Question 1

The U.S.Constitution is a highly detailed document with specificity on a wide range of topics.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

_______________ is a constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate.

Accepted Answer

A) Separation of powers 
B) Federalism 
C) Checks and balances 
D) Divided government 
E) Tyranny 
A) Separation of powers 
B) Federalism 
C) Checks and balances 
D) Divided government 
E) Tyranny

Question 3

The only method used thus far to propose amendments to the Constitution is

Accepted Answer

A) a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress. 
B) state conventions. 
C) state legislatures. 
D) popular mandate. 
E) introduction by the president. 
A) a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress. 
B) state conventions. 
C) state legislatures. 
D) popular mandate. 
E) introduction by the president.

Question 4

Citizens in the United States have become more concerned with government assuming too much control in recent years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The United States is the only country in the world that uses judicial review.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which of the following has served to concentrate more power in the executive branch?

Accepted Answer

A)  Poverty 
B) Global warming 
C)  Impeachment 
D)  Foreign and economic crises 
E)  The Internet 
A)  Poverty 
B) Global warming 
C)  Impeachment 
D)  Foreign and economic crises 
E)  The Internet

Question 7

Article I of the Constitution establishes a bicameral Congress.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The political system is kept up-to-date through changes in the informal, unwritten Constitution mainly through

Accepted Answer

A) basic statutes and historical practices of Congress. 
B) presidential actions. 
C) Supreme Court decisions. 
D) congressional elaboration. 
E) All of the above 
A) basic statutes and historical practices of Congress. 
B) presidential actions. 
C) Supreme Court decisions. 
D) congressional elaboration. 
E) All of the above

Question 9

The Senate and House of Representatives have an absolute veto over one another.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Madison advocated "auxiliary precautions" against popular tyranny in the constitutional system.List these precautions, and evaluate how well they are working, how they are undermined, and whether you think they are necessary.

Accepted Answer

Madison's "auxiliary precautions" agains

Question 11

A writ of certiorari is a court order directing an official to perform an official duty.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Recently, California used the initiative process to adopt a constitutional amendment banning

Accepted Answer

A) flag burning. 
B) abortion. 
C) prayer in public schools. 
D) same-sex marriage. 
E) religious displays in public buildings. 
A) flag burning. 
B) abortion. 
C) prayer in public schools. 
D) same-sex marriage. 
E) religious displays in public buildings.

Question 13

Identify how constitutional amendments have expanded voting rights.

Accepted Answer

Constitutional amendments have expanded

Question 14

According to the Supreme Court, after an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified

Accepted Answer

A) in one year. 
B) in three years. 
C) in seven years. 
D) in a reasonable time. 
E) None of the above 
A) in one year. 
B) in three years. 
C) in seven years. 
D) in a reasonable time. 
E) None of the above

Question 15

What article of the Constitution establishes the executive power and the president?

Accepted Answer

A) Article I 
B) Article II 
C) Article III 
D) Article IV 
E) Article V 
A) Article I 
B) Article II 
C) Article III 
D) Article IV 
E) Article V

Question 16

Two of the most important restraints that Congress can exercise over the president are its powers to make the laws and appropriate money.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Marbury v.Madison (1803) is a landmark Supreme Court case because it

Accepted Answer

A) established national supremacy. 
B) set the precedent for judicial review. 
C) defined the scope of state powers. 
D) affirmed the "necessary and proper" clause. 
E) outlawed segregation. 
A) established national supremacy. 
B) set the precedent for judicial review. 
C) defined the scope of state powers. 
D) affirmed the "necessary and proper" clause. 
E) outlawed segregation.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a way in which the United States (or at least some states) has moved toward more direct democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) Referenda 
B) Initiative 
C) Popular election of the president 
D) Direct primaries 
E) Recall elections 
A) Referenda 
B) Initiative 
C) Popular election of the president 
D) Direct primaries 
E) Recall elections

Question 19

Article 1 of the Constitution established the structure, process and powers of the Executive branch.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The term separation of powers refers to the

Accepted Answer

A)  individual powers of a president are separated among his cabinet secretaries. 
B)  separation of the Congress into the House and the Senate. 
C)  allocation of power among the three branches of government. 
D)  belief that the federal government should be subservient to the state governments. 
E)  separation of powers between the federal government and the state governments. 
A)  individual powers of a president are separated among his cabinet secretaries. 
B)  separation of the Congress into the House and the Senate. 
C)  allocation of power among the three branches of government. 
D)  belief that the federal government should be subservient to the state governments. 
E)  separation of powers between the federal government and the state governments.

Exam 2: Constitutional Foundations

The U.S.Constitution is a highly detailed document with specificity on a wide range of topics.

_______________ is a constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate.

The only method used thus far to propose amendments to the Constitution is

Citizens in the United States have become more concerned with government assuming too much control in recent years.

The United States is the only country in the world that uses judicial review.

Which of the following has served to concentrate more power in the executive branch?

Article I of the Constitution establishes a bicameral Congress.

The political system is kept up-to-date through changes in the informal, unwritten Constitution mainly through

The Senate and House of Representatives have an absolute veto over one another.

Madison advocated "auxiliary precautions" against popular tyranny in the constitutional system.List these precautions, and evaluate how well they are working, how they are undermined, and whether you think they are necessary.

A writ of certiorari is a court order directing an official to perform an official duty.

Recently, California used the initiative process to adopt a constitutional amendment banning

Identify how constitutional amendments have expanded voting rights.

According to the Supreme Court, after an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified

What article of the Constitution establishes the executive power and the president?

Two of the most important restraints that Congress can exercise over the president are its powers to make the laws and appropriate money.

Marbury v.Madison (1803) is a landmark Supreme Court case because it

Which of the following is NOT a way in which the United States (or at least some states) has moved toward more direct democracy?

Article 1 of the Constitution established the structure, process and powers of the Executive branch.

The term separation of powers refers to the

Constitutional Democracy

American Federalism

Political Culture and Ideology

The US political Landscape

Political Parties

Public Opinion, Participation, and Voting

Campaigns and Elections

The Media and US politics

Congress

The Presidency

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Policy

Making Economic Policy

Making Social Policy

Making Foreign Defense Policy

State and Local Politics

State Constitutions

Parties and Elections in the States

State Legislatures

State Governors

Judges and Justice in the States

Local Governments and Metropolitics

Making State and Local Policy

Staffing and Financing State and Local Governments

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