1.
Federalism involves two levels of government, both which are
Correct Answer
E. Sovereign.
Explanation
Federalism involves two levels of government, both of which are sovereign. Sovereignty refers to the supreme power or authority that a government possesses within its own territory. In a federal system, power is divided between the central government and regional or state governments, and both levels of government have their own spheres of authority. This means that neither level of government is subordinate to the other, and they both have the ability to make decisions and exercise their powers independently within their respective jurisdictions. Therefore, the correct answer is sovereign.
2.
Most forms of economic activity are now included under
Correct Answer
B. Interstate commerce.
Explanation
The correct answer is interstate commerce because the question is asking about the category under which most forms of economic activity are included. Interstate commerce refers to the buying, selling, and transportation of goods and services across state lines. This category encompasses a wide range of economic activities and is regulated by the federal government.
3.
A block grant is essentially a
Correct Answer
B. Group of categorical or project grants.
Explanation
A block grant is a type of grant that consists of a group of categorical or project grants. This means that instead of a single grant, it includes multiple grants that are categorized or focused on specific projects. Unlike a single project grant, a block grant provides more flexibility in how the funds can be used within the designated categories or projects. This allows for a broader range of initiatives and programs to be supported by the grant.
4.
Under a unitary system, the national government would have the right to alter or eliminate
Correct Answer
C. Lower levels of government.
Explanation
Under a unitary system, the national government has the authority to change or abolish lower levels of government. In a unitary system, power is concentrated at the national level, and the central government has the ability to restructure or dissolve local governments as it sees fit. This allows for greater control and uniformity in governance across the country.
5.
The McCulloch v. Maryland decision established
Correct Answer
C. National government supremacy over the states.
Explanation
The McCulloch v. Maryland decision established national government supremacy over the states. This landmark case, decided by the Supreme Court in 1819, involved a dispute over the constitutionality of a Maryland law that imposed taxes on the Bank of the United States. The Court ruled that the federal government had the authority to establish a national bank and that state laws interfering with the exercise of federal powers were unconstitutional. This decision affirmed the principle of federal supremacy over state governments and strengthened the power of the national government.
6.
The effort to pass on to the states many federal functions has been called __________.
Correct Answer
E. Devolution
Explanation
Devolution refers to the process of transferring power and responsibilities from a central government to regional or local governments. In this context, the effort to pass on federal functions to the states is referred to as devolution. This term implies a shift towards decentralization and a redistribution of power, allowing states to have more control over certain functions that were previously handled by the federal government.
7.
A federal grant designed for a specific purpose defined by federal law is called
Correct Answer
A. A categorical grant.
Explanation
A federal grant designed for a specific purpose defined by federal law is called a categorical grant. This type of grant is given to states or local governments to fund specific programs or projects that align with the objectives outlined in federal legislation. Unlike block grants or revenue sharing, which provide more flexibility in how funds are used, categorical grants have stricter guidelines and requirements to ensure that the money is used for its intended purpose. A land grant, on the other hand, refers to the transfer of land from the federal government to an individual or organization. A project enhancement grant is not a commonly used term in the context of federal grants.
8.
By ruling that the government cannot require local police to conduct background checks on all gun purchases, it held that to do so would be a violation of the _____________ Amendment.
Correct Answer
C. Tenth
Explanation
The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. In this case, the government requiring local police to conduct background checks on all gun purchases would be an exercise of power that is not delegated to the federal government. Therefore, it would be a violation of the Tenth Amendment.
9.
States cannot declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. In other words, states do have the right of
Correct Answer
A. Nullification
Explanation
Nullification refers to the idea that states have the right to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional and therefore refuse to enforce them within their borders. This concept was popularized during the early 19th century, particularly by Southern states, as a means to resist federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, particularly those related to tariffs and slavery. However, the Supreme Court has consistently held that states do not have the power to nullify federal laws, as the Constitution grants ultimate authority to the federal government. Therefore, nullification is not a valid right of states.
10.
The term intergovernmental lobby is used in the text to refer to lobbying activities by
Correct Answer
A. State & local officials at the national government.
Explanation
The term "intergovernmental lobby" refers to lobbying activities carried out by state and local officials at the national government. This means that officials from lower levels of government, such as states and cities, are engaging in lobbying efforts to influence the decisions and policies of the national government. This can include advocating for the interests of their constituents, seeking federal funding or support for local projects, or influencing national legislation that may impact their jurisdictions.
11.
Block grants were designed to remedy a common criticism of categorical grants, namely
Correct Answer
C. The difficulty of adapting categorical grants to local needs.
Explanation
The correct answer is the difficulty of adapting categorical grants to local needs. Block grants were created to address the criticism that categorical grants were not flexible enough to meet the specific needs of local communities. Unlike categorical grants, which come with strict guidelines and requirements, block grants provide more discretion to local governments to allocate funds according to their specific needs and priorities. This allows for greater flexibility and customization in addressing local issues.
12.
This procedure in effect in about one-third of the states permits voters to remove an elected official from office.
Correct Answer
C. Recall
Explanation
The correct answer is "recall." This procedure allows voters to remove an elected official from office.
13.
The early chief justice whose decisions generally gave the broadest possible sweep to federal power was
Correct Answer
C. John Marshall.
Explanation
John Marshall is the correct answer because he served as the Chief Justice of the United States from 1801 to 1835 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential justices in Supreme Court history. Marshall's decisions, such as in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, established the principle of judicial review and strengthened the power of the federal government. He consistently interpreted the Constitution broadly, expanding federal power and establishing the supremacy of federal law over state law. His rulings laid the foundation for a strong and centralized federal government.
14.
The Civil War settled one part of the issue of national supremacy versus state's rights, namely, that
Correct Answer
C. The national government derives its sovereignty from the people.
Explanation
The correct answer is that the national government derives its sovereignty from the people. This means that the power and authority of the national government come from the consent and support of the people it governs. This concept is rooted in democratic principles, where the government exists to serve and represent the interests of the people. The Civil War helped establish this idea by affirming that the national government's authority is not derived from the states or state governments, but from the people themselves.
15.
Among the Founders, the most prominent and consistent defender of the power of the national government was
Correct Answer
E. Alexander Hamilton.
Explanation
Alexander Hamilton was the most prominent and consistent defender of the power of the national government among the Founders. He believed in a strong central government and was a key figure in the drafting of the United States Constitution. Hamilton played a crucial role in advocating for the ratification of the Constitution and was one of the authors of the Federalist Papers, which argued in favor of a strong national government. He also served as the first Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington, where he implemented policies that strengthened the federal government's authority and economic power.
16.
The Founders did not include in the U.S. Constitution an explicit statement of state powers but added it later in the
Correct Answer
C. Tenth Amendment.
Explanation
The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was added later to explicitly state the powers of the states. It was included to clarify that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government are reserved for the states. This amendment was important in maintaining a balance between the federal government and the states, ensuring that the states have autonomy and can govern themselves within their own jurisdictions.
17.
For the Founders, federalism was a device to
Correct Answer
A. Protect liberty.
Explanation
The Founders believed that federalism was a means to protect liberty. By dividing power between the national government and the states, they aimed to prevent the concentration of power in one central authority. This system of government allows for checks and balances, ensuring that no single entity can infringe upon the rights and freedoms of the citizens. Federalism also allows for the protection of individual liberties by allowing local governments to address the specific needs and concerns of their communities.
18.
Until recently, the interstate commerce that the federal government can regulate is now interpreted to include
Correct Answer
A. Almost any kind of economic activity.
Explanation
The correct answer is "almost any kind of economic activity." This is because the interpretation of interstate commerce that the federal government can regulate has expanded over time. It now includes not only the movement of goods between states but also almost any economic activity, regardless of whether it involves goods or services. This broad interpretation gives the federal government significant authority to regulate various aspects of the economy.
19.
This is a procedure that enables voters to reject a measure adopted by the legislature.
Correct Answer
B. Referendum
Explanation
A referendum is a process that allows voters to reject a measure that has been adopted by the legislature. It gives citizens the power to directly vote on a specific issue or law. This allows for direct democracy and ensures that the voice of the people is heard in important decision-making processes. Referendums are often used to gauge public opinion and provide a way for citizens to have a say in the laws that affect them.
20.
When a locality is required by federal law to do something, regardless of whether it receives federal funding for that purpose or not, it is called a
Correct Answer
B. Mandate
Explanation
When a locality is required by federal law to do something, regardless of whether it receives federal funding for that purpose or not, it is called a mandate. A mandate is a directive or instruction that must be followed, often imposed by a higher authority. In this case, the federal law is compelling the locality to take a specific action, irrespective of any financial assistance provided by the federal government.