US Government End of Semester Test

What is the primary purpose of most constitutions?

to define and limit government power

Under which type of government would state or provincial governments have the most sovereignty?

confederal

Imagine you are preparing a speech on social contract theory for your government class. As part of your speech, you need to focus on the idea that people have the authority to overthrow a government that has become tyrannical. Which Enlightenment text would be good source material?

Locke's Second Treatise of Government

What is considered an important Roman contribution to American government?

the idea of representative government in which people elect officials to speak for them

According to the Declaration of Independence, when do the people have the right to overthrow their government?

when the government fails to protect the fundamental rights of the people

What was an important concern for the Founding Fathers when drafting the Articles of Confederation?

avoiding the tyranny of a powerful central government

The Constitution created a federal system in the United States. Which of the following best describes a federal government?

power split and shared between the central and state governments

In 1783, which plan sought to highlight the need for a stronger national government and used army officers to threaten a coup d'état?

Newburgh Conspiracy

What were the Founding Fathers trying to create when they divided powers between the judicial, legislative, and executive branches?

checks and balances

Which sentence in the US Constitution provides for limiting the power of government?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion . . . or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press."

What is an enumerated power of Congress?

a power specifically named in the Constitution

In Congress, who has the right to unlimited debate and unlimited opportunity to offer amendments?

senators

Imagine that you are writing a report on the people who most influenced a president during the administration. Which advisor would be the best source on a president's personal thoughts?

the chief of staff

Which statement about the executive role of the president of the United States is true?

The president fills the roles of head of state and head of government.

"Stare decisis" means "let the decision stand." This concept is influential in our legal system and is most closely related with which legal term?

precedent

Which sentence correctly states the relationship between the federal and the state judiciaries?

The two generally operate separately, although federal courts may overrule state court decisions that violate the US Constitution or federal law.

Which action is an example of direct democracy?

voting for the recall of a state governor

Which sentence best describes a referendum?

Citizens vote directly on a proposed law in their city or state.

What specifically was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking out against when he made this statement in 1958?

"I could never adjust to the separate waiting rooms, separate eating places, separate rest rooms, partly because the separate was always unequal, and partly because the very idea of separation did something to my sense of dignity and self-respect."

Jim Crow laws

What was the subject of the Louisiana laws upheld by Plessy v. Ferguson?

separate rail facilities

In which type of US election is it possible for the winning candidate to get fewer popular votes than the opposing candidate?

presidential elections

Why is a free press important and helpful to a democratic society?

It helps citizens become aware of a politician's wrongdoings.

A group of citizens is very serious about banning smoking in public places. Which course of action is the best way for the group to influence government smoking policies?

They should start a political action committee and lobby for antismoking policies.

After educating himself on the ideas and policies of both congressional candidates, Andrew has decided he prefers one candidate over the other. What is the best way Andrew can help his favored candidate get elected?

He can volunteer to work on the campaign.

What did the War Powers Resolution of 1973 do?

It limited the president's power to start wars.

What did President George Washington warn against in his farewell address?

becoming overly involved with foreign politics

Which program is an example of domestic policy?

the Clean Air Act

Which event is an example of a hortatory, or encouraging, technique?

a sign in a restaurant that states "Think before you smoke—secondhand smoke kills"

Which of these is an example of how the government regulates business in the mixed economy of the United States?

The Food and Drug Administration must approve a new drug before it can be sold to the public.

Which economic term refers to the situation where one country can manufacture and export automobiles at a lower cost than its competitors?

comparative advantage

Which government agency's primary mission is ensuring that enough money and credit are available to sustain economic growth without causing inflation?

the Federal Reserve

What was the goal of Congress when it passed the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up corporate trusts?

to return private competition to the marketplace