________.

________ was the first first lady to seek public office on her own.

Which of the following has caused an increase in the president's delegated powers?

In Youngstown Co. v. Sawyer (1952), the Supreme Court justices determined that

Which of the following statements about Congress and the executive branch is most accurate?

Why was George Washington's reception of Edmond Genet as ambassador of France during the French Revolution so significant?

An informal group of advisers to the president is often called the ________.

Which statement about the Cabinet is INCORRECT?

When members of Congress delegate power to the executive branch, it

The Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisers are both parts of the ________.

An executive order is

In undertaking the campaign against the Taliban in 2001, George W. Bush

Which of the following statements is true?

The last time Congress exercised its constitutional power to declare war was during ________.

The president's power to set the debate concerning public policy in Congress is called a(n) ________.

When North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950,

Federal executive agencies do each of the following in implementing legislation EXCEPT

Which of the following statements about signing statements is most accurate?

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

Congress

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

Filters