AP US Government & Politics Diagnostic Exam

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This is a 20 question sample from our AP US Government and Politics Exam. Please spend no more than 30 minutes on this diagnostic test. When you complete your diagnostic test our automated test key will let you know how you did, what the right answers are, and why they are right. Good Luck!

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Set a timer for 30 minutes and answer all of the following questions.

The following two questions refer to the graph below.

Which of the following statements is reflected in the data in the chart?

5 points

Younger Americans are more likely to vote than older Americans.

There are more wealthy voters than middle income voters.

Those who live in households with higher incomes tend to vote more than those who live in households with lower incomes.

Voter turnout is higher in midterm elections than in years with presidential elections.

Clear selection

Which of the following is a potential consequence of the trend illustrated in the chart?

5 points

Elections will become more competitive.

The two major parties will continue to dominate American politics.

Politicians will be more responsive to voters with higher incomes.

The Democratic and Republican parties will continue to run only wealthy candidates for office.

Clear selection

The activities of the Federal Reserve Board have the most direct influence on which of the following: *

5 points

Bank interest rates

Government spending

Oil prices

Troop-strength levels of the armed services

If someone is charged with a felony offense and put on trial, Gideon v. Wainwright applies which provision of the 6th amendment to this and all felony trials? *

5 points

The right to privacy

The right to counsel

Freedom of Assembly

The writ of habeas corpus

The following two questions refer to the map from the 2016 presidential election below.

Which of the following is an accurate statement based on the information from the map below? *

5 points

Presidential candidates visit every US state.

Democratic candidates visit states with more urban areas.

Swing states have many more campaign visits than more partisan states.

The presidential campaign lasts a long time.

Which of the following is the main cause of the distribution of campaign stops depicted in the map above. *

5 points

the schedule of the presidential primary system

the electoral college

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

The 14th Amednment's guarantee of equal protection under the law

When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his Letter From Birmingham Jail his main goal was to: *

5 points

Shame the Johnson Administration into signing the Civil Rights Act

Convince Southern Christian preachers of the justice of his cause

Alert the Supreme Court to his lack of habeas corpus rights

Spur the Republican Party to file an Amicus Curiae brief on behalf of his lawsuit to integrate the military

The following two questions refer to the map below

The map below shows the outline of a U.S. congressional district. Which of the following groups most likely drew this district?

5 points

A single political party.

A non-partisan state commission.

A state district judge.

A federal bipartisan congressional committee.

Clear selection

Which of the following is the most likely consequence of the way the district is drawn in the map above?

5 points

It will likely lead to a less competitive general election.

It will likely lead to a highly competitive election.

It will lead to the election of a minor party to Congress.

It will dramatically increase voter turnout.

Clear selection

Which of the following is true of both members of the House of Representatives and Senators? *

5 points

They must be citizens of the US

They serve two-year terms of Office

They can have their election chances directly affected by reapportionment

They must be at least thirty years of age.

Which of the following was the main constitutional issue in United States v. Lopez (1995)? *

5 points

The legitimacy of Checks and Balances

The limits of Congress' ability to legislate with the commerce clause

The power of the states to exercise Immigration enforcement

Student privacy rights at school

A high student supports a policy of stricter gun control in the United States. Which of the following would be the least politically efficacious method of achieving their goals. *

5 points

Create an interest group to focus on the issue

Lobby a member of Congress

Stage a rally advocating stronger gun control and invite the media to attend

Run for President of the United States

Which of the following scenarios would be considered an unconstitutional use of state power?

5 points

A state passes a law increasing funding for public schools.

A state enacts a law prohibiting texting while driving.

A state places a tax on textiles made in a foreign country.

A state raises the speed limit to 75.

Clear selection

Based on the precedents set in previous court rulings, which of the following scenarios would most likely violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment?

5 points

A law banning the burning of an American flag.

A mayor refuses to allow an unpopular group to hold a political rally.

The federal government passes a law prohibiting assault rifles.

A pubic school principal leading a prayer over the public address system at a football game.

Clear selection

The next two questions refer to the following excerpt:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." This quotation comes from which of the following sources? *

5 points

The First Amendment

The Declaration of Indpendence

The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution

The Bill of Rights

One of the main reasons for writing the document that is quoted in the excerpt above was to *

5 points

Establish a system of Checks and Balances

Establish a justification for ending the Articles of Confederation

Express to the world the reasons for American separation from Britain

Convince states to ratify the U.S. Constitution

If a bill passed by the Congress is not signed or vetoed by the president within 10 days while Congress is still in session which of the following happens? *

5 points

The bill automatically returns to the conference committee.

The bill is tabled and cannot be resubmitted to the president until the next session.

The bill automatically becomes law.

The bill dies, and if Congress wants to keep the issue alive, it will have to start all over by passing a new bill in the next session.

Which of the following is generally the most important influence on the choice made by voters in presidential elections? *

5 points

Partisan identification

Party platform adopted at the national convention

Vice-presidential running mate

Endorsement by political incumbents

The following two questions refer to the photograph below.