Institutions Review Questions from previous AP Tests Chapters

Institutions Review Questions from previous AP Tests Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 in textbook

TEST A. B. C. D. A B C D

In which scenario would a presidential veto most likely be upheld? A. The President has the support of the Supreme Court B. The President is in a second term, removed from partisan politics C. The proposed legislation enjoys widespread bipartisan support D. Two-thirds of the representatives and senators are members of the same party as the President

When a lower court decision is appealed to the Supreme Court, which of the following is most likely to occur? A. The Supreme Court will reconsider the case, and overturn the lower court decision B. The Supreme Court will reprimand the lower court judge for improperly deciding the case C. The case will be retired at the lower court level D. The Supreme Court will not hear the appeal

A. B. C. D. The term “fiscal federalism” and “cooperative federalism” refer to situations in which The federal government completely dominates state and local governments States are forbidden any activity that has not been specifically approved by the Supreme Court State, municipal, and local income taxes are pooled by special agreement and redistributed in accordance with individual need Federal, state, and local governments work together to complete a project, with the federal government providing much of the project funding

Which of the following is a result of the electoral college system? A. The winner of the presidency often lacks a majority of the popular vote B. Candidates focus on oneparty states in which they can win most of the electoral votes C. Candidates focus on the states with the largest populations D. Campaign spending increases because candidates emphasize television advertising

Which of the following committees of the House sets the conditions for debate and amendment of most legislation A. B. C. D. Ways and Means Appropriations Judiciary Rules

In recent presidential administrations, the principal staff for the President has been made up of members of the A. B. C. D. White House Office Cabinet Congress Civil service

Congressional district boundaries are usually redrawn every ten years by the A. Bureau of the Census B. State legislatures C. President D. Federal Election Commission

Participant Leaders Points 6 4 4 Participant Mc. Coy, Ryan Aiello, Natalie Franklin, Paige 4 4 4 3 Garnett, Kaitlyn Hill, Monica Lauchlan, Barb Mc. Clure, Mackenzie Peek, Chloe Roese, Rachelle Buckman, James Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? A. B. C. D. E. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

The franking privilege refers to the A. Federal Reserve Board’s control over the interest rates B. Practice of permitting senators to preview lists of judicial nominees C. Practice whereby legislators with the most seniority select the committees on which they want to serve D. Right of members of Congress to send mail to their Constituents at the government’s expense

Which of the following took place after presidential candidates Truman (1948), Nixon (1968), and Clinton (1992) won only pluralities of the popular vote? A. The election was formally decided in the House of Representatives B. The election was formally decided in the Senate C. The winning candidate took office after receiving less than 50% of the popular votes cast D. The electoral college votes cast by independents were critical in determining the winner

Which of the following is generally true of the gerrymandering of congressional districts? A. It results in more Democrats being elected in the House B. It results in more Republicans being elected to the House C. It creates districts that favor one political party over another D. It violates the principle of one-person, one-vote

Which of the following is NOT a presidential role authorized by the Constitution? A. To be commander in chief of the armed forces B. To lead the political party of the President C. To negotiate treaties with foreign nations D. To be chief executive

Which of the following is true under the system of checks and balances? A. The Supreme Court can overrule the President’s policy proposals B. The Senate must ratify treaties negotiated by the President before they become law C. A bill becomes a law when the House and Senate pass it, and the Supreme Court declares it constitutional D. The Supreme Court can remove members of Congress, and Congress can impeach the President

Fastest Responders Seconds 10. 467 18. 187 23. 473 Participant Seconds Peek, Chloe Mc. Clure, Mackenzie Wright, Jada 28. 134 29. 053 Nicaise, Cori Buckman, James Participant

A major reason why the majority of Supreme Court justices have had political experience prior to appointment to the Court is that A. Presidents seek to place individuals on the Court whose policy views are similar to their own B. Justices are expected to act like politicians in their decision-making C. Appointment to the Supreme Court is a reward for political party loyalty D. The Court is expected to defer to the political branches in making its decisions

The president can do which of the following without seeking consent of either the House or Senate? A. Ratify a treaty B. Appoint ambassadors C. Deploy troops D. Declare war

A major difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that A. Filibusters are possible only in the House B. Revenue bills must originate in the Senate C. Each state has equal representation in the House but not in the Senate D. There is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House

Participant Leaders Points 15 14 14 Participant Lauchlan, Barb Mc. Clure, Mackenzie Mc. Coy, Ryan 13 13 12 12 11 Aiello, Natalie Garnett, Kaitlyn Hill, Monica Nicaise, Cori Peek, Chloe Wright, Jada Buckman, James Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? A. B. C. D. E. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

All of the following serve as checks on the power of the federal court EXCEPT A. Federal judges can be impeached B. The voters can oust federal judges in national elections C. Congress can pass a law clarifying “legislative intent” D. Congress and the state legislatures can amend the Constitution

Federal benefits that must be funded by Congress and paid to all citizens who meet eligibility criteria are called A. Discretionary appropriations B. Individual entitlements C. Tax expenditures D. Distributive benefits

The term “pork barrel” refers to legislation specifically designed to A. Encourage a balanced federal budget B. Ensure the careful inspection of farm goods and other foodstuffs C. Distribute excess produce to the poor D. Provide funding for local projects that are intended to benefit constituents

Which of the following is a member of the White House Staff? A. The chair of the Federal Reserve Board B. The national security advisor C. The secretary of commerce D. The attorney general

The cooperation among the NAACP, NOW, and ACLU to defeat Robert Bork’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court was an example of A. Impeachment B. Litigation C. Coalition building D. The recall process

The Supreme Court’s power of judicial review permits the Court to overrule all of the following EXCEPT A. Lower-court decision B. State legislation C. Acts of Congress D. The Bill of Rights

Which of the following United States Supreme Court cases established the principle of judicial review? A. Mc. Culloch v. Maryland B. Gibbons v. Ogden C. Roe v. Wade D. Marbury v. Madison

Which of the following is the most likely consequence of divided government? A. Reorganization of the federal bureaucracy B. Conflicts between states C. Delays in confirmation of federal court nominees D. Conflicts between national government and states

Participant Leaders Points 33 31 24 Participant Hill, Monica Peek, Chloe Fend, Jessica 19 17 14 10. 25 8. 56 7 6 Garnett, Kaitlyn Zoratti, Michael Franklin, Paige Aiello, Natalie Fowler, Sydney Roese, Rachelle Buckman, James Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? A. B. C. D. E. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Which of the following best explains the principle of stare decisis? A. It requires that at least four Supreme Court justices agree to hear a case B. It encourages presidents to take judicial experience into account when nominating judges C. It encourages judges to follow precedent when deciding cases D. It reinforces the philosophy of judicial activism

Which of the following is NOT a way in which the federal government regulates campaigns? A. By requirements of disclosure of campaign donations B. By establishment of federal agencies to regulate campaign finance activities C. By limits on the distribution of soft money D. By prohibitions on negative advertising 30

Which of the following statements about the Senate is true? A. Each state is represented in the Senate according to its population B. The Senate, unlike the House, has a Rules committee C. Individual senators can exercise substantial influence over the legislative process D. The Senate has a strict time limit on debates 30

All of the following are ways that the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT A. Congress may remove the president through its impeachment and conviction powers B. Congress may override a presidential veto C. Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional D. The Senate may refuse to approve a presidential appointment 30

Which of the following best describes the primary formal role of the attorney general? A. Providing legal advice for the president B. Serving as a liaison between the president and the Supreme Court C. Serving as the chief executive officer of the Department of Justice D. Directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) 30

Which of the following is an example of congressional oversight? A. Holding hearings for review of an executive agency’s activities B. Assisting constituents with particular problems C. Reporting campaign contributions to the Federal Election Commission D. Signing trade agreements with other countries without input from the president 30

How is a president chosen when none of the candidates receives majority of the electoral college vote? A. There is a national runoff election B. The United Supreme Court directly elects the president C. The election is ruled null and void and Congress appoints a new president D. The House chooses a new president by a majority vote of its state delegations 30

Which of the following is an example of presidential use of inherent powers? A. George H. W. Bush’s appointment of Clarence Thomas B. Bill Clinton’s line-item veto of some congressionally authorized funds to the states C. Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase D. Woodrow Wilson signing of the Treaty of Versailles 30

Which of the following statements about motion for cloture is true? A. They force a bill out of committee B. They are applied to bills that failed in previous sessions of Congress C. They are applied only to appropriation bills D. They are used by senators to end a filibuster and bring a bill to vote 30

The difference between an appellate court and district court is that an appellate court A. Conducts trials by jury B. Has original jurisdiction C. Reviews previous court decision D. Hear civil cases but not criminal cases 30

The role Congress plays in ensuring that executive branch agencies are carrying out their legislated responsibilities A. B. C. D. Judicial review Legislative oversight Bicameralism Federalism 30

Participant Leaders Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? A. B. C. D. E. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in A. A White House budget resolution B. The Congressional Budget Office C. The United States Senate D. The United States House of Representatives 30

Nominations to the Supreme Court must be approved by a A. Simple majority in the Senate B. Simple majority in both the House of Representatives and Senate C. Two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives D. Two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate 30

Which of the following is true of most federal judges appointed by the president? A. They serve ten-year terms B. They serve as long as the appointing president stays in power C. They serve for life on good behavior unless removed by the president D. They serve for life on good behavior unless impeached and convicted by Congress 30

Which of the following is true about the pocket veto? A. It is used to strike down a provision of a bill that the President finds disagreeable B. It may be overridden by a two -thirds vote in Congress C. It occurs when the President takes no action on a bill for ten days during which Congress is adjourned D. It is used when both houses of Congress pass separate versions of the same bill 30

Of the following, which is the most powerful figure in Congress? A. The Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee B. The Speaker of the House C. The Minority Whip of the Senate D. The Majority Whip of the House 30

Congress adopted the War Powers Resolution to A. Give the president additional powers in case of military emergencies B. Delineate a clear chain of command in the event of nuclear war C. Criticize the president for declaring war without authorization from Congress D. Limit the president’s authority to commit troops overseas 30

Which of the following types of committee deals with broad areas of public policy and can be found in both houses of Congress? A. B. C. D. Rules Select Joint Standing 30

Which of the following describes the president’s Cabinet? A. It consists of career civil servants with decades of experience in government service B. Its members have varying levels of influence on presidential decisions C. Its members hold office for fixed terms that coincide with the president’s D. Its members are required to approve presidential policy decisions 30

Establishing the boundaries of United States congressional districts to give one party an advantage over another party A. B. C. D. Raiding Apportionment Reapportionment Gerrymandering 30

Congress is most likely to exert oversight of the bureaucracy in which of the following ways? A. Directly selecting the head of an executive agency B. Impeaching the head of an executive agency C. Controlling an executive agency’s annual budget D. Changing the term length of head of independent regulatory commissions 30

Participant Leaders Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? A. B. C. D. E. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

The idea that judges ought to freely strike down laws that are inconsistent with their understanding of the Constitution is known as A. Original intent B. Judicial restraint C. Judicial activism D. Judicial review 30

The term “bicameralism” refers to the A. Establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules B. Members of the House of Representatives having twoyear terms C. President having veto power over both chambers of Congress D. Members of the House and Senate having to appease their mutual constituencies 30

The doctrine of stare decisis is significant for which of the following reasons? A. It establishes the jurisdiction of federal courts in litigation involving two or more states B. It is the principle that affirms that courts are bound by prior decisions C. It is the policy by which the Supreme Court decides which of the appellate cases it will hear D. It holds high courts responsible for determining the constitutionality of proposed legislation before it becomes law 30

The expansion of the executive branch since 1939 has affected the separation of powers by A. Increasing presidential control over the legislative process B. Increasing the number of media as a result of more frequent presidential press conferences C. Reducing the power of the Supreme Court through the use of executive orders D. Giving more power to interest groups than to parties 30

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service will spend money appropriated by Congress to maintain wildlife refuges. This action is an example of A. The power of the filibuster B. Congressional oversight of the bureaucracy C. Bureaucratic implementation of the law D. An unfunded mandate 30

If Congress wanted to effect a change in the Social Security payroll tax, to what congressional committee would the task initially be assigned? A. House Appropriations Committee B. Senate Appropriations Committee C. House Ways and Means Committee D. House Rules Committee 30

The practice in Congress whereby Representative A promises to vote for Representative B’s legislation, provided that Representative B will support Representative A’s legislation, is referred to as A. Personal casework and services B. Partisan discipline C. Logrolling D. Pork barrel legislation 30

If legislation passes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate but each bill is slightly different, the conflicting bills are sent to A. A standing committee of each house for a vote B. The Rules Committee of each house for reconciliation and compromise C. The majority and minority leaders of both houses for compromise D. A conference committee for review and compromise 30

Which of the following is an example of presidential use of informal powers? A. Appointing members to the Supreme Court B. Negotiating treaties with other countries C. Advocating for policy reform D. Deploying troops to a foreign country 30

To which level of government did the Bill of Rights originally apply? A. B. C. D. State Federal State and Federal Local and Federal 30

Which of the following is an example of the constitutional design of checks and balances? A. The federal government requires state governments to provide unemployment insurance B. The Supreme Court overturns a lower court’s ruling on the application of the Fourth Amendment C. The Senate rejects a president’s nomination for secretary of state D. The Office of Management and Budget rejects a proposed regulation of air quality standards 30

Which of the following is a way Congress can influence the federal judiciary? A. It can prohibit judicial activism B. It can filibuster decisions made by courts C. It can change appellate jurisdiction of federal courts D. It can exercise oversight authority over rulings of individual justices 30

Participant Leaders Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? A. B. C. D. E. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Which of the following powers is shared by the House of Representatives and the Senate? A. Holding trials of impeachment B. Establishing federal courts C. Approving treaties D. Approving major presidential appointments 30

Rules and regulations created by an agency such as the Federal Communications Commission are called A. B. C. D. Constitutional law Statutory law Common law Administrative law 30

Even with large majorities of their own party in Congress, presidents experience difficulty in exercising legislative leadership because A. The president must compete against state governors for influence B. The weak nature of political parties hampers the president’s ability to control Congress C. The president’s use of veto is ineffective with Congress D. The president seldom addresses the same issues as members of Congress 30

Generally, when is a president more likely to get congressional approval of proposed policies? A. After midterm congressional elections B. In the second term rather than in the first C. When public opinion is sharply divided over policies D. In foreign affairs rather than in domestic affairs 30

Which of the following actions by a congressional representation is an example of “pork barreling”? A. Misusing campaign contributions B. Directing federal funds into the representative’s district through legislation C. Attempting to kill a bill with unacceptable amendments D. Voting for a salary increase 30

All of the following make it difficult for presidents to control the actions of federal agencies EXCEPT A. The civil service system B. Issues networks C. The appointment of cabinet heads D. Bureaucratic noncompliance 30

Congressional oversight refers to the power of Congress to A. Override presidential vetoes B. Hold public hearings before confirming judicial appointees C. Exercise some control over executive agencies D. Seek judicial opinion on the constitutionality of pending legislation 30

Fastest Responders Seconds Participant

Executive agreements have been cited as evidence that A. Modern presidents often try to avoid legislative checks and balances on their authority B. The executive branch has become too large and bureaucratic C. Presidents have less power in handling foreign policy than in handling domestic policy D. Interest groups have too much power in the contemporary governmental system 30

Most of the work of legislating in Congress takes place in A. B. C. D. Joint committees Ad hoc committees Select committees Standing committees 30

Which of the following is a primary function of the Senate Judiciary Committee? A. Conducting oversight hearings on the Supreme Court budget B. Conducting investigations into allegedly subversive activities C. Conducting hearings on judicial appointments made by the president D. Conducting investigations into wrongdoing by the executive branch 30

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are examples of A. Cabinet departments B. Independent agencies C. Executive Office bureaus D. Congressional committees 30

In which of the following circumstances would the rule of four be applied? A. Four senators agree to a cloture motion B. Congress adjourns its session within four days of submitting a bill to the president, and the president does not act C. Four states request a writ of certiorari D. At least four judges on the Supreme Court agree that a case should be put on the Court’s docket 30

Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of divided government in the U. S. political system? A. The majority of Supreme Court justices are from one party, but the president is from another B. The majority of governors are from one party, but the president is another C. The president and a majority of members of Congress are from one party, but the majority of governors are from another D. The majority of senators and house representatives are from one party, but the president is from another 30

The House Rules Committee is an important party of the legislative process because it A. Determines ethics rules for members’ conduct B. Determines whether a bill should be referred to a policy committee for consideration C. Determines the terms and conditions of debate when a bill goes to the House floor D. Has the authority to limit the Speaker and Minority leader in their use of patronage 30

Participant Leaders Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? A. B. C. D. E. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Why is federal case law more frequently established by the United States courts of appeal than by the U. S. Supreme Court? A. B. C. D. Courts of appeal must decide cases appealed to it from the lower courts, while the Supreme Court can choose its cases and hears relatively few each year Court of appeal usually have jurisdiction over cases appealed from state supreme courts There are more judges on the courts of appeal than on the Supreme Court, so the can overrule the Supreme Court’s decisions Federalism stresses the court decision closest to the people should stand 30