Structures of Government
Which method is the most likely way a presidential democracy would maintain order in society?
A. suppressing freedom of thought in the country
B. controlling the information communicated by the media
C. encouraging citizen participation in the political process
D. preventing citizens from protesting government policies
C. encouraging citizen participation in the political process
Which of these statements about presidential executive orders is true?
A. They must be reviewed by the Supreme Court
B. They must be in agreement with the Constitution
C. They must represent the views of the majority party
D. They must be approved by a majority of cabinet members
B. They must be in agreement with the Constitution
Which of these is an example of lobbying?
A. A hotel association develops a plan to attract more tourists.
B. An animal rights organization presents its views to a legislator.
C. A group of citizens asks city officials for a schedule of public hearings.
D. A neighborhood association backs a group of candidates for an election.
B. An animal rights organization presents its views to a legislator.
Which of these represents a similarity between civil and criminal law?
A. Cases can be tried in front of juries.
B. Cases can be settled by plea bargaining.
C. A reasonable doubt is needed for an acquittal.
D. A preponderance of evidence is needed for a conviction.
A. Cases can be tried in front of juries
Which issue would a candidate most likely address to attract the votes of senior citizens?
A. local curfew laws
B. commuter carpool lanes
C. college tuition aid
D. social security benefits
D. social security benefits
Which specific action is protected by the U.S. Bill of Rights?
A. a journalist publishing an article that exposes government corruption
B. a female citizen registering to vote in a local election
C. a local business owner refusing to pay quarterly taxes
D. a high school student signing up for a foreign-exchange program
A. a journalist publishing an article that exposes government corruption
A. Campaign opinion polls fall for presidential candidate
B. Presidential candidate raises record amount of campaign funds
C. Presidential debate schedule announced for upcoming campaign
D. Interest group criticizes presidential candidate's record
B. Presidential candidate raises record amount of campaign funds
Which situation would require a state to redraw its congressional districts?
A. changes in federal housing regulations
B. participation in a legislative filibuster
C. the election of a new U.S. Representative
D. population shifts shown by the U.S. Census
D. population shifts shown by the U.S. Census
What is the purpose of a grand jury in a criminal prosecution?
A. to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant
B. to provide a public defender to defendants who cannot afford one
C. to determine whether to formally charge a defendant with a crime
D. to announce the punishment of a convicted defendant
C. to determine whether to formally charge a defendant with a crime
What is the most likely result when the same political party controls both houses of Congress and the presidency?
A. Incumbents will spend more time on future election campaigns.
B. Fewer proposed bills will receive party support.
C. New appointments will be made to state government positions.
D. There will be fewer conflicts over proposed legislation.
D. There will be fewer conflicts over proposed legislation.
"The United States, in Congress assembled, shall never engage in a war, ... nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, ... unless nine states [of thirteen] assent (agree) to the same ..."
Which principle of government is best exemplified by this excerpt?
A. majority rule
B. popular sovereignty
C. checks and balances
D. representative government
A. majority rule
"Social Media Influencer Taken to Court for False Advertisement Online"
Which government regulatory agency most likely took the social media influencer to court?
A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
B. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
C. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
D. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
D. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The primary purpose of a political action committee (PAC) is to
A. keep citizens informed about political issues.
B. monitor the actions of elected officials.
C. promote laws designed to improve the economy.
D. raise money for political campaigns.
D. raise money for political campaigns
Which of these situations describes a tort involving negligence?
A. A roofer never finished the work on Mr. Smith's house.
B. Mr. Smith failed to pay the roofer after the work was completed.
C. Mr. Smith did not sign a written agreement to have his roof repaired.
D. A roofer was bitten by Mr. Smith's dog while working at the house.
D. A roofer was bitten by Mr. Smith's dog while working at the house
Which federal policy would violate the powers reserved to the states?
A. negotiating with leaders of foreign countries
B. establishing military bases in state capitals
C. drafting citizens for military service
D. requiring states to teach a specific curriculum
D. requiring states to teach a specific curriculum
Which newspaper headline provides the best example of limited government?
A. Senator Indicted for Accepting a Bribe
B. Military Dictator Refuses to Give Up Power
C. Individual Donates Money to Political Campaign
D. Supreme Court Justice Retires after Ten Years on Bench
A. Senator Indicted for Accepting a Bribe
Which of these happens first in the United States primary election process?
A. Delegates are selected to attend their party's national convention
B. Electors meet to cast the official votes in the election
C. The people vote for President and Vice President in a general election
D. Political parties help select presidential and vice presidential candidates at their national conventions
A. Delegates are selected to attend their party's national convention
"Meeting at the State House in Annapolis, the General Assembly changes, adds, and repeals laws... At the beginning of each session, the Senate President and House Speaker name the chairs, vice-chairs, and members of standing committees ... The fate of most legislative proposals is determined within the standing committee to which they are assigned." -Maryland State Archives
Which conclusion is BEST supported by this excerpt?
A. The legislative decision-making process fails to provide a role for the Senate President.
B. The House Speaker is responsible for enforcing laws in the state.
C. The legislative decision-making process at the state level is similar to that at the federal level.
D. The committee members have the highest authority in the state.
C. The legislative decision-making process at the state level is similar to that at the federal level.
In Bethel v. Fraser (1986), the Supreme Court ruled schools do not have to tolerate speech by students if the content is considered offensive.
The decision impacted the rights of students established by the Supreme Court's ruling in
A. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
B. New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985)
C. Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
D. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
C. Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
The Tri-County Council for Western Maryland helps local businesses export their products overseas.
What is a purpose of this program?
A. to assist businesses in relocating
B. to encourage competition from foreign companies
C. to increase opportunities for businesses in the region
D. to regulate trade between businesses and foreign countries
C. to increase opportunities for businesses in the region
"The Senate of the United States shall be... elected by the people..." -Amendment 17, U.S. Constitution
Which of these excerpts from the Declaration of Independence is MOST reflected in the Seventeenth Amendment?
A. "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
B. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."
C. "that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights..."
D. "governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes..."
A. "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
When flooding occurs in Maryland, which of the following actions could the governor take immediately to preserve order and ensure the safety of citizens?
A. mobilize the National Guard to protect private property
B. order the construction of more bridges
C. propose state legislation aimed at protecting the wetlands
D. propose federal legislation for low-interest loans
A. mobilize the National Guard to protect private property
The population of Massachusetts has increased since 1970, but its representation in Congress has declined. Which of these BEST explains why this has happened?
A. A large number of people in Massachusetts are not citizens.
B. A large number of people in Massachusetts have not registered to vote.
C. Massachusetts has chosen not to send representatives to the national government.
D. Population growth in Massachusetts has not kept pace with the growth of other states.
D. Population growth in Massachusetts has not kept pace with the growth of other states.
For which of these situations could a writ of habeas corpus be issued?
A. A defendant plea-bargains in exchange for a lighter sentence.
B. A police officers searches an apartment without a search warrant.
C. A suspect is kept in jail without being charged with a crime.
D. A judge rules that certain evidence cannot be used in a trial.
C. A suspect is kept in jail without being charged with a crime.
"Representatives from Western states introduced a bill in Congress that would reduce demands for electricity and increase the power supply. The bill would allow clean air and endangered species protection rules to be waived during an energy crisis. Western states say the legislation is necessary to prevent an energy crisis. Opponents of the bill believe that the environment will suffer if the bill is passed." The bill described is an example of
A. federal needs overriding state laws
B. government ownership of power companies
C. national legislation addressing a regional concern
D. environment groups supporting national legislation
C. national legislation addressing a regional concern