Question 1

Under the 1836 Republic of Texas Constitution,

Accepted Answer

A)  Texas had no president. 
B)  Congress had only one house. 
C)  Congress was bicameral. 
D)  there was no formal judicial system. 
E)  slavery was completely outlawed. 
A)  Texas had no president. 
B)  Congress had only one house. 
C)  Congress was bicameral. 
D)  there was no formal judicial system. 
E)  slavery was completely outlawed.

Question 2

The Texas constitution is

Accepted Answer

A)  a tightly argued, brief document of general principles. 
B)  a long, complex, and detailed document. 
C)  difficult to amend, compared to the U.S. Constitution. 
D)  an economic treatise disguised as a blueprint for government. 
E)  based on the fundamental principle of liberal progressivism. 
A)  a tightly argued, brief document of general principles. 
B)  a long, complex, and detailed document. 
C)  difficult to amend, compared to the U.S. Constitution. 
D)  an economic treatise disguised as a blueprint for government. 
E)  based on the fundamental principle of liberal progressivism.

Question 3

The current Texas constitution has been amended more than 400 times.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Describe the particular historical condition under which the Constitution of 1876 was drafted. What were some of the main principles behind the Constitution of 1876? What are some of the most important aspects of the constitution that reflect the political philosophy of its framers?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution of 1876 was drafted in

Question 5

Philosophically, the Texas constitution reflects a

Accepted Answer

A)  distrust of politicians and political power. 
B)  faith in the ability of political institutions to create good public policy. 
C)  desire to use public institutions to boost the state's economic infrastructure. 
D)  commitment to home rule. 
E)  belief that a dominant political class is best selected to run the government. 
A)  distrust of politicians and political power. 
B)  faith in the ability of political institutions to create good public policy. 
C)  desire to use public institutions to boost the state's economic infrastructure. 
D)  commitment to home rule. 
E)  belief that a dominant political class is best selected to run the government.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a similarity between the U.S. Constitution and the Texas constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both constitutions have a clause providing the legislature with the authority to make all laws necessary and proper to carrying out its expressed powers. 
B)  Both constitutions derive their power from the authority of the people. 
C)  Both constitutions divide authority between a central government and regional governments. 
D)  Both constitutions create a system of checks and balances between the different branches of government. 
E)  Both constitutions have been amended several hundred times. 
A)  Both constitutions have a clause providing the legislature with the authority to make all laws necessary and proper to carrying out its expressed powers. 
B)  Both constitutions derive their power from the authority of the people. 
C)  Both constitutions divide authority between a central government and regional governments. 
D)  Both constitutions create a system of checks and balances between the different branches of government. 
E)  Both constitutions have been amended several hundred times.

Question 7

What is the function of a state constitution? In what ways are the Texas and the U.S. constitutions similar in principle? What are some of the key differences between the Texas and U.S. constitutions?

Accepted Answer

The function of a state constitution is

Question 8

The Texas constitution created a unicameral legislature.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The Texas Constitution of 1869 was written by members of the Republican Party, including ten African Americans.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following statements best describes the structure of the Texas legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Since independence from Mexico, Texas has had a bicameral legislature. 
B)  Texas's first unicameral legislature was established while the state was a member of the Confederacy. 
C)  Texas has always had a unicameral legislature. 
D)  It created a unicameral legislature. 
E)  Texas has a plural legislature divided up into six different chambers. 
A)  Since independence from Mexico, Texas has had a bicameral legislature. 
B)  Texas's first unicameral legislature was established while the state was a member of the Confederacy. 
C)  Texas has always had a unicameral legislature. 
D)  It created a unicameral legislature. 
E)  Texas has a plural legislature divided up into six different chambers.

Question 11

The Texas Constitution of 1869 was created

Accepted Answer

A)  because Texas needed a new constitution when it joined the Confederacy. 
B)  by members of the Texas Republican Party. 
C)  in order to limit the power of state government. 
D)  as a reaction against Reconstruction. 
E)  to abolish slavery. 
A)  because Texas needed a new constitution when it joined the Confederacy. 
B)  by members of the Texas Republican Party. 
C)  in order to limit the power of state government. 
D)  as a reaction against Reconstruction. 
E)  to abolish slavery.

Question 12

Which of the following describes a significant difference between the structure of the Texas executive department and the structure of the U.S. executive branch?

Accepted Answer

A)  In Texas, the executive department is made up of several elected offices, instead of just one. 
B)  The chief executive in Texas does not have the power to check the legislature with a veto, as the U.S. president can. 
C)  The governor has term limits, while the U.S. president does not. 
D)  The governor of Texas is paid more than the U.S. president. 
E)  The governor is considered president of the Texas Senate, while the U.S. president is not considered the presiding officer over the U.S. Senate. 
A)  In Texas, the executive department is made up of several elected offices, instead of just one. 
B)  The chief executive in Texas does not have the power to check the legislature with a veto, as the U.S. president can. 
C)  The governor has term limits, while the U.S. president does not. 
D)  The governor of Texas is paid more than the U.S. president. 
E)  The governor is considered president of the Texas Senate, while the U.S. president is not considered the presiding officer over the U.S. Senate.

Question 13

The supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution states that

Accepted Answer

A)  the constitution of Texas is the supreme law in Texas. 
B)  laws passed by the national government are supreme over all state laws. 
C)  the president is the supreme government authority throughout the United States. 
D)  all laws passed by the Texas legislature are supreme, even if they conflict with federal laws. 
E)  state laws take precedence over national laws when they conflict. 
A)  the constitution of Texas is the supreme law in Texas. 
B)  laws passed by the national government are supreme over all state laws. 
C)  the president is the supreme government authority throughout the United States. 
D)  all laws passed by the Texas legislature are supreme, even if they conflict with federal laws. 
E)  state laws take precedence over national laws when they conflict.

Question 14

Texas has a bill of rights containing more liberties than those found in the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which of the following was not a goal for those writing the Texas constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  restrictions on the power of the government to get into debt 
B)  limits on the ability of the government to impose taxes 
C)  checking the powers of the governor 
D)  giving independence to the judiciary by making all judges appointed, instead of elected 
E)  strong popular control of state government 
A)  restrictions on the power of the government to get into debt 
B)  limits on the ability of the government to impose taxes 
C)  checking the powers of the governor 
D)  giving independence to the judiciary by making all judges appointed, instead of elected 
E)  strong popular control of state government

Question 16

What is the most important difference between the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Most state constitutions create confederated forms of government. 
B)  Civil rights are not found in state constitutions. 
C)  The U.S. Constitution contains no checks and balances. 
D)  State constitutions are subordinate to the U.S. Constitution. 
E)  State constitutions contain no checks and balances. 
A)  Most state constitutions create confederated forms of government. 
B)  Civil rights are not found in state constitutions. 
C)  The U.S. Constitution contains no checks and balances. 
D)  State constitutions are subordinate to the U.S. Constitution. 
E)  State constitutions contain no checks and balances.

Question 17

Urban business interests had the greatest role in writing the Texas Constitution of 1876.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The Texas constitution requires which of the following for amendment?

Accepted Answer

A)  a two-thirds vote in both houses of the state legislature and a majority vote from the voters of Texas 
B)  only a majority vote from the voters of Texas 
C)  the governor's signature 
D)  a two-thirds vote in county conventions convened for the purpose of amending the constitution 
E)  a majority vote in both houses of the state legislature 
A)  a two-thirds vote in both houses of the state legislature and a majority vote from the voters of Texas 
B)  only a majority vote from the voters of Texas 
C)  the governor's signature 
D)  a two-thirds vote in county conventions convened for the purpose of amending the constitution 
E)  a majority vote in both houses of the state legislature

Question 19

The system of distributing powers between states and a central government is called

Accepted Answer

A)  federalism. 
B)  separation of powers. 
C)  constitutionalism. 
D)  filtration. 
E)  checks and balances. 
A)  federalism. 
B)  separation of powers. 
C)  constitutionalism. 
D)  filtration. 
E)  checks and balances.

Question 20

What is the major difference between the bill of rights in the Texas constitution and the U.S. Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is no bill of rights in the Texas constitution. 
B)  The Texas constitution grants to Texans rights that are not found in the U.S. Constitution. 
C)  The Texas bill of rights is far less detailed than the federal Bill of Rights. 
D)  The Texas constitution has no specific rights for those accused of a crime. 
E)  The Texas constitution does not grant specific rights to former slaves. 
A)  There is no bill of rights in the Texas constitution. 
B)  The Texas constitution grants to Texans rights that are not found in the U.S. Constitution. 
C)  The Texas bill of rights is far less detailed than the federal Bill of Rights. 
D)  The Texas constitution has no specific rights for those accused of a crime. 
E)  The Texas constitution does not grant specific rights to former slaves.

Exam 20: The Texas Constitution

Under the 1836 Republic of Texas Constitution,

The Texas constitution is

The current Texas constitution has been amended more than 400 times.

Describe the particular historical condition under which the Constitution of 1876 was drafted. What were some of the main principles behind the Constitution of 1876? What are some of the most important aspects of the constitution that reflect the political philosophy of its framers?

Philosophically, the Texas constitution reflects a

Which of the following is not a similarity between the U.S. Constitution and the Texas constitution?

What is the function of a state constitution? In what ways are the Texas and the U.S. constitutions similar in principle? What are some of the key differences between the Texas and U.S. constitutions?

The Texas constitution created a unicameral legislature.

The Texas Constitution of 1869 was written by members of the Republican Party, including ten African Americans.

Which of the following statements best describes the structure of the Texas legislature?

The Texas Constitution of 1869 was created

Which of the following describes a significant difference between the structure of the Texas executive department and the structure of the U.S. executive branch?

The supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution states that

Texas has a bill of rights containing more liberties than those found in the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Which of the following was not a goal for those writing the Texas constitution?

What is the most important difference between the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions?

Urban business interests had the greatest role in writing the Texas Constitution of 1876.

The Texas constitution requires which of the following for amendment?

The system of distributing powers between states and a central government is called

What is the major difference between the bill of rights in the Texas constitution and the U.S. Bill of Rights?

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