Question 1 of 20
Some might suggest that the Constitution favoured placing power in the hands of economic elites. Which of the following does NOT fit this argument?
A. The Electoral College
B. The election of senators
C. The Tenth Amendment
D. The presidential veto
Question 2 of 20
Many propertied elites, in the 1780s, were convinced that a strong __________ government was essential for the country to flourish.
A. state
B. national
C. oppositional
D. coordinated
Question 3 of 20
States can choose to ignore federal speed limit and other safety requirements if they are willing to forego __________ for highways and roads.
A. state funding
B. state repairs
C. federal funding
D. federal enforcement
Question 4 of 20
The primary motivation of the Framers, according to Charles Beard, was to:
A. protect their property rights through creation of a strong national government.
B. provide opportunities for political advancement for the Framers.
C. strengthen states' rights in order to allow more effective resolution of property disputes.
D. create an egalitarian system of property distribution.
Question 5 of 20
The __________ supported strong state governments because they believed that states would be close to the popular will.
A. Federalists
B. Anti-Federalists
C. people
D. opposing parties
Question 6 of 20
Despite the principle of separation of powers, which of the following is an example of the president's (the executive) legislative powers?
A. The power to set tariffs on imported goods
B. The power to recommend measures to Congress
C. Executive review of Supreme Court decisions
D. The power to remove cabinet secretaries
Question 7 of 20
Which of the following was NOT an author of the Federalist Papers?
A. John Jay
B. James Madison
C. George Washington
D. John Adams
Question 8 of 20
Which of the following men did NOT attend the Constitutional Convention?
A. Benjamin Franklin
B. George Washington
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. John Adams
Question 9 of 20
The federal agency that handles disaster response is:
A. the Department of Defense.
B. the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
C. the Food and Drug Administration.
D. the U.S. Congress.
Question 10 of 20
The U.S. Constitution is approximately:
A. 7,000 words.
B. 30,000 words.
C. 1,000 words.
D. 17,000 words.
Question 11 of 20
The Constitution can be amended by:
A. a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress and three-fourths of the state legislatures.
B. a national referendum.
C. a majority of the Supreme Court and Congress, with the president's signature.
D. a three-fourths vote of state legislatures and the president's signature.
Question 12 of 20
Which of the following issues were NOT a major concern of the Anti-Federalists concerning the Constitution?
A. The new powers granted to the national government
B. Ensuring that individual rights and liberties would be protected
C. Preserving the powers of the states
D. Ensuring that state criminal law would continue to be enforced by state courts
Question 13 of 20
Why was the division of power among the three branches of government an insufficient means to balance their powers?
A. The legislature, as the only initiator of laws, could dominate the other two branches.
B. Congress has more members than the other two branches.
C. Supreme Court judges are impeachable.
D. The president could become a dictator.
Question 14 of 20
Which of the following is a true statement about the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
A. Both factions distrusted the power of state governments.
B. Federalists were pessimistic about human nature, and Anti-Federalists were more optimistic about human nature.
C. The Anti-Federalists preferred a nonelected judiciary and indirectly elected president.
D. Both factions did not fear foreign threats.
Question 15 of 20
Public education involves the federal government in which of the following ways?
A. Overseeing local school boards
B. Forbidding racial discrimination
C. Ensuring equal funding for all schools
D. Providing funding for school construction
Question 16 of 20
Congress proposed all 27 constitutional amendments.
A. 25
B. 26
C. 27
D. 28
Question 17 of 20
President Bush and Governor Blanco struggled to agree about how to respond to Hurricane Katrina due to:
A. political differences and perceptions of incompetence by both.
B. President Bush never having been in a hurricane before.
C. Governor Blanco being a woman.
D. Mayor Nagin's lack of emotional response to the disaster.
Question 18 of 20
Realistic application of constitutional principles depends on:
A. the hypocrisy of politicians.
B. the absolutist language of the document.
C. an understanding of the motives of the Framers.
D. current political relationships.
Question 19 of 20
Judicial review is the practice of:
A. periodic review of presidential foreign policy by individual justices.
B. review of Supreme Court decisions by Congress.
C. systematic evaluation of lower court decisions by the Supreme Court.
D. determination by the federal courts of the constitutionality of state and federal law and of actions by Congress and the president.
Question 20 of 20
Which of the following relationships is NOT an example of the system of checks and balances built into the Constitution?
A. A Supreme Court decision can be overturned by an amendment to the Constitution.
B. A presidential veto can be overridden by a supermajority of Congress.
C. House committee decisions can be overturned on the floor of the House by a majority vote.
D. Presidential use of the military is limited by the appropriations power of Congress.