All of the events described in the headlines above address

Which of these is a purpose of Social Security?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers home loans at low interest rates to low-income borrowers who live in rural communities.

What is most likely the purpose of this government program?

The purpose of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is to promote health and safety by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.

Which of these is most likely a responsibility of this government agency?

Medicaid is a government program which helps pay medical expenses for persons with low incomes. Medicare, a similar program, provides healthcare benefits to the elderly.

• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of government sponsored healthcare.
• Should the government decrease or increase its spending on healthcare? Explain why or why not.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

The Clean Air Act of 1970 set broad national goals for the reduction of air pollution.

Which of these was a direct result of this act?

Read the newspaper headline below.

Which of these goals of the United States government is reflected in the President's announcement?

What do Medicaid, food stamps, and Social Security have in common?

Which of these government policies was established specifically to address the problem of air pollution?

Which of these government actions demonstrates a "get-tough-on-crime" policy?

The statements below are concerns predicted for the United States in the 21st century.

1. There may not be enough clean water to meet people's needs.
2. Some people will not have access to computers and the Internet.
3. Many jobs will require college degrees.

• Explain how national or state governments might respond to two of these concerns.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Study the political cartoon and definitions below.

Which of these would the man portrayed in the cartoon most likely oppose?

The United States government is allowed to restrict publication of information that

Which of these has contributed most to the discussion of reforming the social security system?

Because of the Endangered Species Act, a man was forbidden from planting crops on his land because the habitat of an endangered species would be destroyed.

In the situation above, there is a conflict between a government policy and an individual's

Look at the cartoon below. Then answer the following.

According to the cartoon, what is a criticism of the juvenile justice system?

After the 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission tightened restrictions on the nuclear power industry in order to

The federal government's policy is to censor material that

Read the information below.

In Utah, students from a Native American reservation had to travel 90 miles to the nearest high school. As a result, the United States Department of Justice sued the school district for failing to build a high school near the reservation.

Based on the information above, what is the role of the United States Department of Justice?

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

• Describe actions Maryland state and local governments could take in response to this headline.
• Which government action do you think would be most effective in solving this problem? Explain why.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

The cartoon below was drawn in 1997. Look at the cartoon.

According to the cartoon, in 1997

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides help to landowners who want to restore wetlands located on their property.

What is most likely the purpose of this program?

Use your knowledge about government to answer the BRIEF CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE.

• Describe ways the government can limit freedom of the press in newspapers and magazines.
• Do you agree or disagree with these limits? Explain why.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Read the headline and the excerpt below and use them to answer the EXTENDED CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE that follows.

In New York Times v. the United States (1971), Justice Hugo Black ruled, “The Press is to serve the governed and not the governors … the Press is free so it can inform the people.”

• Identify how a society benefits from freedom of the press.
• Describe possible situations when government censorship might be justified.
• Compare the importance of individual rights to the government’s need to control information.
• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

Study the political cartoon below.

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

To which problem in Maryland does the political cartoon most directly apply?

Read the passage below. Then answer the following.

For over 150 years, the state of Virginia operated an all-male college called the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). In 1990, the United States government sued the state of Virginia at the request of a female high school student seeking admission to VMI. The Supreme Court ruled that VMI had to admit women who could meet the physical and other requirements.

Which of these statements best explains the reason for the decision in this case?

Which of these is the goal of a state law to reduce air and water pollution?

Which of these is a purpose of Social Security?

States may offer medical coverage to children whose families cannot afford health insurance, and who do not qualify for similar federal programs.

What is the purpose of this program?

Read the information below.

In 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced a new version of its food guide. The chart contains recommendations for daily food choices and physical activity.

Why would the government take the actions described above?

Read the excerpt below.

What was the purpose of the Supreme Court ruling described above?

Which of these media reports would the federal government most likely have the authority to censor?

Which of these benefits does Social Security provide to senior citizens?

Some businesses concerned about Internet identity theft have asked Congress to pass a consumer privacy law.

What is the most likely purpose of the proposed legislation?