AP Success - AP Gov & Pol: Comprehensive Set 1
3 questions below will refer to Tinker v. Des Moines....The District Court recognized that the wearing of an armband for the purpose of expressing certain views is the type of symbolic act that is within the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. See West Virginia v. Barnette, 319 U. S. 624 (1943); Stromberg v. California, 283 U. S. 359 (1931). Cf. Thornhill v. Alabama, 310 U. S. 88 (1940); Edwards v. South Carolina, 372 U. S. 229 (1963); Brown v. Louisiana, 383 U. S. 131 (1966). As we shall discuss, the wearing of armbands in the circumstances of this case was entirely divorced from actually or potentially disruptive conduct by those participating in it. It was closely akin to ""pure speech"" which, we have repeatedly held, is entitled to comprehensive protection under the First Amendment. Cf. Cox v. Louisiana, 379 U. S. 536, 555 (1965); Adderley v. Florida, 385 U. S. 39 (1966). First Amendment rights, applied in light of the special characteristics of the school environment, are available to teachers and students. It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate. This has been the unmistakable holding of this Court for almost 50 years. In Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U. S. 390 (1923), and Bartels v. Iowa, 262 U. S. 404 (1923), this Court, in opinions by Mr. Justice McReynolds, held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prevents States from forbidding the teaching of a foreign language to young students. Statutes to this effect, the Court held, unconstitutionally interfere with the liberty of teacher, student, and parent …
Question 1
If a state passes a law that significantly restricts the ability of citizens to practice their religion, which of the following legal principles will most likely be used to challenge this law?
Strict scrutiny
Ex post facto law
Intermediate scrutiny
Bill of attainder
Rational basis review
Question 2
Considering the criticisms of public opinion polls, which of the following scenarios best demonstrates a methodological challenge that can lead to inaccuracies in measuring public opinion on political ideologies?
Increasing the sample size to reduce the margin of error.
Polling a demographically diverse sample of the population.
Respondents providing socially desirable answers rather than their true beliefs.
Using random digit dialing to enhance the representativeness of the sample.
Employing both landline and mobile phone calls to collect data.
Question 3
Refer to the source, Tinker v. Des Moines. The excerpt makes a case for the protection of symbolic speech in schools. According to the text, which of the following best describes the Court's stance on the relationship between First Amendment rights and the school environment?
Only teachers, not students, retain their First Amendment rights within the schoolhouse gate.
First Amendment rights are not applicable within the school environment.
First Amendment rights are fully available to teachers and students, unadjusted for the school environment.
First Amendment rights, adjusted for the special characteristics of the school environment, apply to teachers and students.
Teachers and students have limited First Amendment rights in schools to maintain order.
Question 4
Refer to the source, Tinker v. Des Moines. The Supreme Court has recognized various forms of expression protected under the First Amendment. Which of the following cases did the Court cite as a precedent for the protection of symbolic speech, specifically emphasizing its relevance to the wearing of armbands as a form of protest?
Edwards v. South Carolina, focusing on the right to peacefully protest and assemble.
West Virginia v. Barnette, which challenged compulsory saluting of the flag and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools.
Brown v. Louisiana, involving a sit-in protest to challenge racial segregation.
Stromberg v. California, addressing the prohibition against displaying red flags as symbolic speech.
Meyer v. Nebraska, relating to the rights of teachers and students to teach and learn foreign languages, respectively.
Question 5
Refer to the source, Tinker v. Des Moines. The passage asserts the applicability of First Amendment rights within the educational setting, adjusting for its unique characteristics. Which statement most accurately reflects the Court's view on balancing First Amendment rights with the educational context, as outlined in the excerpt?
While First Amendment rights extend into the educational sphere, they are subject to adjustments recognizing the unique needs and characteristics of schools.
The educational environment necessitates a complete reevaluation of First Amendment rights, rendering some protections inapplicable.
It proposes a scenario where only non-disruptive forms of expression are protected under the First Amendment within schools, requiring a case-by-case analysis.
First Amendment rights are to be interpreted more restrictively in schools to uphold educational discipline and order.
The passage suggests that the school environment has no bearing on the application of First Amendment rights, advocating for their full and unmodified application.
Question 6
Which scenario best illustrates the concept of "rational-choice voting"?
A voter decides to abstain from voting, believing their vote will not influence the election outcome
A voter selects a candidate because their proposed policies are expected to directly benefit the voter's personal financial situation
A voter supports a candidate solely based on their charisma and public speaking abilities
A voter follows their family's tradition of supporting a particular party without considering the candidates' platforms
A voter casts their ballot for a third-party candidate as a protest vote against the two major parties
Question 7
The concept of dual federalism is best reflected in which historical document?
The United States Constitution
The Federalist No. 10
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
The Articles of Confederation
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Question 8
What is a unique aspect of the veto power that complicates the legislative process?
It is often used by Presidents to pass legislation without Congress.
It can only be overridden by a unanimous vote in the Senate.
It requires a two-thirds majority in both houses to override, emphasizing the difficulty of challenging presidential authority.
It extends the President's power to directly amend proposed legislation.
It is symbolic and does not have a real impact on the legislative process.
Question 9
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of "affirmative action" as upheld in Supreme Court jurisprudence?
A federal law prohibits private employers from inquiring about an applicant's race.
A state law requires private universities to admit a certain percentage of in-state residents.
A company adopts a policy of promoting only women and minorities to executive positions.
A local government mandates quotas for minority hiring in public sector jobs.
A university considers race among many factors in its admissions process to promote diversity.
Question 10
"Political polarization" describes the growing ideological divide. Which of the following best exemplifies a consequence of extreme political polarization on legislative processes?
A moderate senator switches parties, effectively balancing the number of seats held by each party in the Senate.
Legislators from opposite parties collaborate on a bill addressing infrastructure needs.
A nonpartisan civic engagement campaign successfully reduces partisan animosity in a politically divided community.
The passage of significant legislation becomes stymied as parties focus on ideological purity rather than pragmatic solutions.
Question 11
The model of "retrospective voting" suggests that voters decide based on their assessment of the incumbent's past performance. Which of the following voter behaviors best illustrates this model?
Voting against the incumbent due to dissatisfaction with the recent economic downturn
Choosing a candidate based on their promises for future policies rather than past actions
Abstaining from voting as a form of protest against all available candidates
Supporting a third-party candidate to promote alternative political ideologies
Voting for a candidate because of their party affiliation, regardless of their performance
Question 12
The chart provided in the stimulus depicts the majority party's margin of control in the U.S. House of Representatives over time. Which of the following concepts is best illustrated by the fluctuating margins indicated in the chart?
Gerrymandering
Incumbency advantage
Partisan polarization
Bipartisan coalitions
Electoral realignment
Question 13
What can be inferred about the impact of narrow margins (<5 percentage points) on the legislative process?
They may result in more moderate legislation, as parties must appeal to centrists.
They are likely to result in a government shutdown due to failed budget agreements.
They often lead to increased use of filibusters in the House of Representatives.
They generally cause a shift in political power to the executive branch.
They typically facilitate the passage of significant legislation due to clear party majority.
Question 14
Using the trend line from the provided graph, which of the following periods would likely have experienced the greatest potential for legislative gridlock?
The 112th Congress, where the margin dipped below 5 percentage points
The 72nd Congress, with margins greater than 20 percentage points
Early 20th century, due to high majority margins
The 108th Congress, which showed an increasing majority margin
The 65th Congress, where the majority party had a substantial margin
Question 15
Generational effects on political ideology can be profound. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates how a generational cohort's experience with a specific event can uniquely shape its collective political ideology?
Individuals from a generational cohort that experienced significant economic prosperity tend to favor policies that promote free-market principles.
Older generations adopt new technology at a slower rate than younger generations, affecting their access to information and political news.
A group of friends, all of the same age, individually adopts different political ideologies based on their personal experiences and education.
The experience of coming of age during a prolonged military conflict leads a generation to collectively exhibit skepticism towards foreign military interventions.
A generation that grew up during a time of political stability and economic growth shows little interest in political activism.
Question 16
The concept of "selective incorporation" refers to the process by which:
Congress incorporates new territories as states within the United States.
State laws are reviewed for compliance with the federal Constitution's supremacy clause.
The Supreme Court incorporates elements of international law into its decisions.
The Bill of Rights is made applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
States select which federal laws they wish to incorporate into their state constitution.
Question 17
The concept of executive orders is constitutionally based on the President's role as Chief Executive. How do these orders illustrate the balance of power between the branches of government?
They demonstrate the President's ability to legislate without Congressional approval, thus bypassing the legislative process.
They represent an unchecked power of the Executive Branch, as there is no constitutional provision for their review.
They are always ratified by Congress, ensuring legislative oversight.
They indicate a direct democratic approach bypassing the need for judicial interpretation.
They are subject to judicial review and can be overturned if deemed unconstitutional, highlighting the system of checks and balances.
Question 18
The concept of selective incorporation involves the application of the Bill of Rights to the states through which of the following amendments?
The Fourteenth Amendment
The Tenth Amendment
The Fifth Amendment
The Ninth Amendment
The First Amendment
Question 19
The Senate's role in foreign affairs, such as ratifying treaties, reflects which aspect of American governance?
The unilateral power of the Supreme Court to intervene in foreign treaties.
The principle of executive privilege, which grants the President sole authority over foreign affairs.
The role of the states in influencing international diplomacy.
The checks and balances designed to prevent any single branch from gaining too much power over foreign policy decisions.
The dominance of the legislative branch in shaping foreign policy.
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