State and Local Government
Session 21: Sample Assessment Items

Asterisk (*) indicates correct answer.

Essay Questions

1. How does our federal system of government share power between the state and national levels?

2. Compare and contrast the powers of the state and local governments.

3. What is the lawmaking process in the Virginia General Assembly?

4. How does the Governor of Virginia influence the policymaking process?

5. What is the organization and jurisdiction of Virginia's courts?

6. What is the procedure in a felony case?

   
Multiple Choice Questions

7.     In Virginia, where do local governments get their power?
A. The Constitution of the United States
B. The Virginia Charters
C. The state*
D. The Congress

8.     What is a primary responsibility of the state government?
A. Conduct foreign policy
B. Regulate interstate commerce
C. Promote public health*
D. Regulate the army

9.     Virginia: General Assembly                          
         County:  ___________?
A. City Council
B. Ordinance
C. Town manager
D. Board of Supervisors *

10.  State governments exercise power under which amendment to the Constitution of the United States?
A. Amendment 1
B. Amendment 5
C. Amendment 10*
D. Amendment 14

11.  Legislative powers specifically stated in the Constitution of Virginia are called
A. expressed.*
B. reserved.
C. implied.
D. concurrent.

12.  State laws are written for all of the following reasons EXCEPT
A. in response to state problems.
B. the actions requested by interest groups.
C. identification of individuals’ issues of concern for the state.
D. to avoid complying with the Constitution of the United States.*

13.  The powers of the Governor are
A. expressed in the Bill of Rights.
B. listed in the Constitution of Virginia.*
C. approved by Congress.
D. declared by the Supreme Court.

14.  How does the Governor influence policymaking in Virginia?
A. Signing and vetoing bills*
B. Appointing and nominating officials
C. Granting pardons
D. Passing the biennial budget

15.  Which court in Virginia is the only court to use juries?
A. Virginia Supreme Court
B. Virginia Court of Appeals
C. Circuit Court*
D. General District Court

16.  In the Virginia Court System, who has the powers listed in the box above?
A. The chief justice
B. A magistrate*
C. A Circuit Court judge
D. A plaintiff

17.  When the Supreme Court of Virginia declares a Virginia law unconstitutional, they are exercising
A. Federalism.
B. Popular sovereignty.
C. Original jurisdiction.
D. Judicial review.*

18.  Which of the following is considered the supreme law in Virginia?
A. The Constitution of the Commonwealth
B. The Constitution of the United States*
C. Laws passed by Congress
D. Laws passed by the General Assembly

19.  This is known as what type of case?
A. Criminal
B. Felony
C. Civil*
D. Misdemeanor

20.  A court hearing in which probable cause is reviewed is called a/an
A. plea bargain.
B. arraignment.*
C. trial.
D. summons.