First Amendment: Freedom of Speech

First Amendment: Freedom of Speech is topic 3.3 of AP US Government and Politics, inside Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. This page works through three real practice questions on it, with the full reasoning behind each credited answer.

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Worked examples

Three real first amendment: freedom of speech questions

From the practice pool, not the mock papers — each with the reasoning that produces the answer.

None of these questions carry a figure — they are decided by reasoning from the stem alone.

SCOTUS Application

Students wear black armbands to protest a war, and the school punishes them despite no substantial disruption. Which case most directly supports the students?

  1. ATinker v. Des Moines, because student expression is protected absent substantial disruption.correct
  2. BMcCulloch v. Maryland, because that case concerns implied powers and national supremacy.
  3. CGideon v. Wainwright, because that case concerns the right to counsel.
  4. DShaw v. Reno, because that case concerns racial gerrymandering.
Why A is correct

Tinker v. Des Moines is correct because student expression is protected absent substantial disruption.

The stem asks students to apply First Amendment: Freedom of Speech. The decisive clue is "Students wear black armbands to protest a war, and the school punishes them despite no substantial disruption. Which case most directly supports the students?". Tinker v. Des Moines fits because student expression is protected absent substantial disruption. B: McCulloch v. Maryland points to that case concerns implied powers and national supremacy; C: Gideon v. Wainwright points to that case concerns the right to counsel; D: Shaw v. Reno points to that case concerns racial gerrymandering.

SCOTUS Application

During wartime, a speaker urges resistance to the draft in a way officials say creates a serious risk to recruitment. Which doctrine is most relevant?

  1. AGideon v. Wainwright, because that case concerns the right to counsel.
  2. BThe clear and present danger test from Schenck v. United States.correct
  3. CShaw v. Reno, because that case concerns racial gerrymandering.
  4. DWisconsin v. Yoder, because that case concerns religious objections to compulsory schooling.
Why B is correct

The clear and present danger test from Schenck v. United States is correct because it best matches the evidence in the stem.

The stem asks students to apply First Amendment: Freedom of Speech. The decisive clue is "During wartime, a speaker urges resistance to the draft in a way officials say creates a serious risk to recruitment. Which doctrine is most relevant?". The clear and present danger test from Schenck v. United States fits because it best matches the evidence in the stem. A: Gideon v. Wainwright points to that case concerns the right to counsel; C: Shaw v. Reno points to that case concerns racial gerrymandering; D: Wisconsin v. Yoder points to that case concerns religious objections to compulsory schooling.

SCOTUS Application

A city denies a parade permit because officials dislike the marchers' political message, even though similar parades have been allowed. Which First Amendment problem is most direct?

  1. AShaw v. Reno, because that case concerns racial gerrymandering.
  2. BWisconsin v. Yoder, because that case concerns religious objections to compulsory schooling.
  3. CBaker v. Carr, because that case concerns apportionment and justiciability.
  4. DViewpoint discrimination, because a rule allows a subject but excludes one perspective.correct
Why D is correct

Viewpoint discrimination is correct because a rule allows a subject but excludes one perspective.

The stem asks students to apply First Amendment: Freedom of Speech. The decisive clue is "A city denies a parade permit because officials dislike the marchers' political message, even though similar parades have been allowed. Which First Amendment problem is most direct". Viewpoint discrimination fits because a rule allows a subject but excludes one perspective. A: Shaw v. Reno points to that case concerns racial gerrymandering; B: Wisconsin v. Yoder points to that case concerns religious objections to compulsory schooling; C: Baker v. Carr points to that case concerns apportionment and justiciability.

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Last reviewed 2026-08-28. Topic and unit names follow the College Board course framework. Question counts describe the PrepScore practice bank, not the exam.
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First Amendment: Freedom of Religion29 questions

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