American Politics and the US Constitution-
C963 WGU pre-assessment guide Exam
with Questions and Correct Answers
Graded A+
"King Caucus" refers to - correct answer-the use of each party's congressional caucus to
nominate presidential candidates during the early nineteenth century.
14th Amendment - correct answer-Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are
guaranteed equal protection of the laws
1957 Civil Rights Bill - correct answer-Bill passed by LBJ that helped begin first steps towards
Civil Rights movement.
A brokered convention occurs when: - correct answer-No candidate acquires a majority of a
party's delegates before the start of its convention.
A law alleged to violate the Constitution's protection of free speech would be heard by the
Supreme Court under: - correct answer-Appellate jurisdiction.
According the Supreme Court's ruling in Brandenberg v. Ohio, political speech can be restricted
only if it does which of the following? - correct answer-Creates a danger of imminent lawless
action.
,According to Angus Campbell, which of these statements supports the saying that "all politics is
local"? - correct answer-There is a fundamental influence of local policy concerns on national
elections.
There is an advantage to the party not currently occupying the presidency during mid-term
elections.
In many parts of the country, straight-ticket voting is prevalent.
According to the Supreme Court, when is it legal to take private property for public use? - correct
answer-For the creation of jobs
For the enhancement of government revenues (for example, taxes).
For the building of roads
For the creation of public parks
Advantages of Federalism - correct answer-checks growth of tyranny, allows unity without
uniformity, encourages experimentation, provides training and creates opportunities for future
national leaders, keeps government closer to the people
advice and consent - correct answer-Terms in the Constitution describing the U.S. Senate's
power to review and approve treaties and presidential appointments.
Affordable Care Act of 2010 - correct answer-requires an organization with 50 or more
employees to make health insurance available to employees or pay an assessment and gives
employees the right to buy health insurance from another provider if an organization's health
insurance is too expensive
,After the Articles of Confederation went into effect, how was the British government able to
continue impacting what would happen in the United States? - correct answer-The British
government was able to put pressure on the states through its occupation of land west of the
United States.
The British government could refuse to accept the currency of the United States as a means to
pay off any lingering debts.
The British government was able to form individual relationships with the states.
Although not specifically stated in the Constitution, Congress has decided that it is within its
authority to open a national bank in order to help them regulate commerce. - correct answer-
Implied Power
Although you think you are being taxed twice by the government, each year you continue to pay a
federal income tax and state income tax. - correct answer-Concurrent Power
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - correct answer-Legislation passed in 1990 that prohibits
discrimination against people with disabilities. Under this Act, discrimination against a disabled
person is illegal in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and
government activities.
Amicus briefs are - correct answer-known as "friend of the court" briefs
An argument offered in opposition to judicial activism is: - correct answer-The intrusion into
democratic politics of unelected, and therefore unaccountable, judges.
, Anti-Federalists - correct answer-Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the
states were contemplating its adoption.
appellate jurisdiction - correct answer-The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower
courts
Articles of Confederation - correct answer-A weak constitution that governed America during the
Revolutionary War.
Atkins v. Virginia (2002) - correct answer-execution of developmentally disabled offenders is
unconstitutional
Automobile Workers v Johnson Controls, Inc (1977) - correct answer-USSC: "Decisions about
the welfare of the next generation must be left to the parents who conceive, bear, support, and
raise them, rather than to the employers who hire those parents"
Baker v. Carr (1962) - correct answer-"One man, one vote." Ordered state legislative districts to
be as near equal as possible in population; Warren Court's judicial activism.
ballot fatigue - correct answer-the phenomenon by which voters cast fewer votes for offices
listed toward the bottom of the ballot
Barron v. Baltimore (1833) - correct answer-The guarantee in the 5th Amendment that private
property shall not be taken "for public use, without just compensation" is not applicable to state
governments as well as the federal government.
Before a voter can cast a ballot, what is he or she required to do in virtually all states? - correct
answer-Before a voter can cast a ballot, she must register to vote.
C963 WGU pre-assessment guide Exam
with Questions and Correct Answers
Graded A+
"King Caucus" refers to - correct answer-the use of each party's congressional caucus to
nominate presidential candidates during the early nineteenth century.
14th Amendment - correct answer-Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are
guaranteed equal protection of the laws
1957 Civil Rights Bill - correct answer-Bill passed by LBJ that helped begin first steps towards
Civil Rights movement.
A brokered convention occurs when: - correct answer-No candidate acquires a majority of a
party's delegates before the start of its convention.
A law alleged to violate the Constitution's protection of free speech would be heard by the
Supreme Court under: - correct answer-Appellate jurisdiction.
According the Supreme Court's ruling in Brandenberg v. Ohio, political speech can be restricted
only if it does which of the following? - correct answer-Creates a danger of imminent lawless
action.
,According to Angus Campbell, which of these statements supports the saying that "all politics is
local"? - correct answer-There is a fundamental influence of local policy concerns on national
elections.
There is an advantage to the party not currently occupying the presidency during mid-term
elections.
In many parts of the country, straight-ticket voting is prevalent.
According to the Supreme Court, when is it legal to take private property for public use? - correct
answer-For the creation of jobs
For the enhancement of government revenues (for example, taxes).
For the building of roads
For the creation of public parks
Advantages of Federalism - correct answer-checks growth of tyranny, allows unity without
uniformity, encourages experimentation, provides training and creates opportunities for future
national leaders, keeps government closer to the people
advice and consent - correct answer-Terms in the Constitution describing the U.S. Senate's
power to review and approve treaties and presidential appointments.
Affordable Care Act of 2010 - correct answer-requires an organization with 50 or more
employees to make health insurance available to employees or pay an assessment and gives
employees the right to buy health insurance from another provider if an organization's health
insurance is too expensive
,After the Articles of Confederation went into effect, how was the British government able to
continue impacting what would happen in the United States? - correct answer-The British
government was able to put pressure on the states through its occupation of land west of the
United States.
The British government could refuse to accept the currency of the United States as a means to
pay off any lingering debts.
The British government was able to form individual relationships with the states.
Although not specifically stated in the Constitution, Congress has decided that it is within its
authority to open a national bank in order to help them regulate commerce. - correct answer-
Implied Power
Although you think you are being taxed twice by the government, each year you continue to pay a
federal income tax and state income tax. - correct answer-Concurrent Power
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - correct answer-Legislation passed in 1990 that prohibits
discrimination against people with disabilities. Under this Act, discrimination against a disabled
person is illegal in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and
government activities.
Amicus briefs are - correct answer-known as "friend of the court" briefs
An argument offered in opposition to judicial activism is: - correct answer-The intrusion into
democratic politics of unelected, and therefore unaccountable, judges.
, Anti-Federalists - correct answer-Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the
states were contemplating its adoption.
appellate jurisdiction - correct answer-The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower
courts
Articles of Confederation - correct answer-A weak constitution that governed America during the
Revolutionary War.
Atkins v. Virginia (2002) - correct answer-execution of developmentally disabled offenders is
unconstitutional
Automobile Workers v Johnson Controls, Inc (1977) - correct answer-USSC: "Decisions about
the welfare of the next generation must be left to the parents who conceive, bear, support, and
raise them, rather than to the employers who hire those parents"
Baker v. Carr (1962) - correct answer-"One man, one vote." Ordered state legislative districts to
be as near equal as possible in population; Warren Court's judicial activism.
ballot fatigue - correct answer-the phenomenon by which voters cast fewer votes for offices
listed toward the bottom of the ballot
Barron v. Baltimore (1833) - correct answer-The guarantee in the 5th Amendment that private
property shall not be taken "for public use, without just compensation" is not applicable to state
governments as well as the federal government.
Before a voter can cast a ballot, what is he or she required to do in virtually all states? - correct
answer-Before a voter can cast a ballot, she must register to vote.
