Practice Quiz on the U.S. Congress

1) (1 pts)

AP Comparison: In a parliamentary system, a vote of no confidence can remove a prime minister. Which constitutional process is most similar in the U.S. system?

A. Impeachment and removal by Congress B. Judicial review of executive actions C. The president’s veto of legislation D. The Senate’s advice and consent on treaties

2) (1 pts)

Graphic: Use the diagram to answer the question.

Which branch has the constitutional power to declare war?

A. Executive (President) B. Legislative (Congress) C. Judicial (Supreme Court) D. State governments

3) (1 pts)

Which constitutional provision most directly allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers?

A. Establishment Clause B. Necessary and Proper Clause C. Supremacy Clause D. Full Faith and Credit Clause

4) (1 pts)

Stimulus:

"To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States..." (Article I, Section 8)

This clause is most often used by Congress to justify

A. appointing federal judges B. creating state-level education standards C. regulating economic activity that crosses state lines D. conducting foreign diplomacy

5) (1 pts)

The Constitution does not explicitly mention judicial review. The practice was established primarily through

A. the creation of the Bill of Rights B. the electoral process for federal judges C. the Necessary and Proper Clause D. the Supreme Court decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803)

6) (1 pts)

The framers divided power among three branches primarily to

A. eliminate the need for a written constitution B. ensure states could nullify federal laws they dislike C. allow citizens to vote directly on federal laws D. prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

7) (1 pts)

Stimulus:

A state passes a law allowing something that Congress has prohibited in a federal statute. A citizen challenges the state law in federal court.

Which constitutional clause is the strongest basis for striking down the state law?

A. Supremacy Clause (Article VI) B. Ex Post Facto Clause (Article I) C. Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I) D. Privileges and Immunities Clause (Article IV)

8) (1 pts)

AP Comparison: Which statement best compares the allocation of power in the U.S. Constitution to a unitary system?

A. The U.S. system shares power between national and state governments; a unitary system concentrates most power at the national level. B. A unitary system gives courts more power than legislatures, unlike the U.S. system. C. Both systems divide sovereignty between national and regional governments. D. The U.S. system relies on hereditary leaders, unlike a unitary system.

9) (1 pts)

If a state law conflicts with a valid federal law, which principle determines which law prevails?

A. Reserved powers under the Tenth Amendment B. The Supremacy Clause C. The Equal Protection Clause D. Judicial review by the Supreme Court

10) (1 pts)

Stimulus:

"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition." This idea from Federalist No. 51 supports which constitutional design?

The quotation best supports the idea of

A. limited government through federalism B. majority rule without minority protections C. checks and balances among branches D. popular sovereignty through direct democracy