AP®︎ U.S. Government & Politics: Topic 2.2 Practice Test
Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with focused practice questions on Topic 2.2 of AP U.S. Government & Politics – Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress.
Questions List
Topic 2.2
Question 1 Easy
This question tests the following: LO 2.2.A
What is the main purpose of the United States Congress?
What You’re Being Tested On:
Explore the learning objectives taken directly from the College Board’s AP® U.S. Government & Politics Curriculum. Ensure you’re prepared for the exact topics covered on the AP® exam, in-class tests, and quizzes, and gain confidence in your mastery of the material.
Topic 2.2: Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress
Learning Objective: LO 2.2.A
Explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policymaking process.
Review: EK 2.2.A.1
The structures and powers of the Senate and House are different by design. This difference directly affects the legislative process.
Review: EK 2.2.A.2
Both chambers refer bills to committees, which conduct hearings and debate and mark up bills with revisions and additions. Leadership in committees is determined by the majority political party.
Review: EK 2.2.A.3
Chamber-specific rules and procedures affect the legislative process. i. In the House, the Speaker is elected by a majority of members and presides over the legislative work in the House. All revenue bills must originate in the House. Rules for debate in the House on a bill are established by the Rules Committee. The House can form a Committee of the Whole in order to expedite debate on bills. An individual representative in the House can file a discharge petition to have a bill brought to the floor for debate, but it is rarely done. ii. In the Senate, bills are typically brought to the floor by unanimous consent, but a Senator may request a hold on a bill to prevent it from getting to the floor for a vote. During debate, a Senator can use the filibuster (a tactic to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill) or make a motion for cloture (a procedure to end a debate). iii. When a bill passed by both chambers on the same topic has variation in its wording, a conference committee meets to reconcile those differences.
Review: EK 2.2.A.4
Congress must generate a budget that addresses both mandatory and discretionary spending. i. Mandatory spending is required by law for entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. ii. Discretionary spending is approved on an annual basis for defense spending, education, and infrastructure. As entitlement costs grow, discretionary spending opportunities will decrease unless tax revenues increase, or the budget deficit increases.
Review: EK 2.2.A.5
Pork-barrel legislation (funding for a local project in a larger appropriation bill) and logrolling (exchange of political favors among legislators, such as trading votes, to gain support for legislation) affect the legislative process in both chambers.
Illustrative Examples specific knowledge students should know & demonstrate
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