AP U.S. Government topic quiz4 questions

3.12 Balancing Minority and Majority Rights

Choose the best answer, check your reasoning, and use the explanation to correct any gap.

Question 1

Question 1 of 4

Which statement accurately describes the Voting Rights Act after Shelby County v. Holder?

Shelby County invalidated Section 4's coverage formula, which left the old Section 5 preclearance mechanism without an operative coverage trigger. The decision did not erase the Voting Rights Act or Section 2's nationwide prohibition.
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D. The old Section 4 coverage formula can no longer activate Section 5 preclearance, while Section 2 remains operative nationwide

Shelby County invalidated Section 4's coverage formula, which left the old Section 5 preclearance mechanism without an operative coverage trigger. The decision did not erase the Voting Rights Act or Section 2's nationwide prohibition.

Question 2

Question 2 of 4

A public university automatically adds admissions points when an applicant belongs to a specified racial category. Which equal-protection rule most directly applies?

An automatic benefit assigned by racial category is an express governmental racial classification and therefore triggers strict scrutiny. Race-neutral outreach is analytically different and does not itself make the categorical preference valid.
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A. The express racial classification triggers strict scrutiny and must satisfy the limits governing race-conscious admissions

An automatic benefit assigned by racial category is an express governmental racial classification and therefore triggers strict scrutiny. Race-neutral outreach is analytically different and does not itself make the categorical preference valid.

Question 3

Question 3 of 4

A state law expressly classifies applicants for an ordinary public benefit by sex. Which equal-protection standard ordinarily applies?

Government classifications based on sex ordinarily receive intermediate scrutiny: the classification must be substantially related to an important governmental objective. Race classifications receive strict scrutiny, while most ordinary economic classifications receive rational-basis review.
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B. Intermediate scrutiny requiring an important interest and a substantial relationship

Government classifications based on sex ordinarily receive intermediate scrutiny: the classification must be substantially related to an important governmental objective. Race classifications receive strict scrutiny, while most ordinary economic classifications receive rational-basis review.

Question 4

Question 4 of 4

A city classifies permit applicants by age for an ordinary economic program. Which standard ordinarily applies?

Age classifications ordinarily receive rational-basis review unless another fundamental right or statute changes the analysis. Intermediate and strict scrutiny impose different objectives and fit requirements, while neither least-restrictive-means review nor the ballot-access framework governs this ordinary economic permit program.
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C. Rational-basis review

Age classifications ordinarily receive rational-basis review unless another fundamental right or statute changes the analysis. Intermediate and strict scrutiny impose different objectives and fit requirements, while neither least-restrictive-means review nor the ballot-access framework governs this ordinary economic permit program.

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