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MCAP, Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program

This page shows a list of test questions in the American Government public release collection at MSDE. American Government
Unit "The Legislative Branch," Topic "Structure and Organization of Legislative Branch"

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This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

Which of these has the authority to make laws?

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

Which of these is part of the legislative branch of the United States government?

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

Read the scenario below.

In Congress, representatives from the Northwest are asking for funds to clean up the Pacific Ocean after an oil spill, while representatives from the Southeast are asking for money to rebuild after a devastating hurricane.

What problem does this present to Congress?

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

According to the U.S. Constitution, which of these actions is a power of the states?

This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.

Read the quotation and use it to answer the constructed-response item.

"It usually takes a hundred years to make a law, and then after it has done its work, it usually takes a hundred years to get rid of it."

—Henry Ward Beecher

  • Do you agree or disagree with this quote about the law-making process in the United States?
  • How could the law-making process be improved? Explain your answer.
  • Include details and examples to support your answer.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

Read the excerpt.

"A member of the General Assembly shall be elected by the registered voters of the legislative or delegate district from which he seeks election  . . . "

—Maryland Constitution, Article 3

Which principle of government is supported by this excerpt?

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select several options.