Georgia State University (GSU) POLS 1101 Introduction to American Government Exam 1 Practice Test

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• Which term describes rights that citizens are born with that cannot be taken away?
• The idea that the ultimate source of power in the nation is held by the people.
• The values and beliefs about government, its purpose, and its operations and institutions that are widely held among citizens in a society.
• Reynolds v. Sims (1964) is best known for establishing which doctrine?
• Which term describes the doctrine that power is divided between a central government and constituent political subunits?
• Which term describes the collection of public institutions in a nation that create and enforce the rules governing citizen conduct?
• Which term describes policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals?
• What term describes the collection of public institutions in a nation that establish and enforce the rules by which members of that nation must live?
• Which constitutional clause is addressed by the Lemon Test?
• What is a typical effect of the winner-take-all method in the Electoral College?
• Which law banned racial discrimination in public accommodations, prohibited discrimination by employers, and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
• Freedom of choice.
• Which term describes a legislature with two chambers?
• What is political culture?
• Which concept denotes equality and fair treatment of all groups within the institutions that serve the public at large?
• Which type of government concentrates all political power in a single national authority?
• Which amendment protects freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures?
• Rights citizens are born with (including life, liberty, and property) that government cannot take away.
• What does the Free Exercise Clause protect?
• How many states were required to ratify the original Constitution?
• Which term is defined as the supreme political power of a government to regulate its affairs without outside interference?
• What term refers to an agreement to form a government and abide by its rules?
• The right to vote is called what?
• How does a bill become a law? Outline key steps.
• Which term denotes goods such as air and water that everyone uses and must share?
• Which amendment guaranteed citizenship to former slaves?
• Which term refers to the government's power to take private property for public use with just compensation?
• Which amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms?
• Which amendment deals with presidential disability and succession, establishing procedures for replacing the president and vice president if necessary?
• Which amendment prohibits denying the vote on the basis of race, color, or previous condition of servitude?
• Racial segregation that occurs because of past social and economic conditions and residential patterns is called what?
• What is the purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
• Which standard of review is generally applied to most equal protection cases not involving a fundamental right?
• Which amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states or the people?
• What is the difference between de jure and de facto segregation?
• Which term describes shifting regulatory authority from the federal government to the states?
• Which category of power exists when both the national government and the states may exercise it?
• Which amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and limits bail and fines?
• What are the core protections of the First Amendment and a common limit on speech?
• What is a joint resolution?
• In the Electoral College, what is required to win the presidency?
• Which statement best characterizes a marble cake (cooperative) view of federalism?
• Which clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law is known as the
• Which provision ensures that the Constitution and federal laws override conflicting state provisions?
• Which amendment protects against self-incrimination?
• Which federalism framework allows Congress to use broad means to achieve national policies and often coerces states into compliance?
• Which system divides powers between a central government and regional governments?
• Which option is NOT a function of the media in a democracy?
• What is selective incorporation?
• Which amendment is primarily used to apply the Bill of Rights to the states through incorporation?
• What is the process by which provisions of the Bill of Rights are applied to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment?
• What is judicial interpretation of the Constitution?
• Which amendment guarantees the right to a fair and speedy trial by an impartial jury and access to legal counsel?
• Which statement best defines turnout versus participation?
• Which of the following best describes the role of the media in a democracy?
• In a unitary state, sovereignty lies where?
• Which description best captures substantive due process?
• What is the term for the division of a legislature into two separate assemblies?
• In which case did the Court uphold Congress's implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out its delegated powers?
• Which article of the Constitution defines the Legislative Branch, its powers, members, and workings?
• Which article details the powers and duties of the Executive Branch, including the process of removal?
• Which concept emphasizes equal participation rights in the political process across groups?
• Which statement accurately describes the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
• Which form of government features a small exclusive class holding supreme power, possibly ruling on behalf of the people?
• What does the Establishment Clause do?
• Which amendment limits the president to two terms or a maximum of ten years?
• How has the Commerce Clause expanded federal power?
• Which factor is listed as influencing voter turnout?
• Which amendment contains the equal protection clause?
• What is substantive due process?
• Which provision in Article IV, Section 1 requires states to recognize acts and proceedings of other states?
• Which form of government concentrates all political power in a single national authority?
• Which powers are those expressly retained by the state governments under the Constitution?
• Which amendment granted women the right to vote?
• Which amendment guarantees the right to a fair, speedy trial?
• Which amendment reorganized terms such that the President and Vice President take office in January, with Congress in session earlier?
• Which term describes grants from the federal government to states to pursue specific policies, such as highway construction?
• What is pluralism in American politics?
• What does the incorporation doctrine do with respect to the Bill of Rights?
• Which case ruled that enslaved people were property and could not sue?
• Which amendment abolished slavery?
• What is the Electoral College?
• The Equal Protection Clause has been used to combat discrimination in areas such as race and gender.
• Which plan proposed a legislature with membership proportional to population and included three separate branches?
• Which amendment prohibits denying the right to vote because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude?
• A system of government in which all citizens participate in making policy, rules, and governing decisions.
• What is the Supremacy Clause?
• What is the primary function of the legislative branch?
• Which concept emphasizes achieving the same outcomes for all citizens, not just equal opportunities?
• What is federalism as defined in the U.S. Constitution?
• Which standard of judicial review applies when a law affects a fundamental right and requires the government to show a compelling interest?
• Which article defines the Executive Branch, its powers, duties, and means of removal?
• What is impeachment, and which body initiates it?
• What policy is designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups by improving their economic and educational opportunities?
• What plan created a bicameral Congress with equal representation in one house and proportional representation in the other?
• Which policy is designed to address past discrimination by enhancing educational and employment opportunities for women and minority groups?
• Which federal law invalidated literacy tests and property requirements and required preclearance for voting changes?
• The Lemon Test for Establishment Clause cases has three components. Which list below correctly states its requirements?
• Which governing document created a national government with limited powers—no executive, no judiciary, no power to tax, and no power to regulate trade?
• What term refers to the right of states to limit the power of the federal government?
• Which description best captures federal grants-in-aid influencing state policy?
• Which best describes the role of political parties in organizing government and elections?
• What is a pocket veto?
• A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them.
• Which scenario best illustrates political socialization?
• What formal document lists colonists' grievances and articulates the colonists' intention to seek independence; formally adopted on July 4, 1776?
• Which amendment provides the right to a trial by jury in civil cases?
• Which amendment grants citizenship to persons born in the United States?
• What is the term for the power of courts to examine and declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional?
• Which amendment protects freedoms including religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition?
• Which branch is described in Article I of the Constitution?
• What is the difference between a law passed by Congress and an executive order?
• Which form concentrates all sovereign authority in the central government?
• Which rule prohibits using evidence obtained through illegal police conduct?
• Which clause is commonly associated with the idea that federal law is supreme over conflicting state law?
• What is gerrymandering?
• Which clause asserts that federal laws are the supreme law of the land, binding on states?
• Which statement describes political culture?
• A form of government designed by the U.S. Constitution whereby free, open, and regular elections are held to allow citizens to elect individuals who govern on their behalf and who are responsible for making and enforcing public policy.
• Which amendment abolished slavery?
• Most states award their electoral votes using which method?
• What is required to override a presidential veto?
• How does due process protect citizens?
• Which idea guarantees the same chance to succeed in life for each person?
• Which name is given to the Necessary and Proper Clause?
• Racial segregation mandated by law or government policy is referred to as which?
• Which article establishes the legislative branch and outlines its powers?
• Which statement about Brown v. Board of Education is most accurate?
• What is a swing state?
• Which case held that Congress has broad authority to pass laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its powers?
• The Three-Fifths Compromise determined that five enslaved people would be counted as three free people for purposes of taxes and representation.
• Which powers are those not stated explicitly in the Constitution but are implied?
• Which term refers to the power of courts to review the constitutionality of laws and government actions?
• Which arrangement is defined by strong states and a weak central government?
• What is the principle that assigns separate and independent powers and responsibilities to each branch of government?
• What is the term for the process by which amendments are proposed and ratified?
• Which amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires probable cause for warrants?
• Which term describes a centralized government with all power in a single central agency?
• Which term describes the plan that produced a bicameral Congress with equal representation in one chamber and proportional representation in the other?
• Which statement accurately contrasts statute and case law?
• Which powers are shared by the federal and state governments?
• Which form of government is described as a single ruler, often by hereditary succession?
• Which form of government is ruled by a small class that may rule on behalf of the people?
• Which clause requires states to honor the official acts and proceedings of other states?
• Which statement about concurrent resolutions is true?
• Which term describes a fundamental individual right protected by law and immunity from arbitrary governmental interference?
• Which form of government is guided by religious authority and laws?
• Which term describes transferring regulatory authority from the federal government back to the states?
• What is the function of a conference committee?
• Which term describes the transfer of power and responsibilities for certain regulatory programs from the federal government back to the states?
• Which term describes a political arrangement in which citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf?
• Which political orientation favors a more assertive role in the redistribution of economic resources, but emphasizes individual freedom on a range of social issues?
• Racial segregation that arises from social and economic conditions rather than law is known as what?
• Which concept refers to applying protections of the Bill of Rights to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment?
• Which statement best describes procedural due process?
• Which amendment reorganized the start of presidential and congressional terms to January and changed meeting dates for Congress?
• Differentiation of dual federalism from cooperative federalism?
• Which form of government is defined as one person, usually from a royal family, exercising supreme authority?
• Which amendment states that rights not enumerated in the Constitution are retained by the people?
• What are standing committees and why are they important?
• What is judicial review and which case established it?
• Which amendment reserves powers to the states?
• What is political socialization?
• Which statement best describes the use of joint resolutions for constitutional amendments?
• In which system does sovereignty lie entirely in the central government?
• Which condition means different groups possess substantially the same rights to participate in the political system?
• Which plan retained the principle of equal representation for states in the legislature?
• What is the purpose of hearings and markup in a congressional committee?
• Which amendments are known as the Civil War Amendments?
• What term describes a directive from the federal government to the states requiring action, with no accompanying funds to support that action?
• Which article sets up the Judicial Branch and defines treason?
• Which case established the 'separate but equal' doctrine allowing segregation as long as facilities were substantially equal?
• What is the role of the Senate in impeachment?
• What term refers to goods such as clean air and clean water that everyone consumes and must share?
• Which term refers to the division of power between national and state governments?
• What is a document giving an official instruction or command?
• According to the amendment process, which body must approve a proposed amendment by a two-thirds vote to move it forward?
• What are reserved powers, and where are they referenced?
• What is another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause?
• Which amendment prohibits states from depriving a person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law?
• What is popular sovereignty?
• Which constitutional principle makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government acts within its constitutional limits?
• Which case established the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review?
• Which amendment prohibits quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent?
• Which statement best describes a concurrent resolution?
• Which case is commonly cited as illustrating the rational basis test for evaluating laws?
• Which clause is commonly referred to as the Elastic Clause and authorizes Congress to pass laws necessary to carry out enumerated powers?
• Which statement is true about the relationship between statute and case law?
• Which concept embodies the 5th Amendment principle that government must follow fair procedures in trials?
• Racial segregation that occurs because of laws or administrative decisions by public agencies is known as what?
• What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?
• Which case ruled that enslaved people were not citizens and had no standing to sue in federal court?
• Pluralism in American politics is best described as which of the following?
• What was the significance of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
• Which event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and spurred the drafting of a new constitution?
• Which term describes a system where state authority acts as a limit on Congress's power under the Constitution?
• Which form of government places a particular religion or faith at the center of governance?
• Which system has states retaining most power and the national government being relatively weak?
• Which clause is considered the supreme law of the land, invalidating conflicting state laws?
• Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
• Which clause ensures that federal law overrides state law in case of conflict?
• Which term would a proponent want more government intervention in the economy but supports individual freedoms on social issues?
• Which constitutional provision prohibits states from denying equal protection of the laws?
• Which amendment grants residents of the District of Columbia the right to vote for president?
• Which legislative instrument is commonly used to propose constitutional amendments?
• Which form of government is characterized by a central government sharing power with regional governments, with the national government able to coordinate but not override local laws?
• Which of the following best describes the Elastic Clause power?
• Which clause prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law is known as the
• Which amendment protects against double jeopardy, preventing being tried twice for the same offense?
• Which powers are expressly granted to Congress by the Constitution, such as the power to tax?
• Which amendment states that the rights listed in the Constitution are not exhaustive and that the people retain all other rights?
• What are federal grants-in-aid and how do they influence states?
• Which amendment prohibits the quartering of troops in private homes?
• Which clause gives Congress power to regulate commerce that crosses state lines?
• Which case established judicial review?
• What is the role of the bureaucracy in government?
• Which clause authorizes Congress to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers?
• Which case overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine and ended segregation in public schools?
• Which amendment is most closely associated with ending slavery in the United States?
• Which statement best exemplifies political socialization in everyday life?
• Which term describes the formal charging of a public official with misconduct by the House?
• What is a presidential veto and how can it be overridden?
• A legislature with two chambers is called what?