Practice Test 5 - AP US Government and Politics
20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.
- After a 60% statewide vote bans a controversial book, a federal judge blocks it as violating free speech. Which counter-majoritarian mechanism is illustrated?
- According to this passage, how do federalism and separation of powers work together to protect liberty?
- Anti-Federalists predict a standing army under federal control could threaten liberty in peacetime. Which concern is illustrated?
- A campaign uses "persuasion mail" only in a narrow set of swing precincts while sending turnout mail elsewhere. Which strategy is illustrated?
- Congress often struggles to oversee complex agencies, letting presidents steer policy through appointments. Which enabling factor is illustrated?
- In 2020–2024, approval of Congress was 24%, 20%, 18%, 22%, 19% in annual polls. What pattern is best supported?
- A senator says "commerce" should mean only trade crossing state lines; another says it includes activities with substantial aggregate effects. What is this debate?
- A coalition threatens to fund a primary challenger unless an incumbent changes positions; which leverage is shown?
- A career official implements vague statutory goals by choosing specific enforcement strategies. What concept best describes this power?
- A union urges members to call Congress after sending policy briefs; which strategy best fits this scenario?
- In a prime-time annual speech to Congress, the president highlights achievements and proposes priorities for the coming year. What method is this?
- A state imposes a special tax only on large newspapers' ink and paper purchases. Which precedent most directly applies?
- Which of the following describes a check on the power of the president that is not explicitly written in the Constitution but has developed over time?
- Which ideological difference is illustrated by Democrats supporting expanded voting access and Republicans supporting stricter election security measures? In political science terms, Democrats often emphasize participatory democracy and reducing barriers; Republicans often emphasize electoral integrity, rule enforcement, and skepticism about administrative discretion, with both sides citing democratic legitimacy in different ways.
- An environmental group sues the EPA to force stricter enforcement under existing law. Which influence strategy is shown?
- Opponents argued the Necessary and Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause would erase state authority. What concern is illustrated?
- An agency holds trial-like hearings before an administrative law judge to resolve benefits disputes. Which function is illustrated?
- After 9/11, presidents used broad commander-in-chief claims for surveillance and detention. Which factor best enabled this expansion?
- During a midterm election, a voter casts a ballot for the incumbent president's party in congressional races because the economy has improved. However, for a state-level race, the same voter chooses a candidate from the opposing party who has a detailed plan for improving local schools. This voter's behavior demonstrates which of the following?
- Same-sex couples challenge a state's refusal to license and recognize their marriages; the Court requires nationwide recognition. Which case best illustrates this?