Tests & Exams
Spring Exam Study Guide
The semester two exam will include material examined in this course during the second semester. Throughout this semester, we have striven to develop an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. To achieve this perspective, we have examined the Constitutional foundations of our government, the institutions which make up our three branch system of government, and the groups, ideas, and beliefs the constitute U.S. politics.
You can find the class wiki here with all our work from this year: http://classof2009honors.wikispaces.com/
You can download review charts and tables here: reviewspring-08.doc
Topics
Unit 6: Constitutional Foundations
- Pathways of Action, the U.S. Constitution, and Federalism
- Living Democracy Chapter 1, Chapter 2 & Chapter 3
- Points of View Chapter 2: The Constitution & Chapter 3: Federalism–Gay Marriage
- Gay Marriage Debate | Timeline of Federalism PPTs
Unit 7: The Institutions of Government
- The Congress, the Presidency
- Living Democracy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 8
- Points of View: Chapter 10: The Congress—Redistricting, Chapter 11: The Presidency
- Model Congress Project | Presidential Character Assignment
Unit 8: The Judicial Branch & Civil Liberties
- The Supreme Court and Civil Liberties
- Living Democracy: Chapter 4 and Chapter 5
- Points of View: Chapter 13: The Courts –Judicial Review and Chapter 14: Free Speech
- Profiles of Supreme Court Justices | Moot Supreme Court
Unit 9: Interest Groups, Elections & Political Parties
- Interest Groups, Election, and Parties
- Living Democracy, Chapter 13 and Chapter 14
- Points of View, Chapter 9: Interest Groups and Chapter 5: Voting
- Interest Group Analysis Assignment
Format
Sections |
Items |
Points |
Time |
The Constitution |
Identify and briefly explain the 7 articles of the U.S. Constitution, the five principles which underlie our Constitution (checks and balances,separation of powers, federalism, limited government and popular sovereignty) |
34 pts. |
20 minutes |
| The Amendments |
Match the amendments (1,2,4,5,6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,21,22,24,26) |
10 pts. |
5 minutes |
Multiple Choice |
26 multiple choice |
26 pts. |
20 minutes |
Identification |
Choose 1 of 3 to answer in well constructed paragraph identifying the term and explaining its significance. |
20 pts. |
10 minutes |
Document Analysis |
Interpret a document such as a graph or a table which has political significance and answer a series of questions |
30 pts. |
15 minutes |
Essay #1: Thematic |
Choose 1 of 3: This longer essay will challenge you to assess the institutions and processes of our government.You will incorporate your connections assignments within this essay. |
60 pts. |
40 minutes |
Format for Unit 7 Test
This test will cover information presented in Living Democracy chapter 8, the James Barber article on presidential character and the readings on the Imperial Presidency in Points of View.
Multiple Choice: 10 pts: 10 questions—focus on terms!
Identification: 2o pts.: Choose 1 of 2 to answer in a well-organized paragraph supported by specific examples where applicable.
Primary Source Analysis: 20 pts.: 2 questions—review figure 8.2 and figure 8.3 and the graphs on the SmartBoard notes
Essay Question: 40 pts.: Choose 1 of 3 to answer in a well-organized and well developed essay. The essay questions will focus on the Barber reading and the articles on the Imperial Presidency.
Format for Unit 6 Test
This test will include information from Living Democracy chapters 1 – 3. We did not read all of chapter 2. Refer to the chapter study guide for specific page numbers. The test will also include the additional readings we completed during this unit: Points of View chapter 2 “The Constitution,” The Federalist Papers 47, 48, and 51, and Points of View Chapter 3 “Federalism.” It will also include a brief current event article for you analyze.
Multiple Choice: 20 pts.: You need to know the specific articles of the Constitution too!
Identifications: 2o pts: Identify 1/3 terms in a well-organized and well-structured paragraph.
Current Event: 20 pts.: Analyze a current events article and analyze which principles of the Constitution are reflected in the story.
Essay (40 pts): Choose 1 /2 questions to answer in several paragraphs.
Refer to the STUDY GUIDES for required terms and guiding questions.
Format for Unit 3 Test
The test will include information from American Journey chapters 26 and 27 (only the part we will have read by Monday), After the Fact, “The Decision to Drop the Bomb,” and the debate handouts (U.S. Soviet Relations, International Politics, the primary sources—1945 and Churchill’s speech).
Map (10 pts)
- You should be able to identify the following on a blank map of Europe/Africa: the AXIS powers and the ALLIES. You should also be able to identify the extent of Axis power in 1942 and the leading battles in Europe: Stalingrad and D-Day.
- You should be able to identify the following on a blank map of the Pacific: Japan and the extent of Japanese power in the Pacific in 1942, Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) and Midway
- You should be able to identify the “Iron Curtain” and Eastern Europe including Germany (East and West), Poland, the Soviet Union
- You should be able to identify Greece and Turkey, recipients of aid from the Truman doctrine
Multiple Choice (10 pts.): 10 questions
Chronology (10 pts): Put events into chronological order
Identifications (20 pts.): Identify two terms in well-written paragraphs
Essay (50 pts.): Choose 1 of 3 questions to answer in a well-organized essay with a thesis, topic sentence, and supporting examples
