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America is . . . the great Melting Pot! Here you stand, good folk, think I, when I see them at Ellis Island, here you stand in your fifty groups, with your fifty languages and histories, and your fifty blood hatreds and rivalries. But you won't be long like that, brothers . . . Into the Crucible with you all! God is making the American. - Israel Zangwill, The Melting Pot, 1908 Which of the following phenomena does the passage celebrate?


A) Assimilation
B) Repatriation
C) Separatism
D) Communalism

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On May 17, 1954, in Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled that laws mandating racially segregated public school systems were unconstitutional. The Supreme Court later argued that federal courts should take steps to bring about the integration of segregated school systems "with all deliberate speed." In 1957, Governor Orval Faubus of Arkansas called on the National Guard to turn away nine African American students as they attempted to enter Central High School in Little Rock. President Eisenhower, who did not support the Brown decision, called out federal troops to protect the rights of the African American students to attend the school. President Eisenhower called out federal troops because he:


A) had a long career in the military
B) believed that the governor needed his assistance
C) was required by the Constitution to enforce the rule of law
D) wanted to show that the federal government would protect the rights of protesters

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C

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; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. - First Amendment to the United States ConstitutionEveryone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. - Article 22 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 Why have documents such as the United Nations Universal Declaration been opposed by some citizens in the United States?


A) Some people fear that international agreements will force the United States to act in ways not consistent with its national interest.
B) Americans see economic equality as more important than individual liberty.
C) Some people believe that the government should be free to limit speech and assembly rights where necessary.
D) Most people do not believe that there are universal human rights.

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The United States is not a fully democratic country. The framers of the Constitution created a system in which majorities-even large majorities or their representatives in Congress-do not have the right to do anything and everything they want. The framers of the Constitution wanted to limit the power of majorities in order to:


A) encourage the growth of political parties
B) ensure that state governments would remain weak
C) enable the government to act quickly in times of crisis
D) protect the rights of individuals and minorities

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Does segregation of children in public schools solely on the basis of race, even though the physical facilities . . . may be equal, deprive children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities? We believe that it does.To separate them from others of similar age and qualifications solely on the basis of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status and community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely to ever be undone. . . . Whatever may have been the extent of psychological knowledge at the time of Plessy v. Ferguson, this finding is amply supported by modern authority. Any language in Plessy v. Ferguson contrary to this finding is rejected.We conclude that in the field of public education, the doctrine of separate but equal has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. - Justice Warren, delivering the majority opinion of the Court How did the decision affect the relationship between the federal government and state and local governments?


A) The federal government exerted greater influence in a policy area that had been dominated by states and municipalities.
B) The federal government began directly determining what would be taught in public classrooms.
C) State governments were restricted in their ability to mandate the teaching of religion in public schools.
D) State and local governments became less dependent on federal funding for education.

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If Public Question 1 is approved by the voters, it will give the state the ability to


A) incur $345 million of debt to be used at the governor's discretion
B) incur $345 million of debt to be used for recreational, conservation, and environmental projects
C) raise taxes by $345 million per year to gain funds for recreational, conservation, and environmental projects
D) ask the federal government for $345 million in aid to be used on recreational, conservation, and environmental projects

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"It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. . . . A law repugnant to the constitution is void." The decision in Marbury v. Madison, quoted above, argues that the judiciary should serve as:


A) a check on the power of the military
B) a check on the power of Congress
C) an independent lawmaking body
D) an institution that enhances the power of the President

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The Second World War marked the most substantial change ever in the context in which United States foreign policy is made. The world that emerged after the war had fundamentally changed in economic, political, and military ways. These changes made the world a more dangerous place, and altered the demands placed on foreign policy. As a result of the Second World War, international politics changed from a system:


A) in which ideology played a role in international conflicts to one in which only economic interest played a role
B) in which there were several major powers to one that was dominated by two powers
C) dominated by international organizations like the League of Nations to one in which individual countries followed only their own interests
D) dominated by two powers to one in which a number of major players had relatively equal status

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Most democratic countries elect legislatures through one of two types of electoral systems: single-member district or proportional representation. In single-member district systems, citizens in specific areas vote for candidates who represent their districts. In proportional representation systems, citizens in the country vote for political parties. Parties are then awarded seats in the legislature proportionate to the percentage of the vote they have won. In other words, if a party wins 20 percent of the vote, it receives 20 percent of the seats in the legislature. Why will countries with proportional representation systems tend to have more political parties than those with single-member district systems?


A) Only large countries tend to use proportional representation systems, and these countries naturally have more parties.
B) Countries with proportional representation systems tend to be more sharply divided along ethnic and regional lines, and many parties tend to arise as groups struggle to defend their interests.
C) Parties in proportional representation systems do not have to win a majority of the vote in any district, so it is easier for smaller parties to gain representation in the legislature.
D) Countries with proportional representation systems tend to have constitutions that mandate the existence of more than three political parties.

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"All persons born or naturalized in the United States . . . 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." Under what historical circumstances was the Fourteenth Amendment, quoted above, passed?


A) It was passed soon after the American Revolution to limit the power of the federal government.
B) It was passed soon after the Civil War to protect the rights of former slaves.
C) It was passed soon after the First World War to protect the rights of immigrants.
D) It was passed during the Vietnam War to protect the freedom of antiwar protesters.

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We have a constitutional system that so fragments and divides power that it's impossible to give this country effective, long-run leadership . . . . The system has led to an inability to plan and get on top of problems ahead of time. Even at best, this country has always been twenty to sixty years behind other industrial democracies in dealing with tough problems. -James MacGregor Burns, 1988 Parliamentary systems might not show the same fragmentation that Burns finds in the American system because in parliamentary systems


A) more real power is given to local governments
B) power is not divided among three branches of government
C) governments do not try to play an active role in the economy
D) political parties do not differ over important issues

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The War Powers Act of 1973 was an attempt by Congress to increase its authority over the use of military force. The provisions of this act include the following.The President must report to Congress within 48 hours after sending troops to an area where hostilities are imminent.Within 60 days after troops are sent, Congress must, by declaration of war or other specific statutory authorization, provide for the continuation of the United States military presence.If Congress fails to provide such authorization, the President must withdraw the troops. If Congress passes a concurrent resolution (which the President may not veto) directing the removal of United States troops, the President must comply.What is one power, not specified in the War Powers Act, that Congress can effectively use to limit the military authority of the President?


A) Impeaching Presidents who pursue unpopular military policies
B) Instructing military officers not to follow presidential orders
C) Refusing to provide funding for specific military operations
D) Independently negotiating treaties with foreign powers

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We have a constitutional system that so fragments and divides power that it's impossible to give this country effective, long-run leadership . . . . The system has led to an inability to plan and get on top of problems ahead of time. Even at best, this country has always been twenty to sixty years behind other industrial democracies in dealing with tough problems. -James MacGregor Burns, 1988 Which aspect of United States government might Burns cite to support his argument?


A) The use of the electoral college in presidential elections
B) The President's power as commander in chief
C) The division of policy-making power among national, state, and local governments
D) The role of political parties in congressional decision making

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In recent years, United States policy toward China has been confused. China is the world's most populous country and a major military power, and has become an increasingly valuable trading partner. It has been the view of Presidents, therefore, that it is in the United States interest to remain on good terms with the Beijing government. However, the human rights situation in China shows few signs of improving. In addition, the end of the Cold War has made the political logic of a close relationship with China less compelling. The trade relationship has been, to put it mildly, strained. The Chinese leadership has not responded to quiet diplomacy. It is, therefore, time to reconsider our relationship and break off diplomatic relations with China. - The Madison Daily News If a President wanted to influence the Chinese government, which of the following steps would he be most likely to take first?


A) Order a full stoppage of United States trade with China
B) Impose sanctions on other countries that trade with China
C) Impose limited economic sanctions on China
D) Impose a military blockade of Chinese harbors

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The Supreme Court today upheld the validity of the 1990 census, ruling unanimously that the federal government had no constitutional obligation to adjust the results to correct an acknowledged undercount in big cities and among minorities . . . . At the core of the legal challenge to the 1990 census was the racially disparate undercount, the existence of which no one disputed. The census missed about 2 percent of the population as a whole, some four million people. But it missed 4.8 percent of the Black population and 5.2 percent of the Hispanic population. - The New York Times, 3/21/1996 The situation described is important because census data are used to:


A) decide how many people should be drafted into the military
B) decide how much federal income tax citizens in different states must pay
C) determine how many seats states get in the Senate
D) determine how many seats states get in the House of Representatives

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D

The War Powers Act of 1973 was an attempt by Congress to increase its authority over the use of military force. The provisions of this act include the following. The President must report to Congress within 48 hours after sending troops to an area where hostilities are imminent.Within 60 days after troops are sent, Congress must, by declaration of war or other specific statutory authorization, provide for the continuation of the United States military presence. If Congress fails to provide such authorization, the President must withdraw the troops. If Congress passes a concurrent resolution (which the President may not veto) directing the removal of United States troops, the President must comply. Part of the War Powers Act may violate the principle of separation of powers. This part gives Congress the power to:


A) declare war
B) ask the President to inform Congress when troops have been sent overseas
C) pass laws that affect foreign policy
D) pass resolutions that cannot be vetoed and that force presidential actions

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D

The United States is not a fully democratic country. The framers of the Constitution created a system in which majorities-even large majorities or their representatives in Congress-do not have the right to do anything and everything they want. Which aspect of the American system of government shows one of the limits on the power of majorities discussed above?


A) The ability of Congress to override presidential vetoes
B) The Supreme Court's power to overturn unconstitutional laws
C) The right of Congress to impeach Presidents and federal judges
D) The ability of people in many states to vote public initiatives into law

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Most democratic countries elect legislatures through one of two types of electoral systems: single-member district or proportional representation. In single-member district systems, citizens in specific areas vote for candidates who represent their districts. In proportional representation systems, citizens in the country vote for political parties. Parties are then awarded seats in the legislature proportionate to the percentage of the vote they have won. In other words, if a party wins 20 percent of the vote, it receives 20 percent of the seats in the legislature. Which of the following is the best argument that a proportional representation system is better than a single-member district system?


A) In proportional representation systems, elected representatives will be more likely to actively defend the interests of the regions they were elected to represent.
B) In proportional representation systems, the balance of power in the legislature is more representative of the popular vote.
C) Proportional representation systems tend to be less bureaucratic.
D) Proportional representation systems are more likely to promote strong majorities in legislatures.

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School years are the time when the physical, psychological, and addictive effects of drugs are most severe . . . . Deterring drug use by our nation's schoolchildren is at least as important as enhancing efficient enforcement of the nation's laws against the importation of drugs. - Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority in Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton (1995) By the reasoning of today's decision, the millions of these students who participate in interscholastic sports, an overwhelming majority of whom have given school officials no reason whatsoever to suspect they use drugs at school, are open to an intrusive bodily harm . . . . Many schools, like many parents, prefer to trust their children unless given reason to do otherwise. - Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, writing in dissent Justice Scalia would most likely agree with the idea that drug testing in schools:


A) violates students' right to privacy
B) should be a federal rather than a state function
C) is necessary to protect students
D) is necessary to protect school districts from lawsuits

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Does segregation of children in public schools solely on the basis of race, even though the physical facilities . . . may be equal, deprive children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities? We believe that it does. To separate them from others of similar age and qualifications solely on the basis of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status and community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely to ever be undone. . . . Whatever may have been the extent of psychological knowledge at the time of Plessy v. Ferguson, this finding is amply supported by modern authority. Any language in Plessy v. Ferguson contrary to this finding is rejected.We conclude that in the field of public education, the doctrine of separate but equal has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. - Justice Warren, delivering the majority opinion of the Court Which part of the United States Constitution did the Court most likely use to support its decision?


A) Article 4
B) The Tenth Amendment
C) The Thirteenth Amendment
D) The Fourteenth Amendment

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