AP US Government : Constitution and Government Foundations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Separation Of Powers

Where in the Constitution are the powers and responsibilities of the President explained?

Possible Answers:

Article IV

Article II

The 1st Amendment

Section 13

Correct answer:

Article II

Explanation:

Article II of the U.S. Constitution deals with the powers of the presidency, though Article I does deal with some of the president’s powers in regards to passing legislation.

Example Question #11 : Separation Of Powers

Please select the category of public policy that the states do not typically control.

Possible Answers:

Morality laws

Welfare distribution 

Societal issues 

Family matters 

Economic matters 

Correct answer:

Economic matters 

Explanation:

The states are typically responsible for several key categories of public policy – including morality and societal issues (such as divorce) and familial matters (including child care and child labor bans). Currently, state governments have also assumed more control over welfare distribution, matters of healthcare, educational standards, and measures to preserve the environment. Throughout the course of American history, the states have traditionally served as experimental and/or visionary developers of many policies, whose success led to their adoption by, first, other states, and then eventually, the national government itself. For example, an individual state first devised the idea of the minimum wage, while another pioneered environmental protection legislation; the national government therefore often looks to the states for salient public policy inspiration.

Example Question #12 : Separation Of Powers

Which branch of government uses the veto to check the legislature? 

Possible Answers:

The executive branch

The judicial branch

The states

The Senate

Correct answer:

The executive branch

Explanation:

The president, the head of the executive branch, has power to veto any bills passed by the legislature. Neither the states nor the judicial branch are granted the power of the veto under the Constitution. The Senate is a part of the legislature and therefore does not have the power of the veto.

Example Question #103 : Ap Us Government

Which body of government is able to create foreign treaties? 

Possible Answers:

The states

The legislative branch

The executive branch

The judicial branch

Correct answer:

The executive branch

Explanation:

The president, the leader of the executive branch has the power to make foreign treaties. The states and the judicial branch have not power over foreign affairs. Although the Senate must approve treaties, the legislative branch cannot negotiate and create treaties. 

Example Question #13 : Separation Of Powers

Which specific part of government can start start the bill for new federal taxes?

Possible Answers:

The House of Representatives

The Judicial Branch

The President

The Senate

Correct answer:

The House of Representatives

Explanation:

Under the Constitution, only the House of Representatives can start new tax bills, not the Senate. The President is unable to "raise revenue" via taxes under the Constitution. The States can levy their own taxes that affect the citizen of that state, but cannot levy federal taxes.

Example Question #14 : Separation Of Powers

Which body of government holds the trials in cases of impeachment?

Possible Answers:

The Department of Justice

The House of Representatives

The Supreme Court

The Senate

Correct answer:

The Senate

Explanation:

According to Article 1 Section 3 of the Constitution, the Senate has the power to try all impeachments. The Supreme Court can only rule if a law is Constitutional or not, and has no power over impeachments. The US Department of Justice also has no power over impeachments. Although the House has the power to impeach government official, the Senate is the only chamber of legislature that can conduct the impeachment trials.

Example Question #18 : Separation Of Powers

Article III of the Constitution creates the Judicial Branch of the American Government. Consider the following question.

Among the many judges in the United States, is a group called Article III judges. What is an Article III judge?

Possible Answers:

A judge appointed to U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Courts of Appeals and District Courts, and the U.S. Court of International Trade

A judge appointed as a special master in a trial involving a criminal act against the United States government

A judge who is elected to serve the open term of a Justice of the Supreme Court

A judge appointed to temporarily fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court during the final days of the President’s term of office

A judge appointed by the Senate to preside over an impeachment

Correct answer:

A judge appointed to U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Courts of Appeals and District Courts, and the U.S. Court of International Trade

Explanation:

The judges listed in this answer all serve in the Federal Court System and are subject to the roles set forth in Article III of the Constitution. The other answers are incorrect because the President can appoint a Supreme Court justice at any time during his term of office in accordance with Article II of the Constitution. A justice who is nominated by the President must be approved by the Senate and his or her position is not temporary. A special master is appointed by a trial judge to review materials in dispute during a trial. The special master is a neutral judge with no connection to the trial. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over impeachment proceedings as part of his duties in Article III of the Constitution.

Example Question #101 : Constructing The Constitution

In a Federal system of government power to rule is primarily in the hands of __________

Possible Answers:

both the national and regional governments.

local municipalities.

regional governments.

the national government.

the national government and local municipalities.

Correct answer:

both the national and regional governments.

Explanation:

A Federal system of government is defined as one where the power is shared between the national government and the regional governments (in the case of America, the regional governments are the states).

Example Question #2 : Federalism

The Full Faith and Credit Clause established that __________.

Possible Answers:

the states have the power to regulate commerce within their own state

the government must pay off all of its debts before spending any more money

the states must legally respect the laws and court decisions of another state

the United States must always pay its debts on time

the President could be impeached by a majority vote in Congress

Correct answer:

the states must legally respect the laws and court decisions of another state

Explanation:

The Full Faith and Credit Clause established that all states must legally respect the laws, decisions, and court rulings of any other state. It appears in Section 1 of the United States Constitution.

Example Question #3 : Federalism

The concept of New Federalism is most closely associated with which President?

Possible Answers:

Herbert Hoover

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Richard Nixon

Theodore Roosevelt

Jimmy Carter

Correct answer:

Richard Nixon

Explanation:

New Federalism is the process of devolving some powers back to the states to reduce the overwhelming power of the Federal government. It is closely associated with Richard Nixon (as well as Reagan and George H.W. Bush, who continued it), who initiated New Federalism by issuing Block Grants to the states and giving them greater license to freely spend government money to resolve social issues.

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