All AP US Government Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Public Policy
The most prevalent method of execution in the United States today is ____________.
Lethal injection
Food poisoning
Firing squad
Electric chair
Lethal gas
Lethal injection
The most common form of execution in the United States today is lethal injection. The Constitution does not state that any of these methods of execution are inhumane or cruel and unusual. The standards for cruel and unusual punishment have also changed with the times. Although a controversial issue, lethal injections are most widely used as a humane form of execution today.
Example Question #21 : Public Policy
A Congressperson who want to introduce a bill on a subject that he or she fears will be controversial. In order to test public reaction to it, s/he call a friend at a major newspaper. The friend publishes a story about the fact that this issue is likely to be considered by Congress soon. What have I done?
Used loaded language
Written a feature story
Attributed a source
Swayed public opinion
Floated a trial balloon
Floated a trial balloon
Floating a "trial balloon" is the term for anonymously giving information to a news source to test the public reaction to a policy or appointment before it is formally introduced in Congress or another forum.