Question 1

What is the significance of dissenting opinions?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are made to appeal to a justice's constituency groups. 
B)  They have as much weight of law as the majority's opinion does. 
C)  Dissents are signs that the Court is in disagreement on an issue and could change its ruling. 
D)  Dissents are meant to confuse lawyers and government officials as to the true meaning of a decided case. 
E)  They are meant to appease the losing side in a case. 
A)  They are made to appeal to a justice's constituency groups. 
B)  They have as much weight of law as the majority's opinion does. 
C)  Dissents are signs that the Court is in disagreement on an issue and could change its ruling. 
D)  Dissents are meant to confuse lawyers and government officials as to the true meaning of a decided case. 
E)  They are meant to appease the losing side in a case.

Question 2

In most circumstances, a supreme court is best described as a(n) ______ court.

Accepted Answer

A)  uniform 
B)  trial 
C)  advisory 
D)  appellate 
E)  elected 
A)  uniform 
B)  trial 
C)  advisory 
D)  appellate 
E)  elected

Question 3

Many interest groups have used the federal courts to pursue their policy goals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Why is the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison important?

Accepted Answer

A)  In this case, the Court declared the authority of Congress to regulate the economy of the United States. 
B)  In this case, the Court nationalized the Bill of Rights. 
C)  In this case, the Court authorized itself to exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress. 
D)  In this case, the Court declared the secession of the Confederate states to be in violation of the Constitution. 
E)  In this case, the Court declared the segregation of schools based on race illegal. 
A)  In this case, the Court declared the authority of Congress to regulate the economy of the United States. 
B)  In this case, the Court nationalized the Bill of Rights. 
C)  In this case, the Court authorized itself to exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress. 
D)  In this case, the Court declared the secession of the Confederate states to be in violation of the Constitution. 
E)  In this case, the Court declared the segregation of schools based on race illegal.

Question 5

How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)  seven 
B)  nine 
C)  ten 
D)  eleven 
E)  fifteen 
A)  seven 
B)  nine 
C)  ten 
D)  eleven 
E)  fifteen

Question 6

Judicial review over acts of Congress was established by Marbury v. Madison.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

In 2000, the Supreme Court ignored stare decisis by overturning its own Miranda rule.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Congress has created a single federal appellate court for each of the fifty states.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The Supreme Court has no discretion over the cases it hears each term.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

When interest groups involved in litigation pursue a pattern-of-cases strategy, they are

Accepted Answer

A)  using legal arguments that have won in the past. 
B)  bringing the same type of suit into multiple circuits, hoping that a contradiction in rulings will bring about a Supreme Court review. 
C)  shopping around for the district where the likelihood of a favorable decision is highest. 
D)  filing multiple friend-of-the-court briefs, in the hope of influencing the legal arguments of the Supreme Court. 
E)  filing cases in different courts on the same subject. 
A)  using legal arguments that have won in the past. 
B)  bringing the same type of suit into multiple circuits, hoping that a contradiction in rulings will bring about a Supreme Court review. 
C)  shopping around for the district where the likelihood of a favorable decision is highest. 
D)  filing multiple friend-of-the-court briefs, in the hope of influencing the legal arguments of the Supreme Court. 
E)  filing cases in different courts on the same subject.

Question 11

The role of the judiciary has gotten narrower and weaker since World War II.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

What was the basis of Justice John Marshall's assertion that the federal courts have the power of judicial review?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Constitution grants the courts that power. 
B)  It is the duty of the courts to say what the law is; therefore it is necessary for the courts to interpret and expound upon the law. 
C)  Congress would have to ask the courts for permission to pass laws. 
D)  The president should not be able to "get around" Congress by issuing executive orders on any issue he or she would like. 
E)  The federal courts, since they are the least political branch of government, should have the power to review the actions of the political branches. 
A)  The Constitution grants the courts that power. 
B)  It is the duty of the courts to say what the law is; therefore it is necessary for the courts to interpret and expound upon the law. 
C)  Congress would have to ask the courts for permission to pass laws. 
D)  The president should not be able to "get around" Congress by issuing executive orders on any issue he or she would like. 
E)  The federal courts, since they are the least political branch of government, should have the power to review the actions of the political branches.

Question 13

What is the main function of the chief justice of the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)  The chief justice decides what cases will be heard by the full Court each term. 
B)  The chief justice always writes the Court's majority opinions. 
C)  The chief justice presides over the Court's public sessions and private conferences. 
D)  The chief justice is also the constitutional adviser to the president. 
E)  The chief justice is the constitutional adviser to Congress. 
A)  The chief justice decides what cases will be heard by the full Court each term. 
B)  The chief justice always writes the Court's majority opinions. 
C)  The chief justice presides over the Court's public sessions and private conferences. 
D)  The chief justice is also the constitutional adviser to the president. 
E)  The chief justice is the constitutional adviser to Congress.

Question 14

The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by

Accepted Answer

A)  the U.S. Constitution. 
B)  Congress. 
C)  a national convention. 
D)  the American Bar Association. 
E)  the president. 
A)  the U.S. Constitution. 
B)  Congress. 
C)  a national convention. 
D)  the American Bar Association. 
E)  the president.

Question 15

Write an essay analyzing the exercise of judicial review. What is judicial review, what are its origins, and why is it often so controversial? What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison? Give some examples of notable uses of judicial review in Supreme Court history.

Accepted Answer

Judicial review is the power of the cour

Question 16

The increase of administrative agencies since the New Deal has resulted in a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  increased instance of Congress writing administrative rules. 
B)  delegation of power by Congress to administrative agencies. 
C)  strict nondelegation doctrine pronounced by the Supreme Court. 
D)  increase in states making administrative law. 
E)  increase in federal laws being challenged in the courts. 
A)  increased instance of Congress writing administrative rules. 
B)  delegation of power by Congress to administrative agencies. 
C)  strict nondelegation doctrine pronounced by the Supreme Court. 
D)  increase in states making administrative law. 
E)  increase in federal laws being challenged in the courts.

Question 17

What are some of the different types of judicial philosophy in how to interpret the law? Outline the theories of judicial restraint and judicial activism. What are some of the benefits of each theory? What are some problems?

Accepted Answer

There are several different types of jud

Question 18

The Supreme Court is established under Article III of the U.S. Constitution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The assignment of the opinion in a Supreme Court case is

Accepted Answer

A)  unimportant because the final vote of the justices is the only statement that carries any weight in future cases. 
B)  important because differences in wording and emphasis can have important implications for how the decision is interpreted in future litigation. 
C)  unimportant because all justices usually describe their decisions in exactly the same way. 
D)  important because every word of a decision is legally binding. 
E)  unimportant because they are rarely, if ever, read by anyone involved in the legal process. 
A)  unimportant because the final vote of the justices is the only statement that carries any weight in future cases. 
B)  important because differences in wording and emphasis can have important implications for how the decision is interpreted in future litigation. 
C)  unimportant because all justices usually describe their decisions in exactly the same way. 
D)  important because every word of a decision is legally binding. 
E)  unimportant because they are rarely, if ever, read by anyone involved in the legal process.

Question 20

In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?

Accepted Answer

A)  public law 
B)  criminal law 
C)  civil law 
D)  common law 
E)  tort law 
A)  public law 
B)  criminal law 
C)  civil law 
D)  common law 
E)  tort law

What is the significance of dissenting opinions?

In most circumstances, a supreme court is best described as a(n) ______ court.

Many interest groups have used the federal courts to pursue their policy goals.

Why is the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison important?

How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

Judicial review over acts of Congress was established by Marbury v. Madison.

In 2000, the Supreme Court ignored stare decisis by overturning its own Miranda rule.

Congress has created a single federal appellate court for each of the fifty states.

The Supreme Court has no discretion over the cases it hears each term.

When interest groups involved in litigation pursue a pattern-of-cases strategy, they are

The role of the judiciary has gotten narrower and weaker since World War II.

What was the basis of Justice John Marshall's assertion that the federal courts have the power of judicial review?

What is the main function of the chief justice of the Supreme Court?

The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by

Write an essay analyzing the exercise of judicial review. What is judicial review, what are its origins, and why is it often so controversial? What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison? Give some examples of notable uses of judicial review in Supreme Court history.

The increase of administrative agencies since the New Deal has resulted in a(n)

What are some of the different types of judicial philosophy in how to interpret the law? Outline the theories of judicial restraint and judicial activism. What are some of the benefits of each theory? What are some problems?

The Supreme Court is established under Article III of the U.S. Constitution.

The assignment of the opinion in a Supreme Court case is

In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?

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

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

Filters

Exam 15: The Federal Courts

What is the significance of dissenting opinions?

In most circumstances, a supreme court is best described as a(n) ______ court.

Many interest groups have used the federal courts to pursue their policy goals.

Why is the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison important?

How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

Judicial review over acts of Congress was established by Marbury v. Madison.

In 2000, the Supreme Court ignored stare decisis by overturning its own Miranda rule.

Congress has created a single federal appellate court for each of the fifty states.

The Supreme Court has no discretion over the cases it hears each term.

When interest groups involved in litigation pursue a pattern-of-cases strategy, they are

The role of the judiciary has gotten narrower and weaker since World War II.

What was the basis of Justice John Marshall's assertion that the federal courts have the power of judicial review?

What is the main function of the chief justice of the Supreme Court?

The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by

Write an essay analyzing the exercise of judicial review. What is judicial review, what are its origins, and why is it often so controversial? What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison? Give some examples of notable uses of judicial review in Supreme Court history.

The increase of administrative agencies since the New Deal has resulted in a(n)

What are some of the different types of judicial philosophy in how to interpret the law? Outline the theories of judicial restraint and judicial activism. What are some of the benefits of each theory? What are some problems?

The Supreme Court is established under Article III of the U.S. Constitution.

The assignment of the opinion in a Supreme Court case is

In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?

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

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

Filters