U.S. Government (Grade 12) Midterm — Semester 1, Form A

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that
   1. A. a bill of rights was unnecessary
   2. B. states should be able to leave the Union
   3. C. the Articles of Confederation should be kept
   4. D. a large republic would control the dangers of factions
2. The Necessary and Proper Clause is the basis for which kind of powers?
   1. A. Concurrent powers of cities
   2. B. Reserved powers of the states
   3. C. Implied powers of Congress
   4. D. Inherent powers of the courts
3. What was a major weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?
   1. A. The national army was too large
   2. B. The president had too much power
   3. C. Congress had no power to collect taxes
   4. D. Federal courts constantly overruled the states
4. How did the Great Compromise settle the debate over representation in Congress?
   1. A. It let the president appoint all members of the Senate
   2. B. It gave every state one vote in a single-house Congress
   3. C. It based both houses on population
   4. D. It created a House based on population and a Senate with equal representation
5. According to the Supremacy Clause, what happens when a valid federal law conflicts with a state law?
   1. A. The state law takes priority
   2. B. The two laws cancel each other out
   3. C. The federal law takes priority
   4. D. Voters in that state decide which law applies
6. A pocket veto occurs when
   1. A. the Senate rejects a treaty
   2. B. the president signs a bill but refuses to enforce it
   3. C. the president does not sign a bill within ten days and Congress has adjourned
   4. D. Congress refuses to send a bill to the president
7. What is a standing committee in Congress?
   1. A. A temporary committee formed to settle differences between the two houses
   2. B. A group of senators who advise the president
   3. C. A permanent committee that handles bills in a specific policy area
   4. D. A committee that meets only during a war
8. What is a filibuster?
   1. A. A vote of both houses to override a veto
   2. B. A committee hearing on a nominee
   3. C. Extended debate in the Senate used to delay or block a vote
   4. D. A rule limiting debate in the House
9. What is reapportionment?
   1. A. Redistributing House seats among the states after each census
   2. B. Changing the number of senators per state
   3. C. Redrawing state boundaries every ten years
   4. D. Assigning bills to committees
10. According to the Constitution, bills to raise revenue must begin in
    1. A. the Senate
    2. B. the Supreme Court
    3. C. the House of Representatives
    4. D. the Treasury Department
11. The Federal Communications Commission, which regulates broadcasting, is an example of
    1. A. an independent regulatory commission
    2. B. a cabinet department
    3. C. a government corporation
    4. D. a congressional committee
12. The Twenty-Fifth Amendment deals mainly with
    1. A. presidential disability and filling a vacancy in the vice presidency
    2. B. the abolition of poll taxes
    3. C. the creation of the Electoral College
    4. D. the two-term limit for presidents
13. What does the War Powers Resolution of 1973 require?
    1. A. Congress must declare war before any troops are deployed
    2. B. The president must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into hostilities
    3. C. The president must get Supreme Court approval before using force
    4. D. Only Congress may command troops in combat
14. How does an executive agreement differ from a treaty?
    1. A. It requires approval by both houses of Congress
    2. B. It must be approved by the Supreme Court
    3. C. It does not require Senate approval
    4. D. It can be made only during wartime
15. The president's Cabinet is made up mainly of
    1. A. the justices of the Supreme Court
    2. B. the governors of the largest states
    3. C. the leaders of both houses of Congress
    4. D. the heads of the executive departments

Part 2: Written Response

16. Explain how the Constitution fixed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Use at least two specific provisions and explain how federalism and checks and balances protect against abuse of power.