Question 1

In The Federalist, No.51, Madison discussed the need for "auxiliary precautions" against popular tyranny, which include

Accepted Answer

A) separation of powers. 
B) states' rights. 
C) the Bill of Rights. 
D) unfunded mandates. 
E) free elections. 
A) separation of powers. 
B) states' rights. 
C) the Bill of Rights. 
D) unfunded mandates. 
E) free elections.

Question 2

The Constitution of the United States has been altered without formal amendment by all BUT whichof the following methods?

Accepted Answer

A)  Congressional elaboration 
B)  Presidential practice 
C)  Custom and usage 
D)  Opposition by states 
E)  Supreme Court decisions 
A)  Congressional elaboration 
B)  Presidential practice 
C)  Custom and usage 
D)  Opposition by states 
E)  Supreme Court decisions

Question 3

Jeffersonians questioned whether the Supreme Court had the final authority to review state legislation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

The Court's authority of judicial review is explicitly outlined in the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

What was the subject of the Marbury v.Madison (1803) case and what was the case's most significant effect?

Accepted Answer

The subject of the Marbury v. Madison (1

Question 6

The originalist approach to constitutional interpretation

Accepted Answer

A) argues that the Constitution should be understood according to the framers' intent. 
B) was first espoused by Charles Beard in The Antifederalist. 
C) has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. 
D) sees the Constitution as a changing and evolving document that provides a basic framework for government. 
E) believes that George Washington was the original author of the Declaration of Independence. 
A) argues that the Constitution should be understood according to the framers' intent. 
B) was first espoused by Charles Beard in The Antifederalist. 
C) has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. 
D) sees the Constitution as a changing and evolving document that provides a basic framework for government. 
E) believes that George Washington was the original author of the Declaration of Independence.

Question 7

The adaptive approach to constitutional interpretation

Accepted Answer

A) would likely enhance the authority of the president. 
B) forces constitutional change to occur only through constitutional amendments. 
C) has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. 
D) makes the judiciary a more powerful actor in American politics. 
E) All of the above 
A) would likely enhance the authority of the president. 
B) forces constitutional change to occur only through constitutional amendments. 
C) has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. 
D) makes the judiciary a more powerful actor in American politics. 
E) All of the above

Question 8

The Constitution divided power between the state and national governments.This division of power is called ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A) constitutionalism 
B) separation of powers 
C) federalism 
D) unitarianism 
E) bipartisanship 
A) constitutionalism 
B) separation of powers 
C) federalism 
D) unitarianism 
E) bipartisanship

Question 9

Which of the following is a way in which the president can check other branches?

Accepted Answer

A) Vetoing acts of Congress 
B) Removing federal judges 
C) Cutting salaries for members of Congress 
D) Calling special elections 
E) Declaring war 
A) Vetoing acts of Congress 
B) Removing federal judges 
C) Cutting salaries for members of Congress 
D) Calling special elections 
E) Declaring war

Question 10

Article ____ of the Constitution creates the Supreme Court.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

In addition to each branch of government having some authority over the other branches, each branch of government is also politically independent of the other branches.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which of the following is correct about the Equal Rights Amendment?

Accepted Answer

A) It was never approved by Congress 
B) It was never ratified by any state 
C) It is the Twenty-Sixth Amendment 
D) It was widely opposed by feminist groups including the National Organization for Women 
E) It has still not been ratified 
A) It was never approved by Congress 
B) It was never ratified by any state 
C) It is the Twenty-Sixth Amendment 
D) It was widely opposed by feminist groups including the National Organization for Women 
E) It has still not been ratified

Question 13

The original checks and balances system has been modified by

Accepted Answer

A)  the demise of political parties. 
B)  the abolition of all regulatory agencies. 
C)  the direct election of senators. 
D)  giving representatives a four-year term. 
E)  severe restrictions on use of the impeachment power. 
A)  the demise of political parties. 
B)  the abolition of all regulatory agencies. 
C)  the direct election of senators. 
D)  giving representatives a four-year term. 
E)  severe restrictions on use of the impeachment power.

Question 14

The power of the executive branch has been expanded by

Accepted Answer

A)  the power to declare war. 
B)  new technologies. 
C)  direct primaries. 
D)  the power to appropriate funds for programs. 
E)  the frequent use of the presidential pardon. 
A)  the power to declare war. 
B)  new technologies. 
C)  direct primaries. 
D)  the power to appropriate funds for programs. 
E)  the frequent use of the presidential pardon.

Question 15

Compare the length and specificity of the U.S.Constitution to constitutions of other countries.

Accepted Answer

The length and specificity of the U.S. C

Question 16

The framers knew that future experiences would call for changes in the text of the Constitution and that eventually it would need to be formally amended.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Identify one way in which constitutional amendments can be ratified and note an example of the method used.

Accepted Answer

One way in which constitutional amendmen

Question 18

Twenty-seven amendments to the Constitution have been ratified.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

In creating a national government with a system of checks and balances, the framers of the Constitution sought to

Accepted Answer

A) eliminate any role for the judicial branch. 
B) limit the ability of any branch of the national government from becoming too powerful. 
C) ensure that governmental accountability to the public was impossible to achieve. 
D) make sure that the president was the nation's true leader who would get the final say about everything. 
E) guarantee the supremacy of the states over the national government. 
A) eliminate any role for the judicial branch. 
B) limit the ability of any branch of the national government from becoming too powerful. 
C) ensure that governmental accountability to the public was impossible to achieve. 
D) make sure that the president was the nation's true leader who would get the final say about everything. 
E) guarantee the supremacy of the states over the national government.

Question 20

Define executive orders and explain their relationship to the growth of presidential power.

Accepted Answer

Executive orders are official directives

Exam 2: Constitutional Foundations

In The Federalist, No.51, Madison discussed the need for "auxiliary precautions" against popular tyranny, which include

The Constitution of the United States has been altered without formal amendment by all BUT whichof the following methods?

Jeffersonians questioned whether the Supreme Court had the final authority to review state legislation.

The Court's authority of judicial review is explicitly outlined in the Constitution.

What was the subject of the Marbury v.Madison (1803) case and what was the case's most significant effect?

The originalist approach to constitutional interpretation

The adaptive approach to constitutional interpretation

The Constitution divided power between the state and national governments.This division of power is called ____________________.

Which of the following is a way in which the president can check other branches?

Article ____ of the Constitution creates the Supreme Court.

In addition to each branch of government having some authority over the other branches, each branch of government is also politically independent of the other branches.

Which of the following is correct about the Equal Rights Amendment?

The original checks and balances system has been modified by

The power of the executive branch has been expanded by

Compare the length and specificity of the U.S.Constitution to constitutions of other countries.

The framers knew that future experiences would call for changes in the text of the Constitution and that eventually it would need to be formally amended.

Identify one way in which constitutional amendments can be ratified and note an example of the method used.

Twenty-seven amendments to the Constitution have been ratified.

In creating a national government with a system of checks and balances, the framers of the Constitution sought to

Define executive orders and explain their relationship to the growth of presidential power.

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