LAMAR UNIVERSITY POLS 2302 EXAM 1 NEWEST
ACTUAL COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | ALREADY
GRADED A+.
QUESTION 1
Thomas Jefferson
CORRECT ANS: Author of the Declaration of Independence, 3rd president.
Expert Rationale
Thomas Jefferson was a key Founding Father of the United States. His most significant
contribution was authoring the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which articulated
the colonies' grievances against King George III and proclaimed the principles of natural
rights and popular sovereignty. He later served as the third President of the United
States (1801-1809), overseeing the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark
Expedition. His political philosophy, deeply influenced by John Locke, shaped the early
development of American democracy and the nation's commitment to individual liberty
and limited government.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Founding Fathers - Thomas Jefferson
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 2
Virginia Plan
CORRECT ANS: Representation by population.
Expert Rationale
The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan, was a proposal presented at the
,Constitutional Convention of 1787 by James Madison and Edmund Randolph. It called
for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature. Crucially, it proposed that
representation in both houses of Congress be based on state population or financial
contributions. This plan favored larger states, as they would have more representatives.
The Virginia Plan was a major point of contention and ultimately led to the Great
Compromise, which balanced representation between large and small states.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Constitutional Convention - Virginia Plan
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 3
Three-Fifths Compromise
CORRECT ANS: Every 5 slaves = 3 free persons.
Expert Rationale
The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement reached during the Constitutional
Convention of 1787 to resolve the contentious issue of how enslaved individuals would
be counted for purposes of representation and taxation. It stipulated that each enslaved
person would be counted as three-fifths of a free person. This compromise gave
Southern states more representation in Congress and the Electoral College than they
would have had if only free persons were counted, while also increasing their tax
burden. It was a deeply controversial and morally problematic compromise that
reflected the deep divisions over slavery in the early republic.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Constitutional Convention - Three-Fifths Compromise
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 4
Supremacy Clause
,CORRECT ANS: All laws of national government and constitution is the supreme law of
land.
Expert Rationale
The Supremacy Clause is found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution. It
establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made in pursuance thereof, and treaties
made under the authority of the United States are the "supreme Law of the Land." This
means that when state law conflicts with federal law, federal law preempts, or overrides,
state law. This clause is fundamental to the federal structure of the United States,
ensuring a uniform national legal framework and preventing states from nullifying
federal legislation. It is a cornerstone of national supremacy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: U.S. Constitution - Supremacy Clause
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 5
Selection of federal judges
CORRECT ANS: They are nominated by the president and approved by the senate.
Expert Rationale
The process for selecting federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, is outlined in
Article II of the U.S. Constitution. The President nominates candidates for federal
judgeships, including the Supreme Court. This nomination is then subject to the "advice
and consent" of the Senate, which means the Senate must confirm the nomination by a
majority vote. This system of checks and balances ensures that the executive and
legislative branches both have a role in shaping the federal judiciary, preventing any
single branch from having complete control over judicial appointments.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Federal Judiciary - Appointment Process
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
, QUESTION 6
Strict scrutiny
CORRECT ANS: Strict test and form of judicial review that makes sure that a law isn't
discriminated based on race.
Expert Rationale
Strict scrutiny is the highest and most rigorous standard of judicial review used by the
courts. It is applied when a law or government action potentially infringes on a
fundamental right (such as the right to vote or free speech) or when it involves a suspect
classification, such as race, national origin, or religion. Under strict scrutiny, the
government must demonstrate that the law serves a compelling governmental interest
and that it is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest using the least restrictive means.
Most laws subject to strict scrutiny are struck down as unconstitutional.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Judicial Review - Strict Scrutiny
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 7
De facto segregation
CORRECT ANS: Segregation that results from the private choices of individuals.
Expert Rationale
De facto segregation refers to racial, ethnic, or other forms of segregation that occur in
practice, but not as a result of laws or government action. It arises from private choices,
such as housing patterns, economic disparities, or social preferences. For example,
residential segregation that results from individuals choosing to live in certain
neighborhoods is de facto segregation. This is contrasted with de jure segregation,
which is mandated by law. De facto segregation is often more difficult to address
because it does not involve direct government discrimination.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Civil Rights - De Facto Segregation
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
ACTUAL COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | ALREADY
GRADED A+.
QUESTION 1
Thomas Jefferson
CORRECT ANS: Author of the Declaration of Independence, 3rd president.
Expert Rationale
Thomas Jefferson was a key Founding Father of the United States. His most significant
contribution was authoring the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which articulated
the colonies' grievances against King George III and proclaimed the principles of natural
rights and popular sovereignty. He later served as the third President of the United
States (1801-1809), overseeing the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark
Expedition. His political philosophy, deeply influenced by John Locke, shaped the early
development of American democracy and the nation's commitment to individual liberty
and limited government.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Founding Fathers - Thomas Jefferson
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 2
Virginia Plan
CORRECT ANS: Representation by population.
Expert Rationale
The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan, was a proposal presented at the
,Constitutional Convention of 1787 by James Madison and Edmund Randolph. It called
for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature. Crucially, it proposed that
representation in both houses of Congress be based on state population or financial
contributions. This plan favored larger states, as they would have more representatives.
The Virginia Plan was a major point of contention and ultimately led to the Great
Compromise, which balanced representation between large and small states.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Constitutional Convention - Virginia Plan
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 3
Three-Fifths Compromise
CORRECT ANS: Every 5 slaves = 3 free persons.
Expert Rationale
The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement reached during the Constitutional
Convention of 1787 to resolve the contentious issue of how enslaved individuals would
be counted for purposes of representation and taxation. It stipulated that each enslaved
person would be counted as three-fifths of a free person. This compromise gave
Southern states more representation in Congress and the Electoral College than they
would have had if only free persons were counted, while also increasing their tax
burden. It was a deeply controversial and morally problematic compromise that
reflected the deep divisions over slavery in the early republic.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Constitutional Convention - Three-Fifths Compromise
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 4
Supremacy Clause
,CORRECT ANS: All laws of national government and constitution is the supreme law of
land.
Expert Rationale
The Supremacy Clause is found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution. It
establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made in pursuance thereof, and treaties
made under the authority of the United States are the "supreme Law of the Land." This
means that when state law conflicts with federal law, federal law preempts, or overrides,
state law. This clause is fundamental to the federal structure of the United States,
ensuring a uniform national legal framework and preventing states from nullifying
federal legislation. It is a cornerstone of national supremacy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: U.S. Constitution - Supremacy Clause
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 5
Selection of federal judges
CORRECT ANS: They are nominated by the president and approved by the senate.
Expert Rationale
The process for selecting federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, is outlined in
Article II of the U.S. Constitution. The President nominates candidates for federal
judgeships, including the Supreme Court. This nomination is then subject to the "advice
and consent" of the Senate, which means the Senate must confirm the nomination by a
majority vote. This system of checks and balances ensures that the executive and
legislative branches both have a role in shaping the federal judiciary, preventing any
single branch from having complete control over judicial appointments.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Federal Judiciary - Appointment Process
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
, QUESTION 6
Strict scrutiny
CORRECT ANS: Strict test and form of judicial review that makes sure that a law isn't
discriminated based on race.
Expert Rationale
Strict scrutiny is the highest and most rigorous standard of judicial review used by the
courts. It is applied when a law or government action potentially infringes on a
fundamental right (such as the right to vote or free speech) or when it involves a suspect
classification, such as race, national origin, or religion. Under strict scrutiny, the
government must demonstrate that the law serves a compelling governmental interest
and that it is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest using the least restrictive means.
Most laws subject to strict scrutiny are struck down as unconstitutional.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Judicial Review - Strict Scrutiny
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
QUESTION 7
De facto segregation
CORRECT ANS: Segregation that results from the private choices of individuals.
Expert Rationale
De facto segregation refers to racial, ethnic, or other forms of segregation that occur in
practice, but not as a result of laws or government action. It arises from private choices,
such as housing patterns, economic disparities, or social preferences. For example,
residential segregation that results from individuals choosing to live in certain
neighborhoods is de facto segregation. This is contrasted with de jure segregation,
which is mandated by law. De facto segregation is often more difficult to address
because it does not involve direct government discrimination.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Civil Rights - De Facto Segregation
MSC: POLS 2302 Exam 1
