Political Science Practice Questions

Which of the following statements about voter initiative is accurate? - Initiative requires the collection of a certain number of signatures within a set of time. - The initiative process allows voters to propose changes to the state constitution. - Texas does not have the initiative.

- Initiative requires the collection of a certain number of signatures within a set of time. - The initiative process allows voters to propose changes to the state constitution. - Texas does not have the initiative.

Which of the following best describes the success of constitutional amendments in Texas? - Initiative amendments have been more successful than amendments proposed by legislature. - The results have been basically an even split between approvals and rejections. - Voters have approved most proposed amendments - Voters have rejected most proposed amendments.

- Voters have approved most proposed amendments

In the Gray Index, Texas ranks roughly in the middle for which of the following policy indicators? -gun laws -tax progressively -abortion -access to TANF

- gun laws

According to United States government statistics, roughly ____% of black children live in poverty, compared to ____% of white children. -20, 50 -40, 10 -25, 50 -15, 35

-40, 10

Which of the following are among the enumerated powers of the national government? -Develop roads and postal service -provide education -coin and regulate money -protect property rights -provide for copyrights for authors and inventors.

-Develop roads and postal service -Coin and regulate money -Provide for copyrights for authors and inventors

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 entail? -It allowed federal intervention in voter registration in states with a history of discriminating against black voters -It placed all voting policies in the hands of the federal government. -It standardized voter literacy tests. -It banned discriminatory voter registration practices.

-It allowed federal intervention in voter registration in states with a history of discriminating against black voters -It banned discriminatory voter registration practices.

Which of the following minority groups make up the largest Hispanic population in the United States? -Spaniards -Cubans -Mexicans -South Americans

-Mexicans

Which 2015 Supreme Court decision removed the ban on same-sex marriage citing it violated the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection and due process clauses? -Lawrence v. Texas -Furman v. Georgia -Bowers v. Hardwick -Obergefell v. Hodges

-Obergefell v. Hodges

Which of the following organizations provides oversight through review of all agency regulations and policy proposals to verify the benefits outweigh the costs? -Office of Management and Budget -White House Office -House Ways and Means Committee -Department of the Treasury

-Office of Management and Budget

Which of the following statements are true of libel and slander? -Being able to make allegations about private citizens is more basic to the democratic process than what is said about public officials -Public officials can usually be criticized freely without fear the writer or speaker will have to pay for damages due to libel or slander. -Laws on libel and slander are based on the assumption that society has an interest in encouraging media and citizens to express themselves freely. -Criticisms of public officials are more likely to be considered by the courts as libel and slander than are criticisms of private citizens.

-Public officials can usually be criticized freely without fear the writer or speaker will have to pay for damages due to libel or slander. -Laws on libel and slander are based on the assumption that society has an interest in encouraging media and citizens to express themselves freely.

The main agency responsible for veterans' issues in Texas is the -Veterans Land Board -Texas Veterans Leadership Program -Department of Veterans Affairs -Texas Veterans Commision

-Texas Veterans Commision

Why was the National Security Agency's wiretapping of phones calls and email messages originating in the United States, first revealed by The New York Times in 2005, controversial? -The wiretapping had been carried out under the USA Patriot Act with the knowledge and approval of Congress. -The wiretapping had been authorized by President George W. Bush without approval from the courts. -The wiretapping was specifically prohibited by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. -The wiretapping had continued after the USA Patriot Act had been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

-The wiretapping had been authorized by President George W. Bush without approval from the courts. -The wiretapping was specifically prohibited by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.

Which of the following are true of the Affordable Care Act? -the ACA creates a government-run health insurance plan -Under the ACA, insurance companies cannot deny coverage to someone with a preexisting condition. -Under the ACA, certain preventive services are available at no cost to the insured. -the ACA and "Obamacare" are two different things -the ACA's individual mandate requires individuals to purchase and maintain qualifying health insurance coverage.

-Under the ACA, insurance companies cannot deny coverage to someone with a preexisting condition. -Under the ACA, certain preventive services are available at no cost to the insured. -the ACA's individual mandate requires individuals to purchase and maintain qualifying health insurance coverage.

The city of Houston is the only city in the country without ______, a type of land-use regulation that segregates residential and commercial uses for land.

-Zoning

What policy perspective tends to dominate over time among most high-ranking bureaucrats who have spent years working in the same agency? -presidential point of view -agency point of view -voter point of view -congressional point of view

-agency point of view

Which of the following are stages of James Anderson's "Policy cycle?" -agenda setting -policy formation -policy allocation -problem identification -policy termination

-agenda setting -policy formation -problem identification

Federal Departments are responsible for one -broad policy area -amendment of the Constitution -of the states of the union -member of the U.S. Senate

-broad policy area

What are some of the reasons the federal bureaucracy has grown so rapidly since the United States was founded? -the strength of the two-party system -bureaucrats who wanted more power -increased demands on government -the failures of state government bureaucracies.

-bureaucrats who wanted more power -increased demands on government -the failures of state government bureaucracies.

Asian Americans are more likely than other minority groups to be which of the following? -hold a criminal record -be in political office -college educated -have a high median income

-college educated -have a high median income

The organization of a bureaucracy is structured to achieve maximum -equality -efficiency -employment -financial gain

-efficiency

Right-to-work laws tend to reduce the power of unions because -they prevent unions from representing employees in legal matters -the cost of union dues rises dramatically -they restrict unions to very limited bargaining positions. -employees tend to opt out of paying agency fees.

-employees tend to opt out of paying agency fees.

State universities will not receive any state funding for classes taken by a student that -are not part of the core curriculum -extend beyond the 120 required for graduation -are not taught by a professor with a doctoral degree -extend beyond 150 total hours for that student

-extend beyond the 120 required for graduation

Due Process Clause requires states to -tax and spend to promote the general welfare -include a bill of rights in their state constitution -follow certain rules and procedures -provide protection for citizens in criminal proceedings -treat all citizens equally -regulate intrastate commerce

-follow certain rules and procedures -provide protection for citizens in criminal proceedings -treat all citizens equally

Scholars Marc Eisner, Jeffery Worsham, and Evan Ringquist define public policy as "patterns of... -governmental growth and reduction." -citizen interaction with their government." -liberal and conservative see-sawing." -governmental action and inaction."

-governmental action and inaction."

Law refers to the rights of individuals, however, -over time laws have started to refer to groups -groups more often fight for civil rights -few of those laws are respected

-groups more often fight for civil rights

In Brandenburg v. Ohio the Supreme Court developed which of the following tests that expanded protections for Americans to voice political opinions? -the clear and present danger test -the Lemon test -the imminent lawless action test -the clear and probable danger test

-imminent lawless action test

Free speech is usually protected in the United States unless it -involves false commercial advertising claims -criticizes the president or Congress -presents a clear and present danger to others. -leads to imminent and lawless action

-involves false commercial advertising claims -presents a clear and present danger to others. -leads to imminent and lawless action

What was the effect of the Hopwood Decision? -it ended affirmative action practices in Texas state schools -it allowed Texas state schools to tailor affirmative action practices to their specific situations -it forced Texas schools to reduce the amounts of minority students accepted through affirmative action programs -it ended affirmative action practices at the University of Texas law school

-it ended affirmative action practices in Texas state schools

Which of the following describes Green Card holders? -legal permanent residents -illegal immigrants -temporary visitors -asylum seekers

-legal permanent resident

What is the definition of a "capital project" for which universities must seek funding outside of the regular state budget? -any project for which funding cannot be covered by tuition and fees -curriculum expansion projects requiring large sums -long-term investment projects requiring large sums. -projects initiated through donations by major funders to a university

-long-term investment projects requiring large sums.

Policy liberalism indexes are used to measure policy differences between states using what method? -measuring how quickly the legislature of a state can react to the demands of the electorate. -counting the number of policies a state has of a decidedly liberal nature -measuring their policies to place them on a liberal-conservative spectrum -measuring how close a states policies mirror the popular will of the electorate.

-measuring their policies to place them on a liberal-conservative spectrum

The final authority of approving budgets for federal agencies rests with the -state governors -members of congress -supreme court -vice president

-members of congress

Those who ____ increased gun control believe that the Second Amendment give individual citizens the right to bear arms from excessive control. -oppose -demand -support -are indifferent about

-oppose

Texas accepts no federal funding for sex education programs that -promote anything beyond celibacy -do not offer a mix of abstinence and safe sex lessons -lack a religious component -lack adequate lessons about the HPV virus

-promote anything beyond celibacy

The primary source of local financial support for school districts is the ____ tax. -sales -business income -personal income -property

-property

Which of the following are among the delegated and reserved powers of the states? -regulated banks and credit -protect property rights -organize, arm, and discipline state militias when called to suppress insurrections and invasions. -conduct local, state, and national elections -create naturalization laws

-regulated banks and credit -protect property rights -conduct local, state, and national elections

Which of these duties is NOT the responsibility of the federal bureaucracy? -running the public schools -defending the nation -delivering mail -promoting health for the general population

-running the public schools

What major issues have stirred up significant curriculum controversy in Texas? -sex education -creationism -bilingual education -black history education -political science

-sex education -creationism -bilingual education

Which of the following refer to the system prior to the 1880s by which bureaucrats were hired? -merit -neutral -spoils -patronage

-spoils -patronage

During the 1980's and 1990's, state universities could set and charge fees for -student services only -out-of-state fees only -tuition only -tuition and student services

-student services only

The Higher Education Assistance Fund was created to -develop new universities in Texas -support those schools that do not receive funding by the PUF -support any state school that needs money for a capital project -fill state education budget gaps that occur during economic downturns.

-support those schools that do not receive funding by the PUF

What is the enforcement body for the Texas State Board of Education? -the Texas Testing Board -the Texas Board of Education Standards -the Texas Education Authority -the Texas Knowledge and Skills Board

-the Texas Education Authority

Which of the following acts of legislation gave government increased authority to examine medical, financial, and student records and increased surveillance of communications without a warrant or court order? -the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act -the USA Patriot Act -the Espionage Act -the Protect America Act

-the USA Patriot Act

Among Texas's limitations on the practice of abortion is -a requirement of a waiting period for abortion -the requirement that a licensed physician perform the procedure -prohibition of public funding for abortion under any circumstances -requiring parental consent for women under 18 -banning private insurance coverage of abortions.

-the requirement that a licensed physician perform the procedure -requiring parental consent for women under 18 -a requirement of a waiting period for abortion

Which of the following are rights gays and lesbians had to fight for? -the right to not be segregated from the rest of society -the right to be able to travel freely -the right to equal education -the right to openly enlist in the military -the right to have the same benefits as traditional couples.

-the right to openly enlist in the military -the right to have the same benefits as traditional couples.

Why are bureaucrats brought into the policy formulation process? -they are often consulted because of their expertise in dealing with societal problems. -members of all three branches of government must participate in the policy formulation process -elected officials are constitutionally required to consult government agencies on policy details. -they will have to decide how to fill in the program details of a bill that contains vague or ambiguous language.

-they are often consulted because of their expertise in dealing with societal problems. -they will have to decide how to fill in the program details of a bill that contains vague or ambiguous language.

How are government corporations similar to private corporations? -they charge for their services -the U.S. Senate must approve the members of the board directors -they receive all of their funding from federal taxes -they are governed by boards of directors.

-they charge for their services -they are governed by boards of directors.

What are some ways bureaucrats have expertise in their areas? -they have knowledgable contact people -they have scientific, technical, or other types of training -they have spent years working with particular policies -they have spent years working in the private sector

-they have scientific, technical, or other types of training -they have spent years working with particular policies

U.S. bureaucrats administer _________ of programs. -hundreds -dozens -millions -thousands

-thousands

Which groups have historically lacked equality? -women -Catholics -English Americans -property owners -Asian Americans

-women -Catholics -Asian Americans

Bureaucratic agencies are at odds with democratic principles because the agencies have -workers who serve permanent terms -freedom from rules -a fixed hierarchy -workers who are elected, not appointed.

-workers who serve permanent terms -a fixed hierarchy

The merit system of hiring civil servants was instituted because of the need for a -temporary workforce -workforce that could serve everyone, not just a particular political party. -workforce responsive to the needs of the political party in power. -skilled workforce

-workforce that could serve everyone, not just a particular political party. -skilled workforce

The Equal Protection Clause and due Process Clause of the _____ Amendment extend protections of the Bill of Rights to the actions of state and local governments.

14th

When was the first constitution to govern Anglos in Texas ratified?

1824

Which of the following correctly identify an article of the Texas Constitution and the general topic it addresses? - Article 17: amending the constitution -Article 20: education -Article 6: suffrage -Article 8: bills passed by 2/3 vote

Article 17: amending the Constitution Article 6: suffrage

Funds allocated to the states by Congress that can only be used for a specific purpose are known as _____ grants.

Categorical

True or False: In the case of Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, the Supreme Court overturned a Michigan law that barred publicly funded colleges from granting "preferential treatment to any individual on the basis of race, sex, color, or ethnicity."

False, the Court upheld the Michigan law as valid.

Today, most of the guarantees in the Bill of Rights are protected from action by which of the following? -local municipalities -the federal government only -state governments only -the federal and state governments

Federal and state governments

Article 3 of the Texas Constitution refers to the ______ branch.

Legislative

Which of the following cases established that law enforcement officers must advise detainees of their rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, before beginning questioning in a criminal investigation? -Miranda v. Arizona -Roe v. Wade -Lawrence v. Texas -Mapp v. Ohio

Miranda v. Arizona

Any law that treats individuals differently based on race is subject to the _______ - _______ test.

Strict-scrutiny

The _____ Act allows children born in Texas to illegal immigrant parents to pay the instate college tuition rate, as long as the student promises to apply for legal resident status as soon as possible.

Texas DREAM Act

According to legal experts and political theorists, which of the following most closely meets the "ideal characteristics" for a constitution? -Alabama Constitution -Texas Constitution -the typical state constitution -U.S. Constitution

U.S. Constitution

In November 2005, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to -make sodomy illegal -allow same-sex marriage -ban gay marriage -extend state marriage benefits to civil unions.

ban gay marriage

Texas spends most of the money it gets from the federal government on: -education -border security -infrastructure and transportation development -health and human services

health and human services