AP Government | Parties, Elections, Media, Interest Groups, and Campaign Finance Quiz

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of congressional and presidential campaigns? Congressional | Presidential a) Are conducted at 6-year intervals | Are conducted every 4 years b) Have lower turnouts than presidential elections | Are decided by the Electoral College c) Nominate candidates at national conventions | Second highest vote-getter in primaries becomes v.p. candidate d) Have candidates that compete for federal matching money | Can accept higher donations from individuals than congressional candidates

b) Have lower turnouts than presidential elections | Are decided by the Electoral College

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of challengers and incumbents? Challengers | Incumbents a) Tend to win in a bad economy | Spend less money b) Have an easier time raising money because of their fresh appeal | Are viewed skeptically because they have an open voting record c) Have generally fewer resources than incumbents | Use the tools of their office to help support their candidacy d) Mainly use federal matching money | Coordinate with Super PACs

c) Have generally fewer resources than incumbents | Use the tools of their office to help support their candidacy

Who of the following people would be most likely to be a Democrat? a) A Mexican American b) A Cuban American c) An evangelical Christian d) A pro-life advocate

a) A Mexican American

Which of the following stories would most likely receive media coverage? a) A story about a missing woman and her romantic relationship with a member of Congress b) A discussion of the detailed party platforms of each presidential candidate c) A discussion of the leading economic indicators d) A study comparing birth defects in the U.S. with birth defects in Canada

a) A story about a missing woman and her romantic relationship with a member of Congress

In U.S. history, third parties often have been effective vehicles for change when they a) Addressed issues and suggested remedies that were being ignored by the major parties b) Repeated slogans and issues that a major party stood for c) Were based on definite political ideologies d) Appealed to regional issues

a) Addressed issues and suggested remedies that were being ignored by the major parties

Why do the media typically have little influence on public opinion? a) Because people typically pay attention only to media coverage that is consistent with their political preferences. b) Because the media are required to present both sides of a story, leaving little room to influence public opinion. c) Because the media are owned by the same corporations that conduct public opinion polls. d) Because people tend to ignore all political information from the media due to its well-known biases.

a) Because people typically pay attention only to media coverage that is consistent with their political preferences.

Why is there more news coverage of the president than of Congress or the courts? a) Because the president is one person and is viewed by the public as the center of government b) Because the president has the ability to call news conferences, whereas members of Congress must act through their leaders c) Because the courts issue opinions that are difficult to understand, and it is difficult for the press to explain court decisions clearly d) Because Congressional committee hearings are usually closed to the press and the public

a) Because the president is one person and is viewed by the public as the center of government

The loudest critics of national media coverage of political campaigns and government activities characterize the media as a) Biased with a liberal view b) Objective, but not thorough c) Biased with a conservative view d) Too controlled by their sponsors

a) Biased with a liberal view

In a presidential election, state caucuses differ from state primaries in which one of the following ways? a) Caucuses usually have lower turnout. b) Only primary winners send delegates to the convention. c) More states use caucuses than primaries. d) Voters in primaries choose representatives to vote for them.

a) Caucuses usually have lower turnout.

Which of the following statements are generally true of third parties? I. Third-party officeholders threaten the political standing of the U.S. in the eyes of other nations. II. Third parties expand the political agenda. III. Third parties rarely gain enough support in the electorate to win. IV. Third-party success may indicate popular discontent. a) II, III, and IV only b) III only c) II and III only d) I and IV only

a) II, III, and IV only

PAC Campaign Donations (in millions) 2000 | 2004 | 2008 Incumbents | $195.4 | $246.8 | $304.7 Challengers | $27.5 | $22.3 | $48.8 Open Seats | $36.9 | $41.3 | $32.4 Source: FEC Which trend is supported by the table above? a) Interest group PACs tend to donate to incumbents more than challengers. b) PAC donations tend to change legislators' votes. c) PAC donations to challengers have diminished in recent years. d) Republican candidates receive more donations from labor PACS than do Democrats.

a) Interest group PACs tend to donate to incumbents more than challengers.

What is one effect of consumer-driven media? a) It replaces content from professionals with content from nonexperts. b) It increases the quality of public debate by engaging so many people. c) It helps establish the importance of fact and research before sharing stories. d) It overcomes ideological divides and brings people together.

a) It replaces content from professionals with content from nonexperts.

"In this campaign, I've met so many people who motivate me to keep fighting for change. And, with your help, I will carry all of your voices and stories with me to the White House. I will be a president for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. For the struggling and the successful. For those who vote for me and those who don't For all Americans." - Hillary Clinton, Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention, 2016 What guidelines of messaging best align with this passage? a) Since the general election is months away, she needs to keep her message general and ideological. b) Since the nominating process is over, she can start to be specific about which groups to mention. c) Since the nominating process is over, she doesn't have to worry about trying to gain the support of any of her opponent's backers. d) Since the general election is months away, she needs to start addressing specific solutions to specific problems.

a) Since the general election is months away, she needs to keep her message general and ideological.

The most important factor in creating and maintaining a two-party system in the U.S. is a) Single-member district and plurality voting procedures b) The degree of consensus on major issues in the U.S. c) The two party heritage from western Europe d) The strength of the central organization of the two established parties

a) Single-member district and plurality voting procedures

During political campaigns before an election, the news media is said to cover the campaigns like a horse race. Which of the following statements best explains the reason for this analogy? a) The press relies heavily on measurements such as poll numbers as a constant comparison of candidates' relative success in a campaign. b) The results of an election, like the results of a horse race, can't be predicted until the very end. c) The candidates are groomed and trained for the campaign just as racehorses are groomed and trained for a race. d) As gatekeepers, members of the press officially begin the horse race.

a) The press relies heavily on measurements such as poll numbers as a constant comparison of candidates' relative success in a campaign.

Exit Poll, 2016 Presidential Election Voters | Clinton | Trump | Other Men | 41% | 52% | 7% Women | 54% | 41% | 5% Ages 18-29 | 55% | 36% | 9% Ages 30-44 | 51% | 41% | 8% Ages 45-64 | 44% | 52% | 4% Ages 65 & older | 45% | 52% | 3% Source: CNN.com Which of the following statements is reflected in the data in the chart? a) The support for each candidate reveals a gender gap. b) The youngest voting bloc favored Trump over Clinton. c) Trump likely won because of the Southern and rural vote. d) The largest bloc voting for third-party candidates was the 45-64-year olds.

a) The support for each candidate reveals a gender gap.

"In this campaign, I've met so many people who motivate me to keep fighting for change. And, with your help, I will carry all of your voices and stories with me to the White House. I will be a president for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. For the struggling and the successful. For those who vote for me and those who don't For all Americans." - Hillary Clinton, Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention, 2016 Why was this passage most likely included in the candidate's message? a) To gain voters outside the Democratic Party b) To cast a positive light on her opponent c) To show how much effort it takes to win the White House d) To promise her voters that she would implement Democratic policies

a) To gain voters outside the Democratic Party

An important difference between political parties and interest groups is that interest groups usually do NOT a) Try to place their members in public office b) Try to influence the president's proposal for legislation c) Contact agencies within the executive branch d) Try to influence the decisions of congressional committees

a) Try to place their members in public office

Exit Poll, 2016 Presidential Election Voters | Clinton | Trump | Other Men | 41% | 52% | 7% Women | 54% | 41% | 5% Ages 18-29 | 55% | 36% | 9% Ages 30-44 | 51% | 41% | 8% Ages 45-64 | 44% | 52% | 4% Ages 65 & older | 45% | 52% | 3% Source: CNN.com Based on the information in the table, what conclusion can you draw? a) Young voters tend to be more liberal than old voters. b) There are very few Democrats over 65 years old. c) A minor party candidate will likely win the presidency this century. d) Younger men voted for Trump more than older women did.

a) Young voters tend to be more liberal than old voters.

Politicians would most likely attempt to generate positive media stories in all of the following ways EXCEPT: a) changing positions on controversial issues b) volunteering at a soup kitchen c) championing a popular cause d) appearing in photographs with military veterans

a) changing positions on controversial issues

Which of the following terms means that people are gradually moving away from both parties? a) dealignment b) realignment c) gerrymandering d) reevaluation

a) dealignment

All of the following are functions of political parties EXCEPT a) dictating policies. b) recruiting candidates and campaign workers. c) providing continuity in the wake of changing issues and personalities. d) giving cues to voters.

a) dictating policies.

During the past three decades, all of the following groups have made up a part of the Republican party's coalition EXCEPT a) environmentalists b) religious conservatives c) supporters of supply-side economics d) supporters of government vouchers to fund private schools

a) environmentalists

In an open Republican primary a) every registered voter can vote b) only Republicans can vote c) only Republicans and Democrats can vote d) only independents can vote

a) every registered voter can vote

Political Action Committees (PACs) were formed to allow unions and corporations to a) funnel unlimited amounts of money to candidates of their choice b) run their own members for political office c) funnel limited amounts of money to candidates of their choice d) sit down together to work out their differences

a) funnel unlimited amounts of money to candidates of their choice

The goal of the Federal Election Campaign Act was to a) make campaigns more fair and transparent. b) make delegate selection easier. c) enforce party discipline. d) limit the impact of the media.

a) make campaigns more fair and transparent.

Primary elections are held to a) narrow down the field of candidates within a political party b) expand the field of candidates with a political party c) allow state legislatures the opportunity to determine political districts d) increase participation of third-party candidates

a) narrow down the field of candidates within a political party

The events at which the parties formally nominate their candidates for the presidency are a) national conventions. b) open primaries. c) closed primaries. d) national committees.

a) national conventions.

Which of the following has led to ticket splitting in recent elections? a) partisan dealignment b) party realignment c) patronage system d) closed primaries

a) partisan dealignment

Which of the following describes the electorate's change toward the era of Democratic governance that followed the Great Depression in the 1930s? a) party realignment b) split-ticket voting c) party dealignment d) plurality

a) party realignment

Many Americans do not associate with either major political party and instead claim to "vote for the ___________ and not the ___________." a) person; party b) party; person c) challenger; incumbent d) underdog; front runner

a) person; party

In order to win the election for the presidency, a candidate must a) receive a majority of the votes in the Electoral College b) receive a majority of the popular vote c) receive a plurality of the popular vote d) receive a unanimous vote from the Electoral College

a) receive a majority of the votes in the Electoral College

The government can use all of the following tools to encourage positive stories and constrain negative stories written by journalists EXCEPT a) revoking the licenses of stations that give unfavorable coverage b) "spinning" a story by attacking a politician's critics c) closing the "leaks" given to particular reporters d) refusing to give important background information

a) revoking the licenses of stations that give unfavorable coverage

A private organization that attempts to get government officials to respond to its philosophy and way of thinking on particular issues is called a a) special interest group b) pressure group c) political pressure group d) political power group

a) special interest group

Political "spin" means a) the attempts of handlers to present a favorable account of events b) the whirlwind trips that candidates must make during a campaign c) a candidate's flip-flopping of their opinions d) newspaper editorials taking a stand on an issue

a) the attempts of handlers to present a favorable account of events

Which of the following determines the party platform? a) the national convention b) the presidential candidate c) the party bosses d) the state party

a) the national convention