AP GOVERNMENT REVIEW SET EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
10th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Powers not expressly given to federal government by
the Constitution are reserved to states or the people. Also known as "reserved powers amendment" or
"states' rights amendment"
13th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Abolished slavery. First of three "Reconstruction
Amendments" passed after Civil War (1865-70)
14th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens; (2) no
person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can
deprive a person of EQUAL PROTECTION of the laws. Second of three "Reconstruction Amendments"
passed after Civil War.
15th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅States cannot deny any person the right to vote
because of race. Third of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War. First Voting Rights
Amendment (with 19, 24 & 26)
16th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Power of Congress to tax income
17th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Established the direct election of senators (instead of
being chosen by state legislatures)
19th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅States cannot deny the right to vote based on gender
1st Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Freedom of religion (establishment & free exercise
clauses), speech, press, assembly, and petition.
22nd Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Limits the president to two terms.
23rd Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it
were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress)
,24th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Abolishes poll taxes
26th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅States cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+)
2nd Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Right to arm bears. Supported by National Rifle
Association interest group & Republican Party.
4th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅No "unreasonable" searches and seizures. Exclusionary
rule (Weeks v. US, Mapp v. Ohio)
5th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda)
(2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges)
(3) No deprivation of life liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)
6th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The right to counsel in criminal trials. Gideon v.
Wainwright held that states must provide indigent defendants with a free lawyer ("public defender").
Right to jury in criminal trials.
7th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Right to jury in civil trials.
8th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual
punishment. Meaning of "cruel" based on "evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a
maturing society." Categorical bans on death penalty: juveniles, retarded, non-murder crimes...
9th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Unenumerated Rights Amendment. Citizens have
unenumerated rights in addition to those stated in the Constitution. Not been developed by Supreme
Court (too open ended)
Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A nation's basic law, creates political institutions, assigns or
divides power in government and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Can be written or
unwritten.
,Agents of Socialization - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Family (most important); TV/media (growing in
importance); friends/peers; school (formal socialization). How we develop (absorb) opinions & beliefs.
American Political Culture - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A set of basic, foundational values and beliefs
about government that is shared by most citizens. Key elements: democracy, equality before the law,
limited government, capitalism & private property
Anti-Federalists - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A group who opposed the ratification of the Constitution
in 1787. They opposed a strong central government (tyranny) and supported states' rights. "I smell a
rat!"
Articles of Confederation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Set up the 1st independent American
government (1783-88). Nonbinding "league of friendship" among sovereign states with weak central
government to help with common defense & cooperation (like the European Union). Replaced by our
current constitution in 1788.
Bandwagon Effect - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅"Copy-cat" behavior. People often do things just
because other people do them. In primary elections, it is when people support the candidate everyone
else seems to be supporting (poll leaders). Leads to Primary Frontloading (states want to have the most
impact in the primary process)
Block Grants - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Grants ($) given to the states by the federal government for
a general purpose (like education or road-building). Unlike categorical grants, states have discretion to
decide how to spend the money. Example = Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) (States
develop and implement welfare programs using federal money).
Casework - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Assistance given to individual constituents by congressional
members, like helping an elderly person figure out how to get Medicare benefits. Major incumbency
advantage.
Categorical Grant - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A grant ($) given to the states by the federal
government for a specific purpose or program. The federal government tells the states exactly how to
spend the money (no state discretion unlike block grants). Example = Medicaid. Most common type of
federal grant because it gives Congress the most control over the states.
, Checks and Balances - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A major principle of the American system of
government. Helps maintain separation of powers so that no one branch gets too powerful. Explained in
Federalist 51. Examples: President vetos laws; Senate confirms appointments & treaties; Congress
impeaches president & judges...
Chief Justice John Marshall - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅In office from 1801-1835 (longest serving CJ).
Supported increased power of federal government. Decided McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden,
and Marbury v. Madison.
Civil Rights Act of 1964 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Prohibits discrimination based on race or gender in
employment or public accommodations (restaurants, hotels). Created EEOC to enforce. Based on
Congress's interstate commerce clause power (discrimination impacts interstate commerce). The most
important federal civil rights law.
Commerce Clause - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Art. 1, Sec. 8 of the Constitution (enumerated power).
Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states
["Interstate Commerce Clause"], and with the Indians. Interpreted by the Supreme Court very broadly
(Gibbons v. Ogden) until Lopez & Morrison.
Confederation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Nonbinding union of sovereign states (example = European
Union, America under Articles of Confederation).
Congressional Demographics - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Rich highly educated white male protestant
lawyers & businessmen! Women VERY underrepresented! (<17%)
Connecticut Compromise - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Solves big state-little state debate over
representation in federal legislature at Philly Convention. Created bicameral legislature with equal
representation for states in Senate and proportional representation in House (seats based on
population).
Cooperative Federalism - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅System of federalism where federal & state
governments help each other perform governmental duties. Also known as marble-cake federalism. E.g.,
After hurricanes federal and state agencies work together to provide relief. Can cause confusion and/or
conflict among among different levels of government. Best explanation of how federalism works today
(instead of dual federalism)
10th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Powers not expressly given to federal government by
the Constitution are reserved to states or the people. Also known as "reserved powers amendment" or
"states' rights amendment"
13th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Abolished slavery. First of three "Reconstruction
Amendments" passed after Civil War (1865-70)
14th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens; (2) no
person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can
deprive a person of EQUAL PROTECTION of the laws. Second of three "Reconstruction Amendments"
passed after Civil War.
15th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅States cannot deny any person the right to vote
because of race. Third of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War. First Voting Rights
Amendment (with 19, 24 & 26)
16th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Power of Congress to tax income
17th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Established the direct election of senators (instead of
being chosen by state legislatures)
19th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅States cannot deny the right to vote based on gender
1st Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Freedom of religion (establishment & free exercise
clauses), speech, press, assembly, and petition.
22nd Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Limits the president to two terms.
23rd Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it
were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress)
,24th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Abolishes poll taxes
26th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅States cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+)
2nd Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Right to arm bears. Supported by National Rifle
Association interest group & Republican Party.
4th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅No "unreasonable" searches and seizures. Exclusionary
rule (Weeks v. US, Mapp v. Ohio)
5th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda)
(2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges)
(3) No deprivation of life liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)
6th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅The right to counsel in criminal trials. Gideon v.
Wainwright held that states must provide indigent defendants with a free lawyer ("public defender").
Right to jury in criminal trials.
7th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Right to jury in civil trials.
8th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual
punishment. Meaning of "cruel" based on "evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a
maturing society." Categorical bans on death penalty: juveniles, retarded, non-murder crimes...
9th Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Unenumerated Rights Amendment. Citizens have
unenumerated rights in addition to those stated in the Constitution. Not been developed by Supreme
Court (too open ended)
Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A nation's basic law, creates political institutions, assigns or
divides power in government and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Can be written or
unwritten.
,Agents of Socialization - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Family (most important); TV/media (growing in
importance); friends/peers; school (formal socialization). How we develop (absorb) opinions & beliefs.
American Political Culture - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A set of basic, foundational values and beliefs
about government that is shared by most citizens. Key elements: democracy, equality before the law,
limited government, capitalism & private property
Anti-Federalists - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A group who opposed the ratification of the Constitution
in 1787. They opposed a strong central government (tyranny) and supported states' rights. "I smell a
rat!"
Articles of Confederation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Set up the 1st independent American
government (1783-88). Nonbinding "league of friendship" among sovereign states with weak central
government to help with common defense & cooperation (like the European Union). Replaced by our
current constitution in 1788.
Bandwagon Effect - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅"Copy-cat" behavior. People often do things just
because other people do them. In primary elections, it is when people support the candidate everyone
else seems to be supporting (poll leaders). Leads to Primary Frontloading (states want to have the most
impact in the primary process)
Block Grants - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Grants ($) given to the states by the federal government for
a general purpose (like education or road-building). Unlike categorical grants, states have discretion to
decide how to spend the money. Example = Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) (States
develop and implement welfare programs using federal money).
Casework - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Assistance given to individual constituents by congressional
members, like helping an elderly person figure out how to get Medicare benefits. Major incumbency
advantage.
Categorical Grant - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A grant ($) given to the states by the federal
government for a specific purpose or program. The federal government tells the states exactly how to
spend the money (no state discretion unlike block grants). Example = Medicaid. Most common type of
federal grant because it gives Congress the most control over the states.
, Checks and Balances - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A major principle of the American system of
government. Helps maintain separation of powers so that no one branch gets too powerful. Explained in
Federalist 51. Examples: President vetos laws; Senate confirms appointments & treaties; Congress
impeaches president & judges...
Chief Justice John Marshall - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅In office from 1801-1835 (longest serving CJ).
Supported increased power of federal government. Decided McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden,
and Marbury v. Madison.
Civil Rights Act of 1964 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Prohibits discrimination based on race or gender in
employment or public accommodations (restaurants, hotels). Created EEOC to enforce. Based on
Congress's interstate commerce clause power (discrimination impacts interstate commerce). The most
important federal civil rights law.
Commerce Clause - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Art. 1, Sec. 8 of the Constitution (enumerated power).
Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states
["Interstate Commerce Clause"], and with the Indians. Interpreted by the Supreme Court very broadly
(Gibbons v. Ogden) until Lopez & Morrison.
Confederation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Nonbinding union of sovereign states (example = European
Union, America under Articles of Confederation).
Congressional Demographics - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Rich highly educated white male protestant
lawyers & businessmen! Women VERY underrepresented! (<17%)
Connecticut Compromise - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Solves big state-little state debate over
representation in federal legislature at Philly Convention. Created bicameral legislature with equal
representation for states in Senate and proportional representation in House (seats based on
population).
Cooperative Federalism - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅System of federalism where federal & state
governments help each other perform governmental duties. Also known as marble-cake federalism. E.g.,
After hurricanes federal and state agencies work together to provide relief. Can cause confusion and/or
conflict among among different levels of government. Best explanation of how federalism works today
(instead of dual federalism)
