Federal Government Exam Questions PDF

1. What is the difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy? A) Direct democracy involves citizens making decisions directly, while representative democracy involves elected officials making decisions. B) Direct democracy is only used in small groups, while representative democracy is used in large countries. C) Direct democracy is more efficient than representative democracy. D) Representative democracy always leads to better outcomes than direct democracy. Correct Answer: A 2. Two examples of direct democracy are initiative and referendum. What is the difference between these? A) An initiative is a law passed by the legislature, while a referendum is a law passed by the people. B) An initiative is a process that allows citizens to propose laws, while a referendum allows citizens to vote on existing laws. C) An initiative is used at the state level, while a referendum is used at the federal level. D) There is no difference between an initiative and a referendum. Correct Answer: B 3. What is a constitution? A) A set of laws that must be undemocratic. B) A framework of fundamental principles that establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and limitations of a government. C) A document outlining the ideals of the ruling political party. D) A collection of suggestions for how a government should ideally function Correct Answer: B 4. Identify the source of the following quote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.-That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Which political philosopher is being paraphrased in this quote? A) The quote is from the Declaration of Independence, and John Locke is the political philosopher being paraphrased. B) The quote is from the U.S. Constitution, and Thomas Hobbes is the political philosopher being paraphrased. C) The quote is from The Federalist Papers, and Montesquieu is the political philosopher being paraphrased. D) The quote is from Common Sense, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau is the political philosopher being paraphrased. Correct Answer: A 5. What is the difference between a bicameral and unicameral legislature? A) A bicameral legislature has one chamber, while a unicameral legislature has two chambers. B) A bicameral legislature has two chambers, while a unicameral legislature has one chamber. C) A bicameral legislature is only used in federal systems, while a unicameral legislature is only used in unitary systems. D) A bicameral legislature is more democratic than a unicameral legislature. Correct Answer: B 6. In the Articles of Confederation, how many branches of government were there? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 Correct Answer: A 7. In the Articles of Confederation, how many delegates did each state receive in Congress, and how many votes did each state receive? A) Each state received one delegate and one vote. B) Each state received two delegates and two votes. C) Each state received between two and seven delegates, but only one vote. D) The number of delegates and votes varied by state population. Correct Answer: C 8. In the Articles of Confederation, how many votes were necessary to pass laws? A) A simple majority (51%) B) A two-thirds majority C) Three-fourths of the states D) Nine out of thirteen states Correct Answer: D 9. In the Articles of Confederation, how many votes were necessary to amend the constitution? A) A simple majority (51%) B) A two-thirds majority C) Three-fourths of the states D) A unanimous vote of all thirteen states Correct Answer: D 10.In the Articles of Confederation, which powers did the government have, and which powers was the government denied? A) The government had the power to tax and regulate interstate commerce but was denied the power to declare war. B) The government had the power to declare war and make treaties but was denied the power to tax and regulate interstate commerce. C) The government had all the powers that the states did not explicitly retain. D) The government had no real powers. Correct Answer: B 11.Why were the Articles of Confederation replaced? A) They gave the federal government too much power. B) They were inefficient, and the federal government lacked the power to address national problems. C) They were replaced because of pressure from foreign governments. D) There was no reason the Articles of Confederation were replaced, they were working as intended. Correct Answer: B 12.In the Constitution, which powers did the government gain that it did not have under the Articles of Confederation? A) The power to declare war. B) The power to coin money. C) The power to tax and regulate interstate commerce. D) The power to make treaties. Correct Answer: C 13.In the Constitution, how many branches of government are there? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 Correct Answer: C 14.In the Constitution, how many chambers does Congress have? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 Correct Answer: B 15.How did the “Great”/Connecticut Compromise settle a dispute over how the Constitution should be designed? A) It created a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states. B) It created a bicameral legislature with representation in one chamber based on population and equal representation in the other. C) It established that the President would be elected by an electoral college rather than by popular vote. D) It settled disputes over slavery. Correct Answer: B 16.How are members of the House of Representatives selected in the Constitution? A) Appointed by the state governors. B) Chosen by the Senate. C) Directly elected by the people of each state. D) Selected through a combination of direct elections and appointments. Correct Answer: C 17.Who did the Constitution allow to vote in elections for the House of Representatives? Which groups did the Constitution prohibit from voting? A) All male citizens over the age of 21 could vote; women and enslaved people were prohibited. B) The Constitution left voting qualifications up to the states; generally, states restricted voting based on property ownership, gender, and race. C) Only property owners could vote; women, enslaved people, and those without property were prohibited. D) All citizens over the age of 18 could vote regardless of race, gender, or property ownership. Correct Answer: B 18.How were senators selected in the original Constitution, and how was this changed in 1913? A) Senators were originally directly elected by the people; the 17th Amendment changed this to appointment by state governors. B) Senators were originally appointed by state governors; the 17th Amendment changed this to direct election by the people. C) Senators were originally appointed by the House of Representatives; the 17th Amendment changed this to direct election by the people. D) Senators were originally appointed by the President; the 17th Amendment changed this to direct election by the people. Correct Answer: B 19.How many seats does each state receive in the U.S. Senate? A) Seats are based on the state's population. B) Each state receives one seat. C) Each state receives two seats. D) Seats are determined by the state's geographic size. Correct Answer: C 20.How do we determine how many seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives? A) Each state receives an equal number of seats, regardless of population. B) Seats are allocated based on each state's population. C) Seats are determined by the state's geographic size. D) Each state receives one seat. Correct Answer: B 21.How many years do members of the House of Representatives serve in office before reelection? A) 2 years B) 4 years C) 6 years D) 8 years Correct Answer: A 22.How old must a person be to be elected to the House of Representatives? A) 21 years old B) 25 years old C) 30 years old D) 35 years old Correct Answer: B 23.How many years do members of the Senate serve in office before reelection? A) 2 years B) 4 years C) 6 years D) 8 years Correct Answer: C 24.What share of senators are up for reelection every two years? A) One-third B) One-fourth C) One-half D) All senators are up for reelection every two years. Correct Answer: A 25.How old must a person be to be elected to the Senate? A) 25 years old B) 30 years old C) 35 years old D) 40 years old Correct Answer: B 26.In comparison to the Articles of Confederation, how did the Constitution improve the relationship between the number of delegates a state receives and the number of votes those delegates have? A) Under the Constitution, states received fewer delegates but more votes. B) Under the Constitution, the number of delegates and votes were tied directly to the state's population. C) Under the Constitution, each state received an equal number of delegates and votes, regardless of population. D) There was no change. Correct Answer: B 27.What share of the House of Representatives and/or the Senate must vote to pass laws in the Constitution? A) A simple majority in both the House and the Senate B) A two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate C) Three-fourths of the members of both the House and the Senate D) A unanimous vote in both the House and the Senate Correct Answer: A 28.What share of the House of Representatives and/or the Senate must vote to approve presidential appointments to executive offices or the federal courts? A) A simple majority in the House B) A simple majority in the Senate C) A two-thirds majority in the House D) A two-thirds majority in the Senate Correct Answer: B 29.What share of the House of Representatives and/or the Senate must vote to approve treaties? A) A simple majority in the House B) A simple majority in the Senate C) A two-thirds majority in the House D) A two-thirds majority in the Senate Correct Answer: D 30.If the president vetoes a law passed by Congress, what can Congress do to pass the law despite the president's veto? A) Congress can override the veto with a simple majority vote in both houses. B) Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. C) Congress can override the veto with a three-fourths majority vote in both houses. D) Congress cannot override a presidential veto. Correct Answer: B 31.How can Congress impeach and remove members of the executive and judicial branches? A) The House impeaches, and the Senate convicts with a simple majority. B) The House impeaches, and the Senate convicts with a two-thirds majority. C) The Senate impeaches, and the House convicts with a simple majority. D) The Senate impeaches, and the House convicts with a two-thirds majority. Correct Answer: B 32.How is the president of the United States of America selected? How did the 12th Amendment change this selection process? A) The president is selected by popular vote; the 12th Amendment changed this to selection by the Electoral College. B) The president is selected by the Electoral College; the 12th Amendment separated the ballots for president and vice president. C) The president is selected by Congress; the 12th Amendment changed this to selection by the Electoral College. D) The president is selected by state governors; the 12th Amendment changed this to selection by the Electoral College. Correct Answer: B 33.How do we determine how many electoral college delegates each state receives? A) The number of delegates is based solely on the state's population. B) The number of delegates is equal to the number of seats the state has in Congress (House + Senate). C) Each state receives an equal number of delegates, regardless of population. D) The number of delegates is determined by the state's geographic size. Correct Answer: B 34.Are states required by the Constitution to allow their residents to vote for the president? A) Yes, all citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote for president. B) No, the Constitution allows each state to determine its own voting qualifications. C) Yes, but only for citizens who own property. D) No, the states have no say over who votes for president. Correct Answer: B 35.What does it mean to assign electoral college votes “winner-take-all"? How many states assign electoral college votes this way? A) The candidate who wins the popular vote in the state receives all of the state’s electoral votes; most states use this method. B) The candidate who wins the most electoral votes nationally wins the election, regardless of the popular vote; all states use this method. C) Electoral votes are divided proportionally based on the popular vote; a few states use this method. D) Each congressional district awards an electoral vote to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that district; all states use this method. Correct Answer: A 36.How many electoral college votes must a candidate for president win to become president? If they fail to clear this threshold, how do we select the president? A) A candidate must win a simple majority of the electoral votes (270); if no candidate reaches this threshold, the House of Representatives chooses the president. B) A candidate must win a two-thirds majority of the electoral votes; if no candidate reaches this threshold, the Senate chooses the president. C) A candidate must win a simple majority of the electoral votes; if no candidate reaches this threshold, a new election is held. D) A candidate must win a two-thirds majority of the electoral votes; if no candidate reaches this threshold, the Supreme Court chooses the president. Correct Answer: A 37.How old must a person be to be eligible to be elected president of the United States? A) 30 years old B) 35 years old C) 40 years old D) 45 years old Correct Answer: B 38.For how long must a person have been a citizen of the United States to be elected to each of the following offices: House of Representatives, Senate, presidency? A) 7 years for the House, 9 years for the Senate, and 14 years for the presidency B) 9 years for the House, 7 years for the Senate, and 14 years for the presidency C) 7 years for the House, 9 years for the Senate, and 9 years for the presidency D) 14 years for the House, 14 years for the Senate, and 14 years for the presidency Correct Answer: A 39.How long does the president serve in office before reelection? A) 2 years B) 4 years C) 6 years D) 8 years Correct Answer: B 40.How many terms were members of the House of Representatives, Senators, and the president limited to in the original Constitution? How did the 22nd Amendment change term limits? A) There were no term limits for any office in the original Constitution; the 22nd Amendment limited the president to two terms. B) Members of the House were limited to two terms, Senators to three terms, and the president to two terms; the 22nd Amendment eliminated term limits for all offices. C) There were term limits for all offices in the original Constitution; the 22nd Amendment simply changed the number of terms allowed. D) There were no term limits for any office in the original Constitution; the 22nd Amendment applied term limits to all offices. Correct Answer: A 41.What are the powers of the vice president? A) The vice president has no official powers except to succeed the president if necessary. B) The vice president serves as president of the Senate and can cast a tie-breaking vote. C) The vice president has the same powers as the president but can only exercise them when the president is unable to. D) The vice president is responsible for foreign policy. Correct Answer: B 42.Who is the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces? Who has the power to declare war? Who has the power to draft troops? A) The president is the commander-in-chief, Congress has the power to declare war, and the president has the power to draft troops. B) The president is the commander-in-chief, Congress has the power to declare war, and Congress has the power to draft troops. C) Congress is the commander-in-chief, the president has the power to declare war, and the president has the power to draft troops. D) Congress is the commander-in-chief, the president has the power to declare war, and Congress has the power to draft troops. Correct Answer: B 43.Who can override a presidential pardon? A) Congress B) The Supreme Court C) No one; a presidential pardon is absolute. D) The vice president Correct Answer: C 44.How many seats does the Constitution create on the Supreme Court? A) The Constitution specifies that there should be 9 seats on the Supreme Court. B) The Constitution specifies that there should be 7 seats on the Supreme Court. C) The Constitution sets a minimum and maximum number of seats on the Supreme Court. D) The Constitution does not specify the number of seats on the Supreme Court. Correct Answer: D 45.How are federal judges selected, and for how long do they serve? A) Federal judges are elected by the people and serve fixed terms. B) Federal judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; they serve lifetime terms. C) Federal judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the House; they serve lifetime terms. D) Federal judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; they serve fixed terms. Correct Answer: B 46.What are the required qualifications to be selected as a federal judge? A) The Constitution specifies detailed qualifications for federal judges. B) Federal judges must have prior judicial experience. C) There are no specific qualifications outlined in the Constitution to be selected as a federal judge. D) Federal judges must be graduates of an accredited law school. Correct Answer: C 47.What is the power of judicial review? A) The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional. B) The power of the courts to enforce laws passed by Congress. C) The power of the courts to nominate federal judges. D) The power of the courts to issue presidential pardons. Correct Answer: A 48.Which constitution gave states more power: the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution? A) The Articles of Confederation B) The U.S. Constitution C) Both gave the states equal power D) Neither gave the states any power Correct Answer: A 49.How does a federal system differ from a unitary system, and which system is used in the United States? A) In a federal system, power is divided between a central government and regional governments; in a unitary system, all power is held by the central government; the U.S. uses a federal system. B) In a federal system, all power is held by the central government; in a unitary system, power is divided between a central government and regional governments; the U.S. uses a unitary system. C) In a federal system, there is no central government; in a unitary system, the central government is weak; the U.S. uses a federal system. D) In a federal system, power is shared equally between all levels of government; in a unitary system, the central government has absolute power; the U.S. uses a unitary system. Correct Answer: A 50.Define the full faith and credit clause and the privileges and immunities clause of the Constitution. A) The full faith and credit clause requires states to respect the laws and judicial decisions of other states; the privileges and immunities clause prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states. B) The full faith and credit clause prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states; the privileges and immunities clause requires states to respect the laws and judicial decisions of other states. C) The full faith and credit clause establishes the powers of the federal government; the privileges and immunities clause protects individual liberties. D) The full faith and credit clause protects individual liberties; the privileges and immunities clause establishes the powers of the federal government. Correct Answer: A 51.Which powers of government are reserved to the states, which are concurrent, and which are denied to the states? A) Reserved powers are those held by the federal government alone; concurrent powers are shared by the federal and state governments; denied powers are those that the states are specifically prohibited from exercising. B) Reserved powers are those held by the states alone; concurrent powers are shared by the federal and state governments; denied powers are those that the states are specifically prohibited from exercising. C) Reserved powers are those shared by the federal and state governments; concurrent powers are held by the states alone; denied powers are those that the federal government is specifically prohibited from exercising. D) Reserved powers are those held by the states alone; concurrent powers are held by the federal government alone; denied powers are those that the states are specifically allowed to exercise. Correct Answer: B 52.How does the federal government use grants to influence states' use of reserved powers, and do block grants differ from categorical grants? A) The federal government provides funding to states with no strings attached; block grants are for specific purposes, while categorical grants are for broader uses. B) The federal government cannot influence states' reserved powers through grants; block grants are for broader uses, while categorical grants are for specific purposes. C) The federal government uses grants to incentivize states to adopt certain policies; categorical grants are for specific purposes, while block grants are for broader uses with fewer strings attached. D) The federal government mandates that states follow federal policies under threat of losing funding; block grants are for specific purposes, while categorical grants are for broader uses. Correct Answer: C 53.In what ways did the original Constitution enshrine and protect the practice of slavery? A) The Constitution explicitly stated that slavery was legal and protected. B) The Constitution included provisions such as the Three-Fifths Compromise and the Fugitive Slave Clause, which protected the interests of slaveholders. C) The Constitution prohibited the federal government from regulating or abolishing slavery. D) The Constitution did not address slavery at all. Correct Answer: B 54.How has suffrage been expanded in the United States over time? Which group was the most recent to have their right to vote guaranteed in the Constitution? A) Suffrage has been expanded to include more property owners; the most recent group was women. B) Suffrage has been expanded to include more white people; the most recent group was African American men. C) Suffrage has been expanded to include more people regardless of race, gender, or age; the most recent group was 18-year-olds. D) Suffrage was initially very broad and has been restricted over time; the most recent group was Native Americans. Correct Answer: C 55.How do civil rights differ from civil liberties? A) Civil rights protect individuals from discrimination, while civil liberties protect individual freedoms from government intrusion. B) Civil liberties protect individuals from discrimination, while civil rights protect individual freedoms from government intrusion. C) Civil rights are only for citizens, while civil liberties are for everyone. D) Civil liberties are more important than civil rights. Correct Answer: A 56.Which individual liberties were guaranteed in the original Constitution? A) Freedom of speech, religion, and the press. B) The right to bear arms. C) Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. D) Habeas corpus, protection against ex post facto laws, and against bills of attainder. Correct Answer: D 57.How can the U.S. Constitution be amended? A) An amendment must be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds vote in both houses and ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures. B) An amendment must be proposed by the President and ratified by a simple majority of the states. C) An amendment must be proposed by the Supreme Court and ratified by a simple majority of the states. D) An amendment must be proposed by a national convention and ratified by a simple majority of the states. Correct Answer: A 58.What is the term for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and what does each of these amendments add or change? A) The Bill of Rights; these amendments protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government. B) The Civil War Amendments; these amendments abolished slavery and guaranteed equal protection under the law. C) The Reconstruction Amendments; these amendments expanded voting rights and promoted civil rights. D) The Progressive Amendments; these amendments reformed the economy and expanded democracy. Correct Answer: A 59.What is the difference between the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause? A) The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from establishing a religion, while the Free Exercise Clause protects individuals' right to practice their religion freely. B) The Establishment Clause protects individuals' right to practice their religion freely, while the Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government from establishing a religion. C) The Establishment Clause applies to the federal government, while the Free Exercise Clause applies to the states. D) There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable. Correct Answer: A 60.Which amendments define due process, and what does this term mean? A) The 1st and 2nd Amendments; due process means the government must treat all people fairly and according to the law. B) The 4th and 5th Amendments; due process means the government must treat all people fairly and according to the law. C) The 5th and 14th Amendments; due process means the government must treat all people fairly and according to the law. D) The 13th and 14th Amendments; due process means the government must treat all people fairly and according to the law. Correct Answer: C 61.Define selective incorporation. A) A process where the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to the states on a case-by-case basis through the 14th Amendment. B) A process where the Supreme Court incorporates new rights into the Constitution. C) A process where the states selectively choose which federal laws to follow. D) A process where Congress incorporates new states into the Union. Correct Answer: A 62.In Federalist 10, how does James Madison argue a large republic will help to solve the problem of "faction"? A) A large republic will eliminate factions by creating a homogenous society. B) A large republic will make it easier for factions to gain power and oppress minorities. C) A large republic will make it more difficult for any one faction to dominate due to the diversity of interests and opinions. D) A large republic will rely on a strong central leader to suppress factions. Correct Answer: C 63.According to Robert Dahl, how does the U.S. Constitution compare to those of other nations? Which aspect of our system is the most unique when compared to other established democracies? A) The U.S. Constitution is more democratic than most; the most unique aspect is its emphasis on individual rights. B) The U.S. Constitution is less democratic than most; the most unique aspect is its system of checks and balances. C) The U.S. Constitution is similar to most other constitutions; the most unique aspect is its age. D) The U.S. Constitution is more complex than most; the most unique aspect is its federalist structure. Correct Answer: B 64.What does the Constitution say about political parties? A) The Constitution explicitly prohibits political parties. B) The Constitution endorses the two-party system. C) The Constitution outlines rules for how political parties should operate. D) The Constitution does address political parties. Correct Answer: D 65.What is the difference between a plurality and a majority election system? A) In a plurality system, the candidate with the most votes wins; in a majority system, the candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes. B) In a majority system, the candidate with the most votes wins; in a plurality system, the candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes. C) A plurality system is more democratic than a majority system. D) A majority system always leads to a two-party system. Correct Answer: A 66.How does an election system with single-member districts and plurality voting limit the number of political parties? A) It encourages the formation of many small parties. B) It tends to produce a two-party system because only large parties can win in single-member districts. C) It has no impact on the number of political parties. D) It requires all parties to merge into one large party. Correct Answer: B 67.Why do systems with proportional representation tend to have 5 or more political parties? A) Because there are no restrictions on the number of parties that can participate. B) Because seats in the legislature are allocated based on the proportion of votes each party receives, allowing smaller parties to win representation. C) Because it helps to make it simple for one party to gain a majority in the legislature. D) Because this ensures that only the most popular parties can get seats. Correct Answer: B 68.In a parliamentary system, who typically selects the head of government? A) The monarch B) The legislature C) A direct election by the people D) Appointed by the outgoing head of government Correct Answer: B 69.Why does Robert Dahl argue that the Senate does not give equal weight to voters' votes in different states? A) Because senators are appointed by state legislatures, not directly elected by the people. B) Because each state has two senators regardless of its population, meaning a vote in a smaller state has more weight than a vote in a larger state. C) Because the Senate has no real power compared to the House of Representatives. D) Because some states have term limits for senators, while others do not. Correct Answer: B 70.According to Robert Dahl, what are the most democratic and least democratic parts of the U.S. Constitution? A) The most democratic parts are the presidency and the Senate; the least democratic parts are the House and the Supreme Court. B) The most democratic parts are the House and the presidency; the least democratic parts are the Senate and the Electoral College. C) The most democratic parts are the Bill of Rights and the Supreme Court; the least democratic parts are the presidency and the Senate. D) The U.S. Constitution is entirely democratic. Correct Answer: B

Federal Government Exam Questions PDF

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