VirtualSC Honors Government Practice Exam

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• Which economic philosophy advocates for government intervention in the economy?
• Which statement accurately characterizes "liberal" ideology?
• Which amendment established the procedures for succession to the presidency?
• The evolving power and enlarging scope of responsibility have required the President of the United States to perform several roles EXCEPT for which ONE of the following?
• Which ONE of the following statements is a violation of the Hatch Act?
• Which foundational principle refers to the idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed?
• Which of the following is a way to scale back bureaucracy by turning over bureaucratic functions to private entities?
• The principle of "separation of church and state" is intended to prevent which of the following?
• Which of the following is NOT true of lobbyists?
• Which ONE of the following items is NOT a requirement for a U.S. citizenship applicant?
• Which branch serves as a watchdog for the other branches of government under constitutional principles?
• Which TWO of the following are main arguments in favor of interest groups?
• The President's ability to veto a bill is an example of which of the following?
• What philosophy allows judges to make decisions based on the spirit of the times?
• The 5th Amendment protects individuals against which of the following?
• A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president is known as which of the following?
• South Carolina's legislature is called which of the following?
• Which committee in Congress is primarily responsible for reviewing and editing bills before they proceed to the floor for a vote?
• What constitutional right is emphasized in the 1st Amendment?
• The Bill of Rights guarantees specific individual liberties EXCEPT for which of the following?
• How do most cases come to the Supreme Court?
• What is the main responsibility of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services?
• Once a bill is proposed by a South Carolina legislator, it then goes to which of the following?
• Which of the following committees is primarily responsible for reviewing proposed legislation in the House?
• Which of the following is an example of inherent powers of the national government?
• Which of the following best describes how policy reflects the attitudes and beliefs of citizens who choose to participate at a given time?
• True or False: Critical issues like marriage and criminal laws are usually decided by state and local officials rather than federal authorities.
• The toleration of Catholics in Maryland and Quakers in Pennsylvania exemplifies which fundamental value?
• Devolution is when Congress does which of the following?
• Judicial review was established in which of the following cases?
• Which eighteenth-century philosopher believed that the right to rule comes from the "consent of the governed"?
• Who is typically regarded as the president's main adviser on foreign policy matters?
• What document do presidents use to explain their endorsement of a bill and its expected impact?
• According to the 14th Amendment, someone born in Canada to American parents is automatically what?
• In the case of a president's removal from office, death, or resignation, which of the following shall become President of the United States?
• One suggestion for making civil servants more accountable for their work includes which of the following?
• Which former president attempted to "pack" the courts with Federalist judges?
• Which agency is responsible for the rehabilitation of offenders in South Carolina?
• What was a major debate topic at the Constitutional Convention?
• Which THREE of the following actions are ways that people may participate in politics?
• Which demographic group has historically shown loyalty to the Democratic Party?
• Who were the opposing sides in the debate over ratification of the Constitution?
• Which of the following is considered an "implied power" of the government?
• "To purchase the most health for our citizens in need at the least possible cost to the taxpayer" is the mission of which of the following?
• What is the name of the fund established by Congress in 1980 to address hazardous waste site clean-up?
• Which entity plays a crucial role in enforcing the rulings made by the judiciary?
• Which ONE of the following is considered a form of participation in a democracy?
• The Constitution assigned the President of the United States several powers EXCEPT for which one of the following?
• Which scenario is NOT within the federal courts' jurisdiction according to the Constitution?
• What is the primary function of the Electoral College in the United States?
• What argument did Federalists use in defense of the Constitution?
• Which department is responsible for marketing South Carolina as a preferred vacation destination?
• What is the primary method through which leaders of the House and the Senate exert their power?
• The American government is rooted in a European movement that sought to question monarch authority known as?
• Lyndon B. Johnson's expansion of domestic public policy in the 1960's was called which of the following?
• According to the Supreme Court, the 4th Amendment allows the police to search several areas EXCEPT for which ONE of the following?
• Democratic societies strive for balance by achieving a compromise between which two elements?
• Which THREE of the following are ways that Americans may lose their citizenship?
• Which aspect of governance does "government derives power from the consent of the governed" illustrate?
• Which one of the following is NOT a reason why the people have a negative opinion of the bureaucratic system?
• What type of power prohibits states from taxing interstate commerce?
• Which factor does NOT contribute to American political attitudes and behavior?
• What does the First Amendment protect citizens' rights related to?
• The times, places, and manner of electing senators and representatives shall be determined by which of the following?
• Which election presented a famous example of public opinion polls missing the mark, predicting a landslide victory for Thomas E. Dewey, but ultimately resulting in a win for Harry Truman?
• Which of the following is NOT a reason for the delay in the shift from government to self-rule after the signing of the Declaration of Independence?
• What type of legislature does every state, except Nebraska, have?
• Which of the following regulates hiring and testing of 90% of federal bureaucrats through a written examination administered by the Office of Personnel Management?
• True or False: State judges have the final voice in most cases in the United States.
• What is the significance of checks and balances in the U.S. government?
• The maze of government rules, regulations, and paperwork that make government so overwhelming to citizens that many people try to avoid any contact is a common complaint about bureaucracy known as which of the following?
• Which of the following characterizes how a minority political party can check the power of the majority political party?
• What was the title of the essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay in favor of ratification?
• The process by which the Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of a legislative act is known as what?
• The types of taxes in South Carolina are which of the following?
• The 6th Amendment guarantees the right to have which TWO of the following?
• Which of the following actions would create the most tension between the competing values of rule of law and limited government?
• What is the affirmation, or oath of office, the president takes before taking office?
• In Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court ruled that individuals accused of a crime have the right to which of the following?
• What characterizes the relationship between executive and legislative actions and the judicial branch?
• Which of the following is an INACCURATE description of "civil liberties"?
• What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?
• How are polls principally used by political candidates?
• Which is an example of a factor influencing public opinion polls?
• Which of the following is an example of power shared between the judiciary and the other two branches of government?
• What prompted the American colonies to seek a new government after 150 years under British rule?
• Which of the following describes the principle that the government should reflect the collective will of the people?
• Which of the following best describes the role of the Bill of Rights?
• If the Special Rules Committee in the House sets a short time limit on debates and allows no amendments from the floor, what have they imposed?
• The Miranda v. Arizona decision relates to which key principle?
• The "cabinet agency assigned to operate and manage South Carolina's 47 state parks" is which of the following?
• Under what condition did Thomas Jefferson support the Constitution?
• Which political phenomenon is characterized by candidates aligning their views with poll results?
• In 1993, Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act, also known as the "Motor-Voter" law, requiring which of the following?
• Which body decides how debates occur in the House of Representatives?
• Unlike other branches of our government and bureaucracy, the judiciary can change policy only if which of the following happens?
• Which of the following political party roles involves criticizing the party in power and offering solutions?
• What action does the Department of Education take after the enactment of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)?
• Which of the following parties rarely win major elections and have never won a presidential election?
• What is the essential purpose of laws enacted by the South Carolina legislature?
• Which of the following aptly describes "The American Dream"?
• Which of the following concepts refers to the relationship between religion and government?
• Which of the following is an example of a special interest group?
• Which of the following statements best explains why no third-party candidate received any electoral votes during the 2016 Presidential Election?
• Which of the following are semi-formal groups within Congress organized around particular identity or interest?
• Judicial review allows the modern Supreme Court to act as which of the following?
• Which of the following is NOT a required qualification to become a member of the House of Representatives?
• Which amendment grants the right to bear arms?
• Which title is NOT typically a staff member of the White House Office?
• Which characteristic does NOT indicate high levels of political participation?
• What principle guarantees that laws are not applied in a discriminatory manner?
• Each cabinet department is headed by a Secretary who sits on the President's Cabinet, with the exception of the Justice Department, headed by which of the following?
• Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Articles of Confederation?
• Which of the following best describes a closed primary?
• What organization is led by the Surgeon General and focuses on health care research and monitoring?
• How did President Andrew Jackson limit the power of the Supreme Court?
• What role does the South Carolina governor play in the legislative process once a bill has been passed by the legislature?
• Which ONE of the following is NOT a characteristic of a model bureaucracy?
• Which of the following principles ensures that the government does not take private property for public use without compensation?
• Political parties perform several functions EXCEPT for which ONE of the following?
• What principle is Thomas Jefferson advocating for in the Declaration of Independence excerpt regarding government?
• Which document asserted that people have the right to rebel against an improper government?
• Why is the media's role as a watchdog over the government considered important?
• Which component of political parties is involved in supporting candidates?
• Section 1 of the 14th Amendment is commonly known as what?
• What demonstrates the Supreme Court's power to overrule itself?
• What is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Corrections?
• The "Great American Melting Pot" concept signifies which of the following?
• What is a potential reason for tension between the president and Congress regarding executive orders?
• Which of the following characterizes patronage?
• The historical influence of the two-party political system in the United States began with which of the following?
• The power to confirm appointments to the Supreme Court resides in which of the following?
• Which of the following is NOT a constitutional power granted to Congress?
• Which factor is known to exacerbate the welfare debate among lawmakers?
• How did the Supreme Court decisions in Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland clarify the role of the Supreme Court and the power of the federal government?
• States that impose stringent rules on voting by mail are characterized by which of the following institutional barriers?
• South Carolina's sales tax rate is which of the following?
• As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the president is responsible for which of the following?
• Which statement accurately describes the principle of "due process"?
• Which group consists of the elected representatives that make laws in the federal government?
• The founders included several principles into government to limit majority rule EXCEPT for which of the following?
• The power to tax at federal, state, and local levels is classified as what type of power?
• Which condition must be considered to ensure freedom of assembly does not infringe on others' rights?
• Powers shared between different levels of government are called which of the following?
• How often must Congress meet according to the U.S. Constitution?
• Thomas Jefferson's famous phrase in the Declaration of Independence proclaimed that "all men are created equal" but that does not include which of the following?
• Which of the following amendments was created to deny the national government the authority to make general searches and seizures of property?
• According to the Iron Triangle Theory, which ONE of the following statements is INACCURATE?
• Which case is the best example of judicial activism?
• What policy allows judges to play a minimal policymaking role and defer to legislatures?
• Congress's ability to investigate the executive branch serves what purpose?
• Which of the following describes powers that are shared by both state and federal governments?
• Which of the following is a type of grant that is appropriated by Congress to states for a specific purpose and allocated by a precise formula with detailed conditions imposed by the national government?
• Which attitude is NOT attributed to factors contributing to American political culture?
• Which ONE of the following statements accurately describes "liberty"?
• How can the judiciary influence policy at all government levels?
• Which Republican group in 1994 sought to return many functions to the states?
• What is the term for the power of the courts to review decisions of other government branches?
• The concept of limited government is most directly associated with which of the following?
• What is the main purpose of Congress?
• Which ONE of the following does NOT constitute a step in the U.S. naturalization process?
• Why might state and local officials handle certain issues such as driving age and marriage laws?
• The largest expense for most states is which of the following?
• Which ONE of the following is NOT a responsibility imposed on noncitizens?
• Which of the following amendments protects against self-incrimination?
• Which ONE of the following features does NOT characterize American bureaucracy?
• What constitutional principle allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?
• Symbolic speech is illustrated in which of the following?
• Which of the following is an interactive medium, allowing citizens to send and receive information in real-time?
• If a bill does not receive a majority of votes in the committee, it is said to have done which of the following?
• What is the key function of a bicameral legislature?
• Which position serves the president directly as part of the White House staff?
• Which of the following is a right explicitly denied to noncitizens by the Supreme Court?
• Which of the following characterizes "weekday voting" as an institutional barrier to voter participation?
• In what scenario is the government allowed to limit free speech?
• When states cannot tax imports or exports, they are exercising which type of power?
• What is a primary function of policy networks in relation to interest groups and government officials?
• The right to a speedy and public trial is guaranteed by which amendment?
• What principle ensures that similar cases are treated similarly in a legal context?
• The state governor is chosen by which of the following?
• What is the main power of the judicial branch?
• Which of the following is the role of the judicial branch?
• In the context of the U.S. Constitution, what does "pocket veto" refer to?
• The Supreme Court decision in McCulloch v. Maryland established which principle of federalism?
• At the beginning of each new Congress, which term do Democrats use for their special meetings to talk about party policy and select their leaders?
• Which statement accurately characterizes "nationalism"?
• If the President does not sign a bill presented by Congress, which of the following is an option for it to become a law?
• One of the two broad areas in the Bill of Rights that protected civil liberties is which of the following?
• Which principle is NOT found in the Declaration of Independence?
• What is the term for the postal privilege that allows members of Congress to send mail for free?
• Which level of government has the authority to manage state parks in South Carolina?
• Who is recognized as the "father of American polling" and founded the American Institute for Public Opinion?
• After a legislative election, what is the party with the most representatives called?
• What belief holds that the Constitution is to be interpreted strictly?
• Which former President claimed that federal efforts to improve society were eroding individual freedoms?
• Which event showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a Constitution that balanced order and liberty?
• What fundamental value in American government allows freedom of music choice?
• What was a major cause for the writing of the Federalist Papers?
• Which body has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills?
• What is an example of how Congress can check the power of the president?
• Based on a provision of the U.S. Constitution, why did the framers include a two-year term for the House of Representatives?
• What action did President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempt regarding the Supreme Court?
• Which social and economic characteristic is NOT strongly associated with high levels of political participation?
• What document outlines the fundamental principles of the U.S. government?
• The situations listed below illustrate when voter turnout was low in the United States EXCEPT for which?
• What is a primary duty of the Office of Management and Budget?
• When deciding cases regarding free speech, what important question do courts consider?
• What best explains the compromise behind the creation of the Electoral College?
• According to libertarian views, how should the government approach healthcare to respect individual choice and rights?
• What is the constitutionally established group of electors that select the president?
• Congress delegates substantial authority to administrative agencies in several areas EXCEPT for which ONE of the following?
• In the Schenck v. The United States case, what principle did the court establish regarding free speech?
• Which document, written in 1215, established the belief that a monarch's rule was not absolute?
• How do organized interest groups apply pressure to the government?
• Which of the following would be considered a violation of the Establishment Clause?
• All of the following are major pieces of federal environmental legislation EXCEPT for which of the following?
• In which case did the Supreme Court establish the "supremacy" of the federal government?
• What is the responsibility of each state under Article IV, Section 1 of the United States Constitution?
• Which example demonstrates shared power between the president and Congress?
• Which type of grant was consolidated and given to states with few strings attached during the Reagan Administration?
• Which TWO of the following statements characterize how interest groups interact with the government?
• Which TWO of the following factors could contribute to low voter turnout?
• Which action is most likely to cause tension between individualism and rule of law?
• What is the main objective of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?
• Which power of Congress is considered the most significant?
• Since Marbury v. Madison, the judicial branch has determined whether decisions of other governmental entities are?
• Who serves as the President of the Senate and votes only in case of a tie?
• What does the federal, state, and local power to tax illustrate about U.S. governance?
• Which of the following is the ability for any member of Congress to propose a bill?
• Legislators that cooperate with the chief executive because they belong to the same political party are performing which of the following political party roles?
• Around 350 B.C., Aristotle proposed which of the following theories?
• What economic consequence can arise from having insufficient money in circulation?
• What is the first step in the process of a bill becoming law in South Carolina?
• A social insurance plan for the elderly, the most extensive single welfare program is which of the following?
• Which of the following characterizes how the power of judicial review acts as a check on the legislative and executive branches?
• What is the term for the fierce loyalty to one's political party, despite calls for independence from party affiliation?
• Which statement is INACCURATE regarding the 5th Amendment?
• What does impeachment mean in the context of U.S. governance?
• The President of the United States is exercising which of the following when presenting information on the state of the union to Congress and when convening both houses of Congress on extraordinary occasions?
• One drawback of the "winner-take-all" system of elections in the United States is that third parties find it hard to compete with the two major parties.
• The belief that the federal courts must correct injustices that are perpetuated or ignored by other branches is known as which of the following?
• Which ONE of the following is NOT a type of primary election?
• Anti-Federalists believed which of the following?
• Political parties serve which of the following functions?
• What is a watchdog's main function in the context of political parties?
• Which statement does NOT describe the exclusive powers given to the Senate?
• According to the U.S. Constitution, enslaved individuals were counted as what?
• Which of the following is when Congress limits the number of regulations that an agency is allowed to enforce?
• Which of the following is NOT a part of the three prongs of the Lemon Test regarding the 1st Amendment's religion clause?
• Which document served as the first governing document of the United States?
• Which of the following describes when the "rule of law" is being exercised?
• Which branch of government is responsible for proposing legislation in South Carolina?
• Have campaigns become shorter and cheaper in recent years, necessitating no further reforms?
• The 14th Amendment was adopted in what year?
• What is the most common indication that a government is ruled by law?
• How do elected branches most commonly seize statutory control from the Supreme Court?
• Which statement about the 25th Amendment is inaccurate?
• Which policy is primarily concerned with regulating the quantity of money in circulation within the economy?
• Which of the following best describes the purpose of the system of checks and balances?
• How is legal precedent typically used by the courts?
• Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a "unitary system"?
• Which constitutional clause allows Congress to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers?
• What role do political parties serve in connecting citizens to their government?
• What characteristic is most closely related to consistently high voting rates?
• Based on the Tenth Amendment, which of the following describes powers reserved to the states or the people?
• What term describes political candidates that shift their positions based on public opinion polls?
• Who has the authority to confirm judicial appointments in South Carolina?
• What is the purpose of the Federal Election Campaign Act passed in 1974?
• What major principle does the requirement for government to follow established laws represent?
• How is a Supreme Court justice appointed?
• Which THREE of the following rights does the Supreme Court provide to noncitizens?
• As the chief administrator, what is one responsibility of the President of the United States?
• According to the presidential line of succession, when the president and vice president both become incapacitated, which of the following takes over the presidency?
• Which of the following is a characteristic of a confederal government?
• What did the Great (Connecticut) Compromise establish?
• How does the executive branch influence legislation according to the separation of powers?
• Who confirms the South Carolina governor's Cabinet members after their nomination?
• What is the function of the National Security Council within the Executive Office of the President?
• Which theory did John Locke develop regarding government and society?
• In the United States, the constitutional protection of the basic rights of citizenship is found in which of the following amendments?