30 Jan Why was a government in

POLS1101 American Government, Short Session 1

Lesson 1 Quiz

Question 1

Congress has the power to

collect taxes

regulate commerce

declare war

All of the above

A & B only

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a common component of various definitions of democracy?

respect for the law

constitutionalism

equal opportunity

competition

Question 3

Which of the following are protected freedoms based on the first amendment?

speech

press

petition

All of the above

A & B only

Question 4

Thomas Hobbes believed that people were self-interested actors who would take advantage of those weaker than them. This concept is known as living in the ____________.

a)

State of Nature

b)

Social Contract

c)

Positivist Human Nature

d)

Solitary Being

Question 5

According to the social contract, what is the source of government’s legitimacy?

Citizen consent

The divine right of kings

Government’s control of all property

The Catholic Church

Government’s authority over its subjects

Question 6

The group that favored the ratification of the Constitution was known as ____________.

a)

Socialists

b)

Anti-Federalists

c)

Federalists

d)

The Oligarchy

Question 7

Once the Senate votes to impeach the President, the House conducts a trial to determine whether to convict or acquit.

True

False

Question 8

The constitutional safeguard that places legislative, executive, and judicial powers in different hands is called

separation of powers

checks and balances

fusion of powers

federalism

Question 9

All of the following characterize the New Jersey Plan EXCEPT

it assumed that national government power would be derived from the states

it proposed a unicameral legislature

like the Articles of Confederation, it lacked an Executive branch

it favored equal representation among the states

Question 10

Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution lists the powers of the national government. Who possess the powers that are not listed in Article I, Section 8?

The national government, but subject to oversight by the federal courts

A special commission composed of national-government department heads and state governors

The states and the people

The political parties

Nobody possesses the remaining powers

Question 11

What did Shay’s Rebellion serve to do?

Highlighted the weakness of states governments

Highlighted the weakness of the federal government

Highlighted the weakness of the English government

Highlighted the weakness of local governments

Question 12

The first __________ amendments are known as the Bill of Rights

a)

10

b)

5

c)

20

d)

3

Question 13

What are the first words in the First Amendment?

“We hold these truths to be self-evident . . .”

“Congress shall make no law . . .”

“Property is surely a right of mankind . . .”

None of the above

Question 14

According to Madison in the Federalist Papers, factions in government were inevitable, but their effect could be marginalized in America because the county was __________.

democratic

young

independent

large

Question 15

Who came to the Constitutional Convention with a clear vision for the new government?

James Madison

George Washington

Alexander Hamilton

Thomas Jefferson

Question 16

Throughout many of the Federalist Papers, the authors refer to __________ as being the best people to govern

elected officials

appointed officials

“men of fit character”

Federalists

Question 17

In a ____________ individuals do not directly govern themselves, we elect representatives to speak on our behalf.

a)

Federal System

b)

Confederal System

c)

Direct Democracy

d)

Republic

Question 18

Who presided over the Constitutional Convention?

James Madison

George Washington

Alexander Hamilton

Thomas Jefferson

Question 19

According to the notion of pluralism, in the American system of government, __________ exercise a tremendous amount of power and exert significant influence.

individuals

elected officials

groups

appointed officials

Question 20

All of the following characterize the Virgina Plan EXCEPT

it proposed a multi-person chief executive

it proposed a bicameral legislature

state legislatures would choose some members of the federal legislature

it included a Supreme Court

Question 21

What best describes the system of government of the United States?

a direct democracy

an indirect democracy

an indirect republic

a constitutional republic

Question 22

All are true about the Constitutional Convention EXCEPT

it met in 1787

it included representatives from all 13 states

it was called to only ratify the Articles of Confederation

it met is great secrecy

Question 23

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention

encouraged widespread public interest in what was happening at the convention

actively sought the input of foreign leaders.

met in secret to prevent opponents from organizing against their actions.

were very open to the press about their daily accomplishments

Question 24

Aristotle envisioned democracy as rule by the __________.

Mob

People

Elites

Senate

Question 25

Why was a government in which citizens choose members of a legislature to make policy, rather than making it themselves, was favored James Madison and the other Founding Fathers?

the founders did not think the states would accept direct public involvement in government.

direct government by citizens was impractical, even though, in theory, direct democracy was more desirable than representative government.

direct government by citizens was impractical and was believed to be less likely to produce good public policy.

All of the above