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PLATO Edmentum US Government End
of Semester Test: 32/32 Correct!
What is the primary purpose of most constitutions? A. to define a moral code for people to follow B. to provide a substitute for government C. to prevent a strong central government D. to define and limit government power E. to give the government absolute power - โโD. to define and limit government power Under which type of government would state or provincial governments have the most sovereignty? A. parliamentary B. confederal C. federal D. totalitarian E. dictatorship - โโB. 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? A. Hobbes's Leviathan B. Locke's Second Treatise of Government C. Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws D. Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England E. Machiavelli's The Prince - โโB. Locke's Second Treatise of Government
What is considered an important Roman contribution to American government? A. the idea of representative government in which people elect officials to speak for them B. the idea of a legislature that has more power than any other branch of government C. the idea that everyone is judged under the same interpretation of the law D. the idea that governments are only legitimate if they rule with the consent of their people E. the idea that people naturally give up some rights to a government for the sake of maintaining order in society - โโA. 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? A. when the government taxes the people too much B. when the people as a whole do not agree with the policies of the government C. when they are ruled by a king D. when the government fails to protect the fundamental rights of the people E. when the economy fails to create new jobs - โโD. 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? A. avoiding the tyranny of a powerful central government B. granting only limited powers to the new monarchy C. providing new powers to the executive branch D. limiting the power of certain states in the Union E. preventing states from trading with other nations - โโA. 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?
D. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion... or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press." E. "The Constitution... shall be the supreme law of the land." - โโD. "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. a power specifically named in the Constitution B. a power given to it by the Supreme Court C. a power considered necessary to carry out other congressional duties D. a power given to it by the president E. a power restricted by the people - โโA. a power specifically named in the Constitution In Congress, who has the right to unlimited debate and unlimited opportunity to offer amendments? A. the president B. senators C. the Speaker of the House D. the vice president E. majority leaders - โโB. 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? A. the national security advisor B. the secretary of state C. the attorney general D. the chief of staff E. the secretary of treasury - โโD. the chief of staff
Which statement about the executive role of the president of the United States is true? A. The president fills the roles of head of state and head of government. B. The president's only role is the head of government. C. The president's only role is the head of state. D. The president fills the role of the chief justice of the supreme court. E. The president's role is ceremonial, with Congress serving the roles of head of state and head of government. - โโA. 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? A. habeas corpus B. precedent C. jurisdiction D. due process E. judicial review - โโB. precedent Which sentence correctly states the relationship between the federal and the state judiciaries? A. Federal courts can overrule any state court in its interpretation of the law. B. The two always operate separately, and neither system ever interferes with the other's decisions. C. All state courts are trial courts, and all federal courts are appeals courts. D. State courts have original jurisdiction in civil cases, and federal courts have original jurisdiction in criminal cases. E. The two generally operate separately, although federal courts may overrule state court decisions that violate the US Constitution or federal law. - โโE. 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?
What was the subject of the Louisiana laws upheld by Plessy v. Ferguson? A. grandfather clauses B. poll taxes C. separate rail facilities D. women's suffrage E. peaceful protest - โโC. 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? A. most state government elections B. House elections C. Senate elections D. most local government elections E. presidential elections - โโE. presidential elections Why is a free press important and helpful to a democratic society? A. It allows presidential candidates to control citizens' votes. B. It prevents political parties from buying an election. C. It helps citizens become aware of a politician's wrongdoings. D. It gives the government a way to influence information. E. It stops private companies from owning major media outlets. - โโC. 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? A. They should vote for government officials who do not smoke.
B. They should start a political action committee and lobby for antismoking policies. C. They should give antismoking speeches at local community centers and schools. D. They should ask their governor to support their antismoking policies. E. They should demonstrate outside local restaurants that allow smoking inside. - โโB. 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? A. He can remember to vote on election day. B. He can watch the local news every evening. C. He can educate himself on local public policies. D. He can write a letter to the candidate to show his support. E. He can volunteer to work on the campaign. - โโE. He can volunteer to work on the campaign. What did the War Powers Resolution of 1973 do? A. It slowed the growing power of the legislative branch. B. It promoted the powers of the executive branch. C. It limited the president's power to start wars. D. It forced the legislative branch to fund wars properly. E. It required the president to listen to the Joint Chiefs. - โโC. It limited the president's power to start wars. What did President George Washington warn against in his farewell address? A. permitting too much trade with European powers B. becoming overly involved with foreign politics C. creating diplomatic relations with new nations
Which economic term refers to the situation where one country can manufacture and export automobiles at a lower cost than its competitors? A. opportunity cost B. comparative advantage C. inflation D. consumer price index (CPI) E. gross domestic product (GDP) - โโB. comparative advantage Which government agency's primary mission is ensuring that enough money and credit are available to sustain economic growth without causing inflation? A. the US Treasury B. the Senate Budget Committee C. the House Committee on Appropriations D. the Labor Department E. the Federal Reserve - โโE. the Federal Reserve What was the goal of Congress when it passed the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up corporate trusts? A. to remove government regulation from businesses B. to return private competition to the marketplace C. to lower taxes on small and medium businesses D. to prevent politicians from investing in businesses E. to increase laissez-faire ideals in the marketplace - โโB. to return private competition to the marketplace
