AMERICAN GOV'T UNIT 2

Which of the following statements BEST reflects how the media have changed political campaigns? A. Candidates are tied to their party organization to a lesser degree B. Candidates have fewer opportunities to convey their opinions to voters C. Candidates are able to talk at length about more substantive issues D. Candidates must work hard to maintain a formal image at all times

A. Candidates are tied to their party organization to a lesser degree

Which of the following BEST summarizes the voting experience of African Americans in the years following the Civil War? A. Despite an amendment giving them the right to vote, African Americans still experienced discrimination at the polls B. Most States quickly accepted the fact that African Americans now were citizens and allowed them to vote C. Despite problems in being allowed to vote in some regions, most African Americans went to the polls and cast their votes D. The Federal Government did everything in its power to ensure that African Americans throughout the nation could vote

A. Despite an amendment giving them the right to vote, African Americans still experienced discrimination at the polls

Which of the following general statements about interest groups is TRUE? A. Interest groups try to influence the passage of new laws B. Interest groups nominate candidates for public office C. Interest groups do not exist in some States D. Interest groups and political parties are the same thing

A. Interest groups try to influence the passage of new laws

Which of the following is an example of a "loaded question" that a pollster should avoid? A. Should a new high school be built to replace the old, obsolete school? B. Do you support or oppose the building of a new high school? C. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? The community needs a new high school. D. Will you vote yes or no on the upcoming ballot initiative on building a new high school?

A. Should a new high school be built to replace the old, obsolete school?

Which of the following is an example of direct lobbying? A. participating in a talk show panel discussion B. drafting legislation for a member of Congress C. starting a get-out-the-vote campaign online D. mobilizing a grass-roots effort in a hometown

B. drafting legislation for a member of Congress

How did the war in Vietnam impact the passage of the 26th Amendment? A. Many young men refused to fight in the war because they were not allowed to vote in elections B. The war led to huge changes in citizen, age, and residency requirements C. Constituents pressured their members of Congress to allow all young men who fought in the war to vote D. People felt that if Americans where old enough to fight in a war, they were old enough to vote

D. People felt that if Americans where old enough to fight in a war, they were old enough to vote

What is significant about the general response to the national popular vote plan? A. The idea has achieved widespread support despite little media attention B. Acceptance of the idea varies greatly according to the region of the country C. Stakeholders in individual States have mounted vigorous campaigns against the plan D. The idea is supported across party lines as well as by nonpartisan entities

D. The idea is supported across party lines as well as by nonpartisan entities

Why is it difficult to determine what opinions are held by "the public?" A. The public changes its mind frequently on most subjects B. The public is unwilling to disclose its opinions on most subjects C. The public has no opinion on most public policy issues D. The public is actually made up of many publics

D. The public is actually made up of many publics

Which statement is TRUE concerning the two major parties? A. The two major parties have completely different viewpoints B. The two major parties try to win over groups of people who hold radically different beliefs C. The two major parties are rarely willing to compromise on critical issues D. The two major parties often look very much alike

D. The two major parties often look very much alike

Which factor BEST accounts for the increased use of preference primaries? A. Political party leaders wishing to gain power over the outcome of primaries B. More and more States coming up with their own unique election scenarios C. The timing of primaries continuing to be viewed as essential D. The winner-take-all format being steadily replaced by the proportional representation rule

D. The winner-take-all format being steadily replaced by the proportional representation rule

An advantage of holding State elections separately from federal elections is that A. voters would be more likely to go the polls B. the probability of voter fraud would be much lower C. the coattail effect would be totally eliminated D. voters would focus more on State-level issues and candidates

D. voters would focus more on State-level issues and candidates

One major reason a candidate might turn down the FEC subsidy is because candidates who receive subsidies A. cannot spend unlimited amounts of money on their campaigns B. cannot accept donations from individuals or groups C. must use campaign donations to pay back the subsidies D. must keep detailed records of their expenses and disclose how much they spend

A. cannot spend unlimited amounts of money on their campaigns

In his Farewell Address in 1796, George Washington warned the young United States against "the baneful effects of the spirit of party." He was concerned that political parties would A. divide the nation B. distract the government from its main purpose C. lead to "middle-of-the-road" positions on important issues D. take over the government

A. divide the nation

One important benefit of "no-excuse" mail-in absentee voting is that it A. enables people to vote without going to a polling place B. allows all votes to be tallied well in advance of election day C. safeguards the principle of the secret ballot and eliminates any possibility for fraud D. appeals to the masses of young people, ages 18 to 20, who are now eligible to vote

A. enables people to vote without going to a polling place

The States that receive the most attention during presidential campaigns are those with A. no clear party loyalties B. the most active voters C. the most educated populace D. large industrial centers

A. no clear party loyalties

People who believe that their vote can make a difference can be said to have a strong sense of A. political efficacy B. political socialization C. political psychology D. political influence

A. political efficacy

Gerrymandering impacts the voting process by A. redrawing district boundaries so as to unfairly determine who wins elections B. allowing the Federal Government to send in marshals to monitor State elections C. permitting voters to vote in districts that only support their political party D. requiring voters to pass literacy tests or similar devices before being allowed to vote

A. redrawing district boundaries so as to unfairly determine who wins elections

Nomination is the critical first step in the process of filling public offices because it is the naming of those A. seeking office B. appointed to public office C. most likely to win the office D. elected to public office

A. seeking office

To what does the term mandate refer in American politics? A. the instructions or commands that voters give elected officials B. the views of an organization on particular public policy issues C. the measurement of public opinion D. the efforts of an elected official to keep in touch with the voters

A. the instructions or commands that voters give elected officials

The convention nominating system worked better in theory than in practice because it resulted in the selection of delegates A. who represented the party bosses B. with the least amount of experience C. who represented the extremes of the party D. with the most amount of experience

A. who represented the party bosses

Which of the following illustrates the fact that the media's influence on public political attitudes is limited? A. A television news station decides to cover the campaign rally of one candidate rather than another B. A Republican regularly visits the websites of Republican candidates but never those of Democratic candidates C. A newspaper features a story about immigration on the front page and puts a story about proposed oil drilling on page 4 D. The President spends one hour each day reviewing the top news stories in the media

B. A Republican regularly visits the websites of Republican candidates but never those of Democratic candidates

How has social media affected politics in the United States? A. It has decreased the public's confidence in government B. It has increased the public's political involvement C. It has decreased the public's need for in-depth coverage of political issues D. It has increased the public's interest in partisan politics

B. It has increased the public's political involvement

Why did the 15th Amendment effect so little change in African American voting rights? A. After years of slavery, African Americans were distrustful of the Federal Government B. The Federal Government did nothing to solve the problems that African Americans faced when trying to exercise their right to vote C. The Amendment only applied to national elections, so States could prevent African Americans from voting in elections at the State and local levels D. While the States worked to enforce the amendment, the Federal Government put policies in place to undermine its effectiveness

B. The Federal Government did nothing to solve the problems that African Americans faced when trying to exercise their right to vote

Which scenario is possible under the current electoral college system? A. The Senate chooses the President B. The Speaker of the House acts as President C. A vice presidential candidate is named the new President D. The President of the Senate chooses to count the electoral votes in a closed session

B. The Speaker of the House acts as President

Which argument could be used by those who favor abolishing voter registration requirements? A. People should be allowed to register when they apply for a driver's license B. Voter turnout decreased when most States first adopted registration requirements C. Only citizens should be allowed to vote D. Voter registration is a necessary defense against voter fraud

B. Voter turnout decreased when most States first adopted registration requirements

Which of the following statements is TRUE? A. The farther down the ballot an office is, the higher the number of votes that will be cast for it B. Voter turnout in off-year elections is lower than in presidential election C. Resident aliens are allowed to vote only in federal elections D. Political socialization refers to a person's feeling of influence or effectiveness in politics

B. Voter turnout in off-year elections is lower than in presidential election

Which of the following BEST explains why punch-card voting is no longer legal? A. Punch cards cannot be printed in more than one language B. Voters did not completely punch through their cards, resulting in unreadable ballots C. Punch-card readers are extremely expensive, and so are unavailable in poorer districts D. Optical scanning devices proved to be much more reasonable and accurate

B. Voters did not completely punch through their cards, resulting in unreadable ballots

Political parties are sometimes referred to as "power brokers" because they A. ensure that the United States remains the most powerful country in the world B. help unify people by encouraging compromise among various interests and groups C. are made up of very powerful people D. prevent candidates with extremely liberal or conservative views from being heard

B. help unify people by encouraging compromise among various interests and groups

Most States deny the right to vote to which of the following? A. people who are only 18 years of age at the time of the election B. individuals who have been convicted of a serious crime C. anyone serving in public office D. people who have neglected to pay their State income or property tax

B. individuals who have been convicted of a serious crime

A pattern of political contributions for a candidate that indicated a large amount of popular support would include A. strong support from PACs and Super PACs B. numerous small donations from individual citizens C. large donations from corporations and labor unions D. a large campaign fund that spends a lot on advertising

B. numerous small donations from individual citizens

The direct primary is the principle nominating method in the United States today because it gives the nominating function to A. party organizers B. party members C. delegates D. party bosses

B. party members

Which of the following voter registration requirements is believed by some to help prevent fraudulent voting today? A. demonstrating the ability to read and write B. requiring voters to show ID in order to vote C. providing proof of permanent residency D. paying a small and equitable poll tax

B. requiring voters to show ID in order to vote

The media influences politics MOST by A. broadcasting public service announcements B. selecting certain issues to highlight C. providing news 24 hours per day D. using clever sound bites to convey information

B. selecting certain issues to highlight

The term "gender gap" can BEST be described as A. the difference in the ages of men and women who vote in national elections B. the difference in how men and women vote and the candidates they support C. the difference in the gender makeup of the two major political parties D. the difference between how men and women of different ethnic groups vote

B. the difference in how men and women vote and the candidates they support

America's first elections involved public voting by voice. What made that method of voting unworkable? A. the invention of the first voting machine B. the growing number of eligible voters C. the adoption of the Australian ballot D. the move to secret ballots

B. the growing number of eligible voters

Which factor would MOST LIKELY influence an individual's opinion about whether or not to end social security? A. Because social security is an entitlement, gender would influence voters' opinions B. Because social security is a federal program, location would influence voters' opinions C. Because social security is of most concern to older adults, age would influence voters' opinions D. Because social security is expensive, job security would influence voters' opinions

C. Because social security is of most concern to older adults, age would influence voters' opinions

How might the elimination of preclearance impact voting rights? A. States will be free to monitor their elections and electorate without interference from the Federal Government B. The "bail-out" process might become a financial drain on States and cause some to reinstate poll taxes C. Congress may need to be more attentive to voting problems and make new laws to address those problems D. More States may challenge the Federal Government in court cases involving voting rights

C. Congress may need to be more attentive to voting problems and make new laws to address those problems

Why is nomination by petition most widely found at the local level of government? A. State law mandates that petition can only be used at the local level B. Getting enough signatures to be placed on the ballot is too easy in State and national elections C. Fewer signatures are needed on a petition in a smaller constituency D. Minority party candidates prefer petition process because it makes it easier for them to run for office

C. Fewer signatures are needed on a petition in a smaller constituency

Which of the following is one impact minor parties have had on American politics? A. Minor parties provide critical support to the two major parties B. Minor parties protect the public from the extreme views of the two major political parties C. Minor parties raise new and controversial issues to the public's attention D. Minor parties keep the influence of the two major parties to a minimum

C. Minor parties raise new and controversial issues to the public's attention

How do the American people benefit MOST from public interest groups? A. Public interest groups provide their members with special access to elected officials B. Public interest groups appeal to people who want to share their thoughts on specific issues C. Public interest groups support causes that benefit many people, including those not in the group D. Public interest groups make large contributions to political campaigns, regardless of political party

C. Public interest groups support causes that benefit many people, including those not in the group

Which of the following is an example of the coattail effect? A. Republicans winning elections at the same time as the popular Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt B. Democrats and Republicans manipulating voting districts to ensure that their candidate wins the election C. Republicans being elected at the same time as the popular Republican President Ronald Reagan D. Democrats and Republicans using their positions in government to fund favorite projects

C. Republicans being elected at the same time as the popular Republican President Ronald Reagan

Which of the following statements is an example of indirect lobbying? A. A lobbyist representing the National Rifle Association presents her views before the Senate regarding a new law on gun control B. A well-known leader of AARP delivers a speech to a standing committee in the House about changes to the Social Security program C. The Los Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club encourages its members to e-mail government leaders regarding water conservation issues in their State D. The Texas State Teachers Association makes contributions to campaigns of candidates who can make a positive impact in Texas education

C. The Los Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club encourages its members to e-mail government leaders regarding water conservation issues in their State

Which statement about today's national conventions is TRUE? A. Convention delegates are chosen randomly by a system similar to a lottery B. The most important goals of conventions are achieved behind closed doors C. The public is rarely surprised by announcements made at the conventions D. Lively debates among party leaders commonly occur on the convention floor

C. The public is rarely surprised by announcements made at the conventions

How are political parties and interest groups similar? A. They both nominate candidates for elected office B. They both are concerned with a broad range of public policy issues C. They both represent people who join together to affect public policy D. They both are public organizations that are accountable to the people

C. They both represent people who join together to affect public policy

The residency criteria for voting in State elections changed as a result of the passage of the A. 15th Amendment B. 24th Amendment C. Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970 D. Civil Rights Act of 1964

C. Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970

Which of these ideas has contributed to an upswing in split-ticket voting? A. the region of the country in which a voter lives B. a strong identification with one party or the other C. a decline in the strength of the major parties D. population shifts from urban to rural areas

C. a decline in the strength of the major parties

Which method would be used by pollsters who wish to conduct a scientific survey about the most likely candidate to win the presidency? A. interviewing those people most likely to agree with the survey questions B. interviewing people who all belong to the same political party C. interviewing randomly chosen people in randomly chosen area codes D. interviewing a large number of people who respond to an email reques

C. interviewing randomly chosen people in randomly chosen area codes

Super PACs can make the most impact on the campaigns of their preferred candidates by A. donating supplies to a campaign B. holding fundraisers for a candidate C. paying for advertising that focuses on a target issue D. recruiting volunteers to work on the campaign

C. paying for advertising that focuses on a target issue

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 differed from earlier civil rights laws in that it was the first act A. to grow out of civil rights protests by African Americans B. to emphasize the right of the States to conduct elections the way they want C. to apply to all elections held anywhere in the nation D. to dictate how local elections were to be held

C. to apply to all elections held anywhere in the nation

Which of the following provides an example of a short-term factor in an election? A. A southerner votes for a Republican candidate for President B. A woman votes for a Democratic candidate in every election C. A college student does not vote in an election because he is considered a transient D. A Republican voter supports a Democratic candidate who served in the military

D. A Republican voter supports a Democratic candidate who served in the military

Which of the following statements BEST shows the impact of the Internet and other electronic information on the political process? A. A voter watches a podcast presented by a candidate B. A campaign manager uses e-mail as a primary mode of communication C. News reporters send text messages to each other while they cover trending stories D. A candidate alters his stance on an issue based on the number of likes on his Facebook page

D. A candidate alters his stance on an issue based on the number of likes on his Facebook page

What is the difference between hard money and soft money? A. Soft money must be disclosed to the FEC; hard money does not B. Hard money includes federal subsidies; soft money does not C. Soft money may be given directly to a candidate; hard money cannot D. Hard money may be given directly to a candidate; soft money cannot

D. Hard money may be given directly to a candidate; soft money cannot

What impact does the nominating process have on the right to vote? A. It gives voters one choice in the general election B. It gives voters too many choices in the general election C. It gives voters a false sense of purpose in the election process D. It gives voters limited choices in the general election

D. It gives voters limited choices in the general election

How have campaign finance laws changed over time? A. Limits have been placed on how much money can be spent on advertising in the media B. Limits have been placed on how much money can be spent by PACs, Super PACs, and 527 organizations C. Limits have been placed on how much money can be spent by corporations and labor unions D. Limits have been placed on how much money can be given directly to candidates and political parties

D. Limits have been placed on how much money can be given directly to candidates and political parties

Why is the process of nominating candidates considered to be the most important function political parties play in American government? A. The public has no other way to learn about candidates and relies on political parties to educate them about the candidates B. Raising money for political campaigns is not nearly as important today as it has been in the past C. It is the best mechanism for ensuring that the candidates with the most public support run for office D. No other group in our society has been able to identify and get candidates elected to office as successfully as do political parties

D. No other group in our society has been able to identify and get candidates elected to office as successfully as do political parties