Name_____________________ Period_______ Date___/___/___

Clearly circle the best answer. (30pts.)

Score____/60

1. The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution lists the

a) powers of the state governments
b) goals of the federal government
c) powers of the federal government
d) civil liberties of each citizen
2. The "Necessary and Proper" Clause in the U.S. Constitution
a) gives Congress more power to carry out duties it already has
b) is found in the Bill of Rights
c) allows the President to declare war if needed
d) gives President Obama more power than the Constitution gives
3. An example of a "concurrent power", a power shared by both the state and national
governments, is to
a) declare war
b) collect taxes
c) print money
d) establish foreign policy
4. The relationship between the national and state governments in the U.S. system of government
is frequently referred to as
a) democracy:
b) judicial review
c) checks and balances
d) federalism
5. Which of the following is NOT true?
a) Congress is composed of two houses
b) In the House of Representatives, the number of representatives a state has, is based on
population.
c) Every state has at least two representatives
d) Every state has two senators
6. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are elected every
a) 4 years
b) 2 years
c) 1 year
d) 6 years
7. When the power of President Obama is blocked by the power of Congress, this is the concept
of
a) constitutional supremacy
b) checks and balances
c) rule of law
d) separations of powers

8. Coining money & ratifying treaties are two powers

a) given to Congress by Article II of the Constitution
b) given to Congress by Article I of the Constitution
c) given to Congress by the Declaration of Independence
d) given to the executive branch by Congress
Hint: PREAMBLE to the US Constitution: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a
more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity, do ordain and establish the is Constitution for the United States of America. "
9. Which of the Preamble purposes would be MOST FULFILLED if the government created a
universal health care plan for all Americans?
a) Promoting the general welfare
b) Provide for the common defense
c) Establish justice
d) Insure domestic tranquility
10. What is a bicameral legislature?
a) a legislature that only meets tow times a year
b) a legislature that is appointed by a governor
c) a legislature with two houses
d) a legislature with one house
11. The process of amending the Constitution involves both
a) the states and the Supreme Court
b) the Supreme Court and the President
c) the President and Congress
d) the Congress and the states
12. The primary function of a Lobbyist is to
a) find political candidates for special interest groups
b) raise money for political action committees
c) poll the public to help determine a position that a special interest group should take
d) provide information to members of Congress that is favorable to a position taken by a
special interest group
13. Which of the following is a major cause of the inability of Congress to pass legislation?
a) the number of bills proposed by the President
b) Lobbyists influencing Congress
c) The change in the Party identification of voters
d) Divided Party control of the Congress

14. The Constitution provides that one-third of the Senate's membership is up for election every
two years so that
a) the entire House and Senate are not elected in the same year
b) voters have less of a chance to change control of the Senate from one party to another
c) House members may decide whether to run for Senate
d) committee assignments can be alternated between Democrats and Republicans
15. A special interest group would probably have the greatest success dealing with a legislator
regarding public policy issues that
a) were favored by the public as reflected by polls
b) the president also supported
c) the legislator needed specific information about, which the group could provide
d) had previously been voted on by Congress and defeated
16. The Speaker of the House of Representatives has the primary role of
a) breaking tie votes in the House
b) providing over the house during routine business
c) setting the legislative agenda for the House
d) settling disputes in his own Party
17. An older population of voters would most likely not support which of the following
proposals?
a) an increase in Medicare benefits
b) raise the minimal age for Social Security benefits to 72 years old
c) campaign finance reform
d) government subsidies to Public Education
18. What is the correct sequence of the steps in the lawmaking process in the House? The
proposed bill
I. Is reported out to the full committee
II. Is sent to the rules committee
III. Is referred to a subcommittee
IV. Is referred to a conference committee
V. is passed in the House
a) I, III, II, V, IV
b) III, I, II, V, IV
c) I, II, III, V, IV
d) I, II, III, IV, V
19. A major difference between House and Senate procedures is that
a) in the House there are more steps at which a proposed piece of legislation may be
amended
b) seniority is less important in naming committee chairs in the Senate
c) bills can die either in committee or in the floor vote for the conference committee
report

d) Senate leaders to not know ahead of scheduling a vote whether a proposed bill will
pass whereas in the House, the whip system ensures that the leaders are well
informed
20. All of the following are basic beliefs that Americans hold about their government
EXCEPTIONAL
a) preserving the general welfare
b) the adequacy of political parties
c) individual liberties and rights
d) equality for all
21. A conference committee is responsible for
a) investigating an issue such as illegal campaign contributions
b) providing oversight of the operations of a federal agency
c) working out the differences between the House and Senate version of a bill
d) examining the administration's budget proposal
22. A party's platform is important because
a) it becomes the basis of the legislative program of the new administration
b) it provides an important guide to voters on the issues
c) it is the only action taken by all the delegates at the convention
d) the nominee has little role in its development
23. The purpose of a filibuster is to
a) add non-germane amendments to a bill
b) prevent a bill from coming to a vote
c) have a roll call vote in the House
d) end debate on a bill on the Senate
24. Bills that involve _____________ can only originate in the House of Representatives
a) raising of government revenue
b) military troop movements
c) health care reform
d) interstate commerce
25. In the House, the selection of members to committees rests with
a) the Speaker
b) the Majority and Minority leaders of the House
c) the Majority leader alone
d) committee chairs
26. Which of the following is true of a presidential veto of a piece of legislation
a) it can only be used on bills involving taxes
b) Congress rarely overturns a veto
c) the Supreme Court automatically reviews the bill and veto
d) the President's advisors must also agree on the veto

27. Third parties usually develop because neither of the two major parties
a) have diverse enough candidates for office
b) are meeting the specific needs of a group
c) can handle so many members
d) see eye to eye on the same issues
28. A member of the House represents roughly
a) 250,000 constituents
b) 700,000 constituents
c) of a state's population
d) the entire state population
29. In order to make a law, a bill must receive support from all of the following EXCEPT
a) party leadership
b) a majority of the House of Representatives
c) roughly 60 Senators
d) a Supreme Court justice
30. Politics has been referred to as the
a) art of governing
b) art of compromise
c) great art of mankind
d) thinking man's game

Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. I would prefer answers in
complete sentences and paragraphs, however, other ways of organization, such as bullet points or
outline form, may be used as well. I would expect answers to be roughly 5 sentences long. (30
pts.)
1. We spent a good amount of time in class addressing the media's role in political
communication. What role does the media play in political communication?

2. What might happen if the House and the Senate are controlled by different Parties? By
the same Party?

3. Many people are frustrated because they feel Congress does not get anything done,
however we learned that the Framers of the Constitution set it up this way on purpose.
What are some reasons for such a long legislative process? Do you think this set up is
good, or should it be changed?