CRES A Exam Review: (Use New Book: MacGruder’sAmerican Government)

  • Due to time constraints, the nature of the review, and Jeopardy game to follow,

there will be no late work accepted on this assignment.

  • This assignment is in preparation for the county-wide CRES A exam which is 20% of your overall grade, as well as for the state-wide HSA exam. To encourage review, each of the 6 parts will be counted as a homework grade.

***Answers must be in complete sentences for full credit.***

First Term/CRES AExam Topics:

  • Foundations of Government
  • The Constitution
  • The Legislative Branch
  • The Executive Branch
  • The Judicial Branch
  • Local and State Government

Part 1 - Foundations of Government

***Answers must be in complete sentences for full credit.***

  1. Define the unitary, confederate, and federal forms of government. (14-15)
  2. Define the four theories on the origins of government. (7)
  3. Describe these4 major types of government: oligarchy, dictatorship, autocracy, monarchy (glossary). (12-13)
  4. Define the two types of democracy. (12-13)
  5. Give one specific example each for how the Magna Carta, Petition of Rights, and English Bill of Rights (all of which influenced our Constitution) limited the powers of government? (29 – 30)

Part 2 - The Constitution

***Answers must be in complete sentences for full credit.***

  1. Define bicameral.
  2. List the 6 principles of the Constitution and define each. (70)
  3. Describe 3 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. (45)
  4. Identify and summarize the 3 branches of the U.S. government. (Notes, brain, and textbook)
  5. Briefly summarize amendments 1-8 of the first 10 amendments. (76, 771-773)
  6. What are the first 10 amendments also known as? (76)
  7. Identify the 3 Civil War Amendments, and give a one sentence summary of what each says/does. (76, 77)
  8. Summarize the Connecticut Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise. (52-53)
  9. Describe the difference between a federalist and an anti-federalist. (56)
  10. What did the federalists add to the Constitution to appease the antifederalists? (56, 57, Notes)
  11. Summarize Amendments 9 and 10 in the Bill of Rights and explain why these two in particular really put the antifederalists’ concerns at ease? (Notes)

Part 3 - The Legislative Branch

***Answers must be in complete sentences for full credit.***

  1. Identify the two houses of Congress, and give their respective membership. (How many members each?) (272)
  2. List 5 examples of Congress’ enumerated powers in Article I, Section 8. (763-765)
  3. Explain what implied powers are, or how they are different from the enumerated powers.
  4. What is the other name for enumerated powers?
  5. List the 3 powers denied to Congress as listed in Article 1, Section 9, Parts 2 and 3. Hint: All 3 are on your vocabulary 2A. (765)
  6. List 3 qualifications each to be a member of the House of Reps and the Senate. (272 & 277)
  7. Define census, reapportionment, redistricting, and gerrymandering. (Glossary, Notes, …)
  8. What is a filibuster? (Glossary/Vocab)

Part 4 - The Executive Branch

***Answers must be in complete sentences for full credit.***

  1. List the two titles/heads of the executive branch at both the national and state level.
  2. List 3 of the powers of the President as stated in Article II, Section 2. The veto power is not one of them. The veto power is stated in Article I. (767-768)
  3. Identify 3 of the roles of the President and give 1 example of a function in that role. (354-355)
  4. Identify the first 3people to succeed the President if he/she is unable to fulfill their duties. (359)
  5. Clearly and thoroughly explain the Electoral College method of electing the President. (377-379)
  6. Place the corresponding amendment with the correct summary of that amendment. (776-779)

Choose from the following: 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th

Number / Summary of Executive Office Amendments
Outlaws poll taxes
Washington D.C. residents can vote in federal elections
Determines the line of succession for the President and appointment of Vice President
Limits the presidential term of office to two, 10 years maximum
Moved the day the President Elect takes office up 2 months from March to January
  1. Identify 3 qualifications to be President as mentioned in the Constitution, Article II,Section 5. (767)
  2. Give 3 similar powers and 3 different powers of the executive branches at the state and national level. (PowerPoint Notes, internet)

Part 5 - The Judicial Branch

***Answers must be in complete sentences for full credit.***

  1. Define jurisdiction and give one example.(508-509)
  2. Give one example each of a court case that would be held in a State District Court and a Federal/Federal District Court.(chart on 508)
  3. Who appoints Supreme Court Judges and who confirms/approves the appointments? (509)
  4. Define precedent. (Glossary)
  5. Identify the precedent set in the 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison. (Vocab 1B, 518, 519, 802)
  6. Identify 2 of the 3 precedents set in the 1819 case of McCulloch v. Maryland. (Vocab 1B, 95, 739, 740, 802)
  7. Write this sentence out: “In the end, in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that ______had no right to tax a ______bank, because ‘the power to tax is the power to ______.’”

Part 6 - Local and State Governments

***Answers must be in complete sentences for full credit.***

  1. Define the terms demographics, Smart Growth,eminent domain, and urban sprawl. (Notes, Vocabulary, …)
  2. Which two amendments in the Bill of Rights specifically protect the rights and powers of the states and their citizens?
  3. As the executive branch at the state level, which military branch does the Governor have control over? Identify two examples of when a governor could use this power.
  4. Define concurrent powers and list 3. (93)
  5. Define reserved powers and list 3. (92-93)

List any topics, concepts or questions you would like help on or need to review more, and then ask about them in class: