AEPA Political Science/American Government Exam

The Political Science/American Government test measures your knowledge according to the Arizona Academic Standards. Success on the test indicates that you are qualified to teach this subject in Arizona public schools. The test content is drawn from three subareas based on AEPA learning objectives: Concepts and Skills (21% of the test); Political Thought, Comparative Government, and International Relations (21%); and United States and Arizona Government (58%). The test covers general social studies (e.g., how to research and communicate social studies information), in addition to content such as the history of political thought, types of governments, U.S. foreign policy, and international organizations. Test-takers should know features of Arizona government (including government of American Indian nations) and the history, structure, and other features of U.S. local and federal governments (such as political parties and the role of the media).

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AEPA Political Science/American Government Practice Questions

Political Science/American Government

1. The power to declare war is a(n) _____ power of the federal government.

A: expressed
B: reserved
C: delegated
D: concurrent

2. The tradition of direct democracy was established in New England by the _____.

A: Magna Carta
B: Mayflower Compact
C: Stamp Act
D: Virginia Statue of Religious Freedom

3. Who selects the Speaker of the House?

A: the Supreme Court
B: the members of the majority party
C: the members of Congress
D: the Chairpersons of the House Committees

4. What does the Supreme Court issue when all justices agree with a decision, but some have different reasons for doing so?

A: dissenting opinion
B: unanimous opinion
C: discursive opinion
D: concurrent opinion

5. What is the name for the process of redrawing a voting district to favor a particular party or candidate?

A: cloture
B: reconciliation
C: gerrymandering
D: filibuster

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Answer key

1. A. The expressed powers are those held exclusively by the federal government.
2. B. The Mayflower Compact was the governing document of the Plymouth Colony.
3. B. The Speaker of the House is typically chosen after national elections every two years.
4. D. A concurrent opinion explains the alternate reasoning of some of the justices.
5. C. The term is derived from Elbridge Gerry, a governor of Massachusetts who redrew the voting districts to benefit his political party.