Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy Practice Test 2023

AP Government and Politics Exam: Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy Practice Test 2023: Well, let’s get this party started with the wicked-awesome Unit 1 Foundation of American Democracy Practice Test! Trust us, this is the ultimate way to get your political groove on and strut your stuff come exam day.

So, what’s on the agenda for this remarkable practice test? It’s all about the very essence of American democracy—the fundamental principles that make the United States a shining beacon of freedom and justice. Our founding fathers laid the groundwork, and now it’s your turn to showcase your profound understanding.

Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy Practice Test

This engaging quiz offers 20 thought-provoking multiple-choice questions, carefully designed to cover the pivotal ideas that have shaped our nation. You’ll be delving into the core constitutional principles, examining the intricate framework of the government, and dissecting the complex dynamics of federalism.

Unit 1 - Practice Test

Unit 1 AP Government and Politics Practice Test

AP Government and Politics Practice Test
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
(1. Constitutional Foundations
2. Federalism)
Total Items: 20
Section: 1 - Multiple Choice
Time Limit: N/A

1 / 20

Prohibited powers are powers that are denied to both the national and state governments. These denied powers are found in

(A) Article I, Section 8

(B) Article I, Sections 9 and 10

(D) Article I, Section 8, Clause 18

2 / 20

Federalism as a form of government has many disadvantages. A major disadvantage of federalism is

(A) conflicts may arise over authority of government

(B) there is concentration of political power

(D) existing state governments are not accommodated

3 / 20

Which of the following has the fewest “strings” attached when it comes to spending government monies?

(A) mandates

(B) categorical grants

(D) grants-in-aid

4 / 20

Which of the following is true about federalism?

(A) Cooperative federalism implies agreement between national and state governments on major social issues.

(B) Interstate highway projects are an example of dual federalism.

(D) Nixon’s revenue-sharing plan is an example of fiscal federalism.

5 / 20

The president most responsible for the implementation of new federalism was

(A) George H. W. Bush

(B) Richard Nixon

(D) Bill Clinton

6 / 20

Cooperative federalism can best be described as

(A) the national government’s ability to help the states through the spending of tax dollars and the providing of project grants

(B) placing more responsibility on the states as to how grant money is to be spent

(D) “layer-cake federalism”

7 / 20

Which of the following is NOT a concurrent power of national and state governments?

(A) protecting the public’s health, welfare, and morals

(B) borrowing money

(D) establishing courts

8 / 20

Article IV of the United States Constitution addresses which of the following relationships between the states?

(A) full faith and credit

(B) reserved powers of the states and people

(D) powers of the states in relation to the national government

9 / 20

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) was an important Supreme Court case involving federalism because

(A) it called for a republican form of government

(B) it provided for a national law protecting against domestic violence

(D) the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution was upheld

10 / 20

A major strength of federalism lies in the fact that it promotes both national and state activities in which of the following manners?

(A) provides for complex government activities

(B) avoids concentration of political power

(D) allows for the duplication of government offices and functions

11 / 20

Amending the Constitution is a multi-step process. Which of the following steps are required to amend the Constitution?

(A) proposal at the national level

(B) proposal at the state level

(D) congressional ratification

12 / 20

The Bill of Rights includes

(A) the Preamble

(B) the Articles of Confederation

(D) the first 10 amendments

13 / 20

The Supreme Court’s decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803)

(A) supported the concept of national supremacy

(B) established the principle of judicial review

(D) strengthened the powers of the states

14 / 20

Those who support the pluralist theory of democracy believe that

(A) government depends on the “consent of the governed”

(B) interest groups compete to promote their preferences

(D) a small number of powerful corporate and military leaders rule in their own self-interest

15 / 20

Slavery and the taxation of exports were important topics to the Founding Fathers. Which compromise describes how the Founding Fathers resolved both of these issues?

(A) Great Compromise

(B) Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

(D) Three-Fifths Compromise

16 / 20

Which of the following was NOT a weakness of government under the Articles of Confederation?

(A) The national judiciary resolved arguments between the states.

(B) Congress lacked the power to tax.

(D) It was unable to control commercial interests.

17 / 20

Compared to government under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution

(A) is harder to amend

(B) created a league of friendship among the states

(D) called for separation of powers among the three branches of government

18 / 20

The original purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to

(A) write a new constitution

(B) review the problems of the state governments

(D) deal with the issue of slavery

19 / 20

Which of the following documents best describes a government based on unity, natural rights, and the social contract theory?

(A) Articles of Confederation

(B) Declaration of Independence

(D) U.S. Constitution

20 / 20

Which of the following is the best example of checks and balances as it functions today?

(A) The congressional veto

(B) A declaration of war by Congress

(D) The ratification of treaties by the Senate

Your score is

Full-length Practice Tests

Practice Tests

Unit-wise Practice Tests