WGU C181 survey of US constitution
and government preassessment
Which economic theory is aligned with the political theory of libertarianism? Correct
answer- Laissez-faire
Which political ideology opposes government control and also values freedom over
order? Correct answer- Libertarianism
What is an example of equality of opportunity? Correct answer- We all have the same
chance to succeed in life
Federal law requires that employers pay men and women equally for equal work.
Which type of equality is this an example of? Correct answer- Equality of outcome
Which process does the majoritarian model of democracy specify for selecting public
officials? Correct answer- Popular election of members of Congress
Where does sovereign power reside in a republican system of government? Correct
answer- The judiciary
Which term characterizes the relationship between the federal government and the
various state governments under dual federalism? Correct answer- Tension
How does the constitutional principle of separation of powers protect liberty? Correct
answer- It ensures that all government power does not fall to a single branch of
government.
How does the Constitution establish the principle of separation of powers? Correct
answer- By creating independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches with
distinct functions
Match each branch of government with the type of power held over another branch of
government. Correct answer- Judicial: power to interpret laws
legislative: confirmation power
executive: power to pardon
How can Congress override a presidential veto? Correct answer- If two-thirds of both
houses of Congress vote to override it
, Which clause in the Constitution prevents the federal government from losing power to
the states? Correct answer- Supremacy clause
Which phrase from the preamble to the Constitution acknowledges the failure of the
Articles of Confederation? Correct answer- "In order to form a more perfect union"
Which aspect of social contract theory did Thomas Jefferson use as the basis for the
Declaration of Independence? Correct answer- People have the right to remove rulers
who are no longer serving their purpose
What is the significance of Shay's Rebellion? Correct answer- It demonstrated the major
weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Which problem did the Great Compromise remedy? Correct answer- Disagreement
between the large and small states over representation in the legislature
How did the Bill of Rights resolve Anti-Federalist fears over the scope and power of the
national government? Correct answer- By restraining the national government's ability
to infringe on fundamental rights and emphasizing the limited power granted to it
How did George Washington resolve the crisis over including the Bill of Rights in the
Constitution? Correct answer- By proposing to add a list of civil liberties as amendments
to the Constitution after ratification by the states
What does James Madison hold as the purpose of government in Federalist #10?
Correct answer- Government should control the inevitable conflict that comes from
factions.
Which Congressional powers does the elastic clause establish? Correct answer-
Implied powers
When does the U.S. government exert the most influence over state governments?
Correct answer- During times of national crisis
Which part of the Constitution specifically reserves powers for the states? Correct
answer- The Tenth Amendment
Which constitutional clause did Chief Justice Marshall rely on to uphold that states
cannot interfere with federal banks ( McCulloch v. Maryland)? Correct answer- The
elastic clause
What was the result of the 1965 United Farm Workers union strike in California? Correct
answer- It resulted in better housing, pay, and working conditions for farm workers.
Until the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision, it was legal to educate black and
white students separately solely because of perceived racial differences.
and government preassessment
Which economic theory is aligned with the political theory of libertarianism? Correct
answer- Laissez-faire
Which political ideology opposes government control and also values freedom over
order? Correct answer- Libertarianism
What is an example of equality of opportunity? Correct answer- We all have the same
chance to succeed in life
Federal law requires that employers pay men and women equally for equal work.
Which type of equality is this an example of? Correct answer- Equality of outcome
Which process does the majoritarian model of democracy specify for selecting public
officials? Correct answer- Popular election of members of Congress
Where does sovereign power reside in a republican system of government? Correct
answer- The judiciary
Which term characterizes the relationship between the federal government and the
various state governments under dual federalism? Correct answer- Tension
How does the constitutional principle of separation of powers protect liberty? Correct
answer- It ensures that all government power does not fall to a single branch of
government.
How does the Constitution establish the principle of separation of powers? Correct
answer- By creating independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches with
distinct functions
Match each branch of government with the type of power held over another branch of
government. Correct answer- Judicial: power to interpret laws
legislative: confirmation power
executive: power to pardon
How can Congress override a presidential veto? Correct answer- If two-thirds of both
houses of Congress vote to override it
, Which clause in the Constitution prevents the federal government from losing power to
the states? Correct answer- Supremacy clause
Which phrase from the preamble to the Constitution acknowledges the failure of the
Articles of Confederation? Correct answer- "In order to form a more perfect union"
Which aspect of social contract theory did Thomas Jefferson use as the basis for the
Declaration of Independence? Correct answer- People have the right to remove rulers
who are no longer serving their purpose
What is the significance of Shay's Rebellion? Correct answer- It demonstrated the major
weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Which problem did the Great Compromise remedy? Correct answer- Disagreement
between the large and small states over representation in the legislature
How did the Bill of Rights resolve Anti-Federalist fears over the scope and power of the
national government? Correct answer- By restraining the national government's ability
to infringe on fundamental rights and emphasizing the limited power granted to it
How did George Washington resolve the crisis over including the Bill of Rights in the
Constitution? Correct answer- By proposing to add a list of civil liberties as amendments
to the Constitution after ratification by the states
What does James Madison hold as the purpose of government in Federalist #10?
Correct answer- Government should control the inevitable conflict that comes from
factions.
Which Congressional powers does the elastic clause establish? Correct answer-
Implied powers
When does the U.S. government exert the most influence over state governments?
Correct answer- During times of national crisis
Which part of the Constitution specifically reserves powers for the states? Correct
answer- The Tenth Amendment
Which constitutional clause did Chief Justice Marshall rely on to uphold that states
cannot interfere with federal banks ( McCulloch v. Maryland)? Correct answer- The
elastic clause
What was the result of the 1965 United Farm Workers union strike in California? Correct
answer- It resulted in better housing, pay, and working conditions for farm workers.
Until the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision, it was legal to educate black and
white students separately solely because of perceived racial differences.
