Answers and Explanations - nelnetsolutions.com

1 CLEP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, whichwas not involved in the production of and does not endorse this and correct answer is (D). There is no com-mittee for investigations, although Congress maycreate committees to conduct investigations ifthe need arises. All of the other answer choicesare standing (permanent) committees of both theHouse and correct answer is (A). Judges of the Fed-eral Court system Supreme Court justices,court of appeals judges, and district courtjudges are nominated by the president andconfirmed by the United States Senate. Thisprocess is outlined in the Constitution and nei-ther the public nor the judiciary itself can be for-mally involved in the correct answer is (A). The Secretary ofState is appointed by the Governor to supervisethe election process.

2 For example, in the con-troversial 2000 presidential election, it wasFlorida s Secretary of State Katherine Harris(appointed by Governor Jeb Bush) who was re-sponsible for making sure that Florida s elec-tion was free, fair, and correct answer is (B). The Declaration ofIndependence states that all men should have therights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi-ness. Today, most Americans take these wordsto mean that every American should enjoy equalopportunities for personal and material correct answer is (E). The right to beararms is the Second Amendment in the Bill ofRights; it was not a founding principle of Constitution. All of the other Answers dealwith general principles of American governmen-tal philosophy and structure rather than particu-lar correct answer is (B).

3 The Department ofCommerce is primarily concerned with ensuringthe competitiveness of the economy. TheDepartment provides businesses with information,administers programs to protect firms fromunfair international competition, and providesstandards of measure for correct answer is (D). The 1954 case ofBrown v. Board of Education overturned the 1896ruling of Plessy v. Ferguson, which had approvedthe standard of separate but equal. In Brown of Education, the Supreme Court decidedthat separate schooling could never be equal andordered that all schools be correct answer is (C). The table clearlyshows a general trend of lower voter participa-tion in presidential elections over time. Choice(E) might appear correct, but remember that thereare at least two candidates in any given presi-dential election.

4 Therefore, a president could onlybe elected by a majority of the voting-age pub-lic in the event of a landslide in an election thathad more than 50% correct answer is (E). Liberals tend to seea larger role for the government than do tradi-tional conservatives, particularly in the regula-tion of business and industry. All of the otheranswer choices form core beliefs of the Ameri-can political correct answer is (A). The 18th Amend-ment prohibiting the production, sale, andtransportation of alcoholic beverages wasrepealed with the 21st Amendment to theConstitution. It was the only Amendment to theConstitution to be correct answer is (E). The Department ofState was created in 1789. The Departments ofCommerce, Labor, and Transportation were allcreated in the twentieth century.

5 In 1947, theDepartment of Defense was made by combin-ing the Departments of War, Navy, and Air 2004 Peterson sCLEP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, whichwas not involved in the production of and does not endorse this American correct answer is (E). There is no right towork included in the Constitution; it is not a correct answer is (B). Political parties donot lobby Congress. Most interest group lobbiesare created specifically to petition Congress tochange or maintain specific government policiesor correct answer is (A). The family environ-ment is the dominant factor in the political so-cialization of an individual. Children tend toadopt the same political perspectives as their par-ents as well as the same party correct answer is (B).

6 At the ConstitutionalConvention, delegates from the heavily populatedstates wanted proportional representation whiledelegates from the less populated states fearedthat their voices would not be heard. The Consti-tution created a House of Representatives basedon proportional representation and a Senate inwhich each state had equal representation. Thebicameral system also strengthened the systemof checks and balances because passage of legis-lation required cooperation between the two leg-islatures. Although Senate ratification of treatiesand the House initiation of tax legislation seemto imply international and domestic focuses re-spectively, these considerations were not part ofthe correct answer is (D). Overriding a presi-dential veto is a power of Congress but not apower of oversight.

7 Congressional oversight al-lows the legislature to keeps tabs on executiveperformance, prevent waste and fraud, safeguardcivil rights, and collect information crucial to thelaw-making correct answer is (A). Jim Crow laws weredesigned to prevent people of color in the southfrom threatening the traditional political and eco-nomic dominance of southern whites. These lawsenforced segregation in practically every aspectof daily life including the workplace, education,and public correct answer is (D). More than 35 senior citizens are members of the AmericanAssociation of Retired Persons (AARP), makingit the nation s largest interest correct answer is (D). Conservatives tendto favor less government involvement in theeconomy, strong support for the military, andgovernment support for traditional moral correct answer is (E).

8 The methods for pro-posal and ratification of Constitutional amend-ments differ. While support from three-fourthsof the state legislatures can ratify amendments tothe Constitution, this method cannot be used topropose Constitutional amendments. Amend-ments can only be proposed through the stepsoutlined in statements I and correct answer is (A). The Department ofthe Interior is responsible for most federallyowned lands including those of the National ParksService. It is also responsible for protecting wild-life through the Fish and Wildlife Service. Al-though the Environmental Protection Agencyplays an important role in protecting the environ-ment, it does not have the broad powers and re-sponsibilities of the Department of the correct answer is (E). The figure shows adramatic increase in payments to individuals from1990 to 2000.

9 Payments in 1990 were a littleover 425 billion dollars; by the year 2000, theyhad reached over 950 billion correct answer is (A). The Fifth Amend-ment of the Bill of Rights protects citizens frombeing tried twice on the same correct answer is (E). Lobbyists for spe-cial interest groups have found campaign contri-butions to be the most direct and effective methodto secure their objectives in correct answer is (A). The President of theUnited States must be at least 35 years old, accord-ing to the Constitution. Other requirements are thatthe person must be a native-born American citizenand at least 14 years a resident of the United 2004 Peterson sCLEP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, whichwas not involved in the production of and does not endorse this American correct answer is (B).

10 The Constitutionsatisfied the smaller northern states by promis-ing them equal participation in the Senate andthe southern states by giving them greater powerin the House of Representatives. Royalists sup-ported the crown s right to control America andwould oppose any American correct answer is (D). The Constitutionprohibits Congress from treating one state dif-ferently than the others. Taxing the exports ofone state but not the others would be unfair correct answer is (E). The General Ac-counting Office is the audit, evaluation, andinvestigative arm of Congress. It exists toevaluate the effectiveness of public policiesfor correct answer is (D). The federal and statecourt systems work in a parallel fashion. Thefederal courts tend to deal with disputes betweenthe federal government and the states; state courtstend to deal with subjects of state or local im-portance.