Practice Exam I Answers

Refer to the passage.And it proves, in the last place, that as liberty can have nothing to fear from the judiciary alone, but would have every thing to fear from its union with either of the other departments; that as all the effects of such a union must ensue from a dependence of the former on the latter, notwithstanding a nominal and apparent separation; that as, from the natural feebleness of the judiciary, it is in continual jeopardy of being overpowered, awed, or influenced by its coordinate branches; and that as nothing can contribute so much to its firmness and independence as permanency in office, this quality may therefore be justly regarded as an indispensable ingredient in its constitution, and, in a great measure, as the citadel of the public justice and the public security.–Federalist, no. 78,Alexander Hamilton

Refer to the passage.And it proves, in the last place, that as liberty can have nothing to fear from the judiciary alone, but would have every thing to fear from its union with either of the other departments; that as all the effects of such a union must ensue from a dependence of the former on the latter, notwithstanding a nominal and apparent separation; that as, from the natural feebleness of the judiciary, it is in continual jeopardy of being overpowered, awed, or influenced by its coordinate branches; and that as nothing can contribute so much to its firmness and independence as permanency in office, this quality may therefore be justly regarded as an indispensable ingredient in its constitution, and, in a great measure, as the citadel of the public justice and the public security.–Federalist, no. 78,Alexander Hamilton

Refer to the chart. First Amendment Civil LibertySupreme Court Ruling(A)Freedom of speechEngel v. Vitale (1962) decided against the recitation of official school prayers in public schools.(B)Freedom of religionTinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) decided that students could wear black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam War.(C)Freedom of the pressNew York Times Co. v. United States (1971) decided that the government must demonstrate that published information would cause a "grave and irreparable” danger in order to justify its censorship.(D)Freedom of assemblyWisconsin v. Yoder (1972) decided that Amish students could not be compelled to attend school past the eighth grade.

Responding to a noise complaint called in by a neighbor, two police officers arrive at an apartment. An adult woman answers the door while an adult man sits on a sofa. A handgun and drug paraphernalia are in plain sight on a coffee table. The man shouts, "You can’t come in here! Let me see your warrant!” and issues a verbal threat to harm the officers, but does not reach toward the handgun. Police later discover that the handgun had been reported stolen during a recent robbery.

A woman is pulled over for speeding. The car she is driving was reported stolen in the neighboring state. She is arrested, extradited, and tried for grand theft auto. During her trial, her lawyers call a witness to provide her with an alibi for the time the car was stolen. The lead police investigator and prosecuting lawyer are convinced she is guilty, but the jury believes her alibi and acquits her of the crime.

Refer to the passage.If the culpability [responsibility] of the average murderer is insufficient to justify the most extreme sanction available to the State, the lesser culpability of the mentally retarded offender surely does not merit that form of retribution. . . .. . . It is the same cognitive and behavioral impairments that make these defendants less morally culpable—for example, the diminished ability to understand and process information, to learn from experience, to engage in logical reasoning, or to control impulses—that also make it less likely that they can process the information of the possibility of execution as a penalty and, as a result, control their conduct based upon that information. . . .. . . We are not persuaded that the execution of mentally retarded criminals will measurably advance the deterrent or the retributive purpose of the death penalty. . . . In the light of our "evolving standards of decency,” we therefore conclude that such punishment is excessive and that the Constitution "places a substantive restriction on the State’s power to take the life” of a mentally retarded offender.–Supreme Court ruling, Atkins v. Virginia, (2002)

Refer to the passage.If the culpability [responsibility] of the average murderer is insufficient to justify the most extreme sanction available to the State, the lesser culpability of the mentally retarded offender surely does not merit that form of retribution. . . .. . . It is the same cognitive and behavioral impairments that make these defendants less morally culpable—for example, the diminished ability to understand and process information, to learn from experience, to engage in logical reasoning, or to control impulses—that also make it less likely that they can process the information of the possibility of execution as a penalty and, as a result, control their conduct based upon that information. . . .. . . We are not persuaded that the execution of mentally retarded criminals will measurably advance the deterrent or the retributive purpose of the death penalty. . . . In the light of our "evolving standards of decency,” we therefore conclude that such punishment is excessive and that the Constitution "places a substantive restriction on the State’s power to take the life” of a mentally retarded offender.–Supreme Court ruling, Atkins v. Virginia, (2002)

Recent media coverage of high-profile cases of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault against women has revived national interest in the passage of an equal rights amendment stating, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

A financial adviser has served a client for several years. When the client informs her that he plans to marry his gay partner and wants to add his future spouse as a beneficiary on his investments, the adviser shows surprise because she had believed that her client was heterosexual. The adviser speaks a hateful insult and informs the client that she will no longer handle his investments. The client turns to a national LGBTQ advocacy group and, with their support, sues the financial advisor for discrimination.

Which of the following is a consequence of selective incorporation?

An American city has a high crime rate. A citizen of that city wants to own a firearm so he can protect his property. The city does not allow residents to own certain types of firearms. The citizen files suit, claiming that his right to own a firearm is protected by the Bill of Rights. The Supreme Court rules in favor of the citizen and strikes down the city’s ban on certain types of firearms.

Before the American Revolution, the American colonies were ruled by Great Britain. Great Britain’s king and Parliament made and enforced laws for the colonies. After declaring independence, the new American states altered their form of government.

During an international summit, the US president signs a diplomatic agreement with a foreign dictator. The two leaders write the agreement during the summit, and both sign it before they leave.

California voters are unhappy with the job performance of their current governor. Concerned citizens start a movement to recall the governor, and they successfully force a new gubernatorial election. Virginia voters are inspired by the movement in California, but Virginia does not allow recalls. Instead, Virginia residents start a mass protest movement against the governor.

Refer to the chart.Which of the following statements explains Americans’ views on government regulation of the economy?

Refer to the chart.How did the opinions of Republicans, Democrats, and independents compare regarding government regulation of the economy?

A senator wants to know how the general public feels about a specific bill that has been proposed in Congress. The senator chooses to pay a major university to conduct a random telephone poll.

Which of the following questions is the best example of an unbiased poll question?

Which of the following scenarios illustrates an example of a change in American political culture leading to a change in policy?

Refer to the chart.Which of the following proposed pieces of legislation do the data indicate the public would be most likely to support?