American Government Comprehensive Exam
Directions: Please read each question and its answers carefully. Some questions will have more than one answer that sounds correct; pick the best possible answer. You must complete the exam in one session, so please ensure you have enough time to complete the entire test. Feel free to use scrap paper.
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The Ohio Constitution of 1851 established district courts. How did this solve an existing problem in the state? *
1 point
In the United States, the government uses expansionary and contractionary fiscal policies to affect conditions in the economy. Identify which fiscal policy accompanies each situation. *
2 points
End a recession
Increase tax revenue
Lower inflation
Lower federal spending
Raise total demand for goods
Reduce tax rates
Contract
Expand
A city government is holding a vote to decide whether to construct a new airport on city land. An undecided voter has gathered several sources of information about the proposed airport to help her decide how to vote. Which source of information about the issue is both credible and relevant? *
1 point
Grade *
A business group wants its city to finance construction of a new airport. The city commissioners and some citizens feel that a new airport will be too expensive and that the proposed site is too close to an old city neighborhood with many low-income residents. The business leaders supporting the new airport can take a number of different approaches to get it built. Identify all four approaches that represent the democratic processes of compromise, consensus building, negotiation, and persuasion.
1 point
A citizen makes a comment during an Ohio General Assembly committee hearing on a proposed state education bill related to the amount of funding the state will provide to local schools. Which level and branch of government is the target of this method of government engagement? *
1 point
Which constitutional principle is identified with the concept of "consent of the governed?" *
1 point
What was the immediate impact of the 14th Amendment? *
1 point
Suppose the United States economy is experiencing a period of severe inflation. What actions can the Federal Reserve take regarding government securities to ease this problem? *
1 point
LAST Name *
What is a responsibility of exercising the right that you selected in the previous question? *
1 point
In the second half of the twentieth century, the three branches of the U.S. government took action to promote the civil rights of African-American citizens. Choose the answers that show what the branches did to extend civil rights to African Americans. *
2 points
Legislative branch
Executive branch
Judicial branch
The _____ sent in the National Guard to integrate schools to ensure that African-Americans had access to public education
The _____ passed a series of civil rights and voting rights acts to ensure that African-Americans could exercise their right to vote.
Select all of the Anti-Federalist quotes that express concerns over the issue that you identified in the previous question. *
1 point
Required
You want to persuade the government to establish stronger national pollution standards for reducing carbon in the atmosphere. Which is the correct government body to contact to express your opinion and to bring about the outcome you favor? *
1 point
Citizens engage in civic duties and political activities at the local, state, and national levels. Some types of activities often take place at one level but not at another. Which civic or political activity can citizens carry out at the state level? *
1 point
The preamble to the US Constitution introduces one of the basic principles of government in the United States. An excerpt from the preamble to the U.S. Constitution is shown below. Which basic principle of government is introduced in the Preamble? *
We the People of the United States... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
1 point
The United States government is based on several key principles. The U.S. Constitution has been amended to incorporate these principles to protect the rights of the people. Identify the principles of government that relate to the amendment excerpts shown. *
3 points
Popular Sovereignty
Separation of Powers
Limited Government
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers. counting the whole number of persons in each State...
Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall hove qualified, declaring who shall then act as President...
FIRST Name *
The United States Supreme Court has used the doctrine of incorporation to extend most of the rights included in the Bill of Rights to state and local governments. Select the boxes to identify whether each Supreme Court decision extended freedom of assembly, press or religion. *
3 points
Freedom of Assembly
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of Religion
De Jonge v. Oregon (1937) - overturned a conviction for organizing a meeting of the Communist Party
Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940) - Struck down a state law that required state licenses in order to solicit on behalf of a faith-based organization
Near v. Minnesota (1931) - Struck down a state law that permitted censorship of "malicious, scandalous and defamatory" newspapers and magazines
Below are examples of how checks and balances in the U.S. government affect the passage of legislation. Choose the options that correctly fill in the blanks. You may use each branch more than once, and you do not need to use every branch. *
3 points
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
The _____ is responsible for passing legislation.
The _____ has a right to veto legislation, but its veto can be overturned by a vote of the _____
When legislation becomes law, the _____ can interpret and apply the law.
A local, abandoned factory has been demolished and the land has been prepared for redevelopment. People disagree about what should replace the old factory on the vacant lot. Some propose a plan to construct a building combining apartments with ground-floor retail, and others want to build  a large park. The final resolution featured a smaller building with a small park. Which kind of solution does this outcome represent? *
1 point
The 9th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is shown below.  How did the 9th Amendment address Federalist concerns about including a bill of rights in the Constitution? *
The enumeration [listing] in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed [interpreted] to deny or disparage [take away] others retained by the people.
1 point
Which branch or branches of the federal government enforce the laws? *
1 point
What is one way the Federal Reserve System regulates economic activity? *
1 point
Congress passed the 11th, 21st and 27th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution in response to unique circumstances that engaged the people, judges and lawmakers of their times. Identify the circumstance leading to the passage of each of these amendments. *
Note: this question was originally an essay question. It has been converted into a multiple choice because, as of the 2017-2018 school year, the Ohio State Test no longer asks for written responses.
3 points
11th Amendment
21st Amendment
27th Amendment
The state of Georgia refused to appear before the Supreme Court when it was sued by a citizen from another state, claiming that its sovereign immunity protected it from lawsuits without its consent. The court ruled against Georgia, leading to this amendment that protects sovereign immunity for the states.
In a relatively short amount of time, Congress passed several laws to increase their salary. Many people were receptive to limiting Congress's power to do this. A letter-writing campaign and its publicity encouraged more votes to ratify this Amendment, which delays any new pay raises until after an election has taken place.
The prohibition of alcohol had unintentionally led to a rise in organized crime. Laws attempting to restrict alcohol were notoriously hard to enforce, and a growing number of people wanted to repeal Prohibition.
Several amendments to the US Constitution have addressed unique historical circumstances. Select the choices that identify which amendment is described by each phrase. *
3 points
Repealed Prohibition
Limited the jurisdiction of the federal courts
Overturned the Supreme Court's ruling in Chisholm v. Georgia
Prevented members of Congress from giving themselves pay raises during their current term
11th Amendment
21st Amendment
27th Amendment
The 17th Amendment addressed Progressive Era calls for reform.  Identify which headline could have been written to support the ratification of the 17th Amendment. Select TWO headlines. *
1 point
Required
In response to public concern about downtown parking, a city's mayor appoints a panel of traffic engineers, transportation officials and citizens to study the issue. Six months later, the panel publishes a 30-page report documenting its findings. Which factor will contribute to the credibility of the report as a source on the topic? *
1 point
Suppose the United States economy is experiencing a period of severe inflation. What actions can the Federal Reserve take regarding the discount rate to ease this problem? *
1 point
The Bill of Rights to the us Constitution was drafted in response to the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists over the powers of the national government. The 6th Amendment is shown below.  Which issue is addressed by the 6th Amendment? *
In all criminal prosecutions, [citizens] shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
1 point
The picture below shows a sequence of how the three branches of government can interact with one another.  Choose which answers go in the missing lines. *
3 points
Captionless Image
Goes on line 2
Goes on line 4
Goes on line 5
Congress overrides the veto and the bill becomes law.
The Supreme Court reviews the law and declares it unconstitutional.
The president vetoes the bill.
What happens when the laws of Ohio and the federal government contradict one another? *
1 point
Use your knowledge of the federal government and Ohio's state government to identify the powers of each level of government. Choose which level of government is responsible for each power. *
6 points
Federal Government
State Government
Conduct elections
Declare war
Print money
Raise sales tax
Ratify constitutional amendments
Regulate Foreign Trade
The Federal Reserve adjusts its practices based on its desired outcomes. Sometimes the Federal Reserve wants to foster growth in the economy, other times it wants to foster economic contraction. Choose what tools it should use to fit with these two goals. *
2 points
Buy government securities
Lower interest rates
Sell government securities
Raise interest rates
To foster economic growth
To foster economic contraction
Which right allows U.S. citizens to directly participate in the electoral process? *
0 points
What are the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution called? *
1 point
Suppose the United States economy is experiencing a period of severe inflation. What actions can the Federal Reserve take regarding the reserve requirement to ease this problem? *
1 point
From time to time, the Supreme Court has extended civil rights protections to groups that historically have been denied rights guaranteed to other Americans. Sometimes the Supreme Court has done this by interpreting and applying principles found in existing Constitutional amendments.  Which legal principle did the Supreme Court use to extend the Bill of Rights guarantees to state laws and to broaden civil rights protections for minorities? *
1 point
The following choices outline the historical scenarios that led to the passage of the 16th Amendment to the U.S . Constitution during the Progressive Era. Check the boxes of the scenarios that led to the passage of this amendment *
1 point
Required
During the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed about many issues, including the need for a strong central government and the need for a bill of rights.  Select which side of the debate can accurately be ascribed to the positions of the Federalists and the Antifederalists over these issues. *
Note: this question was originally an essay question. It has been converted into a multiple choice because, as of the 2017-2018 school year, the Ohio State Test no longer asks for written responses.
4 points
Federalist
Antifederalist
A strong central government would crush the states and that it would be no different than the government in England.”
The central government needed to be strong enough to bind together the states and form a true union.
Including a Bill of Rights is necessary. If the rights aren't listed in the Constitution, they are vulnerable to be violated by future governments
The Constitution contained enough rights for the people as it was, they did not need to include a Bill or Rights.
Select the three reasons why the source that you chose in the previous question is credible and relevant. *
1 point
Required
Individuals in Ohio have a responsibility to assist state and local government authorities in addressing problems throughout the state. Select all of the actions that fulfill this responsibility at the local level. *
0 points
Required
Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency directly led to a constitutional amendment concerning the executive branch. Choose the answer that correctly identifies the amendment and describes how that amendment changed the rules regarding the executive branch. *
Note: this question was originally an essay question. It has been converted into a multiple choice because, as of the 2017-2018 school year, the Ohio State Test no longer asks for written responses.
1 point
Email Address *
The Federal Reserve adjusts its practices based on its desired outcomes. Sometimes the Federal Reserve wants to foster growth in the economy, other times it wants to foster economic contraction.  Choose what desired outcomes fit with these two goals. *
2 points
Increase the money supply
Decrease the money supply
Encourage spending
Encourage saving
To foster economic growth
To foster economic contraction
Read the text from Section I of the 14th Amendment below. Which statement describes one of the conditions this Reconstruction era amendment was designed to correct? *
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
1 point
What was the direct effect of the 13th Amendment? *
1 point
After a call for reforms by a citizens' group, the government decides that increased regulations on the manufacture of cars are needed to ensure the correct types of airbags are used in the production of all cars. These regulations have economic costs and benefits for consumers. Select the boxes to identify whether each result of government regulation in this example is an economic cost or benefit for consumers. *
3 points
Economic Cost
Economic Benefit
The average price of cars increased.
The amount of time needed to produce cars increased.
Fewer injuries occurred, reducing the need for medical care.
The 25th Amendment was ratified after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Which issue, among others, did the 25th Amendment clarify? *
1 point
Which action describes a civic responsibility at the local or municipal level? *
1 point
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