Download standards for constitutional underpinnings past frq questions

AP United States Government & Politics
Curriculum Outline & Standards
Content Area
I.
Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
A. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the U.S.
Constitution.
B. Separation of Powers
C. Checks and Balances
D. Federalism
E. Theories of Democratic government
APGOV Standards
I.
Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
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(2016) The Constitution limited the power of the national government and restricted
popular control, however, citizen participation has changed over time.
(2016) Explain how each of the following constitutional features protects against the
concentration of power in the national government: Checks and Balances, Federalism
(2016) Explain how one of the following features of the U.S. Constitution limited people’s
ability to influence the national government: Electoral College, Selection of senators before
the Seventeenth Amendment
(2016) Describe a constitutional amendment that increased suffrage.
(2016) Describe the effect of one of the following laws on citizen participation in elections:
Voting Rights Act of 1965, National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter Act)
(2015) The framers of the Constitution devised a federal system of government that
affected the relationship between the national and state governments.
(2015) Compare state sovereignty under the Articles of Confederation and under the
Constitution.
(2015) Explain how the Commerce Clause has been used to expand the power of the federal
government over the states.
(2015) Explain how Mandates have been used to expand the power of the federal
government over the states.
(2015) Explain how Block Grants have played a role in the devolution of power from the
national government to the states.
(2015) Explain how Block Grants have played a role in the devolution of power from the
national government to the states.
(2015) Explain how Supreme Court decisions have played a role in the devolution of power
from the national government to the states.
(2014) Describe two features of the original Constitution that have led to a growth in the
power of the national government.
(2014) Compare the positions of Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding the power of the
national government.
(2014) Explain how each of the following additions to the Constitution addressed AntiFederalist concerns (1st Amendment, 10th Amendment).
(2014) Explain how one of the following clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment has altered
the balance of power between the state and national governments (Due Process clause,
equal protection clause).
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(2013) Describe one reason the framers of the United States Constitution chose a republican
form of government over a direct democracy.
(2013) Define direct democracy.
(2013) Define republican form of government.
(2013) Describe one reason the framers of the United States Constitution chose a republican
form of government over a direct democracy.
(2010) The framers of the Constitution created a political system based on limited
government. The original Constitution and the Bill of Rights were intended to restrict the
powers of the national government. Later constitutional developments also limited the
powers of state governments.
(2010) Explain how each of the following limits the powers of the national executive
(Federalism, Checks and Balances)
(2010) Explain how each of the following two provisions in the Bill of Rights limits the
powers of the national government (Establishment Clause, Guarantee of a Public Trial).
(2010) Choose one of the following and explain how it limits the power of state
governments (Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment; Selective Incorporation).
(2009) In The Federalist paper number 10, James Madison expressed concern over the
possibility that both majority and minority factions would have too much power over
government, and he presented ways of minimizing that danger. The United States
Constitution established a democratic government but also contained several provisions
that limited majority rule. Throughout the next two centuries, the role of majority rule in
the United States government and politics continued to change.
(2009) Identify the part of the national government that was originally most closely tied to
citizens and explain how it was tied to citizens.
(2009) Explain two ways the United States Constitution limited majority rule.
(2007) The Framers of the United States Constitution created a federal system.
(2007) Define Federalism.
(2007) Select two of the following and explain how each has been used to increase the
power of the federal government relative to the states (Categorical grants, Federal
Mandates, Selective Incorporation).
(2007) Select two of the following and explain how each has been used to increase the
power of the state relative to the federal government (Welfare Reform Act of 1996, Block
Grants, Tenth Amendment).
(2006) The Framers of the United States Constitution created a Legislative system that is
bicameral. However, it is not just bicameral; the Framers also established two houses of
distinctly different character and authority.
(2006) Discuss two reasons why the Framers created a Bicameral legislature.
(2006) Identify one power unique to the House of Representatives and explain why the
framers gave the House that power.
(2006) Identify one power unique to the U.S. Senate and explain why the framers gave the
Senate that power.
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(2005) The power of the federal government relative to the power of the states has
increased since the ratification of the United States Constitution.
(2005) Describe two of the following provisions of the United States Constitution and
explain how each has been used over time to expand federal power (The power to tax and
spend; the “necessary and proper” or “Elastic” Clause; The Commerce Clause).
(2005) Explain how one of the following has increased the power of the federal government
relative to the power of state governments (Americans with Disabilities Act; Civil Rights Act
of 1964; Clean Air Act)
(2001) The United States Constitution has endured for more than two centuries as the
framework of government. However, the meaning of the Constitution has been changed
both by formal and informal methods.
(2001) Identify two formal methods for adding amendments to the United States
Constitution.
(2001) Describe two informal methods that have been used to change the meaning of the
United States Constitution. Provide one specific example of each informal method.
(2001) Explain why informal methods are used more often than the formal amendment
process.
(2000) The United States Constitution was an attempt to address problems of
decentralization experienced under the Articles of Confederation.
(2000) List three problems with decentralized power that existed under the Articles of
Confederation. For each problem, identify one solution that the U.S. Constitution provided
to address the problem.
(2000) Some have argued that the tensions between decentralized and centralized power
continue to exist. Support this argument by explaining how the following illustrates the
continuing tension (Environmental policy, Gun control, Disability access).
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