Question 1

In general, state constitutions today conform more closely to the higher-law tradition and the Model State Constitution than did those of the past.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Changing the contents of state constitutions typically requires a simple majority vote by the legislature.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The most uncommon way that state constitutions are revised is through judicial interpretation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

State constitutions represent the fundamental law of the state.As a result,

Accepted Answer

A)  they must mirror the federal Constitution in their design and purpose.
B)  when an issue arises between the state and the national government, the state constitution prevails.
C)  they are supreme in only those matters specifically delegated to the state in the U.S.Constitution.
D)  only the federal Constitution and statutes have priority over the state's constitution.

Question 5

Direct initiatives are distinguished by the fact that

Accepted Answer

A)  the legislature votes directly on citizens' proposals.
B)  the courts must decide that the proposals are consistent with federal law before they are adopted.
C)  the Secretary of State must certify that sufficient signatures exist to permit immediate adoption.
D)  the proposals are placed directly on the general election ballot by citizens.

Question 6

The concept of judicial review refers to the judiciary's power to declare the actions of the legislative and executive branches or the actions of lower courts unconstitutional.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

California has the shortest state constitution, with roughly 220,000 words.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Between 1860 and 1870, considerable constitutional revision occurred when

Accepted Answer

A)  Jacksonian notions of popular government swept the nation.
B)  Populist and Progressive reform movements swept the nation.
C)  western states sought to update their constitutions after the Civil War.
D)  the former Confederate states wrote their constitutions to incorporate certain conditions of readmission to the United States.

Question 9

The Model State Constitution was developed by

Accepted Answer

A)  the U.S.Supreme Court in 1921.
B)  the National League of Cities in 1960.
C)  the Council of State Governments in 1968.
D)  the National Municipal League in 1921.

Question 10

Most states allow constitutional amendments to be made using direct citizen initiatives.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

In recent years the executive branch of state governments has been

Accepted Answer

A)  further fragmented.
B)  organized to permit the populace to vote for six to eight different executive officers.
C)  organized to permit the governor and lieutenant governor to be elected separately.
D)  centralized so that most power resides in the office of the governor.

Question 12

Constitutional conventions are the oldest method for constitutional change in the states and are used frequently today.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The positive-law tradition is based on detailed provisions and procedures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The Jacksonian principle of using popular elections to fill most government offices resulted in a fragmented executive branch.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Discuss the informal and formal methods for making constitutional changes in the states.

Accepted Answer

In the United States, there are both for...

Question 16

Discuss how states have responded to the inadequacies of their state constitutions.That is, what reforms have been implemented to make constitutions more workable documents?

Accepted Answer

States have responded to the inadequacie...

Question 17

The informal method of amending state constitutions rests upon

Accepted Answer

A)  the introduction of legislative proposals.
B)  the use of a direct initiative.
C)  the interpretation of constitutional meaning by the various branches of government.
D)  the reliance on challenges in the federal courts.

Question 18

All state constitutions currently provide for bicameral legislatures except for the state of

Accepted Answer

A)  Wyoming.
B)  Pennsylvania.
C)  South Carolina.
D)  Nebraska.

Question 19

The expansion of state constitutions into lengthy documents resulted from

Accepted Answer

A)  a requirement to spell out designated local government authority for each major city.
B)  U) S.Supreme Court decisions regarding minimum items to be covered.
C)  efforts to protect the state from encroachment by federal agencies.
D)  a perceived need to be specific about what state and local governments could and could not do.

Question 20

The higher-law tradition for state constitutions is based on detailed provisions and procedures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 3: State Constitutions

The expansion of state constitutions into lengthy documents resulted from

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In general, state constitutions today conform more closely to the higher-law tradition and the Model State Constitution than did those of the past.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The positive-law tradition is based on detailed provisions and procedures.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

All state constitutions currently provide for bicameral legislatures except for the state of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The concept of judicial review refers to the judiciary's power to declare the actions of the legislative and executive branches or the actions of lower courts unconstitutional.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Jacksonian principle of using popular elections to fill most government offices resulted in a fragmented executive branch.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Discuss the informal and formal methods for making constitutional changes in the states.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIIn the United States, there are both for...View AnswerShow Answer

California has the shortest state constitution, with roughly 220,000 words.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Direct initiatives are distinguished by the fact that

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Discuss how states have responded to the inadequacies of their state constitutions.That is, what reforms have been implemented to make constitutions more workable documents?

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIStates have responded to the inadequacie...View AnswerShow Answer

In recent years the executive branch of state governments has been

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The higher-law tradition for state constitutions is based on detailed provisions and procedures.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Between 1860 and 1870, considerable constitutional revision occurred when

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Most states allow constitutional amendments to be made using direct citizen initiatives.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Constitutional conventions are the oldest method for constitutional change in the states and are used frequently today.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

State constitutions represent the fundamental law of the state.As a result,

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Model State Constitution was developed by

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Changing the contents of state constitutions typically requires a simple majority vote by the legislature.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The most uncommon way that state constitutions are revised is through judicial interpretation.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The informal method of amending state constitutions rests upon

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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Answered by ExamLex AI
In the United States, there are both for...
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Answered by ExamLex AI
States have responded to the inadequacie...
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