AP Gov. First Semester Final - Question Bank
(Ch. 3) 10. How are power and authority related? a. A government can have power without having authority. b. Power includes the right to rule. c. Authority can exist without power. d. Neither requires popular support. e. The terms are synonymous.
a. A government can have power without having authority.
(Ch. 10) 8. What best explains the reason for bias in newspapers? a. A newspaper's bias tends to reflect the political view of its readers. b. Reporters tend to be liberal, and the stories they write have a liberal bias. c. Newspapers are privately owned, so published can print whatever they choose. d. Corporate owners are conservative, and this bias is reflected in their newspapers. e. Newspapers in the United States are generally very neutral, with few papers reflecting any kind of ideological bias
a. A newspaper's bias tends to reflect the political view of its readers.
(Ch. 10) 1. How does the American media differ from the media in most other countries? a. Almost all American radio and television stations are privately owned. b. The United States government has little power to regulate broadcasters. c. The United State has very strict libel laws, and untruths about public officials usually result in fines. d. Most other counties have a Freedom of Information Act that permits the media to request information about the government. e. Because of federal grants and special funding the media in the United States do not have to worry much about profit.
a. Almost all American radio and television stations are privately owned.
(Ch. 6) 12. The table above supports which of the following statements? a. Citizens are more likely to register and vote as they age. b. Few people who register actually vote. c. Voter turnout in midterm elections is consistently higher than voter turnout in presidential elections. d. Voter registration always increases between elections. e. Voter turnout among those 25 to 34 years old has consistently increased from 1996 to 2008.
a. Citizens are more likely to register and vote as they age.
(Ch. 1) 12. Which states received the most benefit from the Great Compromise? I. northern states II. small states III. slaveholding states IV. new states a. I and II b. I, II, and IV c. III d. III and IV e. II, III, and IV
a. I and II
(Ch. 8) 7. Which of the following features have encouraged the development of a two-party system in the United States? I. the plurality system of voting, where a candidate need not win a majority of votes to win the election II. the winner-take-all feature of the electoral college III. the numerous state and local elections because of federalism IV. the fact that the House of Representatives is based upon a state's population a. I and II b. I and III c. I, II, and III d. II, III, and IV e. I, II, and IV
a. I and II
(Ch. 9) 10. Which of the following is a concern about the influence of lobbyists on government? a. Many lobbyists are former federal officials who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups. b. Many lobbyists are attorneys who have undue influence because of their legal expertise. c. Many lobbyists also work as congressional staff members. d. Many members of Congress are former lobbyists who still have strong connections with interest groups. e. Because lobbyists do not have to register with the government, it is difficult to control their activities.
a. Many lobbyists are former federal officials who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups.
(Ch. 7) 12. The figure above best supports which of the following statements? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. Most of the spending in presidential campaigns goes toward television and radio ads. b. The Internet is growing in popularity as a means of campaigning. c. Print media is becoming a less popular means of campaigning. d. Most radio and television campaign ads are negative toward the opposing candidate. e. High-tech campaigning is becoming increasingly expensive.
a. Most of the spending in presidential campaigns goes toward television and radio ads.
(Ch. 1) 2. What was the result of the Great Compromise? a. States were represented in the upper house, and individuals were represented in the lower house. b. Individuals were represented in the upper house, and states were represented in the lower house. c. Individuals were given proportional representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate d. All members of Congress were selected by direct election e. Slaves were not counted in the census
a. States were represented in the upper house, and individuals were represented in the lower house.
(Ch. 5) 12. This question has been used over time to measure the job approval rating of the president: "Do you approve or disapprove of the way _____ is handling his job as president?" Which of the following statements best describes the accuracy of this poll? a. The poll is accurate most of the time because the language used is neutral. b. The poll is not very accurate because most people do not pay much attention to politics. c. The poll is not very accurate because most Americans tend to support the President regardless of performance. d. The poll is not accurate because it implies the president is not doing a good job. e. The poll is not accurate because it is difficult to obtain a random sample.
a. The poll is accurate most of the time because the language used is neutral.
(Ch. 9) 4. Environmentalists, women, and union members have worked over the years to advance their interests. What is the best description of these causes? a. They are social movements that have spawned several related interest groups. b. They are PACs, which give money to political campaigns. c. They are social movements because all of them have liberal goals. d. They are interest groups because they lobby Congress for favorable legislation. e. They are social movements because they do not take strong positions and tend to support moderate policies.
a. They are social movements that have spawned several related interest groups.
(Ch. 2) 12. Suppose the state of Nevada receives federal money to renovate McCarran International Airport. What term best describes this? a. a categorical grant b. a formula grant c. a block grant d. a condition of aid e. a mandate
a. a categorical grant
(Ch. 4) 3. One core American attitude about the economic system is a. a widely held commitment to individualism and personal responsibility b. the belief that social welfare policies should be expanded c. the belief that women and minorities should have preferential treatment in hiring d. a commitment to help all citizens, whether or not they are truly in need e. the belief that wages should be based on economic need, as well as hard work
a. a widely held commitment to individualism and personal responsibility
(Ch. 10) 7. Why is there more news coverage of the president that 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 issues options 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 e. the statement is inaccurate; Congress actually gets as much press coverage as the president does
a. because the president is one person and is viewed by the public as the center of government
(Ch. 3) 15. Some argue that appointed officials actually run the government, despite the efforts of elected officials to control them. This belief is consistent with which theory of government? a. bureaucratic view b. pluralism c. class view d. indirect democracy e. power elite view
a. bureaucratic view
(Ch. 7) 3. Which of the following is the best example of gerrymandering? a. drawing a congressional district boundary down a narrow strip of highway no wider than six blocks b. drawing boundaries so that districts are of very unequal size c. drawing boundaries to allow fair and equal representation of voters d. creating a new district to reapportion seats following a census e. eliminating an existing district to reapportion seats following a census
a. drawing a congressional district boundary down a narrow strip of highway no wider than six blocks
(Ch. 7) 8. Which of the following most likely to help an incumbent president get reelected? a. good economic times b. a strong vice president c. his stance on abortion d. the addition of new groups of voters e. favorable reporting by the press
a. good economic times
(Ch. 8) 8. Long-standing third parties, such as the Socialist, Libertarian, and Green parties, are examples of a. ideological parties b. one-issue parties c. economic-protest parties d. factional parties e. candidate-centered parties
a. ideological parties
(Ch. 3) 7. Which of the following is the best evidence that direct democracy is expanding in America today? a. more frequent use of ballot initiatives b. increased voter turnout c. a movement to lower the drinking age d. a movement to directly elect federal judges e. continued support for the electoral college
a. more frequent use of ballot initiatives
(Ch. 3) 14. All of the following are arguments against democracy EXCEPT a. most people are not interested in government of politics b. it is impractical because of limited time, information, and energy c. most people do not have enough expertise to make good decisions on complicated policies d. direct democracy leads to bad decisions because people act according to their passions e. people might fall under the influence of charismatic speakers
a. most people are not interested in government of politics
(Ch. 8) 5. Who are superdelegates? a. powerful members of political parties and elected officials who become delegates without having to run in primaries or caucuses b. delegates who have more than one vote c. delegates who have veto power over the party's choice of candidates d. delegates who write the party's platform and have a major influence over the issues emphasized e. delegates, like movie stars, who have national recognition and, as a result, have great influence in choosing candidates
a. powerful members of political parties and elected officials who become delegates without having to run in primaries or caucuses
(Ch. 9) 11. Sometimes interest groups pursue goals that will principally benefit nonmembers, such as raising money to provide housing for orphans. Such groups are known as a. public interest lobbies b. social movements c. ideological interest groups d. political action committees e. noncontroversial interest groups
a. public interest lobbies
(Ch. 3) 8. What is the most basic definition of democracy? a. rule by the many b. rule by representatives who are directly elected c. any system of government with elections d. any system of government with a written constitution e. any system where citizenship is widely extended by most adults
a. rule by the many
(Ch. 6) 3. All of the following were used to keep blacks from voting EXCEPT a. segregation b. literacy tests c. poll taxes d. grandfather clauses e. intimidation and threats
a. segregation
(Ch. 10) 5. The government can use all of the following tools to encourage positive stories and constrain negative stories written by journalists EXCEPT a. "spinning" a story by attacking a politician's critics b. closing the "leaks" given to particular reporters c. revoking the licenses of station that give unfavorable coverage d. using the press corps to release favorable stories e. refusing to give important background information
c. revoking the licenses of station that give unfavorable coverage
(Ch. 9) 8. Interest groups do all of the following EXCEPT a. hire lobbyists to represent them in taking with members of Congress b. attempt to influence the government to enact policies they favor c. run candidates for state and federal office d. educate the public about issues e. monitor the activities of government
c. run candidates for state and federal office
(Ch. 1) 11. All of the following were arguments by the Federalists in support of the Constitution EXCEPT a. representative democracy would be preferable to direct democracy b. a large republic would preferable to a small republic c. the new Constitution would eliminate factions d. a diversity of interests would be represented in the new government e. the majority interests would be less able to persecute minority interests
c. the new Constitution would eliminate factions
(Ch. 5) 13. What is political socialization? a. a person's identification as a liberal or conservative b. the distribution of the public's beliefs about an issue over time c. the process by which people acquire their political values d. an informal meeting of people who share the same political ideology e. the official position taken by the government on any important issue
c. the process by which people acquire their political values
(Ch. 5) 8. All of the following are characteristics of an accurate random sample EXCEPT a. the questions must be asked in clear, unemotional language b. people must have some knowledge of the things they are asked about c. the samples must include at least 10 percent of the population d. each person must have an equal chance of being interviewed e. even the most accurate polls have some sampling error
c. the samples must include at least 10 percent of the population
(Ch. 3) 2. All of the following statements about the beliefs of the framers of the Constitution are true EXCEPT a. they favored representative democracy over direct democracy b. they believed that most citizens did not have time, information, and expertise to make informed choices c. they believed that government decisions should mirror popular viewpoints d. they recognized that representative democracy would proceed slowly e. they insisted on the protection of civil rights and civil liberties
c. they believed that government decisions should mirror popular viewpoints
(Ch. 9) 15. All of the following statements about political action committees (PACs) are true EXCEPT a. they are formed by groups of like-minded people b. they must have at least fifty individual members c. they can give an unlimited amount of soft money to political parties d. PAC donations to individual candidates are limited to $5,000 e. labor PACs give most of their money to Democrats
c. they can give an unlimited amount of soft money to political parties
(Ch. 4) 12. Which of the following is the best example or description of civil society? a. businesses and labor unions working together to reach a bargaining agreement b. political parties running campaigns to get their candidate elected c. voluntary associations outside of government control d. a political culture where citizens respect each other's right and viewpoints e. members of Congress from both political parties working on bipartisan legislation
c. voluntary associations outside of government control
(Ch. 3) 1. For representative democracy to work, all of the following must be present EXCEPT a. the opportunity for individuals to run for office b. freedom of expression c. voter turnout above 60 percent d. competition among political parties e. voter perception that there is a meaningful choice
c. voter turnout above 60 percent
(Ch. 10) 11. All of the following are examples of horse-race journalism EXCEPT a. which candidate is ahead in the polls b. which candidate is raising the most money c. which candidate opposed off-shore drilling d. which candidate had the most TV ads e. which candidate received a celebrity endorsement
c. which candidate opposed off-shore drilling
(Ch. 5) 3. The gender gap can be explained by major differences in policy views on all of the following issues EXCEPT a. women are more likely than men to favor same-sex marriage b. women are more likely than men to favor universal health care c. women vote at slightly lower rates than men d. women are more likely than men to view abortion as an important issue e. men are more likely to support military intervention than women
c. women vote at slightly lower rates than men
(Ch. 8) 9. All of the following statements are supported by the table above EXCEPT *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. the Democratic party has more African American delegates than the Republican party b. delegates of both parties are wealthier than the average voter c. Republican delegates are more religious than most voters d. A majority of Republican delegates believe there should be no legally recognized relationship among homosexual couples e. There is a large statistical difference between the views of Democratic and Republican delegates
d. A majority of Republican delegates believe there should be no legally recognized relationship among homosexual couples
(Ch. 2) 11. Presidents have less power to block spending than most state governments. What best explains this difference in executive power? a. Governors can veto bills that contain excess spending, while the president cannot. b. There are few checks and balances at the state level, and governors have more power than state legislatures. c. Governors must sign all of a bill into law, while the president has the power of the line-item veto. d. The president must work with divided government, while most state governments are unified. e. The president must sign all of a bill into law, while most governors have the power of a line-item veto.
e. The president must sign all of a bill into law, while most governors have the power of a line-item veto.
(Ch. 3) 3. Which of the following statements best represents pluralist theory? a. The class that dominates the economy also controls the government. b. The most important policies are set by a loose coalition of three groups- corporate leaders, top military officers, and key political leaders. c. Leaders outside of the government structure dominate government. d. Unelected bureaucrats who run agencies dominate the government. e. There are so many groups that none of them can dominate the political process.
e. There are so many groups that none of them can dominate the political process.
(Ch. 8) 15. Which of the following statements explains why America is described as having a two-party system? a. The Constitution specifically provides that there will be two major parties. b. Third parties tend to represent specific racial and ethnic groups that do not have enough members to win an election. c. While third parties often run candidates in state and local elections, they rarely run candidates for the presidency. d. Third parties tend to represent certain regions of the country, like the South. e. While third parties compete in elections, they rarely win.
e. While third parties compete in elections, they rarely win.
(Ch. 5) 1. The table above supports which of the following conclusions? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. Most Americans do not support tougher environmental regulations. b. White Catholics are the least likely to support government funding for faith-based groups than the other groups shown. c. Americans in general do not support giving more aid to the poor. d. Black Protestants are the most conservative of all of the groups shown. e. White Evangelicals are less likely to support same-sex marriage than the other groups shown.
e. White Evangelicals are less likely to support same-sex marriage than the other groups shown.
(Ch. 7) 15. Which of the voters described below would be most likely to support McCain? a. a white female who has some college and lives in a small town b. a black male college graduate living in a rural area c. an Asian male high school graduate who is Protestant d. a 54-year-old Jewish man living in a small town e. a Hispanic female who has some college and lives in a big city
e. a Hispanic female who has some college and lives in a big city
(Ch. 4) 2. Which of the following best defines "civil society"? a. a society that has manners, where people are generally respectful of one another's feelings b. a society that uses a merit principle in awarding government jobs c. a government that has a large number of civil servants working in various agencies d. a collection of governmental and nongovernmental groups that work together in making private policies e. a collection of private, voluntary groups that make cooperation easier and hold the government accountable
e. a collection of private, voluntary groups that make cooperation easier and hold the government accountable
(Ch. 10) 3. When Gary Hart ran for the Democratic nomination in 1987, he told the press to go ahead and follow him, because "they would be bored." The resulting sexual scandal that arose is an example of the media's role as a. a gatekeeper who influences what subjects become national political issues and for how long b. a scorekeeper who keeps track of and helps make political reputations c. a reporter who covers important facts in an unbiased manner d. a referee who carefully balances coverage of all the candidates e. a watchdog who closely scrutinizes candidates' backgrounds and activities
e. a watchdog who closely scrutinizes candidates' backgrounds and activities
(Ch. 9) 5. Why are lobbyists useful to members of Congress in considering legislation? a. because most lobbyists are lawyers and can draft bills using technical legal language b. because lobbyists have bigger research staffs than members of Congress c. because lobbyists are policy generalists who have knowledge about a broad range of topics d. because members of Congress must listen to lobbyists in order to get electoral support e. because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area
e. because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area
(Ch. 6) 5. What is the most accurate way of comparing voter turnout in the United States with voter turnout in other counties? a. compare the percentages of citizens who vote b. compare the percentages of residents who vote c. compare the number of registered voters with the percentage of voters who cast ballots d. analyze how voter turnout rates have changed over time to determine trends in voter turnout rates e. compare the turnout among the voting-age population
e. compare the turnout among the voting-age population
(Ch. 7) 1. Presidential and congressional races differ in all of the following ways EXCEPT a. presidential races are more competitive than races for the House of Representatives b. a much smaller proportion of people vote in congressional races in nonpresidential election years c. members of Congress can get credit for the constituent service they provide d. candidates for Congress can disassociate themselves from what is going on in Washington, D.C. e. congressional elections receive more national funding than presidential elections
e. congressional elections receive more national funding than presidential elections
(Ch. 2) 6. The concept that the national government is supreme in its own sphere while the states are equally supreme in theirs is known as a. cooperative federalism b. balanced federalism c. home rule d. emerging federalism e. dual federalism
e. dual federalism
(Ch. 2) 2. The Founding Fathers devised a federal system for all of the following reasons EXCEPT a. federalism is one method for checking government's power and protecting personal liberty b. concentrating power in a single entity might create tyranny c. under the Articles of Confederation, the national government was too dependent on the states for survival d. a federal system provides balance of power between the state and national governments e. federal systems were common throughout the world and were proven to be effective
e. federal systems were common throughout the world and were proven to be effective
(Ch. 10) 14. The Internet has affected politics in all of the following ways EXCEPT a. it makes it easier to raise money in small donations b. it makes it easier to organize people to attend meetings c. it makes it easier for campaigns to identify the names of people they should contract d. it makes it easier for a candidate to disseminate negative information about an opponent e. it contains less biased and more detailed information than the newspaper
e. it contains less biased and more detailed information than the newspaper
(Ch. 1) 8. Which of the following guarantees of individual liberties is found in the original Constitution? a. freedom of speech, press, and assembly b. no official state religion c. a prohibition against double jeopardy d. no unreasonable searches and seizures e. no religious tests to hold office
e. no religious tests to hold office
(Ch. 4) 7. According to Wilson and DiIulio (authors of textbook), the "culture war" in America "is about what kind of country ought to live in, not just about what kinds of policies our government ought to adopt." Which of the following is NOT a major source of cultural disagreement in America? a. abortion b. legal rights of homosexuals c. legalization or decriminalization of drugs d. federal funding for the arts e. socialism and communism
e. socialism and communism
(Ch. 6) 4. The electorate has expanded as a result of all of the following EXCEPT a. the voting age has been lowered to eighteen b. states may not require residency of more than thirty days c. areas with significant non-English-speaking populations must provide ballots written in other languages d. residents of the District of Columbia may vote in presidential elections e. state standards now govern almost every aspect of voter eligibility
e. state standards now govern almost every aspect of voter eligibility
(Ch. 8) 11. All of the following statements accurately describe American political parties EXCEPT a. they sponsor candidates for political office b. they influence the actions of government officials c. they designate people to represent the organization d. they link people with government e. they adopt very similar policies in their platforms
e. they adopt very similar policies in their platforms
(Ch. 5) 15. All of the following are true of political elites EXCEPT a. they are more likely to be activists b. they are better informed about politics than the general public c. they tend to associate with people who agree with them d. they tend to be ideologically consistent e. they tend to have moderate political beliefs
e. they tend to have moderate political beliefs
(Ch. 8) 4. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Democratic party made reforms that unintentionally led to it becoming more fragmented. What was the original purpose of these reforms? a. to include more union members as delegates to the Democratic convention b. to improve the fund-raising efforts of the Democratic party c. to make the delegations from both parties more reflective of the population as a whole d. to make the Republican party delegations more reflective of the population as a whole e. to make the Democratic party delegations more reflective of the population as a whole
e. to make the Democratic party delegations more reflective of the population as a whole
(Ch. 8) 2. All of the following characterize a period of critical realignment EXCEPT a. a sharp and lasting shift in the coalitions supporting the political parties b. a series of crises, resulting in a reaction against the two major parties c. the major defeat of a party, with another party taking its place d. when a new issue of importance to voters cuts across existing party divisions e. when voters become apathetic and turnout falls below 50 percent
e. when voters become apathetic and turnout falls below 50 percent
(Ch. 4) 1. All of the following are important elements in the American view of the political system EXCEPT a. Americans believe they should be able to do pretty much as they please b. Americans think government officials should be accountable to the people c. Americans believe that individuals are responsible for their own actions d. Americans believe that government should try to equalize the property and living conditions of citizens e. Americans feel people ought to help out in their communities
d. Americans believe that government should try to equalize the property and living conditions of citizens
(Ch. 4) 8. Which of the following statements best describes the trend in Americans' trust in government? a. Americans have had a high level of trust in government officials since World War II. b. Americans now trust government officials more than they did during the 1950s. c. Beginning with the Watergate scandal, there has been a steady decline in Americans' trust in government officials. d. Americans' trust in government officials has declined at a fairly steady rate since the 1950s. e. Americans' trust in government officials drops in wartime and rises in peacetime.
d. Americans' trust in government officials has declined at a fairly steady rate since the 1950s.
(Ch. 8) 10. What is the major difference between a primary and a caucus? a. Primaries choose delegates, while caucuses choose candidates. b. Primaries are open only to voters who are registered with a party. c. Cacuses are meetings of high-ranking party leaders. d. Caucuses are meetings of party members, and primaries are elections. e. Primaries have been replaced with caucuses in most states.
d. Caucuses are meetings of party members, and primaries are elections.
(Ch. 4) 13. Author Robert Putnam argues that American social capital is decreasing. How might this trend impact the United States? a. Americans will become more cooperative and lose the spirit of individualism. b. Americans will join more volunteer groups and provide important services in their communities. c. The decrease in capital will result in less money for state agencies. d. Fewer citizens will join groups, and people will be less inclined to volunteer in their communities. e. People will move away from large cities into less crowded suburbs.
d. Fewer citizens will join groups, and people will be less inclined to volunteer in their communities.
(Ch. 2) 5. What did the Supreme Court determine in McCulloch v. Maryland? I. To carry out its economic powers, Congress may reasonably decide to create a national bank. II. The necessary and proper clause enables Congress to take actions not specifically listed in the Constitution. III. States have the right to tax all economic activity within their borders. IV. States may not tax any federal institution a. I and II b. I, II, and III c. I and IV d. I, II, and IV e. II and IV
d. I, II, and IV
(Ch. 5) 9. According to Wilson DiIulio, "the Framers of the Constitution did not try to create a government that would do from day to day 'what the people want.'" Which of the following serve as checks on public opinion? I. federalism II. the House of representatives III. an independent judiciary IV. separation of powers a. I and IV b. II and III c. I, II, and III d. I, III, and IV e. I, II, III, and IV
d. I, III, and IV
(Ch. 7) 14. All of the following statements are supported by the table above EXCEPT a. more women than men voted for Obama b. the highest percentage of support for Obama came from nonwhite voters c. those who attended graduate school were more likely to vote for Obama than for McCain d. Jewish voters were less likely to support Obama than Catholic voters e. Protestants were more likely to support McCain than Obama
d. Jewish voters were less likely to support Obama than Catholic voters
(Ch. 4) 6. Which of the following statements about civic duty is most accurate? a. Americans vote less and have a weaker sense of civic duty than their European counterparts. b. Americans are less active in their local communities than citizens of Europe. c. Most Americans believe that participating in government activities should be optional and that there should be no duty to pariticpate d. Most Americans do not believe that their actions can have an impact on government policies. e. Americans have a stronger sense of civic duty than citizens of the United Kingdom or Mexico.
d. Most Americans do not believe that their actions can have an impact on government policies.
(Ch. 1) 7. How did the Antifederalists differ from the Federalists? a. The Antifederalists wanted a stronger central government b. The Federalists wanted to protect state sovereignty. c. The Antifederalists had a more positive view of human nature. d. The Antifederalists believed that a strong central government would be too distant from the people. e. The Antifederalists were opposed to representative democracy.
d. The Antifederalists believed that a strong central government would be too distant from the people.
(Ch. 1) 13. How did the Antifederalists differ from the Federalists? *(Note: Answers not the same as question #7)* a. The Antifederalists wanted a stronger central government. b. The Federalists wanted to protect state sovereignty c. The Antifederalists believed factions could be eliminated. d. The Antifederalists believed that a strong central government would destroy liberty. e. The Antifederalists were opposed to representative democracy.
d. The Antifederalists believed that a strong central government would destroy liberty.
(Ch. 3) 11. What best explains the legitimacy of the United States Government? a. The government has been in existence for more than two hundred years. b. Elections are frequent and their outcome is rarely in doubt. c. Citizens may use the initiative process to change the law. d. The Constitution is widely accepted as the source of authority. e. All citizens have the right to vote and hold office.
d. The Constitution is widely accepted as the source of authority.
(Ch. 6) 1. Which of the following is the best explanation for low voter turnout in the United States? a. More then half of all Americans are apathetic towards politics. b. Mail-in ballots are difficult to obtain. c. Most potential voters do not identify with a political party. d. The burden of registering falls on the individual. e. It is difficult for many voters to get enough information about the candidates to vote with confidence.
d. The burden of registering falls on the individual.
(Ch. 5) 6. The table above supports which of the following conclusions about the viewpoints of young adults? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. Most 18- to 24-year-olds believe politics has become too partisan b. Most young people do not trust politicians c. Most young people view politics as an honorable profession. d. The majority of 18- to 24-year-olds believe that elected officials do not share their priorities e. Young people would become more involved in politics if it was easier to volunteer for a campaign
d. The majority of 18- to 24-year-olds believe that elected officials do not share their priorities
(Ch. 5) 4. What is an effect of a social class on political attitudes? a. In the United States, there is little correlations between social class and voting patterns. b. People who run their own businesses tend to vote more as independents because they think more ideologically. c. There is a growing gap between the voting pattern of the upper and lower classes. d. Working class people tend to describe themselves as liberal e. Professionals tend to be socially conservative and support republicans
d. Working class people tend to describe themselves as liberal
(Ch. 2) 15. A couple who got married in Virginia moves to Florida. Must Florida accept the couple's marriage as valid? a. No, because each state may set its own requirements for marriage. b. Yes, but Florida may charge an additional fee for authenticating the marriage certificate. c. Yes, because of the privileges and immunities clause. d. Yes, because of the full faith and credit clause. e. It depends on whether Virginia and Florida have reached a reciprocity agreement.
d. Yes, because of the full faith and credit clause.
(Ch. 3) 6. What is one of the best barometers for measuring changes in who governs? a. public opinion polls b. an analysis of the topics covered in campaign speeches c. an examination of the amount of coverage given by the media d. an analysis of the policy process and changes in the laws e. there is no real way of measuring political change
d. an analysis of the policy process and changes in the laws
(Ch. 2) 1. Which of the following is the best example of devolution? a. the No Child Left Behind law, which provides states with monetary incentives for meeting national educational guidelines b. the McCullough v. Maryland case, which allowed the federal government to maintain a national bank c. civil rights legislation mandating that states not discriminate d. block grants, by which money from the national government is given to the states for discretionary use with broad guidelines e. the federal tax code, which provides deductions for local charities
d. block grants, by which money from the national government is given to the states for discretionary use with broad guidelines
(Ch. 1) 6. How does the Constitution provide an executive check on the judicial branch? a. by allowing the president to remove Supreme Court justices from office b. by permitting bureaucrats to ignore a decision of the Supreme Court c. by allowing the president to propose a bill to Congress to overturn a decision by the Supreme Court d. by nominating federal judges, subject to Senate confirmation e. by appointing federal judges
d. by nominating federal judges, subject to Senate confirmation
(Ch. 10) 2. Broadcast journalism changed the media's coverage of politics in all of the following ways EXCEPT a. a broadcast allows public officials to speak directly to audiences without their remarks being filtered through editors b. politicians can reach voters on a national scale without the support of political parties c. people could easily ignore a speech by changing the channel d. citizens get more detailed and specific information about programs and policies than they could get from the print media e. public officials must do something bold or sufficiently colorful to gain free access to the broadcast media
d. citizens get more detailed and specific information about programs and policies than they could get from the print media
(Ch. 9) 13. An interest group would use public pressure on all of the following issues EXCEPT a. abortion b. Medicare c. Social Security d. complex tax legislation affecting a few people e. affirmative action
d. complex tax legislation affecting a few people
(Ch. 9) 6. An interest group would use grassroots lobbying on all of the following issues EXCEPT a. abortion b. Medicare c. Social Security d. complex tax legislation affecting a few people e. affirmative action
d. complex tax legislation affecting a few people
(Ch. 2) 8. States have found federal funding attractive for all of the following reasons EXCEPT a. in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the national government had surplus money to spend on the states b. in the late twentieth century, the income tax provided a flexible source of federal grant money c. the federal government can print money when it is needed to fund programs d. federal grants rarely come with strings attached e. state politicians can get federal money without having to take the unpopular political position of supporting expanding government
d. federal grants rarely come with strings attached
(Ch. 7) 7. All of the following are part of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 EXCEPT a. "soft money" contributions to national political parties form corporations were banned b. money given to national parties must be in the form of individual donations and PACs c. independent organizations cannot use their own money in ads that refer to a clearly identified federal candidate during the sixty days before an election d. individuals can no longer spend unlimited amounts of their own money on campaigns e. "soft money" contributions to national political parties from unions were banned
d. individuals can no longer spend unlimited amounts of their own money on campaigns
(Ch. 9) 1. All of the following explain the proliferation of interest groups EXCEPT a. America is diverse, with countless immigrants, races, and religions b. because of its federal system, there are multiple points of access to government c. political authority is shared by several branches of government, each of which might be targeted by interest groups d. interest groups often run candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in government e. political parties are relatively weak, which helps explain the strength and number of interest groups
d. interest groups often run candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in government
(Ch. 2) 10. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires states and local governments to provide equal access for the disabled. This is an example of a(n) a. categorical grant b. block grant c. revenue sharing d. mandate e. administrative regulation
d. mandate
(Ch. 5) 14. Which of the following has the greatest impact on political socialization? a. peers b. the media c. the community d. parents e. college professors
d. parents
(Ch. 10) 12. Which of the following stories is most likely to receive widespread news coverage? a. The president submits his annual budget to Congress. b. A widely prescribed drug may cause sudden, fatal heart attacks. c. The Supreme Court rules on water rights. d. The Securities and Exchange Commission issues a new stock market regulation. e. A bill to provide subsidies to mushroom growers passes in the Senate.
b. A widely prescribed drug may cause sudden, fatal heart attacks.
(Ch. 4) 5. All of the following are true about religion in America EXCEPT a. Americans are more likely than Europeans to believe in a higher power b. religiosity has increased in the past two decades c. religious people donate over three times as much money to charity as secular people d. religious people are less likely than secular people to donate to nonreligious charities e. Americans are more likely than Europeans to pray every day
d. religious people are less likely than secular people to donate to nonreligious charities
(Ch. 10) 6. Which of the following is the best example of trial balloon? a. A candidate for office runs ads in one state on a single issue to see how the public will react. b. An anonymous White House source makes a statement that is then reported on the news. c. A newspaper covers the flooding in a neighboring state and chooses to delete stories of local interest. d. A TV special report covers drug dealers in a community but does not cover efforts to end drug abuse. e. The president holds a news conference to announce a new program to stop the spreads of AIDS.
b. An anonymous White House source makes a statement that is then reported on the news.
(Ch. 2) 9. Why do states prefer block grants to categorical grants? a. Categorical grants require the states to spend matching funds. b. Block grants allow states to spend funds on any governmental purpose. c. Categorical grants are often rescinded. d. The amounts given in block grants are stable from year to year. e. Block grants allow local officials to satisfy the needs of interest groups.
b. Block grants allow states to spend funds on any governmental purpose.
(Ch. 3) 4. In the past couples of decades, several events have challenged traditional theories of policy-making. Which of the following examples demonstrate that Americans do not always act in their own self-interest? I. the response of police and firefighters to the attack of September 11, 2001 II. some wealthy Americans supporting tax increases to fund health care III. the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) working to have its agency abolished IV. the tobacco industry lobbying to prevent tobacco from being put under the authority of the Food and Drug Administration a. I and II b. I, II, and III c. II and III d. II, III, and IV e. III and IV
b. I, II, and III
(Ch. 7) 2. How does federal law restrict fund-raising for presidential campaigns? I. Individuals contributions are limited to $2,000. II. PAC contributions are limited to $5,000. III. Federal matching funds are available to candidates who raise $5,000, in individual contributions of $250 or less, in twenty states. IV. Candidates are limited to $2,000 in spending their own personal funds. a. I and II b. I, II, and III c. I, II, and IV d. I, III, and IV e. I and IV
b. I, II, and III
(Ch. 10) 9. Since the early 1970s, how has the relationship between the president and the press changed? a. It has become friendlier because presidents are now more willing to answer questions. b. It has become more adversarial, partly as a result of the Vietnam War and Watergate. c. It has become more adversarial because embarrassing stories sell more newspapers. d. It has not changed, because we have always had a free press. e. It has become less critical of the president because surveys show that people do not like the cynicism of the media.
b. It has become more adversarial, partly as a result of the Vietnam War and Watergate.
(Ch. 5) 10. A public opinion poll asks whether or not people agree with the following statement: "The federal government should see to it that all people have adequate housing." Which of the following statements best describes the accuracy of the poll? a. It will not be accurate because a random sample was not used. b. It will not be accurate because the statement is loaded. c. It will not be accurate because of sampling error. d. It may be accurate depending upon how many people are polled. e. There is no way to determine the accuracy of the poll.
b. It will not be accurate because the statement is loaded.
(Ch. 1) 10. What would be the impact of the line-item veto on the separation of powers? a. It would weaken the presidency and strengthen Congress. b. It would strengthen the presidency in relation to Congress c. It would prevent the Supreme Court from using judicial review. d. It would strengthen the power of the states. e. It is not clear how the line-item veto would affect the separation of powers.
b. It would strengthen the presidency in relation to Congress
(Ch. 9) 12. Which of the following is a restriction on the interaction between members of Congress and interest groups? a. Members of interest groups may not provide members of Congress with information regarding pending legislation. b. Members of Congress may not accept gifts of any value form registered lobbyists. c. Retired members o Congress may not work as lobbyists for interest groups. d. Members of Congress must retain records of all email, text, and phone messages from lobbyists. e. Interest groups may not run ads on behalf of members of Congress.
b. Members of Congress may not accept gifts of any value form registered lobbyists.
(Ch. 4) 14. The table above best supports which of the following statements? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. Americans are less likely to value hard work. b. Most Americans believe their success is determined by factors within their control. c. Because Italy is a Catholic country, most Italians believe it is necessary to believe in God to be moral. d. Democratic countries have a high degree of pride. e. More than half of all Germans believe that children should be taught the value of hard work.
b. Most Americans believe their success is determined by factors within their control.
(Ch. 7) 13. The figure above best supports which of the following statements? a. The number of PACs has increased at a steady rate from 1976 to 2009. b. Since 2007, there are more than five times as many corporate PACs as labor PACs. c. Corporate and trade PACs have much more influence in the political system than labor PACs. d. PAC donations to political campaigns have grown steadily from 1976 to 2009. e. Campaign finance laws have been effective in reducing the number and influence of PACs.
b. Since 2007, there are more than five times as many corporate PACs as labor PACs.
(Ch. 7) 10. Which type of voters has the most impact on an election? a. prospective voters, who cast their ballots for the person they think has the best ideas for handling matters in the future b. ideological voters, who carefully match the candidates with their own views on the issues c. split-ticket voters, who vote for one party for Congress and other party for the presidency d. retrospective voters, who look at how things have gone in the recent past e. voter whoa re more interested in foreign affairs than in domestic policy
d. retrospective voters, who look at how things have gone in the recent past
(Ch. 6) 15. How do the number and frequency of elections in the United States differ from those in most other countries? a. The United States holds fewer elections because our president is elected every four years, and most presidents are elected every two years. b. The United States hold more elections, and elections are more frequent because we have a federal system. c. The United States holds more elections, but they are less frequent, occurring every two years. d. The United States holds about the same number of elections as most other countries. e. Most countries elect officials every year, which is more frequent than elections in the United States.
b. The United States hold more elections, and elections are more frequent because we have a federal system.
(Ch. 2) 7. The pie charts to the right support which of the following conclusions? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. The amount of federal grant money given to states more than doubled between 1960 and and 2009. b. The category in which federal grant money increased the most from 1960 until 2009 is health. c. Because the interstate highway system was built by 2009, spending on transportation dropped. d. Most of the money given to states for education and training comes in the form of block grants. e. Devolution has taken place for all categories of federal grants.
b. The category in which federal grant money increased the most from 1960 until 2009 is health.
(Ch. 6) 10. The photograph to the right best represents which time period? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. The 1950s b. The mid to late 1950s c. Reconstruction, while northern troops were still in control of the South d. the period following Reconstruction, after northern troops were removed from the South e. the colonial period, before African Americans were disenfranchised
b. The mid to late 1950s
(Ch. 6) 7. What is the best explanation for why Americans vote at lower rates than people abroad? a. We have a truly democratic system, and most people are satisfied and see no reason to vote. b. Unlike most countries, we have a federal system, which means we elect more officials at more levels of government c. Americans are less informed about politics compared with Europeans. d. Less than 50 percent of Americans are involved in nonpolitical activities in their communities. e. Americans are not required to vote, but most European countries levy fines on nonvoters.
b. Unlike most countries, we have a federal system, which means we elect more officials at more levels of government
(Ch. 5) 2. Which of the following statements best describes the gender gap? a. Women are more likely than men to vote for a female candidate. b. Women are more likely than men to vote for a Democratic presidential candidate. c. Men are more likely than women to vote for a Democratic presidential candidate. d. Women change their ideologies more than men do when they marry. e. Unmarried men are more likely to vote for a female candidate than married men.
b. Women are more likely than men to vote for a Democratic presidential candidate.
(Ch. 9) 14. Which of the following best describes an earmark? a. an entire piece of legislation that is written to provide benefits to a small group of people b. a provision in a law that provides a direct benefit to a client without being reviewed on the merits by all members of Congress c. a provision in a law that is wasteful and expensive d. a provision in a law that provides a subsidy to farmers or ranchers e. a piece of legislation containing several unrelated provisions that benefit a few states
b. a provision in a law that provides a direct benefit to a client without being reviewed on the merits by all members of Congress
(Ch. 10) 10. Which of the following stories would most likely receive media coverage? a. a discussion of the detailed party platforms of each presidential candidate b. a story about a missing woman and her romantic relationship with a member of Congress c. a report about the safety recommendations made for all new SUVs d. a discussion of the leading economic indicators e. a study comparing birth defects in the United States with birth defects in Canada
b. a story about a missing woman and her romantic relationship with a member of Congress
(Ch. 9) 3. "Free riders" occur when interest groups fight for benefits to the public as a whole, such as consumer protection. How can interest groups prevent the free-rider problem? a. by ensuring that the benefits they seek will help only their members b. by providing people an incentive to join the interest group, such as a subscription to a magazine c. by limiting membership to a few carefully screened members d. by lobbying members of Congress only in the district where the interest group operates e. there is no practical way for interest groups to prevent the "free-rider" problem
b. by providing people an incentive to join the interest group, such as a subscription to a magazine
(Ch. 3) 13. Some argue that the government is dominated by business owners. Which of the following terms does this best describe? a. power elite view b. class view c. pluralism d. bureaucratic view e. prestige view
b. class view
(Ch. 10) 15. The trends depicted in the figure above is troubling to many political scientists because a. Americans are listening more frequently to talk radio, which has a conservative bias b. fewer people are reading newspapers, which are an important source of in-depth coverage about politics c. Americans are beginning to avoid the news together d. Americans are falling behind citizens of other countries in their understanding of world affairs e. unbiased newspapers are being replaced with more biased sources of information, like television and the Internet
b. fewer people are reading newspapers, which are an important source of in-depth coverage about politics
(Ch. 7) 6. Which of the following groups would be most likely to receive direct mail form a conservative candidate? a. college students and auto workers b. fundamentalist Christians and business owners c. teachers and small business owners d. bankers and Native Americans e. African Americans and Jews
b. fundamentalist Christians and business owners
(Ch. 8) 3. The proportion of people identifying themselves with a political party declined between 1960 and 1980. One of the reasons for this is a. decentralization of the party organizations b. split-ticket voting c. less media coverage of elections and campaigns d. the realignment of coalitions e. a decrease in the number of people identifying themselves as independents
b. split-ticket voting
(Ch. 4) 15. All of the following are part of American political culture EXCEPT a. Americans believe in the protection of rights b. Americans believe in political equality c. Americans do not support programs to help those truly in need d. Americans think government officials should be accountable e. Americans believe citizens should become involved in their communities
c. Americans do not support programs to help those truly in need
(Ch. 4) 4. In comparison with most other nations, a. Americans have less confidence in public and private institutions b. Americans have less confidence in private institutions and more confidence in public institutions c. Americans have more confidence in both public and private institutions d. Americans have less confidence in public institutions and more confidence in private institutions e. this is impossible to measure because Americans' views are so diverse
c. Americans have more confidence in both public and private institutions
(Ch. 1) 1. All of the following were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation EXCEPT a. the national government could not resolve state boundary disputes b. currency was not accepted outside of local areas c. the military could not put down even small rebellions d. the national government had too much power e. there was no national judicial system
d. the national government had too much power
(Ch. 2) 4. Which of the following Constitutional provisions has been interpreted as weakening the Tenth Amendment? a. the full faith and credit clause b. the supremacy clause c. the Ninth Amendment d. the necessary and proper clause e. the extradition clause
d. the necessary and proper clause
(Ch. 8) 6. All of the following were problems with political machines EXCEPT a. they traded votes for favors b. the federal bureaucracy grew with unnecessary jobs c. unqualified people were given important government jobs d. they rarely delivered on their promises to help new immigrants e. they engaged in fraudulent practices in voting and government contracting
d. they rarely delivered on their promises to help new immigrants
(Ch. 7) 11. Which of the following best describes those who vote in primary elections? a. voters from both parties who tend to be moderate in their beliefs b. Democrats who tend to be more conservative in their beliefs c. Republicans who tend to be more liberal in their beliefs d. voters in both parties who tend to be more active in party politics e. those who vote in primaries suffer from voter fatigue and are less likely to vote in the general election
d. voters in both parties who tend to be more active in party politics
(Ch. 4) 10. All of the following are true about political tolerance in America EXCEPT a. Americans are more tolerant of members of different religious groups than they are of atheists b. lawyers and judges are more tolerant of specific political activities than most citizens are c. Americans are willing to allow many people with whom they disagree to participate in the political process d. Americans have become more tolerant over the years e. Americans will support liberties for all groups both in theory and in practice.
e. Americans will support liberties for all groups both in theory and in practice.
(Ch. 4) 11. The table above best supports which of the following statements? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. From 1973 to 2010, American confidence in all institutions has decreased b. Most Americans have a high degree of trust and confidence in churches. c. Confidence in the military dropped as a result of the Iraq War. d. Confidence in labor unions fell more than for any other group. e. Confidence in Congress fell more than for any other group.
e. Confidence in Congress fell more than for any other group.
(Ch. 5) 7. A conservative would support which of the following measures? I. less government regulation of the economy II. affirmative action programs for underrepresented groups III. increased spending on social programs, such as welfare IV. the death penalty a. I and II b. I, II, and IV c. II and IV d. II, III, and IV e. I and IV
e. I and IV
(Ch. 10) 4. Which of the following have to be proved in order for a public official to recover damages for libel? I. the statements were made with malice II. the statements are untrue III. the statements were made with a reckless disregard for the truth IV. the statement caused harm to the public official a. I and II b. I, II, and II c. II, and III d. III and IV e. I, II, III and IV
e. I, II, III and IV
(Ch. 6) 9. Which of the following make it difficult to compare voter turnout rates in the nineteenth century with voter turnout today? I. In the nineteenth century parties printed ballots, and today we use the Australian ballot. II. Fraud in voting was more common in the nineteenth century. III. Voters are now required to register. IV. In the nineteenth century, political machines tried to control election outcomes. a. I and II b. I, II, and III c. II and III d. II, III, and IV e. I, II, III, and IV
e. I, II, III, and IV
(Ch. 9) 9. Which of the following are sources of funding for interest groups? I. foundation grants II. federal grants III. federal contracts IV. direct-mail solicitations a. I, II, and III b. I and II c. II, III, and IV d. I and III e. I, II, III, and IV
e. I, II, III, and IV
(Ch. 1) 3. Under the original Constitution, which branch or branches of government were selected directly by the citizens? I. the president and vice president II. the Supreme Court III. the Senate IV. the House of Representatives a. I and II b. I, III, and IV c. III and IV d. III only e. IV only
e. IV only
(Ch. 6) 14. In the 2008 presidential election, voter turnout reached approximately 62 percent. Which of the following statements best describes this turnout rate? a. It is the highest in recent decades and is higher than turnout in most European countries. b. It is lower than turnout in most decades but higher than turnout in most European countries. c. Voter turnout in the United States has not changed much in the past forty years, and it is lower than turnout in the most European countries. d. Voter turnout in the 2008 presidential election was nearly double what it has been over the past forty years. e. It is the highest in recent decades but is still lower than turnout rates in most European countries.
e. It is the highest in recent decades but is still lower than turnout rates in most European countries.
(Ch. 7) 9. The table above supports which of the following conclusions? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. Spending by presidential candidates has increased in every election since 1976. b. Presidential campaigns are more expensive than congressional campaigns. c. Campaigns spending has not increased from 1976 to 2008 when those figures are adjusted for inflation d. Campaign finance regulations have been effective in reducing the effect of money on campaigns. e. Presidential campaign fundraising and expenditures more than double between 2004 and 2008
e. Presidential campaign fundraising and expenditures more than double between 2004 and 2008
(Ch. 5) 11. Most believe there should be a limit on the number of terms to which members of Congress can be elected, but Congress has not approved term limits. Which of the following principles does this best illustrate? a. Public opinion polling should be used to make important government decisions. b. Most Americans do not pay much attention to Supreme Court opinions. c. Members of the Supreme Court are generally unaware of public opinion polls. d. Public opinion polls are not important in government policy-making. e. Sometimes government policies go against what the public wants.
e. Sometimes government policies go against what the public wants.
(Ch. 1) 14. Which of the following best describes judicial review? a. The Supreme Court may amend the Constitution. b. The Supreme Court may nullify state laws if they provide more rights than are contained in the federal Bill of Rights c. The Supreme Court may remove state government officials who violate the Constitution d. The Supreme Court may recommend impeachment proceeding against the president. e. The Supreme Court may nullify government acts that conflict with the Constitution.
e. The Supreme Court may nullify government acts that conflict with the Constitution.
(Ch. 3) 5. Which of the following is an example of political beliefs changing over time? a. Americans have come to believe that the federal government should play a bigger role in our lives. b. Americans have come to believe that the federal government should play less of a role in regulating the economy than it did when the country was founded c. Americans wanted the federal government to play a bigger role in our lives until the 1980s, when this trend was reversed. d. Americans have held relatively consistent views about the role of the federal government over time. e. Americans have become more convinced of the importance of political participation over the last fifty years.
c. Americans wanted the federal government to play a bigger role in our lives until the 1980s, when this trend was reversed.
(Ch. 3) 9. In the United States, government agencies make a variety of regulations that impact the day-to-day life of Americans. According to the bureaucratic view of government, who holds most of the power in American government? a. Congress, because it makes laws that are then translated in to regulations by the bureaucracy. b. State governments, because they make most of the rules that impact a citizen's daily life. c. Appointed officials and career government works who translate public laws into administrative actions. d. No one, because our government is so tangled in red tape it is difficult to determine who holds power. e. The courts, because they make policy and are unelected and serve for life.
c. Appointed officials and career government works who translate public laws into administrative actions.
(Ch. 8) 1. How do American political parties compare with political parties in Europe? a. American parties are stronger and have more loyal members. b. American parties are more centralized, with more control by the national party organizations. c. Because of federalism, American political parties are decentralized, with significant power at the state and local levels. d. For the past three decades, the party the controls Congress has usually controlled the presidency. e. National law regulates European parties heavily.
c. Because of federalism, American political parties are decentralized, with significant power at the state and local levels.
(Ch. 6) 8. What is the impact of religion on political participation? a. Religious people are less likely to vote, because they put their faith in a higher power. b. Religious people are more likely to give money to charities, but less likely to vote. c. Being active in a religious organization increases the likelihood of charitable volunteer work as well as voting. d. Being active in a religious organization increases participation in nonpolitical activities but does not increase the likelihood of voting. e. Religion has no measurable impact on the likelihood of voting.
c. Being active in a religious organization increases the likelihood of charitable volunteer work as well as voting.
(Ch. 2) 14. The table above supports which of the following conclusions? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. Most federal grant money goes to support infrastructure, like roads and bridges. b. States spend very little of their own money on health care. c. Federal grants for Medicaid are more than double the spending on any other program. d. States with a high percentage of poor citizens are more likely to receive federal grant money. e. Federal grant money is distributed unevenly, with a few states receiving the bulk of the funds.
c. Federal grants for Medicaid are more than double the spending on any other program.
(Ch. 9) 2. Throughout American history, which of the following conditions has led to an increase in interest groups' activity? I. a strong economy with low inflation II. the rise of professional societies, such as the American Medical Association (AMA) III. government policies that create new groups, such as veterans IV. leaders who are willing to make personal sarifices a. I and II b. I, II, and III c. II, III, and IV d. I, II, and IV e. III and IV
c. II, III, and IV
(Ch. 1) 15. What was the impact of the three-fifths compromise? a. It gave southern states more representation in the Senate. b. It gave northern states more representation in the Senate. c. It gave southern states more representation in the House of Representatives. d. It gave northern states more representation in the House of Representatives. e. It gave southern states fewer votes in the electoral college
c. It gave southern states more representation in the House of Representatives.
(Ch. 2) 3. Which of the following statements best describes the impact of the Tenth Amendment? a. It has been effective in protecting and expanding the powers of the states. b. It had little impact at first but has been expanded over time to protect state powers. c. It has rarely had much practical significance. d. The Supreme Court has interpreted it consistently over time. e. It has protected the powers of the states, but not those of individual citizens.
c. It has rarely had much practical significance.
(Ch. 1) 9. Which of the following is NOT a criticism of separation of powers? a. It creates gridlock in policy-making b. It makes it difficult for the government to act decisively in times of crisis. c. It results in prompt, but hasty, decision-making d. It makes it difficult to stimulate economic growth e. It damages our position of international leadership.
c. It results in prompt, but hasty, decision-making
(Ch. 10) 13. A journalist refuses to give federal prosecutors information about a confidential informant. May the journalist be jailed? a. No. There is a federal shield law protecting journalists from having to disclose their sources. b. Yes, in many cases. Thirty-four states have enacted shield laws. c. No. There is no federal shield law that protects journalists from revealing their sources in criminal prosecutions. d. It depends. These cases are determined on a case-by-case basis. e. No. Neither states nor the federal government have enacted laws to protect journalists from revealing their sources.
c. No. There is no federal shield law that protects journalists from revealing their sources in criminal prosecutions.
(Ch. 6) 2. The graph above supports which one of the following statements? *Can't post pictures, look in book* a. The easiest way to register to vote is through a government registration office. b. The majority of Americans do not know where to go to register to vote. c. One fifth of voters register at their motor vehicle office. d. The main reason for not registering to vote is apathy. e. Methods of registration are becoming more numerous and convenient.
c. One fifth of voters register at their motor vehicle office.
(Ch. 7) 4. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the impact of party identification on voting behavior? a. Party identification is only one factor in choosing a candidate. b. Only a third of the electorate identifies with one of the major parties. c. Party identification plays a key role in voting choices. d. Party identification plays a key role in deciding whether or not to vote. e. Independent voters are more likely to strongly favor one candidate over another.
c. Party identification plays a key role in voting choices.
(Ch. 5) 5. Which of the following voters will most likely prefer a Republican candidate? a. a black woman with a college degree and high income b. a middle-class Asian man who belongs to a labor union c. a southern white male business owner d. a Hispanic employee for the federal government e. a white "soccer mom" (lul) who lives in the suburbs
c. a southern white male business owner
(Ch. 3) 12. According to John Locke, all of the following are necessary for proper government EXCEPT a. consent of the governed b. majority rule c. a strong executive d. protection of property e. separation of powers
c. a strong executive
(Ch. 4) 9. Citizens who believe they can influence political events have a high sense of civic a. effectiveness b. culture c. competence d. socialization e. legitimacy
c. competence
(Ch. 2) 13. The states play a key role in all of the following EXCEPT a. public education b. law enforcement and criminal justice c. managing the economy d. health and hospitals e. social welfare
c. managing the economy
(Ch. 8) 14. Which term best describes a fathering of delegates of a single political party from across the country to choose candidates for president and vice president? a. national caucus b. national primary c. national convention d. party platform e. general election
c. national convention
(Ch. 9) 7. A group with more than fifty members, representing a corporation, labor union, or special interest that raises and spends campaign contributions on behalf of candidates or causes is a a. special-interest group b. grassroots lobbying committee c. political action committee d. social movement e. tax-exempt entity
c. political action committee
(Ch. 8) 13. In the 2008 presidential election, several traditionally Republican states, including North Carolina and Virginia, voted for Barack Obama. If this trend continues over the next several elections, what will have occurred? a. dealignement b. a weakening of the two-party system c. realignment d. an increase in divided government e. an increase in bipartisanship
c. realignment
(Ch. 1) 4. What is the main result of judicial review? a. The Supreme Court is protected from interference by the executive. b. The Supreme Court has the power to revise state laws. c. The Constitution is safeguarded from popular passions. d. The Supreme Court has the power to advise Congress in drafting bills. e. The Supreme Court provides supervision of the lower courts.
c. The Constitution is safeguarded from popular passions.
(Ch. 7) 5. Which of the following is a valid criticism of the caucus system? a. Everyday citizens are not welcome to participate. b. Caucuses are not held in convenient locations. c. The first caucus is in Iowa, which is not representative of the population as a whole. d. The first caucus is held in New Hampshire, which is not representative of the population as a whole. e. Caucuses often last several days and become endurance contests.
c. The first caucus is in Iowa, which is not representative of the population as a whole.
(Ch. 6) 11. How did voter turnout among young people (citizens under age 30) in 2008 compare with previous elections? a. Voter turnout in this group continued its pattern of decrease b. Voter turnout remained unchanged c. Voter turnout increased substantially, to above 60 percent. d. Voter turnout among young citizens was slightly above 50 percent. e. Voter turnout among young people surpassed turnout among middle-aged voters.
c. Voter turnout increased substantially, to above 60 percent.
(Ch. 8) 12. In the 1824 election, Jackson won more of the popular and electoral college vote, but he lost the election. Which of the following statements best explains why this occurred? a. Most states use a winner-take-all system in awarding the electoral college votes. b. Most states use a plurality system in awarding electoral college votes. c. When there is no majority winner in the electoral college, the House of Representatives decides the election. d. This result occurs when there are just two candidates in the race. e. This result occurs when members of the electoral college ignore the wishes of their states' citizens and vote their conscience instead.
c. When there is no majority winner in the electoral college, the House of Representatives decides the election.
(Ch. 6) 6. Which of the following citizens is most likely to vote? a. a 65-year-old African American high school graduate b. a 35-year-old white college-educated woman c. a 70-year-old white college professor d. a 40-year-old Hispanic with an associate's degree e. an 18-year-old African American just starting college
c. a 70-year-old white college professor
(Ch. 1) 5. All of the following are part of the amendment process EXCEPT a. a proposal accepted by a two-thirds vote of Congress b. a proposal accepted at a national convention called by Congress as requested by two-thirds of the states c. a national referendum (by popular vote) with two-thirds voter approval d. ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures e. ratification by three-fourths of states in special conventions
c. a national referendum (by popular vote) with two-thirds voter approval
(Ch. 6) 13. Which of the following citizens is most likely to participate in politics? a. a sixty-five-year-old male high school graduate b. a thirty-five-year-old college-educated c. a seventy-year-old female college professor d. a forty-year-old man with an associate's degree e. an eighteen-year-old woman starting college
c. a seventy-year-old female college professor