Part I: ID’s (Answer 4 ID Questions only, 5 points each, 20 points total)
Instructions: Identify AND Explain the significance of 4 of the following 6 terms, concepts, or
cases. The “identification” should take the form of a definition and/or explanation of the term,
concept, or case. The “significance” can take the form of its significance to American
government, an example, or an application to current events.
Word Limit: 100 words max (about 5 sentences max) for Each of the 4 ID Questions chosen
1. Signing Statements
Answer Here:
2. Gerrymandering
Answer Here:
3. U.S. v. Curtiss-Wright
Answer Here:
4. Civic skills
Answer Here:
5. Speaker of the House
Answer Here:
6. Engagement (political engagement in the context of political participation)
Answer Here:
Part II: Short Answer Question – Congress and the President (20 points total)
Word Limit: 400-500 words max for Questions 1 and 2 combined (about 1 page max single
spaced)
Instructions: Answer Both Questions 1 and 2
Fact Pattern: President Smith has declared war on England. The President claims that England
might attack the United States, but he provides no evidence to support his claim. The President
sends troops to invade England without consulting Congress first. Upon hearing of the
President’s invasion a week later, members of Congress are furious.
Hint: There may be multiple arguments that the President can make in Question 1 and that
Congress can make in Question 2 below. List and explain as many arguments as you think are
relevant (not just one). Also, include important facts from the fact pattern above in your answers
to support your arguments.
1. What are the President’s strongest arguments that he has the power to invade England without
getting authorization from Congress first?
Answer Here:
2. What are Congress’s strongest arguments that the President acted improperly?
Answer Here:
Part III: Short Answer Question – Public Opinion (20 points total)
Word Limit: 400-500 words max for Political Cue 1 and Political Cue 2 combined (about 1
page max single spaced)
Fact Pattern: It is September 7, 2020, two months before the 2020 presidential election, and
Jenny Anderson is a voter in Ohio. She is deciding on whether to support President Trump, the
Republican candidate, or Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate, in the election.
She is not an ideologue and she does not have high political knowledge. Her parents are
Republicans and growing up, they regularly discussed politics at the dinner table. However, in
the 2016 election, she registered as a Democrat and regularly watches MSNBC, a more liberal
news network. However, she is currently an independent swing voter who voted for Hillary
Clinton in 2016 but for Mitt Romney in 2012. She also reads the New York Times daily and on
the morning of September 7th, she read an article that said: “Although the unemployment rate
has been at historic lows throughout President Trump’s first three years in office, the
unemployment rate skyrocketed from 4.4% to 14.7% this past month due to the Coronavirus
pandemic. This is the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression and there are no
signs of an improving economy in the near future.”
Explain TWO political cues that Jenny can use in deciding which candidate to support in the
2020 presidential election. Hint: Your answers should not only include the political science
concepts requested below, but also should include the relevant facts from the fact pattern above
to support your answers.
Instructions: Answer All 3 Questions for BOTH Political Cue 1 AND Political Cue 2
In explaining the political cues, provide the following information:
Political Cue 1:
1. Define the political cue.
Answer Here:
2. Explain how the political cue generally contributes to a person’s opinion formation.
Answer Here:
3. Explain what facts about that political cue from the fact pattern above would make it more
likely for Jenny to support either President Trump or Vice President Biden in the election.
Answer Here:
Political Cue 2:
1. Define the political cue.
Answer Here:
2. Explain how the political cue generally contributes to a person’s opinion formation.
Answer Here:
3. Explain what facts about that political cue from the fact pattern above would make it more
likely for Jenny to support either President Trump or Vice President Biden in the election.
Answer Here:
