U.S. Government Practice Test: Federalism
- Federalism
- 10 questions
- 12 minutes
These 10 questions look at how power is shared between the national government and the states. When you sort a power, ask whether the Constitution gives it to Congress, leaves it to the states, or lets both use it.
Tap an option to mark your answer. You can change your mind, or tap the same option again to leave the question blank. The correct answers and explanations appear when you finish the test.Tap an option to answer; tap it again to leave the question blank.
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Question 1
Which term describes a system in which power is divided between a national government and state governments?
Correct answer: A
Federalism divides power between levels of government. Separation of powers divides power among branches (legislative, executive, judicial) within one level.
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Question 2
Which of these powers belongs only to the national government?
Correct answer: C
Article I gives Congress the power to coin money and Article I, Section 10 forbids states to do it. Driver's licenses, schools and local governments are handled by the states.
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Question 3
Which power is shared by both the national government and the state governments?
Correct answer: D
Taxing is a concurrent power used by both levels of government. Declaring war, making treaties and issuing currency belong to the national government alone.
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Question 4
Which power is reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment?
Correct answer: B
Local governments are created by the states, so this is a reserved power. Foreign trade, post offices and the military are listed powers of Congress in Article I.
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Question 5
In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), what did the Supreme Court decide?
Correct answer: C
The Court held that Congress could create a bank under its implied powers and that Maryland could not tax it, since "the power to tax involves the power to destroy." The ruling strengthened national power.
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Question 6
A court in Ohio issues a final judgment in a lawsuit. A court in Texas must recognize that judgment. Which clause of Article IV requires this?
Correct answer: A
The Full Faith and Credit Clause requires each state to respect the public acts, records and court proceedings of other states. The Privileges and Immunities Clause forbids discrimination against citizens of other states.
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Question 7
A person charged with a crime in Georgia flees to Florida. Georgia's governor asks for the person to be sent back. What does Article IV require Florida to do?
Correct answer: B
Article IV's extradition clause says a fugitive shall be delivered up on demand to the state with jurisdiction over the crime. The trial then takes place in Georgia, where the crime was charged.
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Question 8
Federal money given to states for a broad purpose, such as community development, with wide freedom in how it is spent, is called a:
Correct answer: D
Block grants cover a broad area and leave details to the states. Categorical grants are tied to a narrow, specific purpose with strict conditions.
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Question 9
Congress requires states to meet a new federal standard but provides no money to pay for it. What is this called?
Correct answer: B
An unfunded mandate is a federal requirement that states or local governments must carry out at their own expense. A block grant is the opposite situation: money with few conditions.
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Question 10
Which model of federalism is often called "marble cake" federalism because national, state and local governments work together on shared programs?
Correct answer: D
Cooperative federalism mixes responsibilities, like the swirls in a marble cake, for example in highways and health programs. Dual federalism is the "layer cake" model with separate spheres.
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