POSI Mock Exam questions

What is the name of the theory of Presidential authority that argues that the president should only obey the constitution, not congress?

a. Judicial Restraint Theory

b. Stewardship Theory

c. Limited President Theory

d. Living Constitution Theory

b. Stewardship Theory

True or False: Judicial Activism is primarily a left-wing phenomenon

a. True

b. False

b. False

What is the name of the supreme court case that overturned a woman’s constitutional right to abortion?

a. Roe v. Wade

b. Planned Parenthood v. Casey

c. Obergefell v. Hodge

d. Dobbs v. Jackson

d. Dobbs v. Jackson

What is the reason for the continued expansion of the power of the executive branch?

a. The historical conditions after WW2 required the president to have more foreign policy powers

b. Congress has abandoned some of its responsibilities and given them to the president

c. the belief that the president represents the whole nation

d. All of the above

d. All of the above

The House Rules Committee decides:

a. the way citizens will be taxes

b. the rules for how long a bill is discussed and when it’s voted on

c. the rules of decorum that representatives must follow

d. the rules the president must follow or face impeachment

b. the rules for how long a bill is discussed and when it’s voted on

what is cloture?

a. the term for talking in the senate continuously until a bill is dropped

b. the term for voting to limit debate in the house to thirty hours

c. the term for voting to limit debate in the senate to thirty hours

d. the term for talking in the house continuously until a bill is dropped

c. the term for voting to limit debate in the senate to thirty hours

True or False: The Majority Opinion is always written by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

a. True

b. False

b. False

Which of the Following is NOT a major influence on Supreme Court members

externally?

a. The public

b. Federal Officials

c. Lower court decisions

d. Interest Groups

c. Lower court decisions

What is NOT one of the ways that someone in Congress stays in power?

a. Engage in Pork-Barrel Spending for Constituents

b. Not addressing disruptive issues

c. Redistricting or Gerrymandering through State Legislature

d. Large campaign fundraising

b. Not addressing disruptive issues

The “ Surge and Decline Theory” says:

a. Presidents have an easier time passing law in the early part of their presidency.

b. Voters go out to vote more for Presidential elections than midterms

c. Senate filibusters more bills during Midterms.

d. Midterms see an increase of negative advertisements which decline afterwards

b. Voters go out more for Presidential elections than midterms

What is the name of the Supreme Court case that gave the Supreme Court the power

of Judicial Review?

a. Plessy v. Ferguson

b. Hutto v. Davis

c. Marbury v. Madison

d. McCulloch v. Maryland

c. Marbury v. Madison

How many people in Congress have to agree to a bill to overwhelm the president’s

veto?

a. Two/Thirds of Congress

b. Three/Fourths of Congress

c. Half of Congress

d. Three/fifths of Congress

a. Two/Thirds of Congress

What is the “Shadow Docket”?

a. A decision made by the Supreme Court that is unsigned by the whole court

b. A decision made by the Supreme Court that is made at night

c. A decision made by the Supreme Court to hear a case

d. A decision made by the Supreme Court that refuses to listen to oral arguments

d. A decision made by the Supreme Court tht refuses to listen to oral arguements

What does it mean to “filibuster” in Congress?

a. To talk in the Senate constantly until a bill is dropped

b. To talk in the House constantly until a bill is dropped

c. To push a bill through the Senate as quickly as possible

d. To push a bill through the House as quickly as possible

a. To talk in the Senate constantly until a bill is dropped

True or False: Justices on the Supreme Court will delay retirement until the next presidential administration aligns with their ideology?

a. True

b. False

a. True

Who is considered by scholars to have been the most powerful Vice President in modern times?

a. J.D. Vance

b. Kamala Harris

c. Dick Cheney

d. Michael Pence

c. Dick Cheney

What does “Precedent” refer to concerning the Supreme Court?

a. The doctrine of obeying the Constitution

b. The doctrine of looking at Statutory laws

c. The doctrine of obeying the decisions made by past Justices

d. The doctrine of obeying the President

c. The doctrine of obeying the decisions made by past Justices

The President’s role in handling peaceful foreign policy relationships with other

countries makes him the:

a. Chief Executive

b. Head of Government

c. Chief Diplomat

d. Commander in Chief

c. Chief diplomat

True or False: Only the Supreme Court has the power of judicial review in the judicial branch

a. True

b. False

b. False

The President’s role as the enforcer of the laws is called what?

a. Commander in Chief

b. Head of Government

c. Chief Diplomat

d. Chief Executive

d. Chief Executive

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways that the President can try to

enforce their agenda by themselves?

a. Use the Veto

b. Sign Executive Orders

c. Impeach politicians

d. Utilize Executive agreements

c. Impeach politicians

True or False: The Supreme Court will often refuse to change their

language just to appease the public.

a. True

b. False

a. True

What is the name of the theory of Presidential authority that argues that the

President should obey the Constitution and Congress?

a. Executive Restraint Theory

b. Stewardship Theory

c. Limited President Theory

d. Living Constitution Theory

c. Limited President Theory

True or False: If the House and the Senate disagree on a bill, they must

hold a conference committee to create a bill both sides agree on.

a. True

b. False

a. True

Which of the following is a reason for a Senator’s removal that is unique to

Senators only?

a. They don’t handle disruptive issues well

b. They face a tough opponent in the primary election

c. They face a tough opponent in the general election

d. They get involved in scandal or personal misconduct

c. They face a tough opponent in the general election