Pre-Assessment WGU American Politics
and the US Constitution C963, American
Politics and the US Constitution - C963,
WGU C963 American Politics
Who was responsible for drafting the Bill of Rights and submitting it to Congress? ANS: James Madison
Why did the colonists oppose being taxed by Great Britain? ANS: They did not have elected
representatives in the House of Commons
What was a major difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution? ANS: The
Articles of Confederation did not provide for a national judiciary
Why did the framers design the government under the Articles of Confederation with a Congress? ANS:
They wanted a government based on the representation of the population
What did the Great Compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan that was finalized in
the Constitution establish? ANS: A two-chamber congress
What were the results of the three-fifths compromise? ANS: It allowed slave states to count three-fifths
of their enslaved population for the purpose of representation
What was a Federalist argument in support of the ratification of the Constitution? ANS: A strong
national government is better for national defense and economic growth
Which concept was James Madison referencing when he stated, "Ambition must be made to counteract
ambition" in Federalist, no. 51? ANS: Separation of powers and checks and balances
, What is a judicial check on the executive branch? ANS: The Supreme Court can declare actions by the
executive branch unconstitutional
What describes dual federalism? ANS: State government and national government have exclusive
authority in clearly defined jurisdictions
Which congressional action would be the result of the implied powers of Congress? ANS: Congress
passes a law raising the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour
What best explains why individual members of the Senate have more power than individual members of
the House of Representatives? ANS: The smaller total number of Senate members compared to the
number of representatives
What describes the equal proportions method of congressional apportionment? ANS: Congressional
districts are drawn in order to maintain similar numbers of voters in each district
What describes the process of bills becoming laws in Congress? ANS: Bills change significantly through
House and Senate revisions
Which power does the president have under the Constitution? ANS: Appointing judges
What is a protection against an elected president abusing powers for personal gain? ANS: The power of
Congress to impeach the president
Which constitutional amendment established term limits for the president? ANS: The 22nd
Ammendment
What is the purpose of executive agreements? ANS: To establish agreements with foreign countries
without congressional approval
and the US Constitution C963, American
Politics and the US Constitution - C963,
WGU C963 American Politics
Who was responsible for drafting the Bill of Rights and submitting it to Congress? ANS: James Madison
Why did the colonists oppose being taxed by Great Britain? ANS: They did not have elected
representatives in the House of Commons
What was a major difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution? ANS: The
Articles of Confederation did not provide for a national judiciary
Why did the framers design the government under the Articles of Confederation with a Congress? ANS:
They wanted a government based on the representation of the population
What did the Great Compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan that was finalized in
the Constitution establish? ANS: A two-chamber congress
What were the results of the three-fifths compromise? ANS: It allowed slave states to count three-fifths
of their enslaved population for the purpose of representation
What was a Federalist argument in support of the ratification of the Constitution? ANS: A strong
national government is better for national defense and economic growth
Which concept was James Madison referencing when he stated, "Ambition must be made to counteract
ambition" in Federalist, no. 51? ANS: Separation of powers and checks and balances
, What is a judicial check on the executive branch? ANS: The Supreme Court can declare actions by the
executive branch unconstitutional
What describes dual federalism? ANS: State government and national government have exclusive
authority in clearly defined jurisdictions
Which congressional action would be the result of the implied powers of Congress? ANS: Congress
passes a law raising the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour
What best explains why individual members of the Senate have more power than individual members of
the House of Representatives? ANS: The smaller total number of Senate members compared to the
number of representatives
What describes the equal proportions method of congressional apportionment? ANS: Congressional
districts are drawn in order to maintain similar numbers of voters in each district
What describes the process of bills becoming laws in Congress? ANS: Bills change significantly through
House and Senate revisions
Which power does the president have under the Constitution? ANS: Appointing judges
What is a protection against an elected president abusing powers for personal gain? ANS: The power of
Congress to impeach the president
Which constitutional amendment established term limits for the president? ANS: The 22nd
Ammendment
What is the purpose of executive agreements? ANS: To establish agreements with foreign countries
without congressional approval
