Civic Literacy Exam Public Policy & Political Systems 3

Question 1

What is 'judicial review,' and which case established this power?

Accepted Answer

The power of courts to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Answer

The annual review of federal judges' performance conducted by the Department of Justice

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The Senate's constitutional power to confirm or reject presidential judicial nominees

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The ability of Congress to override Supreme Court decisions by a two-thirds vote

Question 2

What is 'separation of powers' and why did the Founders include it in the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from accumulating too much power

Answer

Separating federal and state governmental powers to protect state sovereignty

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Separating political parties from government to prevent partisan control of public policy

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Dividing military from civilian authority to prevent military coups

Question 3

What are 'checks and balances' and how do they work in the U.S. government?

Accepted Answer

Each branch has constitutional powers to limit the other branches, preventing any single branch from becoming too dominant

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Financial audits conducted by the Government Accountability Office to prevent waste in all three branches

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Procedures requiring all major legislation to be approved by both state and federal governments

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Requirements that major policy changes receive approval from at least two of the three branches simultaneously

Question 4

What is the significance of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

It reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people

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It guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and the press to all citizens

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It prohibits states from denying citizens equal protection of the laws

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It grants Congress the power to enforce all constitutional rights through legislation

Question 5

What does the Constitution say about treaties, and what is required for a treaty to take effect?

Accepted Answer

The President negotiates treaties with foreign nations, and two-thirds of the Senate must ratify them for them to become law

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The President negotiates and ratifies treaties without Senate approval in most cases

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Both chambers of Congress must approve treaties by a simple majority

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Treaties are automatically in force once signed by the President, subject to later congressional review

Question 6

What is 'lobbying' and how does the First Amendment protect it?

Accepted Answer

Lobbying is attempting to influence government officials and legislation, protected as petitioning the government under the First Amendment

Answer

Lobbying is an illegal practice of paying government officials to vote a certain way, prosecuted under bribery laws

Answer

Lobbying is protected speech but is completely banned for foreign nationals and corporations

Answer

Lobbying is the practice of writing to the president about policy preferences, protected as free speech