GOVERNMENTPublic Release, Fall 2004

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Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 1Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

Sample A

The mass media is sometimesreferred to as “the fourth branch ofthe government” because it

A endorses all governmentalpolicies

B influences public opinion

C is a powerful federal agency

D is paid for with federal taxes

MDV00000

Sample B

On January 1, 1999, the euro becamethe common currency for elevenEuropean countries.

The adoption of the euro created aregion based on a common

F political ideology

G defense strategy

H economic interest

J cultural characteristic

MDV00000

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 2Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■1 Arizona, California, and Coloradoall claim the right to use the waterfrom the Colorado River for theirwater needs.

The most effective way to resolvethe water rights dispute would be for

A the three states to sign a treatywith Mexico

B the three states to create aregional agreement

C each state to build dams on itsportion of the river

D each state to take as muchwater from the river as possible

(B) 50999

■2 Which of these would most likelybe indicted by a Maryland grandjury?

F a professional football playerrefusing to honor his contract

G a neighbor having a propertydispute with anotherhomeowner

H a car owner testifying about thetheft of her car

J a person videotaped robbing astate bank

(J) 51226

■3 In 1990 Congress passed a law thatgave Native Americans controlover Native American artifactsfound on federal land.

What was a purpose of this law?

A to protect the culture ofNative Americans

B to fund scholarships forNative American students

C to give states control overNative American affairs

D to encourage businessownership by Native Americans

(A) 51074

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 3Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■4

HEADLINES DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT1954–1964

PRESIDENT JOHNSON

SIGNS CIVIL RIGHTS ACT—

OUTLAWS RACIAL

DISCRIMINATION1964

PRESIDENT EISENHOWER

USES TROOPS TO ENFORCE

BROWN V. BOARD OF

EDUCATION1957

BROWN V. BOARD OF

EDUCATION

RULING DIVIDES NATION

STUDENTS STAGE LUNCH

COUNTER SIT-IN AT

GREENSBORO, NC

1960

OVER 200,000 MARCH ON

WASHINGTON TO SUPPORT

CIVIL RIGHTS BILL

1963

BUS BOYCOTT GRIPS

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

19561954

All of the events described in the headlines above address

F racial segregation

G educational access

H unemployment issues

J gender discrimination

(F) 50962

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 4Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

5BCR

Read the excerpt below.

“[neither] students or teachersshed their constitutional rightsof freedom of speech orexpression at the school housegate.”

—Tinker v. Des MoinesSchool District

• Explain how the point of viewexpressed in the excerptabove could conflict with thefunctioning of a school.

• Do you agree or disagree withthe position taken in thisexcerpt? Explain.

• Include details and examples tosupport your answer.

Write your answer on the lines inyour Answer Book.

(~) 50858

■6 During wartime, the writ of habeascorpus can be suspended insome areas allowing the arrestand holding of persons withoutcharging them with a specificcrime.

Based on this event, which of theseconclusions is accurate?

F The President lacks significantpower during times of war.

G The military must provideconstitutional protections.

H Citizens may lose some civilrights during emergencies.

J The Supreme Court must ruleon presidential actions.

(H) 51222

■7 Some groups are lobbying topermit citizens to register and voteon election day.

Which of these is an argumentagainst such a measure?

A Citizens lack the time toregister to vote.

B Present law allows voters tovote in any precinct.

C Officials cannot quickly verifya voter’s identity.

D Transportation is available topolling places.

(C) 51760

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 5Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■8 Which of these persons would theUnited States government count asunemployed?

F a photographer who is herown boss

G a waiter who earns most ofhis money from tips

H a person who is retired

J an accountant who quits herjob to look for other work

(J) 51176

■9 Read the excerpt below.

“If a foreign country can supplyus with a [product] cheaper thanwe ourselves can make it, betterbuy it [from] them. . .”

—Adam Smith, The Wealthof Nations, 1776

Based on the excerpt, which ofthese government actions wouldthe author most likely support?

A raising taxes on importedgoods

B entering into free tradeagreements

C increasing wages paid toworkers

D passing strict regulations onbusinesses

(B) 51232

10BCR

The population of Maryland’s statebird, the Baltimore oriole, hasdecreased due to the destructionof its habitat.

• Describe some ways theMaryland government can helppreserve the species.

• Which way do you think willbe most effective? Explainyour choice.

• Include details and examples inyour answer.

Write your answer on the lines inyour Answer Book.

(~) 50969

■11 The Sixth Amendment allows theaccused the “assistance of counsel.”

Which of these SupremeCourt decisions extended theprotections of this amendment?

A Marbury v. Madison

B Plessy v. Ferguson

C Gideon v. Wainwright

D Tinker v. Des Moines SchoolBoard

(C) 51746

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 6Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■12 Which of these activities is mostlikely performed by political parties?

F holding general elections

G raising campaign money

H designating voting precincts

J counting absentee ballots

(G) 50854

■13 The United States protects itsnational security most directly by

A passing environmental laws

B entering into military alliances

C providing low interest loans topoor nations

D signing free trade agreementswith bordering nations

(B) 51038

■14 Which of these is most oftenencouraged by the government in acommand economy?

F national production goals

G inherited occupational roles

H private ownership of property

J competition between businesses

(F) 51177

15BCR Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA)—federal agency that requiresbusinesses to make workplacessafe for employees and toensure that employees followsafety guidelines.

• Describe advantages anddisadvantages of OSHAregulations.

• Should the federal governmentbe involved in regulatingworkers’ safety? Why orwhy not?

• Include details and examples tosupport your response.

Write your answer on the lines inyour Answer Book.

(~) 53649

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 7Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■16 Which of these is most associatedwith an authoritarian government?

F The legislative process is slow.

G Freedom of expression isvalued.

H Government leaders haveabsolute power.

J Elections for government officesare conducted fairly.

(H) 51105

■17 Which of these is an example of aneconomic sanction?

A providing poor countries withhumanitarian aid

B creating trade alliances withbordering countries

C refusing to meet with adiplomatic representativeof a dictatorship

D ending trade with a countrythat has a poor human rightsrecord

(D) 51783

■18 Which of these officials isresponsible for making laws?

F a federal judge

G the governor of a state

H a United States senator

J the Secretary of Defense

(H) 51157

■19 Which of these describes the mainpurpose of an interest group?

A to influence governmentofficials on specific issues

B to form legislative committeesthat study public policy

C to regulate the economy bysetting federal lending rates

D to select cases for hearing inappeals courts

(A) 50914

■20 Which of these sources wouldbe most reliable for determininginterstate migration patterns?

F public school records

G voter registration cards

H property tax assessments

J government census counts

(J) 50921

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 8Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

21BCR

Read the quote below.

Some lawmakers wish to censormusic lyrics that encourageviolence and destructivebehavior.

• Explain why some lawmakerswould want to censor music.

• Based on what you know aboutthe Bill of Rights, do youbelieve this type of censorshipis constitutional? Explain whyor why not.

• Include details and examples tosupport your answer.

Write your answer on the lines inyour Answer Book.

(~) 51135

■22 The United States most likelyjoined the International MonetaryFund (IMF) to

F provide medical care todeveloping nations

G increase economic stability inother nations

H create a military alliance withmember nations

J establish a single currencyamong member nations

(G) 50965

■23 Which of these is a purpose ofSocial Security?

A to provide income for retirees

B to regulate the health careindustry

C to give relocation assistance toimmigrants

D to encourage taxpayercontributions to charities

(A) 51156

■24 The right to be free fromunreasonable search and seizureis an example of

F delegated power

G judicial review

H general welfare

J limited government

(J) 51062

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 9Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■25 Study the political cartoon below.

Reprinted with special Permission of King Features Syndicate.

The cartoon suggests that some citizens

A believe that the justice system is unworkable

B are unwilling to break the law

C believe that the right to a trial by jury is unnecessary

D are unwilling to accept their responsibilities

(D) 51779

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 10Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■26 Legislation promoting immigrationwould most likely cause

F a decrease in economic activity

G an increase in cultural diversity

H a decrease in populationgrowth

J an increase in available housing

(G) 50851

■27 Which of these is most likelya reason the federal governmentrequires permits for utilitycompanies to release pollutantsinto the air?

A to give tax breaks to utilities

B to increase investments inutilities

C to set rates charged by utilities

D to limit emissions produced byutilities

(D) 51767

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 11Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

28ECR

Look at the chart below.

The Supreme Court rules the law unconstitutional.

The suit is appealed to the Supreme Court.

A citizen challenges the law in court.

The President signs the bill into law.

Congress passes a law.

• Use the flow chart above to identify an example of the principle of checksand balances.

• Describe advantages and disadvantages of checks and balances in the UnitedStates government.

• Do the advantages of the use of checks and balances outweigh thedisadvantages? Explain your answer.

• Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

(~) 51149

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 12Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■29 With which of these governmentactions is the Consumer PriceIndex (CPI) most associated?

A imposing economic sanctions

B reducing unemployment

C measuring the rate of inflation

D offering federal business loans

(C) 51007

■30 Which of these government actionsis most associated with due processof law?

F creating affirmative actionprograms

G informing the accused oftheir rights

H maintaining order during timesof crisis

J establishing guidelines forworkplace safety

(G) 50940

Session 1

Government Fall 2004 Page 13Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■31 Which of these is a responsibilityof the Federal Trade Commission(FTC)?

A inspecting and improving newmedications

B enforcing state and localenvironmental regulations

C resolving disputes betweenlabor and management

D encouraging fairness inadvertising and marketing

(J) 51158

■32 Which of these statements aboutthe United Nations (UN) is true?

F Its membership rules excludepoor nations.

G Its policies discourageinternational cooperation.

H Its councils elect leaders formany nations.

J Its goals include internationalstability.

(D) 51239

No test material on this page

Page 14

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 15Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 16Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■35 Which of these best describesan effect of the Supreme Courtdecision in Marbury v. Madison?

A It gave the President veto powerover Congress.

B It divided the government intothree separate branches.

C It established the power tovoid a congressional law.

D It made state governmentsquestion federal power.

(C) 51186

■36 What is the opportunity cost forstate governments that spend statemoney during natural disasters?

F Main highways between statesmay be blocked.

G Prices for snow removalequipment may increase.

H Other services offered by thestates may have to be cut.

J State governments may receiveadditional highway funds.

(H) 50898

■33 Which of these public agenciesusually decides local land-useissues?

A zoning board

B treasurer’s office

C police department

D transportation department

(A) 50763

■34 Which of these would most likelyresult if Congress increased theminimum wage?

F States would receive lesstax revenue.

G Some companies would raisethe price of products.

H Interest rates would be loweredto encourage spending.

J Some cities would raiseproperty taxes on homes.

(G) 51090

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 17Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

37BCR

Read the news article excerptbelow.

President Clinton signed a $435million foreign aid bill to relieve the debts of the world's poorest countries. Clinton said of the bill, ”It will be good for our economy . . . [and] good for our security . . . [and it] is simply the right thing to do.“

• Explain ways our foreign aid toother countries has benefitedthe United States.

• Do you think the benefits offoreign aid are worth the cost?Explain why or why not.

• Include details and examples tosupport your response.

Write your answer on the lines inyour Answer Book.

(~) 50841

■38 Which of these terms is used todescribe a party who files a civillawsuit?

F prosecutor

G defendant

H plaintiff

J mediator

(H) 51780

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 18Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■39 Study the political cartoon and definitions below.

Copyright © 2004 by Sidney Harris. Used by permission.

Purveyor—supplier

Stronghold and Bulwark—protector

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

A government grants to the media

B government censorship of the media

C government licensing of broadcasting stations

D government advertising on broadcasting stations

(B) 50907

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 19Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■40 Which of these is an example ofgovernment funding based onpopulation?

F City councils award contracts towaste management companies.

G The federal government givesgrant money for environmentalclean up.

H School districts receive moneyfrom the state for each studentenrolled.

J A state approves placingstoplights at busy intersections.

(H) 51056

■41 Which of these is the most effectiveway for a state government toreduce pollution in a river?

A limit the number of fish that canbe taken from the river each day

B encourage volunteers to pickup trash in the most pollutedareas of the river

C offer tax breaks to industriesthat decrease the amount ofpollutants released into the river

D sell land along the banks ofthe river owned by the stategovernment to businessesand individuals

(C) 50764

■42 A toy company is moving its mainproduction plant to a Marylandcounty.

Which of these would bethe most likely effect on thecounty?

F an increase in the number ofelderly residents

G an increase in the need forgovernment services

H a decline in job opportunities

J a decline in school enrollment

(G) 51028

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 20Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

43BCR

Read the news article excerpt below.

“Residents in southwesternAllegany County wanted theirarea to become part ofneighboring Garrett County.Under the state constitution, theMaryland legislature must passa law before a county’s borderscan be changed. . . .”

—from an article inSunpapers, 12/2/98

• Describe what actions theseAllegany residents could taketo influence the government onthis issue.

• Which of these actions wouldbe most effective? Explain why.

• Include details and examples tosupport your answer.

Write your answer on the lines inyour Answer Book.

(~) 51179

■44 Which of these statements aboutpresidential executive ordersis true?

F They are proposed bylegislators.

G They must be approvedby voters.

H They have the force offederal law.

J They can be vetoed bystate governors.

(H) 50913

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 21Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

Directions

Read the news article excerpt below. Then answer Numbers 45 and 46.

The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development awarded up to $1.1 million to a private consulting firm. This firm will help small and minority businesses adopt technology to ensure their success.

■45 The excerpt is an example ofgovernment

A promoting equality

B controlling business

C increasing the size of thebureaucracy

D limiting economic growth

(A) 51730

■46 The benefits of the program in theexcerpt are expected to outweighthe costs because

F large businesses supporttechnology

G this type of business is animportant part of the stateeconomy

H leaders of this department wantto run for political office

J private citizens will donatemoney

(G) 51731

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 22Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■47 Which of these actions isleast likely to involve cooperationbetween neighboring stategovernments?

A planning railroad routes

B controlling agricultural pests

C decreasing pollution of majorrivers

D reducing class size in primaryschools

(D) 50934

■48 Which of these is a purpose of theNorth American Free TradeAgreement (NAFTA)?

F to create a common currencyamong member nations

G to forgive the international debtof member nations

H to eliminate most tariffs amongmember nations

J to provide relief for refugees ofwar in member nations

(H) 51015

49BCR

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

INCREASES ENFORCEMENT OF LEAD PAINT REMOVAL IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS

• Is the action described in theheadline an appropriate role forthe state government? Explainwhy or why not.

• Should the government providefunds to the apartment ownersto remove the lead? Explainwhy or why not.

• Use details and examples tosupport your answer.

Write your answer on the lines inyour Answer Book.

(~) 51000

■50 Which of these is an advantage of arepresentative democracy?

F Political parties have similarplatforms.

G Citizens are able to vote on allissues.

H Government agencies makedecisions quickly.

J Legislators are elected by thepeople.

(D) 51754

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 23Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

Directions

Read the excerpts below. Then answer Numbers 51 and 52.

Article 1

“That all government of right originates from the people; . . . they have. . . the right to alter, reform, or abolish their form of Government. . . .”

Article 24

“That no man ought to be taken or imprisoned . . . but by the judgment ofhis peers, or by the law of the land.”

—Maryland Declaration of Rights

■51 Which of these constitutionalprinciples is described in Article 1of the Maryland Declaration ofRights?

A The people should have equalprotection under the law.

B State governments and thefederal government sharepowers.

C The people in a democraticsociety give their consent tobe governed.

D Each branch of the governmenthas powers over the otherbranches.

(H) 50879

■52 Which of these constitutional rightsis described in Article 24?

F the right to bear arms

G the right to due process

H the right to freedom of speech

J the right to peaceably assemble

(B) 50880

Session 2

Government Fall 2004 Page 24Public Release, Fall 2004 © 2004 Maryland State Department of Education

■53 Maryland has a budget surplus andneeds to decide what to do with theextra money.

Which of these options would thestate government least likelychoose?

A give the surplus to the federalgovernment

B spend the surplus on stateprograms

C save the surplus for future needs

D give the surplus back in a taxrefund

(F) 51117

■54 Which of these is a function of theFederal CommunicationsCommission (FCC)?

F to advertise programs aired onthe radio

G to inform the public on currentevents

H to raise money for governmentprojects

J to regulate the broadcasting ofinformation

(D) 51814

■55 Which of these is a responsibilityof the Maryland GeneralAssembly?

A approving the annual statebudget

B supervising the Maryland StatePolice

C reviewing criminal appeals

D vetoing unpopular laws

(F) 51747

I.N.723961

GOVERNMENTPublic Release, Fall 2004