WGU C963
Objective Assessment | American Politics & the
U.S. Constitution | Study Guide 2026
RESOURCE FEATURES
• C963 OA study guide
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed explanations and rationales
• Key-term review
• Constitutional concepts
• Supreme Court/civil-rights review
• Scenario-based practice
• 2026-focused exam preparation
, WGU C963 Objective Assessment |
American Politics & the U.S. Constitution |
Study Guide 2026
1. Which of the following was a power granted to Congress under the
Articles of Confederation?
A. Power to tax citizens directly
B. Power to regulate interstate commerce
C. Power to declare war
D. Power to raise a standing army
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• A. Power to tax: Incorrect. Under the Articles, Congress could not
impose taxes; it could only request money from states.
• B. Regulate interstate commerce: Incorrect. The national government
lacked authority to regulate commerce between states.
• C. Declare war: Correct. Congress had the power to declare war, make
treaties, and borrow money.
,• D. Raise a standing army: Incorrect. The Articles did not grant Congress
the power to maintain a standing army; they could only request troops
from states.
Historical Insight: The Articles of Confederation created a weak national
government that struggled to function effectively, leading to the
Constitutional Convention of 1787.
2. Which of the following was NOT a weakness of the Articles of
Confederation?
A. No power to tax
B. No national judiciary
C. No executive branch with real authority
D. No ability to settle disputes among states
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
• A. No power to tax: Incorrect. This WAS a major weakness.
• B. No national judiciary: Incorrect. This WAS a weakness.
• C. No executive branch with real authority: Incorrect. The President
lacked real power.
• D. No ability to settle disputes among states: Correct. The Articles
DID allow Congress to settle disputes among states.
, Historical Insight: While the Articles had many weaknesses, the ability to
mediate state disputes was one of the few powers that functioned
adequately.
3. The New Jersey Plan proposed which of the following?
A. A bicameral legislature with representation based on population
B. A unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state
C. A strong national government with veto power over state laws
D. An executive branch elected by the people
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A. Bicameral with population-based representation: Incorrect. This
describes the Virginia Plan.
• B. Unicameral with equal representation: Correct. William
Paterson's New Jersey Plan called for a one-house legislature where
each state had one vote.
• C. Strong national government with veto power: Incorrect. The
New Jersey Plan favored state power, not national supremacy.
• D. Executive elected by the people: Incorrect. The New Jersey Plan
did not propose popular election of the executive.
Objective Assessment | American Politics & the
U.S. Constitution | Study Guide 2026
RESOURCE FEATURES
• C963 OA study guide
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed explanations and rationales
• Key-term review
• Constitutional concepts
• Supreme Court/civil-rights review
• Scenario-based practice
• 2026-focused exam preparation
, WGU C963 Objective Assessment |
American Politics & the U.S. Constitution |
Study Guide 2026
1. Which of the following was a power granted to Congress under the
Articles of Confederation?
A. Power to tax citizens directly
B. Power to regulate interstate commerce
C. Power to declare war
D. Power to raise a standing army
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• A. Power to tax: Incorrect. Under the Articles, Congress could not
impose taxes; it could only request money from states.
• B. Regulate interstate commerce: Incorrect. The national government
lacked authority to regulate commerce between states.
• C. Declare war: Correct. Congress had the power to declare war, make
treaties, and borrow money.
,• D. Raise a standing army: Incorrect. The Articles did not grant Congress
the power to maintain a standing army; they could only request troops
from states.
Historical Insight: The Articles of Confederation created a weak national
government that struggled to function effectively, leading to the
Constitutional Convention of 1787.
2. Which of the following was NOT a weakness of the Articles of
Confederation?
A. No power to tax
B. No national judiciary
C. No executive branch with real authority
D. No ability to settle disputes among states
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
• A. No power to tax: Incorrect. This WAS a major weakness.
• B. No national judiciary: Incorrect. This WAS a weakness.
• C. No executive branch with real authority: Incorrect. The President
lacked real power.
• D. No ability to settle disputes among states: Correct. The Articles
DID allow Congress to settle disputes among states.
, Historical Insight: While the Articles had many weaknesses, the ability to
mediate state disputes was one of the few powers that functioned
adequately.
3. The New Jersey Plan proposed which of the following?
A. A bicameral legislature with representation based on population
B. A unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state
C. A strong national government with veto power over state laws
D. An executive branch elected by the people
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A. Bicameral with population-based representation: Incorrect. This
describes the Virginia Plan.
• B. Unicameral with equal representation: Correct. William
Paterson's New Jersey Plan called for a one-house legislature where
each state had one vote.
• C. Strong national government with veto power: Incorrect. The
New Jersey Plan favored state power, not national supremacy.
• D. Executive elected by the people: Incorrect. The New Jersey Plan
did not propose popular election of the executive.
