A newly enacted federal law requires states to adopt a law banning texting while driving on interstate highways. Under the law, any state that does not enact such a law within three years will be denied 10% of the state’s allotment of federal highway construction funding. What is the best argument that can be made in support of the constitutionality of this federal statute?

State Green passed a statute requiring all commercial trucks passing through the state to use Type A tires, even though all other states permit the use of either Type A or Type B tires on commercial vehicles. The United States Supreme Court struck down the state Green statute and stated in its opinion that Type A and Type B tires are equally safe. Subsequent to the Supreme Court decision, the legislature of state Yellow enacted a statute requiring the use of Type B tires by commercial vehicles and banning the use of Type A tires by commercial vehicles. The statute states that the reason for the prohibition is that Type A tires are dangerous. Which of the following would be the basis for the best argument for striking down the state Yellow statute as unconstitutional?

A Congressman was indicted for conspiracy to use improper influence to prevent a tax fraud investigation of his ex-law partner. The prosecution desires to show that, as part of the conspiracy, the Congressman made a speech on the floor of the United States House of Representatives at a relevant time, urging a cutback in appropriations for the Internal Revenue Service. The Congressman’s legislative aide and speechwriter have been called as a witness to the circumstances of the preparation of that speech. The Congressman objects to the calling of his speechwriter.How should the court rule on the objection?

In an effort to protect the dwindling California condor population, Congress enacted the Condor Preservation Act, which made it illegal to take or sell any part of a California condor. The constitutionality of the Act is challenged by a seller of gifts and artifacts, including artifacts made out of California condor feathers. Is the statute valid?

The final exam is comprehensive (it will include material from all units).

In a recent statute, Congress passed a bill with the following regulations:  Regulation A, which requires all instructors of persons seeking commercial driving licenses to be certified by federal examiners. The regulation details the criteria for certification, which requires a minimum number of years of experience as a commercial driver and a minimum score on a test of basic communication skills.  Regulation B, which requires that every bus in commercial service be equipped with seatbelts for every seat.  Regulation C provides that states failing to implement adequate measures to ensure that bus seatbelts are actually used will forfeit 10 percent of previously-appropriated federal funds that assist states with highway construction.  The State Driving Academy, which is a state agency that offers driving instruction to persons seeking commercial driving licenses, is considering challenging the validity of Regulation A under the United States Constitution. The Capitol City Transit Company, which is a private corporation that operates buses within the city limits of Capitol City, is considering challenging the validity of Regulation B under the United States Constitution. The State Highway Department, another state agency, is considering challenging the validity of Regulation C under the United States Constitution.  Is there state action? Discuss.  Does Congress have power under the Commerce Clause to enact Regulation A? Discuss.  Does Congress have the power under the Commerce Clause to enact Regulation B? Discuss.  Does Regulation C concern Congress’s Taxing and Spending Power? Discuss.   

Based on a title like ‘The History of the World Wide Web,’ what type of text structure would you most likely predict the author will use?

What is the first step in confirming and correcting predictions about a nonfiction text?

Which of the following would be the most reliable source for making a prediction about a nonfiction article?

You are reading a science article about the Arctic and you encounter the word ‘permafrost.’ You don’t know the word, but the paragraph mentions ‘frozen ground that is melting.’ What can you predict ‘permafrost’ means?