Unit 1A Practice MCQ

According to James Madison, which of the following best controls the effects of faction?

• Direct democracy
• The popular election of state judges
• A large republic
• Property requirements for eligibility to work
• The creation of a merit-based civil service

All of the following are ways that the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT:

• Congress may remove the president through its impeachment and conviction powers.
• Congress may override a presidential veto.
• Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional.
• The Senate may refuse to approve a presidential appointment.
• The Senate may refuse to approve a treaty negotiated by the president.

All of the following issues were decided at the Constitutional Convention EXCEPT

• representation in the legislature
• voting qualifications of the electorate
• method of electing the President
• congressional power to override a presidential veto
• qualifications for members of the House and Senate

All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT

• dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties
• fear for the stability of the central government
• desire to promote trade among the states
• the need to give the central government the power to levy taxes
• dissatisfaction with the central government's ability to provide for national defense

In the early part of the twenty-first century, public opinion polls showed that a majority of Americans believed it should be illegal to burn the American flag. As a result, many members of Congress introduced amendments to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Which of the following statements best explains why these efforts have been unsuccessful?

• The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights.
• The Supreme Court has stated such an amendment is unconstitutional, thus blocking its ratification.
• The framers specifically wrote the amendment process to prevent using it to limit freedom of expression.
• Congress and the states have agreed to add this amendment; however, recent presidents have refused to sign it.

The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about which of the following issues?

• The right of the people to rebel
• The existence of slavery
• The scope of power of the central government
• The need to establish a standard currency
• The representation of large and small states

Which of the following is argued by James Madison in The Federalist paper number 10?

• A system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism.
• Small republics are better able to ensure individual liberty than are large republics.
• The presence of a few large factions helps to protect the rights of minorities.
• Participatory democracy is the surest way to prevent tyranny.
• The elimination of the causes of factionalism is the best protection against tyranny.

Which of the following is commonly identified as a failure of the Articles of Confederation?

• The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue.
• The executive branch was granted too much power over the legislature.
• The federal government had too much control over interstate commerce.
• The judicial branch was elected and did not consistently adhere to rule of law.

Under the Articles of Confederation, which of the following were true? I. Congress could not tax the states directly. II. The executive branch of government exercised more power than Congress. III. Congress was a unicameral body. IV. States were represented in Congress proportionally according to population.

• I and II
• I and III
• I and IV
• II and III
• II and IV

Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution?  

• A
• B
• C
• D