POLS 2311 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
This was considered by the framers to be the "least dangerous branch." - ANS The Supreme
Court
What is a precedent? - ANS Prior cases whose principles are used by judges as the basis for
their decisions in present cases
In a _________ case the government is always the _______________. - ANS Criminal;
Plaintiff
____________ is used by courts to refer to a case that no longer requires a resolution. -
ANS mootness
Define a "plea bargain." - ANS A negotiation agreement in a criminal cases in which the
defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for a reduction in sentence severity
A ______________ requires the government to show cause for holding someone in detention. -
ANS writ of habeas corpus
Which type of law deals with the breaking of a contract? - ANS civil law
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 1
,A search of one's home by police without a legal warrant, can be challenged as a denial of? -
ANS civil rights
Which branch of the U. S. Government determines the size of the federal court system? -
ANS Congress
The role of the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States is? - ANS To preside
over the Court's public session and speak and vote first in conferences.
Judicial review is? - ANS The power of courts to review and if necessary, declare actions of
the legislation and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional.
Based on the __________________ the Supreme Court can review state actions overall them if
they are in conflict with the U. S. Constitution? - ANS
In what court case did the Supreme Court establish the principle of judicial review? -
ANS Marbury v. Madison
What is amicus curiae? - ANS Individuals or groups who are not parties to the lawsuit but
seek to assist the Supreme Court in reaching a decision by presenting additional briefs
Describe judicial restraint? - ANS Judicial policy whose advocates refuse to go beyond the
clear words of the constitution in interpreting the document's meaning
How do most cases reach the Supreme Court? - ANS Through writ of certiorari
Which article number of the Constitution establishes the presidency? - ANS Article II
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
, From which branch of government does the president derive his/her delegated powers? -
ANS The executive branch
Which former president received a full pardon? - ANS President Richard Nixon
What is required for Congress to override a presidential veto? - ANS 2/3's vote to override__
Where is the authority of the president to give a "state of the Union" address found? -
ANS Legislative power, Article II, Section 3
What is a pocket veto? - ANS A presidential veto that is automatically triggered if the
president does not act on a given piece of legislation passed during the final 10 days of a
legislative session
The last time Congress declared war was which war? - ANS WWII
What was the purpose of War Powers Resolution? - ANS To allow the president to send
troops into action abroad but only by authorization of Congress or if American troops are
already under attack or serious threat
What does the National Security Council do? - ANS Cabinet officials and other military,
diplomatic and intelligence agents meet regularly w/ the president and give advice on national
security matters
What is the main political value of the vice president? - ANS to bring votes from the president
from places he can't reach
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 3
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
This was considered by the framers to be the "least dangerous branch." - ANS The Supreme
Court
What is a precedent? - ANS Prior cases whose principles are used by judges as the basis for
their decisions in present cases
In a _________ case the government is always the _______________. - ANS Criminal;
Plaintiff
____________ is used by courts to refer to a case that no longer requires a resolution. -
ANS mootness
Define a "plea bargain." - ANS A negotiation agreement in a criminal cases in which the
defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for a reduction in sentence severity
A ______________ requires the government to show cause for holding someone in detention. -
ANS writ of habeas corpus
Which type of law deals with the breaking of a contract? - ANS civil law
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 1
,A search of one's home by police without a legal warrant, can be challenged as a denial of? -
ANS civil rights
Which branch of the U. S. Government determines the size of the federal court system? -
ANS Congress
The role of the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States is? - ANS To preside
over the Court's public session and speak and vote first in conferences.
Judicial review is? - ANS The power of courts to review and if necessary, declare actions of
the legislation and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional.
Based on the __________________ the Supreme Court can review state actions overall them if
they are in conflict with the U. S. Constitution? - ANS
In what court case did the Supreme Court establish the principle of judicial review? -
ANS Marbury v. Madison
What is amicus curiae? - ANS Individuals or groups who are not parties to the lawsuit but
seek to assist the Supreme Court in reaching a decision by presenting additional briefs
Describe judicial restraint? - ANS Judicial policy whose advocates refuse to go beyond the
clear words of the constitution in interpreting the document's meaning
How do most cases reach the Supreme Court? - ANS Through writ of certiorari
Which article number of the Constitution establishes the presidency? - ANS Article II
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
, From which branch of government does the president derive his/her delegated powers? -
ANS The executive branch
Which former president received a full pardon? - ANS President Richard Nixon
What is required for Congress to override a presidential veto? - ANS 2/3's vote to override__
Where is the authority of the president to give a "state of the Union" address found? -
ANS Legislative power, Article II, Section 3
What is a pocket veto? - ANS A presidential veto that is automatically triggered if the
president does not act on a given piece of legislation passed during the final 10 days of a
legislative session
The last time Congress declared war was which war? - ANS WWII
What was the purpose of War Powers Resolution? - ANS To allow the president to send
troops into action abroad but only by authorization of Congress or if American troops are
already under attack or serious threat
What does the National Security Council do? - ANS Cabinet officials and other military,
diplomatic and intelligence agents meet regularly w/ the president and give advice on national
security matters
What is the main political value of the vice president? - ANS to bring votes from the president
from places he can't reach
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 3
