Honors Government Final Exam

Honors Government Final Exam

Please write your answers on a sheet of notebook paper. Exams are due for B day classes on Tuesday 1/17, and for A day classes on Wednesday 1/18.



Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
MAIN IDEAS


____ 1. The main reason that Congress creates committees is to
a.
divide the workload.
b.
educate new members.
c.
introduce new bills.
d.
create party power bases.

____ 2. To propose a constitutional amendment, Congress uses a
a.
public bill.
b.
joint resolution.
c.
concurrent resolution.
d.
rider.

____ 3. Unlike the House, the Senate has a legislative process with
a.
few limits on debate.
b.
strict limits on debate.
c.
no roll-call voting.
d.
no voice voting.

____ 4. Most measures introduced in the House die at which of these steps?
a.
committee
b.
cloture
c.
quorum
d.
floor vote

____ 5. Which of the following options is NOT available to a President who has just received a bill passed by Congress?
a.
sign the bill within 10 days
b.
sign the bill after 15 days
c.
veto the bill
d.
use a pocket veto

____ 6. In both houses, the standing committees
a.
are always subject-matter committees.
b.
are usually headed by members chosen on the basis of seniority.
c.
must report out every bill that is referred to them.
d.
are set up for a limited time to investigate a current matter.

____ 7. House leaders may use any of these calendars to schedule debate on a bill EXCEPT
a.
Union Calendar.
b.
House Calendar.
c.
Congressional Calendar.
d.
Private Calendar.

____ 8. A compromise bill worked on by a conference committee of House and Senate members is
a.
usually passed by both houses of Congress.
b.
never passed by both houses of Congress.
c.
always passed with amendments.
d.
sometimes passed with amendments.

____ 9. Which of the following statements is NOT an argument against the electoral college system?
a.
A candidate who loses the popular vote may still be elected President.
b.
An elector may vote for someone other than the voter-selected candidate.
c.
A strong third-party effort might throw the election into the House.
d.
The results depend upon how State congressional districts are drawn.

____ 10. The first and most widely publicized caucus today is held in the State of
a.
California.
b.
New Jersey.
c.
New Hampshire.
d.
Iowa.

____ 11. The most widely supported plan for reform of the electoral college is the
a.
district plan.
b.
proportional plan.
c.
direct popular election plan.
d.
national bonus plan.

____ 12. All of the following are characteristics that usually determine who is nominated for President EXCEPT
a.
incumbency.
b.
controversial viewpoints.
c.
married.
d.
from a key larger State.

____ 13. One of the major flaws in the electoral college system is that
a.
the winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency.
b.
the incumbent President is usually reelected.
c.
the majority party in Congress has an advantage when the electorate votes.
d.
electors are required to vote according to the wishes of their constituency.

____ 14. The power of the presidency has been cause for debate MAINLY because
a.
the presidency is the most powerful office in the world.
b.
the Constitution provided a loose definition of executive power.
c.
the presidency is an office that operates in full view of the public.
d.
leaders wanted to prevent the President from becoming a tyrant.

____ 15. The President CANNOT exercise judicial power by
a.
granting amnesty to a group of law violators.
b.
reducing the length of a sentence.
c.
granting pardons in cases of impeachment.
d.
postponing the carrying out of a sentence.

____ 16. Which of the following gives the President the power to issue executive orders?
a.
the Constitution and the judicial branch
b.
congressional acts and the Constitution
c.
congressional acts and the oath of office
d.
the oath of office and the Constitution

____ 17. Presidents who have been considered stronger and more effective leaders have viewed the presidency as
a.
an imperial office not accountable to Congress.
b.
what Theodore Roosevelt called a "stewardship."
c.
strictly bound by the Constitution and the laws of Congress.
d.
what William H. Taft called "the loneliest place in the world."

____ 18. The difference between a treaty and an executive agreement is that
a.
a treaty is with a foreign state but an executive agreement is domestic.
b.
a treaty must begin in the Senate but an executive agreement is made wholly by the President.
c.
the President needs Senate approval for a treaty but not for an executive agreement.
d.
a treaty ends or prevents a war but an executive agreement does not.

____ 19. Which of the following is a typical sequence of events in the appointment process?
a.
nomination, Senate debate, Senate committee hearings, rejection
b.
Senate debate, nomination, Senate committee hearings, confirmation
c.
Senate committee hearings, Senate debate, nomination, confirmation
d.
nomination, Senate committee hearings, Senate debate, rejection

____ 20. Treaties can be
a.
declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
b.
made with the Senate's consent.
c.
repealed by Congress.
d.
all of the above.

____ 21. A President can use armed forces abroad
a.
once Congress has approved the decision.
b.
after a declaration of war has been issued by Congress.
c.
pending approval by Congress within 48 hours.
d.
at his or her own discretion.

____ 22. Some Presidents, such as ____, have taken a narrow view of presidential powers.
a.
Franklin Delanor Roosevelt
b.
Theodore Roosevelt
c.
William Howard Taft
d.
James Madison

____ 23. Which federal court has original jurisdiction over MOST cases heard in federal court?
a.
district court
b.
court of appeals
c.
the Supreme Court
d.
the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

____ 24. The United States Tax Court hears
a.
criminal cases.
b.
civil cases.
c.
no cases generated by the Internal Revenue Service.
d.
all of the above.

____ 25. The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison
a.
enabled William Marbury to become a justice of the peace.
b.
stripped the President of his power to appoint federal judges.
c.
established the Court's power of judicial review.
d.
none of the above.

____ 26. Legal cases in the District of Columbia and the territories that belong to the United States are settled in:
a.
the courts of the State nearest the district or territory.
b.
a separate system of courts for each territory and each district like those at the State and federal levels.
c.
a system of local courts like those in a city or town.
d.
a system based on mediation and arbitration rather than legal confrontation.

____ 27. Which of the following statements does NOT accurately describe federal district courts?
a.
They handle both civil and criminal cases.
b.
Like courts of appeals, they have the right to listen to appeals.
c.
Like the Supreme Court, they can have original jurisdiction.
d.
They are the principal trial courts in the federal system.

____ 28. Which of the following statements about the Supreme Court is FALSE?
a.
The Supreme Court exercises both original and appellate jurisdiction.
b.
Cases can reach the Supreme Court by certificate and writ of certiorari.
c.
The Supreme Court only reads briefs; it does not hear oral arguments.
d.
All of the above statements are false.

____ 29. Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over all of the following types of cases EXCEPT cases involving
a.
a foreign government official.
b.
a person accused of a federal crime.
c.
citizens of different States.
d.
the infringement of a copyright.

____ 30. The MOST accurate reason that the Court of International Trade is classified as a constitutional court rather than a special court is that
a.
it exercises the broad "judicial power of the United States."
b.
it operates quite differently than special courts, such as the territorial courts or the Court of Military Appeals.
c.
the cases it decides can never reach appeals courts or the Supreme Court.
d.
it replaced the Board of United States General Appraisers and the Court of Customs.

INTERPRETING CHARTS
Use the chart to answer the following questions.
____ 31. To which of the following does a full committee of the House report a bill?
a.
a subcommittee
b.
the Rules Committee
c.
a conference committee
d.
floor action

____ 32. The arrow labeled X shows that some bills start in the House. Where would bills traveling along the arrow labeled Y have started from?
a.
pressure groups
b.
the Supreme Court
c.
private citizens
d.
the Senate

____ 33. If the lawmaking process is compared to an obstacle course, which of the following would constitute an obstacle?
a.
the three readings
b.
being referred to the appropriate standing committee
c.
being reported out of committee favorably
d.
being engrossed

____ 34. The conference committee
a.
is the final step before congressional approval of a bill.
b.
holds hearings to gather information.
c.
operates differently in the House than it does in the Senate.
d.
may refuse to report a bill.

____ 35. The roles a President must play are
a.
largely symbolic.
b.
all equal in importance.
c.
spelled out in the Constitution.
d.
none of the above.

____ 36. A President may need to produce evidence of his ability to perform the powers and duties of his office in the event that
a.
the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet challenge this ability.
b.
war breaks out during his term of office.
c.
he loses a bid for reelection.
d.
none of the above.

____ 37. The Framers believed that ______ would be weakened if Congress was responsible for choosing the President.
a.
separation of powers
b.
the system of checks and balances
c.
the electoral college
d.
both a and b

____ 38. All of the following contributed to today’s presidential selection system EXCEPT
a.
the appearance of political parties.
b.
the election of 1800.
c.
the 12th Amendment.
d.
the 25th Amendment.

____ 39. Little-known candidates are at a greater disadvantage than ever because
a.
delegate selection is so complicated.
b.
State primaries occur too close together to gain name recognition and raise money between contests.
c.
State laws require candidates to announce their candidacies so early.
d.
Primary schedules are so spread out that a candidacy loses steam from State-to-State.

____ 40. If a party has been losing support nationally, it may depend heavily on the _____ to begin to reverse that trend.
a.
presidential primary
b.
national convention
c.
electoral college
d.
voters

____ 41. Should the "winner-take-all" flaw of the electoral college become a recurring problem, it would likely cause
a.
a drop in voter turnout.
b.
a rise in voter turnout.
c.
more elections to be decided in the House.
d.
none of the above.

____ 42. If the winner of the popular vote does not win the presidency,
a.
the people must find another way to elect a President.
b.
the will of the people has been subverted.
c.
the election is thrown into the House of Representatives.
d.
this proves that direct democracy would not work.

____ 43. The term "imperial presidency" is particularly offensive to most Americans because
a.
it conjures up images of George Washington.
b.
the Constitution severely limits the power of the presidency.
c.
the colonists struggled to free the nation from imperial rule.
d.
public opinion already favors a strong presidency.

____ 44. Compared with the result when President Johnson fired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, the result when President Wilson fired Postmaster Frank Myers was
a.
about the same.
b.
less in line with the route taken by the First Congress.
c.
much more far reaching.
d.
much less favorable for President Wilson.

____ 45. Which of the following require the involvement of a greater number of people?
a.
treaties
b.
executive agreements
c.
executive orders
d.
granting recognition of another country.

IDENTIFYING KEY TERMS
____ 46. The list of cases to be heard by a court is called a
a.
civil case list.
b.
certificate.
c.
writ of certiorari.
d.
docket.

____ 47. Which of the following BEST describes the state of the judicial system under the Articles of Confederation?
a.
Each State was a "law unto itself."
b.
The States "bowed to the authority of the National Judiciary."
c.
The weight of the National Judiciary "threatened to topple the federal system."
d.
The State courts operated "like a well-oiled machine."

____ 48. As the Supreme Court goes about its work of interpreting and applying laws passed by Congress, it exemplifies
a.
the concept of popular sovereignty.
b.
the federal system.
c.
the doctrine of separation of powers.
d.
the system of checks and balances.

____ 49. Dissenting opinions accomplish all of the following EXCEPT
a.
allowing the voice of the minority to be heard.
b.
providing a statement of opinion that may be looked at in a new light in future years.
c.
providing a precedent to be followed by the lower courts.
d.
establishing a record of the reasons the Court’s opinion was divided.

____ 50. Since the military tribunals ordered by President Bush are not part of the military’s courts-martial system, it can be inferred that
a.
they are composed of civilians.
b.
the sentences they impose can be avoided.
c.
judgments made in those tribunals cannot be appealed.
d.
they will be found unconstitutional.

Course Syllabus

2011 - 2012, Government Honors, Course Syllabus
Robert E. Lee High School
Instructor: Perry Walthour
Email: walthourp@duvalschools.org
Website: http://leehonorsgov.blogspot.com/
Phone: 904-381-3930 Ext. 157
Cell: 904-504-5490

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the course of instruction is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the development and functioning of the government of the United States. This will be accomplished through a variety of means reading, formal assessment, critical thinking, group and Socratic discussion, with an emphasis on applying/understanding government and its functions to the student through real world examples. Students will be challenged and it is expected that they also be mentally challenging in class.

TEXT:
Maguder’s American Government. 2004. Prentice Hall.
Numerous supplemental reading and analytical assignments will be given, all available through the class blog spot. Please use the class blog spot as the class assignments, as well as important supplemental information will be posted. http://leehonorsgov.blogspot.com/

COURSE OVERVIEW:
Month Chapters of Book Content Summary (Major content areas)
August
Government and its purpose; classifying forms of government; basic concepts of
democracy; political beginnings of the U.S.; establishing a constitution; changing the
Constitution; division of power within a federal system of government
September 5-9
Political parties; two party system in the U.S.; voting, suffrage; civil rights; nominations
and elections; formation and measurement of public opinion; role of mass media;
interest groups; rights and responsibilities of citizenship
October
(2 Weeks) 10-12 Members of legislative branch; powers of the legislative branch;
Organization of Congress
October
(2 weeks) 13-17 Executive branch; powers of the president; bureaucracy of the federal government;
financing government; foreign policy; national defense
November
(2 weeks) 18-21 Federal court system; civil liberties
November
(1 week) 22-23 Comparative political systems (Great Britain, China, Russia, Mexico, and Japan);
comparative economic systems (capitalism, socialism, and communism)
November –
State and local governments

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Extensive use of our class web page and resources contained within it will be utilized. Students and parents should become familiar with the content and materials contained within these pages:

There will be an emphasis on critical thinking and discussion of differing perspectives, wherein students will analyze and evaluate the text, varying interactive/visual material and issues connected with American Government. Quizzes, documents, and the majority of homework assignments, occasional tests, and numerous additional resources that will be utilized in class, through a variety of techniques.


COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
First and foremost students are expected to be inquisitive, challenging, and engaged. Students should not complete this semester with a mere familiarity of American Government, but an understanding of American Governments functioning, along with a knowledge that there is much more to be explored beyond what was presented. Overall, students in class are expected to adhere to three common sense rules:
1. Know where you are going
2. Get there on time
3. Act Right and Listen when you get there.
Additionally, late work is not accepted unless preceded by an excused absence. (Stu Students are also expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct of Duval County Public Schools. I will be inquisitive, challenging, and engaged at all times and expect the same from students.

COURSE ACTIVITIES SUMMARY:
Throughout the course of the semester, there will be a variety of assignments. Assignments can mainly be categorized into the following broad areas:
Reading (for understanding and application – text and additional assigned readings)
Group work/Socratic Discussion groups
Debates
Homework
Unit Tests (formal assessment and alternative assessments, 1 per Unit)
Student presentation of material
Class Participation
There will be a variety of assignments throughout the semester, all geared towards the outcome of challenging students and having them engaged in and outside of class. These activities may be modified dependent on overall class preparedness to discuss and evaluate material being covered.

GRADING:
Grades are determined on a total point scale throughout the semester. Each assignment will have a set point value applied to it. The amount of points that a student attains on assignments (cumulatively) throughout the semester will be divided by the total possible points at that time, which provides the percentage average. Grades will be posted on Oncourse a minimum of twice biweekly but often times more frequently than that. Grades will fall within the following categories, Homework, chapter quizzes, class participation, Unit testing.

PLAIGARISM/CHEATING:
Cheating, copying, or plagiarizing from work done by anyone else WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Any student involved in such activity, (either providing information or receiving information) will receive a zero for that assignment. Unless specified, all assignments are to be completed individually. Examples of behaviors which will be considered (but not limited to) cheating/plagiarizing are, talking during any test or quiz (whether you have or have not completed
the test/quiz), providing or receiving other students work and passing it in as your own, plagiarizing essays and papers (either one sentence, one paragraph or entire essay). Students are expected to cite references/sources and papers will be reviewed as needed to check for plagiarism/cheating. Additional information will be provided regarding paper submissions and plagiarism
checks.

CONTACTING THE TEACHER:
Please feel free to contact me any day before 8pm. Parents and students may contact me using any of the contacts listed at the beginning of the syllabus. I am also in room 157 annex after school most days until 3:30. Please feel free to stop by for extra help.
I will look forward to a great year!

Mr. Walthour