Look at the cartoon below.

According to the cartoon, the two political parties are

Which of these is a responsibility of Maryland's state government?

The modern presidency of the United States is often referred to as the most powerful office in the world. Yet the President's powers are limited.

• Explain how the President's powers are limited.
• Explain how the President can be successful in overcoming these limitations.
• Which of the ways you described for overcoming limitations to presidential power would be the most effective? Explain why.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Why are federal judges appointed for life?

Study the graph below. Then answer the following.

• Describe how a law requiring citizens to vote could affect the voting patterns shown on the graph.
• Should voting be mandatory in the United States? Explain why or why not.
• Use details and examples to support your position.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Read the excerpt below.

The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities [military conflicts]...and after every such introduction shall consult regularly with the Congress until United States Armed Forces are no longer engaged in hostilities....

The War Powers Act of 1973

Based on the excerpt, the War Powers Act was most likely issued in response to

Study the political cartoon below.

The cartoon suggests that some citizens

Look at the chart below.

• Use the flow chart above to identify an example of the principle of checks and balances.
• Describe advantages and disadvantages of checks and balances in the United States government.
• Do the advantages of the use of checks and balances outweigh the disadvantages? Explain your answer.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Maryland has a budget surplus and needs to decide what to do with the extra money.

Which of these options would the state government least likely choose?

Which of these is a responsibility of the Maryland General Assembly?

A case that must be tried in a federal court is one involving

Which of these has the most control over the United States' defense spending?

Which of these examples best reflects the principle of representative democracy?

When a famous actress was accused of wrong-doing, the newspapers covered the event extensively. The actress was convicted of the crime, but appealed the verdict on the grounds that the pre-trial publicity prejudiced the jury.

Which of these rights is in conflict with the freedom of the press?

Which of these principles of government is demonstrated when the Maryland Court of Appeals declares a Maryland state law unconstitutional?

Which of these is part of the legislative branch of the United States government?

Which of these people is the leader of the executive branch of the federal government?

In the 1980s, the federal government implemented a new national policy linking federal funding for highway construction projects to the passage of new state laws raising the drinking age.

Which of the following is not a legal option for the Maryland General Assembly?

Which of these officials is responsible for making laws?

Read the quote below.

Some lawmakers wish to censor music lyrics that encourage violence and destructive behavior.

• Explain why some lawmakers would want to censor music.
• Based on what you know about the Bill of Rights, do you believe this type of censorship is constitutional? Explain why or why not.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

The right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure is an example of

Which of these is a power shared by the federal and state governments?

The political institution in Maryland most like the United States Congress is the

Look at the cartoon below.

The cartoon is commenting on the power of

The blue crab population supports many important commercial and recreational activities in the Chesapeake Bay. However, some scientists have expressed concern that the blue crab population may be declining.

• Should the Maryland state government play a role in managing the blue crab population?
• Explain the possible consequences of your position.
• Include details and examples to support your explanation.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

In 1908, Theodore Roosevelt said, “Oh, if I could be President and Congress too, for just ten minutes.”

Which principle of United States government was frustrating President Roosevelt when he made this statement?

Read the scenario below.

The Maryland government is expanding a major highway to reduce traffic congestion. The state will take the private property it needs and compensate the owners for their land.

Which of these allows the government action described above?

Which of these is most likely a reason Presidents issue executive orders?

If the President and Congress disagree over a tax bill, the President can veto the bill.

Which of these applies to a presidential veto?

Which of these is a power of the United States Supreme Court?

Read the news article excerpt below.

Which of these statements is supported by the excerpt?

Which of these is a power reserved for state governments by the United States Constitution?

Read the quotation below.

“Our greatest primary task is to put people to work…. It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war….”

—Franklin D. Roosevelt,
March 4, 1933

Based on the quotation above, Franklin D. Roosevelt most likely worked to

Read the excerpt below.

The United States Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that it was constitutional for Texas police to arrest and jail a driver for not wearing a seat belt.

In Maryland, state law prevents public arrests for traffic crimes unless other circumstances exist, such as drunk driving, failure to produce identifi cation, or attempting to leave a crime scene.

Which of these actions could the federal government take to influence Maryland to repeal the law described in the excerpt?

Which of these is an example of separation of powers?

Which of these is an example of following the rule of law?

Read the quotation below and use it to answer the BRIEF CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE that follows.

“It usually takes a hundred years to make a law, and then after it has done its work, it usually takes a hundred years to get rid of it.”

—Henry Ward Beecher

• Do you agree or disagree with this quote about the law-making process in the United States?
• How could the law-making process be improved? Explain your answer.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Congress may respond to United States Supreme Court rulings by

Study the political cartoon below and use it to answer the BRIEF CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE that follows.

• What are some of the disadvantages to states under a federal system of government?
• Do the advantages of federalism outweigh the disadvantages? Explain why or why not.
• Include details and examples to support your answers.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Read the quotation below.

“The Government of [the United States], then, is… truly a government of the people…. Its powers are granted by them, and are to be exercised directly on them for their benefit.”

—John Marshall, 1810

Which of these constitutional principles best applies to Marshall’s quotation?

A treaty signed by the President of the United States must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate before it can go into effect.

Which principle of government does this reflect?

Which of these Maryland courts has authority most similar to the United States Supreme Court?

Which of the following federal government positions is not appointed by the President?

Read the headline below.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in this situation is an example of

In Kelo v. New London (2005), the Supreme Court ruled that local governments could take private property to be used for commercial economic development.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case impacted the principle of

According to the U.S. Constitution, which of these actions is a power of the states?

Which of these happens first in the United States presidential election process?