Name: _________________________________

AP® United States Government and Politics

Answer Sheet
for Multiple-Choice Section

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 ®
AP United States Government
and Politics Exam
SECTION I: Multiple Choice

DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

At a Glance Instructions
Section I of this exam contains 55 multiple-choice questions. Fill in only the circles for
Total Time numbers 1 through 55 on your answer sheet. Because this section offers only four answer
1 hour and 20 minutes options for each question, do not mark the (E) answer circle for any question.
Number of Questions
55 Indicate all of your answers to the multiple-choice questions on the answer sheet. No
Percent of Total Score credit will be given for anything written in this exam booklet, but you may use the booklet
50% for notes or scratch work. After you have decided which of the suggested answers is best,
Writing Instrument completely fill in the corresponding circle on the answer sheet. Give only one answer to
Pencil required each question. If you change an answer, be sure that the previous mark is erased
completely. Here is a sample question and answer.

Use your time effectively, working as quickly as you can without losing accuracy. Do not
spend too much time on any one question. Go on to other questions and come back to
the ones you have not answered if you have time. It is not expected that everyone will
know the answers to all of the multiple-choice questions.
Your total score on the multiple-choice section is based only on the number of questions
answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers or unanswered
questions.
The inclusion of source material in this exam is not intended as
an endorsement by the College Board or ETS of the content,
ideas, or values expressed in the material. The sources that appear
in the AP US Government and Politics Exam represent a range of
data and text-based works, as appropriate for measuring the skills
that are the focus of this course. AP students are not expected or
asked to subscribe to any specific cultural or political values, but
are expected to analyze perspectives different from their own.
 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
SECTION I
Time — 1 hour and 20 minutes
55 Questions
Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by four suggested answers or
completions. Select the one that is best in each case and then fill in the corresponding circle on the answer sheet.

1. A member of Congress votes in favor of a bill as 3. Which of the following was a direct outcome of
a result of receiving many letters of support for the Three-Fifths Compromise?
the bill from constituents. Which form of
democratic representation best describes this (A) The number of senators increased in
voting decision? three-fifths of the states with enslaved
populations.
(A) Trustee (B) Amendments to the United States
(B) Delegate Constitution required three-fifths of the
(C) Elite states to approve.
(D) Pluralist (C) The presidential winner would be
determined by three-fifths of the electors
in the Electoral College.
(D) A formula for calculating a state’s enslaved
population for the purposes of
2. Which of the following decisions is most likely representation was enacted.
to cite the Supreme Court’s decision in Tinker v.
Des Moines Independent Community School
District (1969) as a legal precedent in support of
the decision?
4. The case United States v. Lopez (1995) struck
(A) A decision in favor of students holding down the Gun-Free School Zones Act because
signs that protest a new policy
(B) A decision against a public school’s (A) it violated Fourth Amendment protections
practice of having prayer at school against unwarranted searches
assemblies (B) Congress exceeded its authority in the use
(C) A decision supporting the creation of of the commerce clause
gun-free zones in public schools (C) the Second Amendment is a right
(D) A decision enforcing mandatory incorporated to the states
vaccinations for all children before (D) students retain their First Amendment
attending school rights while attending public schools

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Questions 5 and 6 refer to the graph.

Ideological Composition of the House of Representatives

Source: Public Opinion Strategies

5. Which of the following statements represents a 6. Based on the data, which of the following is the
trend supported by the data in the bar graph? most likely consequence for the legislative
process in Congress?
(A) Both party caucuses in the House consisted
of more moderate members in 2012 than (A) More competitive races for House seats in
in 2002. the general election
(B) The Republican caucus consisted of more (B) A decrease in party-line voting on
ideologically conservative members in important legislation introduced in the
1982 than in 2012. House
(C) The number of House members between (C) An increase in gridlock and failure to
the most liberal Republican and the most compromise on legislation
conservative Democrat decreased (D) Greater cooperation between Congress and
between 1982 and 2012. the president on nominations
(D) The party caucuses in the Senate are more
ideologically diverse than those in the
House of Representatives.

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7. A woman is arrested for possessing illegal
substances that were obtained after a warrantless
search of her home by local police. Which of the
following best explains whether the evidence
could be used in a criminal trial?

(A) The due process rights of the Fifth

Amendment require that the evidence be
reviewed by the prosecution before being
admitted as evidence in court.
(B) The exclusionary rule, derived from the
Fourth Amendment, prevents the evidence
from being used against the suspect.
(C) Since the evidence obtained suggests
illegal activity, the evidence may be used
against the defendant in a criminal trial.
(D) If the case is in the state court system, the
evidence can be used against the
defendant.

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Questions 8 - 10 refer to the passage.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure
these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any
form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance
to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government . . .
“. . . Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity
which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled. The history of mankind is a history of
repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an
absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
“He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise.
“He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice.
“He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men. . . .
“Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without
representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides.
“He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead.
“He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns.”
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Seneca Falls Convention, 1848

8. Which of the following best captures a portion 10. Which of the following amendments to the
of the author’s argument? United States Constitution addresses the
grievance that a woman is not permitted “to
(A) Women elected officials have not done exercise her inalienable right to the elective
enough to pass laws promoting women’s franchise”?
rights.
(B) Men and women are legally equal, but (A) Fourteenth Amendment
women are morally superior to men. (B) Fifteenth Amendment
(C) The government has made women (C) Seventeenth Amendment
subservient by denying them the right to (D) Nineteenth Amendment
vote.
(D) Women have faced too much suffrage due
to the actions of the government.

9. The language in the first paragraph of the

selection most closely parallels that of which of
the following documents?

(A) The Preamble to the United States

Constitution
(B) The Declaration of Independence
(C) The Federalist 10
(D) Brutus 1

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Questions 11 and 12 refer to the data.

How Senators Voted on Tom Price for Health and Human Services
Secretary, 2017

11. Which statement best explains the information 12. In 2013 a parliamentary procedure was
in the graphic? implemented in the Senate that allowed a simple
majority vote to end debate on Cabinet member
(A) The secretary was confirmed by a partisan confirmations. Which of the following best
vote. explains how the procedural change relates to
(B) Confirmation was blocked by one party. the information in the graphic?
(C) Independents swayed the vote for the
(A) If the procedural change had not occurred,
majority.
the nomination of Tom Price would have
(D) Attempts at compromise were been approved without delay.
unsuccessful.
(B) The procedural change resulted in
Democratic senators adding pork barrel
legislation to the appropriations bill that
funds the Department of Health and
Human Services.
(C) If the procedural change had not occurred,
Republican senators would not have been
able to immediately invoke cloture of a
filibuster.
(D) The procedural change required
Republican senators to nominate a
different person for secretary of Health
and Human Services.

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13. Which of the following scenarios explains how 15. In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton
demographic factors affect voter participation in argued that the federal judiciary “is beyond
elections? comparison the weakest of the three departments
of power.” Which of the following statements
(A) Wealthier individuals are more likely to represents a reason he gave for this argument?
become involved in campaigns because
they believe that their actions may (A) It has the power of the sword and the
influence the candidates. power of judgment but lacks the power of
(B) Individuals who belong to marginalized the purse.
groups are likely to participate in (B) Each branch must be given the ability to
elections because their issues are often defend its power and check the others.
highlighted by political party leaders. (C) The federal government is further from the
(C) Political action committees (PACs) raise people and thus less accountable.
money from their donors, which they use (D) It must depend on the executive for
to run television advertisements during enforcement of its decisions.
campaigns.
(D) Gerrymandered districts are likely to
produce competitive districts, which leads
to lower turnout rates in elections.
16. The Supreme Court ruled in McDonald v.
Chicago (2010) that a citizen’s right to keep and
bear arms at home for self-defense is protected
from state and federal infringement. Which of
14. Critics of the winner-take-all aspect of the the following is most relevant to that decision?
electoral college are most likely to make which
of the following arguments? (A) Full faith and credit
(B) Selective incorporation
(A) The winner-take-all system of the electoral
(C) Equal protection
college undermines the rights of states.
(D) Eminent domain
(B) A state’s presidential election results rarely
mirror a state’s congressional election
results.
(C) The winner-take-all system of the electoral
college drives presidential candidates to
focus on winning states that are
considered to be part of their core
supporters.
(D) The winner-take-all system of the electoral
college encourages presidential
candidates to focus their time and effort
disproportionately on battleground states
with larger populations.

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Questions 17 and 18 refer to the infographic.

Party Systems in the United States

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17. Which of the following statements regarding 19. A political science professor is researching the
political parties is true based on the graphic? effects that the Fifteenth and Twenty-Sixth
Amendments have had on the American political
(A) The Democratic Party has consistently system. Which of the following is the most
favored states’ rights. likely reason the professor is researching these
(B) The Republican Party initially emerged as amendments?
an antislavery political party.
(A) To study the expansion of the right to equal
(C) Regional interests have not played a major
protection under the law
role in any of the party systems.
(B) To study the expansion of voting rights
(D) The Democratic and Republican Parties
were the two major parties during the (C) To study the expansion of due process
First Party System. rights
(D) To study the expansion of federal authority
over states

18. The graphic illustrates which of the following

statements about political parties?
20. South Carolina passed a law to increase the state
(A) Federalism leads to a multiparty system in tax on gasoline to help fund repairs on highways
which at least three parties generally and bridges. The state tax is in addition to the
compete for control of local, state, and federal tax on every gallon of gasoline that is
national governments. sold. Which of the following constitutional
(B) The founders refused to join political provisions does this scenario illustrate?
parties because they agreed that parties
were contrary to the public interests, so (A) Delegated powers
parties did not form until well after the (B) Reserved powers
ratification of the Constitution. (C) Concurrent powers
(C) There is an ongoing debate between (D) Exclusive powers
political parties over the power and scope
of the federal government, even as
economic and demographic changes have
altered party coalitions.
(D) The Constitution settled the debate over the
power of the federal government, but
political parties formed nonetheless to
help Congress organize itself over
regional interests.

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21. Which of the following scenarios best explains
the inclusion of Title IX as part of the Education
Amendments of 1972 ?

(A) Members of Congress added the

amendment to the bill in response to
social movements seeking to address
inequality in education for women.
(B) Paid lobbyists added the amendment on
behalf of teachers unions in order to
increase pay and tenure for public school
teachers.
(C) President Lyndon Johnson used the power
of the bully pulpit to pressure members of
Congress to pass a bill that would legally
desegregate schools.
(D) The Department of Justice added the
amendment in order to provide legal
guidance to states to enforce the Equal
Rights Amendment.

22. Which of the following is an example of

Congress using its implied powers?

(A) Congress changing the tax code so that

individuals making more than $350,000
per year have to pay higher taxes
(B) Congress requesting that the Supreme
Court review the constitutionality of a
state gun-control law
(C) Congress passing occupational safety
regulations for the private sector
(D) Congress ratifying a new trade agreement
with Mexico and Canada

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Questions 23 and 24 refer to the line graph.

Source: Gallup, 2016

23. Which of the following statements about

Americans’ trust in the mass media is best
supported by the data in the graph?

(A) It generally increased over time.

(B) It experienced its largest increase in 2013.
(C) It generally decreased over time.
(D) It experienced its largest decrease in 2016.

24. Which best describes a likely reason for the

information depicted in the graph?

(A) An increase in concerns over media bias

(B) An increase in the median age of the
population
(C) A decrease in the number of media outlets
(D) A decrease in ideological news coverage

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25. Which of the following is an example of checks 27. Which of the following situations is an example
and balances? of the president using the bully pulpit as a tool
for agenda setting?
(A) An unpopular Supreme Court ruling can be
overturned by a majority vote of both (A) President Clinton invoking executive
houses of Congress. privilege in resisting a subpoena by the
(B) A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may United States Senate during the
be declared unconstitutional by the Whitewater investigation
Supreme Court. (B) President Bush issuing a signing statement
(C) A filibuster in the Senate can be ended in the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005
with a cloture motion that has the support that considerably weakened its provisions
of 60 senators. (C) President Obama issuing an executive
(D) A treaty negotiated by the president with a order delaying the deportation of at least
foreign government must be approved by five million undocumented immigrants
a majority vote of the House. (D) President Reagan delivering a televised
address urging a reduction in federal taxes

26. In 2014, a poll reported that 51 percent of

Americans support legislation to reduce carbon
emissions, while 47 percent oppose it. The
reported margin of sampling error was
1/- 4 percent. Which of the following
inferences can be made from the poll?

(A) More people support legislation to reduce

carbon emissions than oppose it.
(B) More states are passing laws to reduce
carbon emissions.
(C) A majority of people under 35 years of age
support legislation to reduce carbon
emissions.
(D) It is unclear whether more people support
legislation to reduce carbon emissions
than oppose it.

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Questions 28 and 29 refer to the map.

Percentage of United States Population Living in Poverty, by State in 2015

Source: United States Census Bureau, 2016

28. Which constitutional principle best explains the 29. Which of the following is true based on
differences in poverty rates presented in the information on the map?
map?
(A) The number of people living in poverty is
(A) Checks and balances lower in Maine (ME) than in New Jersey
(B) Federalism (NJ).
(C) Equal protection (B) Northern states tend to have higher poverty
rates than Southern states.
(D) Enumerated powers
(C) The poverty rate in the United States has
increased since the last census was taken.
(D) The poverty rate in the United States varies
by state and region.

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Questions 30 and 31 refer to the diagram below.

Supreme Court Appellate Jurisdiction

30. Which of the following statements best explains 31. Which of the following describes the origin of
the diagram? the United States court system presented in the
diagram?
(A) The United States District Court is the
starting place for all cases going to the (A) Article II of the Constitution established
United States Supreme Court. the three-tiered court system and the
(B) State supreme courts have the final say in jurisdiction of each court in each tier.
all cases arising in the states. (B) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) allowed the
(C) Cases arising at both the state and federal Supreme Court to establish other federal
level may be appealed to the United courts.
States Supreme Court. (C) Article III of the Constitution established a
(D) The number of federal courts is greater Supreme Court, while other federal courts
than the number of state courts. were established by Congress.
(D) Marbury v. Madison (1803) allowed
Congress to create other federal courts.

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32. Which of the following is an example of the
executive branch implementing a public policy
passed by Congress?

(A) The Department of Health and Human

Services determines eligibility
requirements for government assistance.
(B) As chief diplomat, the president negotiates
a treaty that is then ratified by the Senate.
(C) A Federal Trade Commission official is
asked to testify before Congress about the
agency’s activities.
(D) Congress passes a law reorganizing the
structure of the federal bureaucracy.

33. Which of the following illustrates a situation that

would not be protected by the First Amendment
due to time, place, and manner restrictions?

(A) A student is expelled from school for

wearing a black T-shirt expressing
opposition to a law recently passed by the
state legislature.
(B) An organization regarded as a hate group is
not able to obtain a permit to march
through a major city because of its
message.
(C) Antibusiness protestors are arrested and
prosecuted for shutting down major
intersections in New York City’s Times
Square during rush hour.
(D) An independent political advocacy
organization is prevented by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
from running political advertisements on
television.

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34. Congress passes a law requiring that all public
accommodations provide access for people with
disabilities. The United States Supreme Court
rules that the law does not apply to the airline
industry. Which of the following is the best way
for Congress to provide people with disabilities
access to the airline industry in light of the
Court’s ruling?

(A) Appeal the ruling to the United States

Court of Appeals
(B) Override the court with a two-thirds
majority in both chambers
(C) Pass a new law that specifies that the
airlines must provide access for people
with disabilities
(D) Remove members of the Supreme Court
who ruled against the law and have the
president appoint new justices

35. Which of the following scenarios best explains

how the equal protection clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment has influenced political
behavior?

(A) Grassroots libertarian advocacy

organizations have advocated in favor of
less economic regulation of the
marketplace.
(B) The Supreme Court has ruled that Fifth
Amendment prohibition on double
jeopardy was made applicable to the
states.
(C) Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther
King, Jr., cited constitutional arguments
as a basis for opposing segregation and
inequality.
(D) President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s State of
the Union address urged Congress to pass
legislation that would ensure greater
economic security for the American
people.

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Questions 36 and 37 refer to the chart.

Percentage of Liberal Decisions of the United States Supreme Court in

Civil Liberties-Civil Rights Cases, 1888–1996

Source: Lanier, 2003

36. Based on the data in the chart, which of the 37. Which of the following factors most likely led to
following is true? shifts in Supreme Court decision making over
time?
(A) The percentage of liberal decisions made
by the federal district courts on civil (A) The ideological composition of the justices
rights and civil liberties cases increased on the Supreme Court shifted to become
between 1900 and 1928. less liberal over time.
(B) The percentage of liberal decisions made (B) Rather than pass new legislation, Congress
by the Supreme Court on civil rights and was inclined to refer civil rights
civil liberties cases decreased between legislation to the Supreme Court.
1964 and 1996. (C) After 1960, the Supreme Court deferred to
(C) The number of civil rights and civil the wishes of state and local governments
liberties cases heard by the Supreme rather than voting to expand the authority
Court declined between 1944 and 1952. of the federal government.
(D) The number of civil rights and civil (D) Constitutional amendments enabled the
liberties cases heard by the federal district Supreme Court to issue more liberal
courts decreased between 1972 and 1992. decisions.

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38. The Washington Post receives a top secret report
that details how the executive branch mishandled
a deal made with a foreign nation regarding
nuclear weapons. The executive branch attempts
to stop the publishing of the report, but the
publishers cite the precedent in New York Times
Company v. United States (1971) establishing
which of the following legal rules?

(A) The application of strict scrutiny

(B) The exclusionary rule for evidence
(C) The heavy presumption against prior
restraint
(D) Time, place, and manner restrictions

39. A person votes for Democratic candidates based

on the belief that the policies of the Democratic
Party will be personally beneficial. This type of
voting matches which of the following voting
behavior models?

(A) Prospective voting

(B) Retrospective voting
(C) Straight ticket voting
(D) Rational choice voting

40. In May of 2015, a federal appeals court ruled

that the National Security Agency’s collection of
Americans’ phone records was in violation of
the USA PATRIOT Act. Which of the following
debates is at the center of the national
conversation regarding the surveillance program
referred to in this scenario?

(A) Liberty versus stability and order

(B) Majority rule versus minority rights
(C) States’ rights versus federal authority
(D) Common good versus freedom of
expression

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41. Which of the following accurately compares the powers of Congress and the president?

Congress Has Greater President Has Greater

Control Control
A Judicial appointments Foreign policy
B Budgetary policy Cabinet appointments
C The bureaucracy Fiscal policy
D Military leadership Foreign treaties

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

42. Which of the following is a correct comparison between the United States Constitution and the Articles of
Confederation?

United States Constitution Articles of Confederation

Favored stronger national
A Favored a federal system
government
Granted Congress the Granted states alone the
B
power to levy taxes power to levy taxes
Required approval by
three-fourths of Congress Required unanimity of
C
for a constitutional Congress to amend
amendment
Granted Congress the Granted the Congress
D
power to declare war power to regulate trade

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

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43. Which of the following is an accurate description of the powers of the House of Representatives and the
Senate?

House of Representatives Senate

Conducts impeachment Passes articles of
A
trials impeachment
Confirms presidential
B Initiates all revenue bills
appointments
Ratifies treaties submitted Ratifies executive orders
C
by the president submitted by the president
Deploys troops for foreign Negotiates treaties with
D
combat foreign countries

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

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44. Which of the following most accurately depicts a member of Congress adhering to the delegate model of
representation and a member of Congress adhering to the trustee model of representation in making a
legislative decision?

Delegate Model Trustee Model

A senator chooses to join
the Senate majority in
A member of the House confirming a president’s
A votes to impeach an judicial nominee even
unpopular president. though the nominee is not
the Senator’s favorite
choice.
A senator from a A member of the House
landlocked state votes sponsors a bill because
B
against a bill to increase they receive influential
funding for beaches. letters from voters.
A member of the House A member of the House
votes for a bill based on votes against a bill that is
C positive polling results popular in their district
about the bill in their because they believe it
district. violates their own morals.
A senator consistently A senator believes they
consults national opinion will be reelected no matter
D
polls before deciding how how they vote on a
to vote. controversial bill.

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

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45. Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the checks held by the legislative and judicial branches?

Legislative checks to the Judicial checks to the

judicial branch legislative branch
Impeaching and removing Declaring an entire law
A
federal judges unconstitutional
Reviewing laws prior to
B Confirming federal judges
enactment
Striking down a portion of
C Appointing federal judges
a law
Establishing the number of Removing the Speaker of
D
Supreme Court justices the House

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

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46. Which of the following scenarios is most closely
related to the Supreme Court’s decision in
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
(2010) ?

(A) A member of Congress establishes a

political action committee to gain
influence within the chamber.
(B) A labor union spends millions of dollars to
independently run negative
advertisements about a presidential
candidate shortly before the election.
(C) A state senator receives a large cash
donation from a corporate executive in
exchange for specific political favors.
(D) A lobbyist writes the language of a bill that
is later introduced into both chambers of
Congress.

47. A member of Congress who advocates for a

more Keynesian approach to solving a recession
will likely support which of the following
policies?

(A) Lowering taxes on the wealthy to increase

business investment
(B) Doing nothing and letting the recession
work itself out
(C) Increasing federal spending programs to
improve transportation systems
(D) Increasing interest rates to stimulate the
economy

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Questions 48 - 51 refer to the passage.
“In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential
supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate
affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial
Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the
permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene
swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war
in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at
the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the
nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an
equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity.”
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973

48. Which of the following statements is a correct 50. Which of the following situations best reflects
implication of the author’s argument? the author’s concern about an “imperial”
presidency?
(A) The modern president has abused the
power of the executive branch through the (A) The Senate ratifying treaties without
use of the bully pulpit. executive approval
(B) Federal courts play a substantial role in the (B) The president issuing an increasing number
American political system, but they have of executive agreements
been unable to check the executive. (C) Congress declaring war independent of the
(C) The perception of multiple crises has led to president
the growth of an executive branch that is (D) The president appointing a new secretary
undermining the separation of powers in of education
the government.
(D) The Constitution has failed to protect the
separation of powers by giving the
executive branch and the president too
much power. 51. Which of the following is an accurate
comparison of the text by Schlesinger and The
Federalist 70 ?

(A) While Schlesinger views centralization of

49. Based on the passage above, which of the power in the presidency as dangerous,
following constitutional provisions would the The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the
author most likely identify as a solution to the presidency’s effectiveness.
problem of the imperial presidency? (B) While The Federalist 70 views
centralization of power in the presidency
(A) Congress exercising the power to regulate as dangerous, Schlesinger views it as vital
commerce to the presidency’s effectiveness.
(B) Congress insisting that it declare war prior (C) Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70
to the use of international force view centralization of power in the
(C) The president making stronger use of presidency as dangerous.
bureaucratic discretion (D) Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70
(D) Congress creating term limits for all view centralization of power in the
members of government presidency as vital to the presidency’s
effectiveness.

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Questions 52 and 53 refer to the poll results.

Issues Mentioned by 3% or More of Respondents to Open-Ended Question

What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?
January 2017 February 2017
% Mentioning % Mentioning
Dissatisfaction with
11 19
government
Immigration 4 13
Unifying the country 3 10
Economy (general) 11 9
Race relations/Racism 10 7
Unemployment 8 6
National security 3 5
Terrorism 5 5
Health care 9 5
Education 4 3
Source: Gallup Poll, 2017

52. Which of the following is a limitation of the data 53. Which of the following represents the most
when drawing a conclusion about the most likely way the information in the table will be
important problem facing the country in 2017 ? used?

(A) The results are incomplete, as only 3% of (A) The media will use the data to present
respondents were taken into account horse race coverage of elections.
when the list was compiled. (B) Political action committees (PACs) will use
(B) The data were collected in a short time the data to determine which candidates
frame, which does not reveal full-year for elected office they will support.
trends. (C) Congress will use the data to suggest that
(C) The data were compiled from an exit poll; there is support for their legislative
therefore, the data reflect only the views proposals.
of registered voters. (D) Social movements will use this data in their
(D) Respondents were presented with a list of legal briefings before the federal courts.
problems from which they could choose
more than one.

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54. A person claiming that the House can pass
legislation with a simple majority, but the Senate
is unlikely to pass legislation unless a bill has
the support of a 60-vote supermajority is most
likely to cite which of the following institutional
differences as the cause of this trend?

(A) The House has fewer legislative

committees than the Senate does.
(B) Members of the House often represent a
much narrower constituency than senators
do.
(C) Party leadership in the House is highly
formalized, while leadership in the Senate
is much more informal.
(D) The House has strict limits on debate,
while the Senate allows unlimited debate.

55. Arizona enacted an immigration law in 2010,

claiming the legislation complemented existing
federal law. The Obama administration
disagreed, claiming the state law conflicted with
national law. Which clause of the Constitution
did the Supreme Court most likely use to strike
down a section of the state law?

(A) Commerce clause

(B) Necessary and proper clause
(C) Full faith and credit clause
(D) Supremacy clause

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