AP Comparative Government and Politics Unit 2: Political Institutions Practice Exam

Assessment for Unit 2: Political Institutions

Estimated Time: 60 minutes

Exam Details

Questions: 22 total (19 multiple choice, 3 short answer)
Time: 60 minutes (recommended)
Topics Covered: Unit 2: Political Institutions
Format: Multiple Choice, Short Answer questions matching real exam difficulty
Scoring: Instant results with detailed explanations

A. Multiple-Choice Questions (19 Questions)

Select the one best answer for each question.

1. Consider the following scenario: A national legislature passes a motion expressing a lack of support for the current head of government. As a result, the entire cabinet, including the head of government, is forced to resign, and new elections may be called. Which of the following governmental systems is most likely being described, and which country serves as a primary example?

(A)A presidential system, such as Mexico(B)A parliamentary system, such as the United Kingdom(C)A semi-presidential system, such as Russia(D)A federal system, such as Nigeria

2. Which of the following accurately compares the selection and removal of the executive in Nigeria's presidential system with that of the United Kingdom's parliamentary system?

(A)In Nigeria, the President is selected by the legislature and can be removed by a vote of no confidence, whereas in the UK, the Prime Minister is directly elected by the people.(B)In Nigeria, the President is directly elected by the people and serves a fixed term, whereas in the UK, the Prime Minister is selected by the majority party in the House of Commons and lacks a fixed term.(C)In both Nigeria and the UK, the head of government also serves as the head of state and is removed through an impeachment process led by the judiciary.(D)In Nigeria, the executive is fused with the legislature, whereas in the UK, the executive is separated from the legislature to prevent gridlock.

3. Based on the constitutional structure of the Russian Federation, which of the following best explains the accountability of the Cabinet and Prime Minister?

(A)The Cabinet is solely accountable to the State Duma, which has the exclusive power to appoint and remove ministers without presidential interference.(B)The Cabinet serves at the pleasure of the President alone, and the State Duma has no mechanism to express disapproval of the government.(C)The Cabinet is accountable to both the President, who nominates the Prime Minister, and the State Duma, which must approve the nomination and can vote no confidence.(D)The Cabinet is selected by the Federation Council and is removed only through a judicial review process by the Constitutional Court.

4. [Skill: 3.B | Topic: 2.2] Which of the following accurately compares the mechanism for removing the head of government in a parliamentary system versus a presidential system?

(A)In a parliamentary system, the head of government is removed through a judicial tribunal, whereas in a presidential system, the head of government is removed by a legislative vote of no confidence.(B)In a parliamentary system, the legislature can remove the head of government via a vote of no confidence for political reasons, whereas in a presidential system, the legislature typically must use impeachment for specific legal misconduct.(C)In a parliamentary system, the head of state can dismiss the head of government at will, whereas in a presidential system, only the voters can remove the head of government through a recall election.(D)In a parliamentary system, the head of government serves a fixed term and cannot be removed early, whereas in a presidential system, the head of government can be removed by the cabinet.

5. [Skill: 3.B | Topic: 2.2] Which of the following explains why the United Kingdom's House of Commons is generally able to enact the executive's policy agenda more quickly than the Nigerian National Assembly?

(A)The UK utilizes a system of judicial review that expedites the legislative process, while Nigeria's judiciary delays legislation.(B)The UK has a presidential system where the executive decrees laws, while Nigeria has a parliamentary system requiring debate.(C)The UK features a fusion of power where the executive is drawn from the legislative majority, reducing gridlock, while Nigeria's separation of powers creates distinct checks that can stall legislation.(D)The UK legislature is unicameral and requires fewer votes to pass laws, while Nigeria's legislature is tricameral and requires consensus.

6. [Skill: 1.B | Topic: 2.2] In the British House of Commons, the weekly session known as 'Prime Minister's Questions' (PMQs) requires the Prime Minister to answer inquiries from Members of Parliament, including the Leader of the Opposition. Which of the following describes the primary function of this institutional mechanism?

(A)It empowers the opposition party to veto executive legislation immediately.(B)It serves as a check on executive power by forcing the government to defend its policies and performance publicly.(C)It allows the monarch to publicly reprimand the Prime Minister for policy failures.(D)It provides a formal process for the judiciary to question the constitutionality of proposed laws.

7. Which of the following accurately compares the power and authority of the head of government in the United Kingdom with that of the head of government in Russia?

(A)In the United Kingdom, the head of government is the commander in chief, whereas in Russia, the head of government has no authority over the military.(B)In the United Kingdom, the head of government serves as the de facto chief executive, whereas in Russia, the head of government is subordinate to the head of state.(C)In the United Kingdom, the head of government is directly elected by the voters, whereas in Russia, the head of government is appointed by the legislature.(D)In the United Kingdom, the head of government acts primarily as a ceremonial figure, whereas in Russia, the head of government directs foreign policy.

8. Which of the following arguments is most commonly used by supporters of eliminating executive term limits in countries like China and Russia to justify their removal?

(A)Eliminating term limits prevents the concentration of power within the executive branch.(B)Allowing indefinite reelection ensures policy continuity and stability for long-term strategic goals.(C)Removing term limits increases the opportunities for new political leaders to emerge from opposition parties.(D)Ending term limits strengthens the system of checks and balances between the executive and the legislature.

9. Which of the following accurately compares the formal executive term limit rules in Mexico and Nigeria?

(A)Mexico limits the president to a single six-year term, while Nigeria allows the president to be reelected for a second four-year term.(B)Both Mexico and Nigeria allow the president to serve an unlimited number of terms as long as they win reelection.(C)Nigeria limits the president to a single six-year term, while Mexico allows for two consecutive four-year terms.(D)Mexico allows the president to run for reelection after sitting out one term, while Nigeria imposes a strict lifetime ban after two terms.

10. Which of the following accurately compares the formal procedures for the removal of the executive head of government in Nigeria and the United Kingdom?

(A)In Nigeria, the President can be removed via a vote of no confidence by the cabinet, whereas in the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister is removed by the monarch.(B)In Nigeria, the National Assembly can impeach and remove the President for gross misconduct, whereas in the United Kingdom, the House of Commons can force the resignation of the government through a vote of no confidence.(C)In Nigeria, the Supreme Court has the sole power to remove the President, whereas in the United Kingdom, the House of Lords can impeach the Prime Minister.(D)In Nigeria, the President is immune from removal during their term, whereas in the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister can be recalled by a public referendum.

11. Which of the following describes the role of the legislature and religious authority in the removal of the President in Iran?

(A)The President can be removed directly by a two-thirds vote of the Assembly of Experts without legislative input.(B)The Majles can vote to remove the President, but the decision must be ratified by the Guardian Council to take effect.(C)The Supreme Leader may dismiss the President if the Majles votes that the President is politically incompetent or if the Supreme Court finds the President guilty of violating constitutional duties.(D)The Expediency Council has the exclusive power to impeach the President to resolve conflicts between the executive and the legislature.

12. [Skill: 2.A | Topic: 2.6] Which of the following accurately compares the structure and function of the legislature in China and Mexico?

(A)China: Bicameral system that debates and modifies laws | Mexico: Unicameral system that automatically approves executive proposals(B)China: Unicameral system that legitimizes party decisions | Mexico: Bicameral system that approves legislation and levies taxes(C)China: Unicameral system with members directly elected by citizens | Mexico: Bicameral system with members appointed by the president(D)China: Bicameral system that confirms judicial appointments | Mexico: Unicameral system that oversees the national budget

13. [Skill: 2.B | Topic: 2.6] Which of the following pairs correctly identifies a specific power held by the upper house of the legislature in Russia and the United Kingdom?

(A)Russia (Federation Council): Approves troop deployments and treaties | United Kingdom (House of Lords): Reviews and can delay legislation(B)Russia (State Duma): Confirms the appointment of the Prime Minister | United Kingdom (House of Commons): Holds a vote of no confidence(C)Russia (Federation Council): Initiates all budget legislation | United Kingdom (House of Lords): Vetoes bills passed by the lower house(D)Russia (State Duma): Appoints judges to the Constitutional Court | United Kingdom (House of Commons): Selects the monarch

14. [Skill: 1.E | Topic: 2.7] Which of the following best explains how the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) constrains the power of the National People's Congress (NPC) in China?

(A)The PSC has the constitutional authority to veto any legislation passed by the NPC with a simple majority vote.(B)The PSC sets the legislative agenda and policy priorities, which the NPC is expected to ratify without significant opposition.(C)The PSC appoints the members of the NPC directly, bypassing any electoral mechanisms or local congresses.(D)The PSC serves as the judicial branch that interprets laws passed by the NPC, frequently declaring them unconstitutional.

15. [Skill: 2.A | Topic: 2.7] In the Islamic Republic of Iran, legislative independence is structurally limited by unelected bodies. Which of the following accurately describes a specific mechanism used by the Guardian Council to constrain the Majles?

(A)The Guardian Council resolves disputes between the Majles and the Cabinet regarding the national budget.(B)The Guardian Council selects the Speaker of the Majles, ensuring the leadership aligns with the Supreme Leader.(C)The Guardian Council vets all candidates for the Majles and reviews all passed legislation for compatibility with Islamic law and the Constitution.(D)The Guardian Council drafts all legislation related to foreign policy and defense, leaving the Majles to vote only on domestic issues.

16. Which of the following accurately compares the appointment process and the practical independence of the judiciary in Mexico and Russia?

(A)In Mexico, Supreme Court magistrates are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate for 15-year terms to foster independence, whereas in Russia, judges are nominated by the president and approved by the Federation Council but rarely challenge the executive.(B)In Mexico, judges are elected directly by citizens to ensure democratic accountability, whereas in Russia, judges are appointed for life by the State Duma to ensure continuity.(C)Both Mexico and Russia utilize independent non-partisan judicial commissions to appoint judges, ensuring that the judiciary in both countries is completely free from political interference.(D)In Mexico, the judiciary functions under a system of rule by law where the president controls all verdicts, whereas in Russia, the Constitutional Court frequently uses judicial review to overturn presidential decrees.

17. Which of the following best explains a fundamental difference in the function and basis of the judicial systems in Iran and the United Kingdom?

(A)The Iranian judiciary relies on common law traditions to interpret statutes, whereas the United Kingdom's judiciary relies strictly on a codified constitution and religious texts.(B)The primary function of the Iranian judiciary is to ensure the legal system adheres to Islamic Sharia law, whereas the United Kingdom's judiciary utilizes common law to enforce the rule of law and protect civil liberties.(C)Judges in Iran are popularly elected to ensure they reflect the will of the people, whereas judges in the United Kingdom are appointed by the monarch to serve the interests of the Crown.(D)The United Kingdom's Supreme Court has the power to veto legislation based on religious principles, whereas the Iranian judiciary is secular and focuses solely on criminal justice.

18. Which of the following best compares the institutional independence of the judiciary in the United Kingdom and China?

(A)In the United Kingdom, the Supreme Court has the power to overturn acts of Parliament, whereas in China, the Supreme People's Court exercises judicial review over the National People's Congress.(B)In the United Kingdom, the judiciary operates as a neutral arbiter independent of the executive, whereas in China, the judiciary is constitutionally responsible to the National People's Congress and subservient to the Communist Party.(C)In the United Kingdom, judges are popularly elected to ensure accountability to the voters, whereas in China, judges are appointed by the President for life terms.(D)In the United Kingdom, the legal system is based on code law which limits judicial discretion, whereas in China, the legal system is based on common law which grants judges significant independence.

19. In Mexico, Supreme Court justices are appointed for a single 15-year term. Which of the following explains how this term structure creates a check on executive power?

(A)It ensures that justices face regular re-election campaigns, making them accountable to the citizenry rather than the President.(B)It allows the President to remove justices who disagree with executive policies during the middle of their terms.(C)It insulates justices from political pressure by ensuring their terms outlast the six-year 'sexenio' of the President who appointed them.(D)It mandates that justices must be members of the opposition party to ensure a balance of power within the government.

B. Short Answer Questions (3 Questions)

Answer all parts of each question. Answers must be in essay form. Outlines or lists alone are not acceptable.

Question 20:

Question 21:

Question 22:

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