2018 Ap Gov Practice Exam Frq Answers

2018 AP Gov Practice Exam FRQ Answers: A Comprehensive Guide

The AP Government and Politics exam is a challenging test that requires a deep understanding of American government and political processes. The free-response questions (FRQs) are a crucial component of the exam, accounting for half of your total score. This guide provides comprehensive answers and analysis for the 2018 AP Government practice exam FRQs, helping you understand the key concepts and improve your exam preparation. We will explore each question, focusing on the core elements needed for a high-scoring response. Remember, these are sample answers; your responses may vary slightly and still earn full credit as long as they accurately reflect the concepts and provide relevant examples.

FRQ 1: Congressional Power

Question: The United States Congress has the power to make laws, but its ability to effectively exercise that power is frequently challenged. Identify two significant challenges Congress faces in exercising its legislative power and explain how each challenge limits Congress’s ability to pass legislation.

Answer:

Congress faces numerous challenges in effectively exercising its legislative power. Two significant ones are:

Challenge 1: Partisan Polarization

Explanation: Increasing partisan polarization within Congress significantly hinders the legislative process. Extreme ideological divisions between the Republican and Democratic parties make finding common ground and building consensus incredibly difficult. This leads to gridlock, with bills often stalled or filibustered, preventing their passage. The intense focus on party loyalty over policy compromise means even bills with bipartisan support may struggle to overcome partisan obstacles. This challenge limits Congress's ability to pass legislation by creating an environment where compromise is viewed as weakness, resulting in legislative inaction. Examples include the frequent government shutdowns and the difficulty in passing major legislative initiatives like comprehensive immigration reform.

Challenge 2: Influence of Special Interest Groups and Lobbying

Explanation: Powerful special interest groups and lobbyists exert considerable influence on Congress, often shaping the legislative agenda to benefit their specific interests. These groups use various tactics, including campaign donations, lobbying efforts, and grassroots mobilization, to pressure lawmakers to support or oppose specific legislation. This can lead to legislation that prioritizes narrow interests over the broader public good, hindering the passage of bills that might otherwise enjoy widespread support. The influence of special interest groups limits Congress’s ability to pass legislation by creating a system where policy decisions are often driven by financial contributions and concentrated lobbying efforts, rather than by the merits of the proposals themselves. Examples include the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on healthcare legislation or the impact of environmental groups on climate change policy.

FRQ 2: Federalism

Question: The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution reserves certain powers to the states. Explain how the Tenth Amendment reflects the principle of federalism. Then, identify and explain one specific power that is reserved to the states and one specific power that is delegated to the national government, showing how each demonstrates the balance of power between the state and national governments.

Answer:

The Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people, is a cornerstone of American federalism. It enshrines the principle of dividing governmental power between a national government and state governments, preventing either from becoming too dominant. This division of power is crucial for maintaining a balance and protecting the interests of individual states and citizens.

Reserved State Power: Education

Explanation: Education is a significant power reserved to the states. States have primary responsibility for setting curriculum standards, funding public schools, and establishing educational policies. While the federal government plays a role through programs like No Child Left Behind and the Every Student Succeeds Act, these initiatives primarily provide funding and set minimum standards. The states retain considerable autonomy in determining how education is structured and delivered within their borders. This demonstrates the balance of power by showing how states maintain significant control over a critical social function, even with federal involvement.

Delegated National Government Power: Regulation of Interstate Commerce

Explanation: The Constitution grants the national government the exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce (commerce that crosses state lines). This power allows Congress to address national economic issues and prevent conflicts between states over trade and commerce. Through legislation like the Sherman Antitrust Act and various environmental protection acts, the federal government regulates activities that extend beyond state borders, ensuring national economic stability and uniformity. This demonstrates the balance of power by showcasing how the federal government has the authority to manage matters that transcend state boundaries, which is essential for the smooth functioning of the national economy.

FRQ 3: Judicial Review

Question: The Supreme Court's power of judicial review is a significant check on both the legislative and executive branches of government. Explain how judicial review functions as a check on the legislative branch. Then, explain how judicial review functions as a check on the executive branch.

Answer:

Judicial review, the power of the courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional, serves as a crucial check on both the legislative and executive branches of government, preventing the enactment and enforcement of actions that violate the Constitution.

Judicial Review as a Check on the Legislative Branch:

Explanation: Judicial review allows the Supreme Court to declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional. If a law is deemed to violate the Constitution, the Court can strike it down, preventing its enforcement. This ensures that Congress remains bound by the Constitution and cannot enact legislation that oversteps its authority or infringes upon fundamental rights. Examples include Marbury v. Madison (establishing judicial review itself), and numerous cases striking down laws deemed discriminatory or violating individual liberties.

Judicial Review as a Check on the Executive Branch:

Explanation: Judicial review also allows the courts to review executive actions (such as presidential orders or agency regulations) for constitutionality. If the Court finds an executive action unconstitutional, it can declare it void, preventing its implementation. This prevents the executive branch from exceeding its constitutional powers and protects individual rights from executive overreach. Examples include cases where the courts have limited the President's war powers or challenged executive orders on issues like immigration or environmental protection.

FRQ 4: Political Participation

Question: Explain two different ways in which citizens can participate in the political process in the United States. For each way, explain one factor that might limit or hinder a citizen's ability to participate in that way.

Answer:

Citizens can participate in the American political process through various avenues. Here are two with examples of limiting factors:

Political Participation: Voting

Explanation: Voting is a fundamental form of political participation, allowing citizens to choose their elected officials at local, state, and national levels. Voting directly shapes policy outcomes and holds elected officials accountable.

Limiting Factor: Voter ID Laws: Strict voter ID laws can significantly limit participation, particularly among low-income individuals, the elderly, and minority groups who may have difficulty obtaining the required identification. This creates an unequal playing field, hindering the ability of certain demographics to exercise their right to vote effectively.

Political Participation: Campaigning/Political Advocacy

Explanation: Campaigning involves actively supporting or opposing political candidates or causes. This can range from volunteering for a campaign to donating money to engaging in grassroots activism. Direct advocacy involves contacting elected officials, participating in protests, or joining political organizations to influence policy decisions.

Limiting Factor: Time Constraints and Resource Limitations: Many individuals face significant time constraints due to work, family obligations, or other commitments. Similarly, resource limitations, such as lack of financial resources to donate to campaigns or the inability to take time off work for political activities, restrict opportunities for political participation.

FRQ 5: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Question: The Bill of Rights protects various civil liberties and civil rights. Define civil liberties and civil rights. Then, explain how one specific Supreme Court case has expanded either civil liberties or civil rights.

Answer:

Civil liberties are fundamental rights and freedoms protected from government infringement. They are generally negative rights, meaning they protect individuals from government action. Civil rights are legal rights that protect individuals from discrimination and guarantee equal treatment under the law. They are generally positive rights, meaning they require government action to protect them.

Supreme Court Case Expanding Civil Rights: Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Explanation: Brown v. Board of Education is a landmark Supreme Court case that significantly expanded civil rights by declaring state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The Court overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson, finding that segregation inherent in separate educational facilities was inherently unequal and violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision paved the way for the desegregation of schools and had a profound impact on the fight for racial equality, setting a precedent for challenging segregation and discrimination in other areas of life.

This comprehensive guide provides detailed answers and analysis for the 2018 AP Government practice exam FRQs. Remember to practice writing your own answers, focusing on clarity, organization, and the use of specific examples to support your arguments. By thoroughly understanding these concepts and practicing consistently, you can significantly improve your performance on the AP Government exam. Remember to consult your textbook and class notes for further information and diverse perspectives on these topics. Good luck!