High School Government practice questions and exam guide

The United States is a republic, which means:

1. citizens elect representatives to make laws
2. citizens vote directly on every single law
3. a king rules for life
4. one party controls all offices

Answer: A — citizens elect representatives to make laws

A) Correct — It is a representative democracy. B) Is direct democracy. C) Is monarchy. D) Is a one-party state.

When a state law conflicts with a valid federal law, the federal law wins because of the:

1. Tenth Amendment
2. Supremacy Clause
3. Full Faith and Credit Clause
4. Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer: B — Supremacy Clause

B) Correct — Article VI makes the Constitution and federal laws supreme. A) Reserves powers to the states. C) Is about states honoring each other's records. D) Gives Congress implied powers.

Congress is bicameral, which means it has:

1. one chamber
2. two chambers
3. three chambers
4. two parties only

Answer: B — two chambers

B) Correct — The House and the Senate. A) Is unicameral, like Nebraska's legislature. C) Congress has two. D) Bicameral refers to chambers, not parties.

A directive from the President to federal agencies that has the force of law is an:

1. executive agreement
2. executive order
3. amendment
4. injunction

Answer: B — executive order

B) Correct — It cannot override the Constitution or federal law. A) Is a pact with a foreign leader. C) Changes the Constitution. D) Is a court order.

Marbury v. Madison (1803) established:

1. judicial review
2. the right to counsel
3. separate but equal
4. implied powers

Answer: A — judicial review

A) Correct — Courts can strike down laws that violate the Constitution. B) Came from Gideon v. Wainwright. C) Came from Plessy v. Ferguson. D) Came from McCulloch v. Maryland.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) held that students wearing armbands to protest a war:

1. could be punished for any protest
2. had no rights at school
3. violated the Establishment Clause
4. had protected symbolic speech

Answer: D — had protected symbolic speech

D) Correct — Students keep rights unless they substantially disrupt school. A) The Court protected the students. B) The Court said students keep rights. C) Was not a religion case.

Civil rights differ from civil liberties because civil rights focus on:

1. freedom of speech and religion
2. equal treatment by government
3. the powers of Congress
4. protection from searches

Answer: B — equal treatment by government

B) Correct — Civil liberties limit what government can do to you. A) Are civil liberties. C) Is not the distinction. D) Is a civil liberty.

A caucus differs from a primary because it:

1. is a meeting with open discussion
2. uses secret ballots at polling places
3. is held after the general election
4. is run by the federal government

Answer: A — is a meeting with open discussion

A) Correct — Party members gather, discuss, and vote; Iowa has been the best-known caucus state. B) Describes a primary. C) It happens before. D) Parties and states run them.

The most important early influence on a person's political views is usually:

1. social media
2. employers
3. family
4. political parties

Answer: C — family

C) Correct — Political socialization begins at home. A) Matters more later. B) Come later in life. D) Usually come after family.

Fiscal policy is set by ___, while monetary policy is set by ___.

1. elected officials; the Federal Reserve
2. the Federal Reserve; Congress
3. the Supreme Court; the Treasury
4. state legislatures; the President

Answer: A — elected officials; the Federal Reserve

A) Correct — Congress and the President set fiscal policy, which uses taxes and spending. B) Reverses the two. C) Neither sets these policies. D) Is not the division.

As chief diplomat, the President:

1. declares war
2. ratifies treaties alone
3. negotiates treaties
4. funds embassies around the world

Answer: C — negotiates treaties

C) Correct — The Senate must approve treaties. A) Congress does. B) The Senate ratifies. D) Congress funds them.

Local governments get much of their revenue from:

1. tariffs
2. payroll taxes for Social Security
3. property taxes
4. customs duties

Answer: C — property taxes

C) Correct — These often fund schools and services. A) Are federal. B) Are federal. D) Are federal.

What is the UN Security Council?

UN body that can authorize sanctions and military action. 5 permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, China) with veto + 10 rotating.

What Enlightenment thinkers most influenced American government?

John Locke (natural rights, social contract), Montesquieu (separation of powers), Rousseau (popular sovereignty).

What is an interest group?

An organization of people with common policy goals that tries to influence government (e.g., NRA, Sierra Club, AARP).

What is the privileges and immunities clause?

Article IV: prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

What did Brown v. Board of Education (1954) decide?

Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine of Plessy v. Ferguson.

What does the Tenth Amendment say?

Powers not given to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people.