AP (Advanced Placement) · AP United States Government and Politics

2.1 Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on 2.1 Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives.

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Question 1

1 mark

In the context of the federal judiciary, the principle of stare decisis is best exemplified by which of the following actions?

Question 2

1 mark

In Federalist No. 70, Alexander Hamilton argues that a "unitary executive" is essential for which of the following reasons?

Question 3

1 mark

Which of the following best describes the function of the House Rules Committee in the legislative process?

Question 4

1 mark

A bill is stalled in the Senate due to an ongoing filibuster. Which of the following procedures must occur to move the bill to a final vote, and what threshold is required?

Question 5

1 mark

Which of the following is a key characteristic of an iron triangle within the American political system?

Question 6

4 marks

Describe how the use of executive orders allows the President to influence policy without congressional approval and identify one constitutional check Congress has on this power.

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Question 7

6 marks

Analyze the constitutional conflict between the President's role as Commander-in-Chief and Congress's power to declare war, with specific reference to the reporting requirements of the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

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Question 8

6 marks

Discuss the role of stare decisis in Supreme Court decision-making and explain why the Court might occasionally choose to overturn a long-standing precedent, such as in the case of Brown v. Board of Education.

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Question 9

5 marks

The legislative process in the House of Representatives and the Senate involves different rules and procedures.

(a) Identify one power unique to the House of Representatives and explain why the Framers gave the House that power.
(b) Describe the function of the House Rules Committee in the legislative process.
(c) Define a filibuster and explain how a cloture motion is used to end it.
(d) Explain how the Senate's power of 'advice and consent' influences the executive branch.

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Question 10

6 marks

The War Powers Resolution (1973) was designed to clarify the balance of power between the President and Congress.

(a) Identify the constitutional power of Congress that the War Powers Resolution intended to protect.
(b) Describe two specific requirements the War Powers Resolution places on the President when deploying troops into hostilities.
(c) Explain why the War Powers Resolution is often considered an ineffective check on the President's power as Commander in Chief.
(d) Explain how the concept of 'power of the purse' serves as an additional check on presidential military actions.

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