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Unit 1

1.12 MC Answers and Review

6 min read•november 19, 2021

AP US Government 👩🏾‍⚖️

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Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Foundations of American Democracy

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⛔STOP!⛔ Before you look at the answers make sure you gave this practice quiz a try so you can assess your understanding of the concepts covered in unit 1. Click here for the practice questions: AP US Gov Unit 1 Multiple Choice Questions.

Facts about the test: The AP US Government exam has 55 multiple choice questions and you will be given 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete the section. That means it should take you around 22 minutes to complete 15 questions.

*The following questions were not written by CollegeBoard and although they cover information outlined in the AP US Government Course and Exam Description the formatting on the exam may be different.

1. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that:

A. The power of Congress was limited to the Constitution enumerated powers

B. The commerce clause did not extend to gun possession in schools

C. The Court has the power of judicial review

D. Federal laws are supreme over conflicting state laws

Answer: In McCulloch v. Maryland, SCOTUS ruled that when state and federal laws were in conflict, the Supremacy Clause required the federal laws to be followed.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.8: Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism

2. Which Enlightenment philosopher most directly influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence?

A. Thomas Hobbes

B. Montesquieu

C. John Locke

D. Voltaire

Answer: John Locke's beliefs on natural rights were the basis for the Declaration of Independence, which explicitly mentions "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" as inalienable rights.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.1: Ideals of Democracy

3. According to Federalist No. 10, what is the most effective way to address the dangers of factions?

A. Control their effects through a large republic

B. Eliminate their causes by destroying liberty

C. Eliminate their causes by giving everyone the same opinions

D. Control their effects through limits on free speech

Answer: In Federalist No. 10, Madison argued that the only way to truly address the danger of factions was to control their effects, and he suggested doing so by creating a republic so large that no one faction could dominate.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.3: Government Power and Individual Rights

4. Which was NOT a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

A. The national government had no power to tax

B. The ability to amend the Articles with a majority vote

C. Only state governments could raise troops

D. Passing any law required 9 of 13 states to agree

Answer: The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government and empowered states, requiring a unanimous vote to amend the document.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.4: Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

5. The idea that groups compete to influence policymaking illustrates which theory of democracy?

A. Pluralist

B. Elitist

C. Participatory

D. Delegate

Answer: Pluralist democratic theory places power in the hands of groups that compete for influence and to realize their desired policy outcomes

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.2: Types of Democracy

6. The Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires states to ensure public buildings are accessible to all individuals, is an example of:

A. Categorical Grant

B. Block Grant

C. Unfunded Mandate

D. Devolution

Answer: The ADA is one of the most well-known unfunded mandates, as it puts the responsibility for making public buildings accessible on states without providing any funding to do so.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.7: Relationship Between the States and Federal Government

7. Which of these is a concurrent power?

A. Coining Money

B. Regulating Interstate Commerce

C. Declaring War

D. Taxation

Answer: Both state and national governments have the power to tax their residents, making it a concurrent power.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.7: Relationship Between the States and Federal Government

8. Which Constitutional provision provides states with reserved powers?

A. Supremacy Clause

B. Necessary and Proper Clause

C. Commerce Clause

D. Tenth Amendment

Answer: The Tenth Amendment requires that any powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution are reserved to the states.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.7: Relationship Between the States and Federal Government

9. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of federalism?

A. It allows policies to be based on local needs

B. It ensures that all states have similar laws

C. It enables experimentation on the state level with new ideas

D. It allows more individuals to participate in government

Answer: Federalism is the division of power between state and national governments, and it results in varied policies across the 50 states in policy areas that are not under federal control.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.9: Federalism in Action

10. Which form of federal provides states with the most power over how the funds are spent?

A. Block Grants

B. Categorical Grants

C. Formula Grants

D. Project Grants

Answer: Block grants provide states with the ability to make their own spending decisions with the money provided, while categorical grants come with far more restrictions and must be spent for a specific purpose. Formula and project grants are both specific types of categorical grants.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.7: Relationship Between the States and Federal Government

11. Which constitutional provision did the Supreme Court rely on for its decision in US v. Lopez?

A. Necessary and Proper Clause

B. Supremacy Clause

C. Commerce Clause

D. Free Speech Clause

Answer: In US v. Lopez, Congress ruled that the Gun-Free School Zone Act was unconstitutional since the Commerce Clause did not allow Congress to regulate gun possession in schools

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.8: Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism

12. In a compromise on the importation of enslaved persons, when does the Constitution allow Congress to ban the slave trade?

A. 1800

B. 1803

C. 1805

D. 1808

Answer: The Constitution provides Congress with the power to outlaw the slave trade, but not until 1808.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.5: Ratification of the US Constitution

13. Which of the following is NOT an accurate example of checks and balances?

A. The President can declare war if Congress refuses to do so

B. The President can veto a bill passed by Congress

C. The Supreme Court can rule that a law is unconstitutional

D. Congress must confirm Presidential appointments to the Cabinet

Answer: While the President is commander-in-chief and can control the military, only Congress has the power to declare war.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.6: Principles of American Government

14. In Federalist No. 51, Madison writes that what must be made to counteract itself

A. Desire

B. Ambition

C. Courage

D. Decency

Answer: Madison writes that "ambition must be made to counteract ambition" in Federalist No. 51, arguing for the importance of checks and balances.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.6: Principles of American Government

15. Article I, Section 8 provides Congress with the power to do each of these, EXCEPT:

A. Coin money

B. Establish post offices

C. Grant titles of nobility

D. Collect taxes

Answer: Congress is specifically prohibited from granting titles of nobility in Article I, Section 9.

📄 Study AP Gov, Unit 1.6: Principles of American Government

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