AP Gov Midterm

A prominent example of the process of returning more of the responsibilities of governing from the national level to the state level is - welfare reform - trade reform - campaign finance reform - immigration reform

welfare reform

A corporate lobbyist would be LEAST likely to have an informal discussion about a pending policy matter with which of the following? - A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard - A member of the White House staff concerned about the issue - A member of the staff of the Senate committee handling a matter of concern to the corporation - A journalist for a major newspaper concerned about the issue

- A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard

A corporate lobbyist would be LEAST likely to have an informal discussion about a pending policy matter with which of the following? - A journalist for a major newspaper concerned about the issue - A member of the staff of the Senate committee handling a matter of concern to the corporation - A member of the White House staff concerned about the issue - A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard

- A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard

A corporate lobbyist would be LEAST likely to have an informal discussion about a pending policy matter with which of the following? - A member of the staff of the Senate committee handling a matter of concern to the corporation - A member of the White House staff concerned about the issue - A journalist for a major newspaper concerned about the issue - A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard

- A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard

Which of the following scenarios is most closely related to the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)? - A state senator receives a large cash donation from a corporate executive in exchange for specific political favors. - A lobbyist writes the language of a bill that is later introduced into both chambers of Congress. - A labor union spends millions of dollars to independently run negative advertisements about a presidential candidate shortly before the election. - A member of Congress establishes a political action committee to gain influence within the chamber.

- A labor union spends millions of dollars to independently run negative advertisements about a presidential candidate shortly before the election.

Which of the following best describes an exit poll? - An opinion poll that is used to intentionally sway people's opinions by using false or misleading information in the conversation - A poll that randomly samples a population to capture public opinion at a given time - A poll that asks voters at randomly selected voting places whom they voted for so that election results can be predicted more quickly - A poll conducted by having a computer randomly select phone numbers from around the country

- A poll that asks voters at randomly selected voting places whom they voted for so that election results can be predicted more quickly

Which of the following scenarios best reflects the process of political socialization? - Members of Congress increasingly vote the same way as other members of their party. - As media choices increase, individuals expand their media consumption to new sources. - A group is able to attract new members by offering access to a broad network of people. - An individual takes a civics course in school and develops opinions about politics.

- An individual takes a civics course in school and develops opinions about politics.

Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution? - Articles of Confederation = Unicameral legislature /United States Constitution = Bicameral legislature - Articles of Confederation = Protection of individual liberties /United States Constitution = No protection of specific individual rights - Articles of Confederation = Amendment requires unanimity of all states /United States Constitution = Amendment requires the president's approval - Articles of Confederation = Powerful executive branch /United States Constitution = Federal government supreme over states

- Articles of Confederation = Unicameral legislature /United States Constitution = Bicameral legislature

In The Federalist 10, James Madison argued that the new constitution would help control faction by doing which of the following? - The new constitution had significant limits on the freedom of expression, thereby limiting the ability of factions to organize. - By creating a large republic, the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to completely dominate. - The use of the electoral college and the indirect election of senators would limit the influence that factions could wield. - The new constitution gave political parties specific powers in the government which limited their influence.

- By creating a large republic, the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to completely dominate.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC, has raised over $50 million dollars, which it plans to spend on advertising in the next midterm election. It plans to target its spending in competitive districts in the days leading up to Election Day. Which of the following court cases decision is most likely to protect the right of the group in the scenario? - Shaw v. Reno (1993 - New York Times Company v. United States (1971) - McDonald v. Chicago (2010) - Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

- Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

All of the following are ways that the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT: - Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional. - The Senate may refuse to approve a presidential appointment. - Congress may remove the president through its impeachment and conviction powers. - Congress may override a presidential veto.

- Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional.

What role does Congress play in amending the Constitution? - Congress approves or rejects amendments supported by two-thirds of the states - The Senate approves proposed amendments by two-thirds vote, but the House plays little role in the process - Congress submits amendments to the states for their approval - Congress passes amendments by a two-thirds vote, sending them to the president for his signature or veto

- Congress submits amendments to the states for their approval

A "cloture motion" passed in the Senate does which of the following? - Returns a bill to committee. - Criticizes a senator guilty of improprieties. - Cuts off debate on a bill. - Removes a President who has been impeached by the House.

- Cuts off debate on a bill.

A member of Congress votes in favor of a bill as a result of receiving many letters of support for the bill from constituents. Which form of democratic representation best describes this voting decision? - Pluralist - Trustee - Delegate - Elite

- Delegate

Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information? - Investigative reporting dominates the news because it is less expensive than political commentary - There has been an increase in social media and Internet news consumption by the public, causing the top five media conglomerates to have greater control over public opinion. - The media is increasingly controlled by the major political parties, who determine which stories are covered by the press. - Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.

- Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.

Which of the following powers is shared by the House of Representatives and the Senate? - Holding confirmation hearings - Holding trials of impeachment - Establishing federal courts - Approving treaties

- Establishing federal courts

The activity of lobbyists is protected by the _____________ Amendment. - First - Tenth - Fifth - Sixth

- First

A chief executive officer (CEO) of a corporation believes that the Republican candidate for president will enact policies that are more beneficial to her business. The CEO donated the maximum amount allowed by law directly to the candidate's campaign fund. To increase the candidate's chances for election, the CEO also directed her corporation to donate funds to an independent political action committee to create ads criticizing the opposing candidate. According to the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), which provision of the Constitution protects her actions? - Due process clause in the Fifth Amendment - Freedom of association in the First Amendment - Freedom of speech in the First Amendment - Reserved powers in the Tenth Amendment

- Freedom of speech in the First Amendment

Which of the following best accounts for the lack of success generally encountered by minor political parties in electing members to the House or Senate? - House and Senate rules exclude members of minor parties from organizing coalitions with the major parties. - The public has great faith in the two major political parties. - Some states outlaw minor political parties - General elections in the United States are based on the winner-take-all principle.

- General elections in the United States are based on the winner-take-all principle.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the rules for debate used by the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? - House of Representatives - Debate is limited/ Senate - Members can filibuster - House of Representatives - Debate is unlimited/Senate - Debate is unlimited - House of Representatives - Members cannot filibuster/Senate - Only the majority leader can filibuster - House of Representatives - Members can filibuster/Senate - Members cannot filibuster

- House of Representatives - Debate is limited/ Senate - Members can filibuster

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? - House of Representatives - Led by the president pro tempore/Senate - Led by the vice president - House of Representatives - Debate on bills is limited/Senate - Debate on bills can be unlimited - House of Representatives - Must approve Supreme Court nominees/Senate - Must approve treaties - House of Representatives - Initiates revenue bills/Senate - Nominates cabinet members

- House of Representatives - Debate on bills is limited/Senate - Debate on bills can be unlimited

Which of the following is an accurate description of the powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate? - House of Representatives - Initiates all revenue bills/Senate - Confirms presidential appointments - House of Representatives - Ratifies treaties submitted by the president/Senate - Ratifies executive orders submitted by the president - House of Representatives - Deploys troops for foreign combat/Senate - Negotiates treaties with foreign countries - House of Representatives - Conducts impeachment trials/Senate - Passes articles of impeachment

- House of Representatives - Initiates all revenue bills/Senate - Confirms presidential appointments

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate? - House of Representatives - The Constitution's framers intended it to reflect the will of the people/Senate - The Constitution's framers designed it to represent the interests of the states - House of Representatives - The majority and minority parties control legislative scheduling and rules equally/Senate - Minority party members can threaten to filibuster a bill the majority party wants to pass - House of Representatives - Members serve two-year terms with a term limit of up to twelve years/Senate - Members serve six-year terms with no term limits - House of Representatives - Most legislative work takes place in the standing committees/Senate - Based on its size, it tends to have stricter rules affecting the legislative process

- House of Representatives - The Constitution's framers intended it to reflect the will of the people/Senate - The Constitution's framers designed it to represent the interests of the states

Registered voters directly elect which of the following I. The president and Vice President II. Supreme Court Justices III. Members of the Senate IV. Members of the House of Representatives - I only - I, III, and IV only - IV only - III and IV only

- III and IV only

Which of the following explains how The Federalist 10 relates to the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) ? - The Federalist 10 supports free speech, whereas the Citizens United decision opposes free speech. - In both, a limited approach to government regulation was argued for. - In The Federalist 10, the author opted for stricter regulation of factions, whereas in Citizens United, petitioners argued that regulation was a violation of liberties. - Both regarded factions as destructive to liberty

- In both, a limited approach to government regulation was argued for.

Which of the following is a significant trend in the presidential nominating process over the past three decades? - Decreasing cost of campaigns - Increasing control by political party leaders over outcomes - Increasing importance of presidential primaries rather than state conventions - Replacement of national party conventions by national primaries for each party

- Increasing importance of presidential primaries rather than state conventions

Advocates of shifting the task of drawing United States House districts from state legislatures to independent commissions are likely to claim which of the following as an advantage of independent commissions? - Independent commissions are more likely to create majority-minority districts where they are appropriate. - Independent commissions significantly reduce the influence of partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process. - Independent commissions are more able to draw legislative districts that comply with the one person, one vote standard. - House districts drawn by independent commissions are immune from challenges by the United States Department of Justice.

- Independent commissions significantly reduce the influence of partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process.

A person loses his job and refuses to accept any government assistance to get back on his feet, instead relying on savings and seeking a new job immediately. Which of the following core values would this person most relate to? - Rule of law - Individualism - Free enterprise - Equality of opportunity

- Individualism

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) urges its members to take action in support of what they term "animal friendly" legislation through their website. In addition to providing information about important issues that legislators may vote on, the nonprofit organization also describes the best ways to contact a legislator and tips on how best to interact with lawmakers. Which of the following is being illustrated in the scenario? - Interest groups lacking funding can overcome the free-rider problem by proposing legislation on their website. - Interest groups post messages on social media to request donations from members. - Interest groups sometimes form around a narrow set of issues with the goal of impacting policy making. - Interest groups work to mobilize citizens and members of Congress to form an iron triangle.

- Interest groups sometimes form around a narrow set of issues with the goal of impacting policy making.

Which of the following is a clause of the Constitution that gives the federal government broad powers in many policy areas? - Tenth Amendment - Interstate Commerce Clause - Free-Exercise Clause - Establishment Clause

- Interstate Commerce Clause

Which of the following is generally true of the gerrymandering of congressional districts? - It creates districts that favor one political party over another. - It violates the principle of one-person, one-vote - It results in more Republicans being elected to the House. - It results in more Democrats being elected to the House.

- It creates districts that favor one political party over another.

Which of the following describes an effect of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment? - It assured equal access to places of public accommodation regardless of race. - It increased the importance of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. - It eliminated poll taxes. - It reduced barriers to political participation on the basis of gender.

- It eliminated poll taxes.

Which of the following sets of policies appears to be most influenced by a libertarian ideology? - Increase income taxes on the wealthy to raise revenue for social security benefits. - Eliminate the estate tax and promote government-funded prekindergarten education. - Legalize the commercial sale of marijuana and reduce government spending on prisons. - Expand the welfare state and reduce spending on national defense.

- Legalize the commercial sale of marijuana and reduce government spending on prisons.

In 1974, the House of Representatives approved a resolution granting the JudiciaryCommittee authority to investigate impeachment of President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Which constitutional ideal of democracy is demonstrated in this scenario? - Limited government - Federalism - Popular sovereignty - Judicial review

- Limited government

The National Education Association (NEA) is an organization of teachers, administrators, and other educators who work together to advance the interests and impact of public education. One of the NEA's goals is to support public education by ending government funding of voucher programs that promote school privatization. Vouchers give parents financial incentives to send their children to private schools rather than having children attend local public schools. Which of the following strategies would be the most effective way to achieve the NEA's goal of furthering the interest of public education? - Lobby members of congressional committees to vote against all legislation that would support school voucher programs. - Request that the Supreme Court to declare the school voucher and privatization programs unconstitutional. - Petition Congress to hold an oversight hearing of the Department of Education on private and public school funding. - Increase membership in the NEA by offering new members financial benefits.

- Lobby members of congressional committees to vote against all legislation that would support school voucher programs.

Which of the following statements about economic equality applies most accurately to Americans? - Most Americans believe that all people should be paid on the basis of their economic needs" "equality of results." - Most Americans believe in the idea of having a top limit on what people can earn: "equality of wealth." - Most Americans believe in the preferential treatment of women and minorities in hiring: "equality of access." - Most Americans believe that everyone has the right to get ahead: "equality of opportunity."

- Most Americans believe that everyone has the right to get ahead: "equality of opportunity."

Which of the following most accurately describes media coverage of elections? - Coverage tends to focus on issues rather than on which candidate is ahead in public opinion polls. - Reporters who use secret sources in their campaign coverage are shielded by federal law from having to reveal those sources. - Coverage of presidential primaries gives relatively equal power to states regardless of when they hold their primaries. - Network news coverage is usually dominated by reporters who offer relatively short sound bites from the candidates.

- Network news coverage is usually dominated by reporters who offer relatively short sound bites from the candidates.

Which of the following public policies would Republicans be most likely to support? - Raising the national minimum wage to $15 an hour - Implementing new standards to reduce pollution - Instituting paid maternity and paternity leave - Opening public lands for ranching and oil exploration

- Opening public lands for ranching and oil exploration

Which of the following best explains how parties link citizens to the electoral process? - Parties recruit candidates to run for election. - Parties determine the leadership of congressional committees. - Parties research how best to frame issues in campaigns. - Parties send volunteers to knock on doors to register voters.

- Parties send volunteers to knock on doors to register voters.

Which of the following makes a correct comparison between political parties and interest groups in the United States? - Political Parties have small constituencies and thus try to win elections by energizing their base to vote for them/Interest Groups alert and educate voters regarding pending legislation. - Political Parties recruit and run candidates in elections/Interest Groups seek to influence public policy. - Political Parties achieve the bulk of the changes they seek through the use of the courts/Interest Groups build relationships with congressional committees and the bureaucracy to form iron triangles. - Political Parties have organizations that donate money to candidates for public office/Interest Groups are barred by law from donating money to political campaigns.

- Political Parties recruit and run candidates in elections/Interest Groups seek to influence public policy.

Which of the following best explains how most candidates are recruited to run for office? - Most candidates running for office are selected after earning merit working for the government. - Political parties usually recruit and train people at the local level they believe are most fit to run for office. - Most candidates who run for office are recruited by political leaders to do so because they are famous. - Candidates for office usually first work as lawyers for political parties before running for office.

- Political parties usually recruit and train people at the local level they believe are most fit to run for office.

An advertisement airs on television attacking a candidate running for office. The advertisement was produced and distributed by a group that was not affiliated with nor funded by any political campaign. Which of the following statements explains why this expenditure is not prohibited by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002? - The press can protect the confidentiality of their sources with regard to campaign funding violations. - The press can freely criticize elected officials in their publications. - Restrictions on individual contributions to political campaigns violate the First Amendment. - Political spending by groups not directly affiliated with a campaign is a form of protected speech.

- Political spending by groups not directly affiliated with a campaign is a form of protected speech.

The Declaration of Independence states "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings. For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation? - Limited government - Separation of power - Federalism - Popular sovereignty

- Popular sovereignty

According to James Madison, which of the following best controls the effects of faction? - The popular election of state judges - Direct democracy - Property requirements for eligibility to work - A large republic

- Property requirements for eligibility to work

Which of the following is most frequently reported in the media during a presidential election? - Results from public opinion polls that indicate which candidates are most likely to win - The official platforms of each of the major political parties - C Financial strategies and management of the campaigns - Comparisons of candidates' positions on foreign and domestic policy issues

- Results from public opinion polls that indicate which candidates are most likely to win

A member of the House of Representatives who wishes to be influential in the House itself would most likely seek a place on which of the following committees? - Veterans' Affairs - Agriculture - Rules - Transportation and Infrastructure

- Rules

Which of the following public policies would Democrats be most likely to support? - Cutting the budget for foreign aid to other countries - Authorizing additional funding for the military - Securing a universal health care system - Withdrawing from international climate change agreements

- Securing a universal health care system

Which of the following is most important for getting an accurate measure of public opinion in a survey? - Contacting only registered voters - Selecting a random sample - Conducting the survey online - Surveying only cell phone users

- Selecting a random sample

In 1980, a small group of parents personally affected by drunk driving formed the group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Over the past four decades, they have grown in number and have lobbied on state and local levels promoting legislation such as stricter limits on blood alcohol levels for drivers. MADD is an example of which of the following? - Bureaucratic agency implementing policy - Political party with the goal of influencing public opinion - Single-issue group with the goal of impacting policy making - Social movement with the goal of influencing the federal budget

- Single-issue group with the goal of impacting policy making

Which of the following policies would an individual who identifies as a Democrat most likely support? - Reducing regulations on Wall Street to stimulate economic growth - Increasing federal enforcement of immigration laws - Decreasing the role of the federal government to ensure access to health care - Strengthening anti-discrimination policies for married gay couples

- Strengthening anti-discrimination policies for married gay couples

There is an ongoing debate over the role of money in elections. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002 banned soft money and restricted advertisements in the weeks before an election. Parts of this act were challenged and struck down in the Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010). Which of the following was a consequence of that ruling? - The Federal Election Commission cannot place any restrictions on political advertisements because they are protected by the freedom of speech. - Advertisements produced in coordination between campaigns and super PACs cannot be restricted because they are protected by the freedom of speech. - The Federal Election Commission can place restrictions on all advertisements because they are not protected by the freedom of speech. - Super PACs may spend unlimited funds on advertisements that are not coordinated with the campaign because they are protected by the freedom of speech.

- Super PACs may spend unlimited funds on advertisements that are not coordinated with the campaign because they are protected by the freedom of speech.

A state has 11 electoral votes. In a presidential election, the Democratic candidate receives 48 percent of that state's popular vote, the Republican candidate receives 40 percent of the vote, and an independent candidate receives 12 percent of the vote. If the state is similar to most other states, how will the electoral votes most likely be allocated? - The votes will not be allocated until there has been a runoff election between the Democratic and Republican candidates. - The Democratic candidate will receive 6 electoral votes and the Republican will receive 5. - The Democratic candidate will receive all 11 electoral votes. - The Democratic candidate will receive 5 electoral votes, the Republican will receive 4, and the independent will receive 2.

- The Democratic candidate will receive all 11 electoral votes.

Which of the following outcomes are NOT possible in the Electoral College system? - The Electoral College could choose a president who did not have the most electoral votes - The Electoral College could choose a president who did not get the most votes of the people - The Electoral College could choose a president who did not win the most states - The House of Representatives could choose the president

- The Electoral College could choose a president who did not have the most electoral votes

In 2002, Congress passed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in an effort to regulate campaign finance by limiting the ability of corporations and unions to spend their general treasury funds on election communications. In 2010, the Supreme Court invalidated this provision of the act. Which of the following statements accurately describes the majority decision of the case? - The First Amendment allows corporations and unions to make independent expenditures regarding candidates for office. - The Fourth Amendment grants professional consultants and other campaign staff immunity from disclosing donor information - The Fourth Amendment protects political action committees from excessive searches by protecting their identities during election campaigns. - The First Amendment allows candidates to spend as much as they want on their own campaigns.

- The First Amendment allows corporations and unions to make independent expenditures regarding candidates for office.

How is a president chosen when none of the candidates receives a majority of the electoral college vote? - The United States Supreme Court directly elects the president. - The House chooses a new president by a majority vote of its state delegations. - The election is ruled null and void and Congress appoints a new president. - The Senate chooses a new president by a majority vote of its entire membership.

- The House chooses a new president by a majority vote of its state delegations.

A person claiming that the House can pass legislation with a simple majority, but the Senate is unlikely to pass legislation unless a bill has the support of a 60-vote supermajority is most likely to cite which of the following institutional differences as the cause of this trend? - The House has strict limits on debate, while the Senate allows unlimited debate. - Members of the House often represent a much narrower constituency than senators do. - The House has fewer legislative committees than the Senate does. - Party leadership in the House is highly formalized, while leadership in the Senate is much more informal.

- The House has strict limits on debate, while the Senate allows unlimited debate.

Which of the following political parties would be most likely to oppose reduced sentencing for nonviolent felony offenders? - The Democratic Party - The Libertarian Party - The Green Party - The Republican Party

- The Republican Party

Of the following, which is the most powerful figure in Congress? - The Speaker of the House - The Chair of the Senate Finance Committee - The Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee - The Majority Whip of the House

- The Speaker of the House

Which of the following is the best example of the core value of limited government? - Citizens voting to elect a new member of the United States Congress - The United States Constitution delegating specific powers to Congress - The media covering a confirmation hearing for a potential Supreme Court justice - Interest groups lobbying the government to influence legislation on a particular issue

- The United States Constitution delegating specific powers to Congress

Which of the following is a correct statement about political action committees (PAC's)? - PAC's are illegal in most states. - The amount of money that PAC's can contribute directly to an individual candidate is limited by law. - Most PAC money is distributed to challengers in an effort to unseat hostile incumbents. - PAC's rarely attempt to influence legislation through lobbying activities.

- The amount of money that PAC's can contribute directly to an individual candidate is limited by law.

Which of the following describes the result in a winner-take-all, single-member-district plurality system? - The candidate must receive at least 51% of the votes to win. - The party that receives the most votes in the election wins the seat and selects the party member who will fill the seat. - The candidate who receives the most votes in the election wins. - A political party must receive 51% of the votes to win all of the seats in the district.

- The candidate who receives the most votes in the election wins.

Which of the following is true of the seniority system of Congress in relation to committee leadership and committee staffing? - Members of Congress must be elected from safe seats to accrue committee seniority. - Members of Congress with the longest continuous service are assured the chairmanship of major congressional committees. - The chairs of congressional committees tend to be senior members of the body's majority party. - The oldest members of Congress have the most seniority.

- The chairs of congressional committees tend to be senior members of the body's majority party.

In a public opinion poll, a polling company used an online survey tool to randomly contact respondents who did not have telephone lines in addition to contacting people over the phone. Which of the following best explains this decision? - The company was interested in asking different questions to different individuals. - The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random. - The company was establishing a benchmark poll at the beginning of a campaign. - The company saved money because it did not need to hire as many telephone interviewers to conduct the poll.

- The company wanted to ensure that the sample of the population was truly random.

Which of the following describes the potential impact on the electorate when daily media coverage of elections focuses primarily on the newest poll results? - The electorate will be increasingly divided along partisan lines. - The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election. - The electorate will be less likely to turn out to vote on Election Day. - The electorate will be more likely to have expanded knowledge of the electoral process

- The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.

In the early part of the twenty-first century, public opinion polls showed that a majority of Americans believed it should be illegal to burn the American flag. As a result, many members of Congress introduced amendments to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Which of the following statements best explains why these efforts have been unsuccessful? - The Supreme Court has stated such an amendment is unconstitutional, thus blocking its ratification. - The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights. - The framers specifically wrote the amendment process to prevent using it to limit freedom of expression. - Congress and the states have agreed to add this amendment; however, recent presidents have refused to sign it.

- The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights.

Which of the following statements about political parties and the United States Constitution is true? - According to the Constitution, only two major political parties may exist at any time. - The Constitution indicates that political party leaders at the national level be elected by political party leaders at the state level. - The issue of political parties is not addressed in the Constitution. - The Constitution requires political parties to be restricted by both federal and state law.

- The issue of political parties is not addressed in the Constitution.

Members of Congress who have adopted the delegate role of representation normally cast their votes based on which of the following? - The preferences of the majority of their constituents - Their judgment of what is best for their constituency - Their political party's most recent policy platform - The instructions of their political party's leadership

- The preferences of the majority of their constituents

Which of the following features of the United States Constitution would most concern the author of Brutus 1? - The Bill of Rights, which protects individual liberties and states' rights - The supremacy clause, which gives the federal government supremacy over states - The reservation of any power not given to the federal government to the states - The two-year term for members of the House of Representatives

- The supremacy clause, which gives the federal government supremacy over states

In the 1780s, proponents of the new Constitution cited Shays' Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? - There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns. - States with larger populations were underrepresented in Congress. - The national government did not provide sufficient protection of individual rights. - The lack of a centralized judiciary made enforcement of national laws difficult.

- There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns.

Which of the following best characterizes the influence of the news media on public opinion in the United States? - They are most able to influence people with the highest level of education. - They affect which issues the public thinks are important. - They alter the public's views on issues. - They determine how citizens will vote.

- They affect which issues the public thinks are important.

Which of the following is true of amicus curiae briefs? - They are used exclusively by conservative interest groups - They are used exclusively by liberal interest groups. - They are used by interest groups to lobby courts. - They are now unconstitutional.

- They are used by interest groups to lobby courts.

Concurrent powers have which of the following effects on the United States political system? - They eliminate disputes between the states and the national government by creating completely separate spheres of influence. - They reinforce the expansion of the power of the national government and the supremacy of the national law. - They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy. - They foster cooperation between the states and the national government by requiring that the two levels of government work together.

- They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy.

Which of the following committees plays a major role in the House in shaping tax policy? - Ways and Means - Appropriations - Commerce - Finance

- Ways and Means

A primary election in which voters are required to identify a party preference before the election and are not allowed to split their ticket is called - a runoff primary - an open primary - a closed primary - a blanket primary

- a closed primary

If legislation passes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate but each version is slightly different, the conflicting bills are sent to - a conference committee for review and compromise - the Rules Committee of each house for reconciliation and compromise - the majority and minority leaders of both houses for compromise - a standing committee of each house for a vote

- a conference committee for review and compromise

The Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for the disabled, is an example of - horizontal federalism - state supremacy - dual federalism - a federal mandate

- a federal mandate

A committee chair in the House of Representatives is always - the member with the longest service in the House - a trusted ally of the President - the member with the longest service on the committee - a member of the majority party in the chamber

- a member of the majority party in the chamber

An election involving more than two candidates in which the person who receives the most votes is the winner is called - an indirect election - a majority election - a proportional election - a plurality election

- a plurality election

The difference between a political ideology and a political culture is that - a political ideology deals with economic issues; a political culture deals with sociological issues - a political ideology deals with what government should do; a political culture deals with how governments should operate - a political ideology deals with theories; a political culture deals with reality - a political ideology deals with means; a political culture deals with goals

- a political ideology deals with what government should do; a political culture deals with how governments should operate

In The Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for - a president who is youthful and assertive - an electoral college in the selection of the president - a president who has a good understanding of public policy - a single executive who can respond quickly to crises

- a single executive who can respond quickly to crises

The three points of an iron triangle include - an independent agency, a state, and a member of Congress - a cabinet department, an interest group, and the House majority leader - a regulatory commission, a corporation, and the White House Office - an administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee

- an administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee

Elections for the House of Representative provide - proportional representation of racial and ethnic minorities - an equal chance of getting elected for both incumbents and challengers - approximately equal representation for every voter - proportional representation based on the percentage of votes cast for each party

- approximately equal representation for every voter

Brutus was an example of an Anti-Federalist because he - argued that the laws passed by the national government were supreme over state laws - believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights - believed that compromise between the branches of government would ensure a limited government - argued that a national military force was needed to deal with insurrections

- believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights

Candidates for political office use public opinion polls for all of the following purposes EXCEPT to - identify key issues among the voters - measure voters' support for the candidate's issues - assess recognition of the candidate's name - bring the opposition's opinions into alignment with those of the candidate

- bring the opposition's opinions into alignment with those of the candidate

All of the following are reasons incumbents in the House of Representatives enjoy an electoral advantage over challengers EXCEPT that incumbents - find it much easier to raise campaign funds than do challengers - are better known to voters than are challengers - can use staff members to do constituent service - often serve on committees that enable them to help the constituency

- can use staff members to do constituent service

In 1987 the cooperation among the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Organization for Women (NOW), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to defeat Robert Bork's nomination to the United States Supreme Court was an example of - coalition building - impeachment - litigation - the recall process

- coalition building

Voter turnout seems to be highest among - Asians - young voters - college-educated voters - working-class voters

- college-educated voters

The term "horse-race journalism" refers to the tendency of the media to - cover politics by concentrating on scandal and corruption rather than on instances of integrity and honorable action - compete for access to sources rather than to cooperate in gathering news - cover campaigns by emphasizing the relative standings of the candidates in the polls rather than the issues they discuss - cover Congress by focusing on committee chairs rather than on the work of the committees

- cover campaigns by emphasizing the relative standings of the candidates in the polls rather than the issues they discuss

The largest amount of political coverage in newspapers during presidential campaigns is devoted to - day-to-day campaign activities - the platforms of the major parties - candidates' policy stands on domestic issues - candidates' stands on foreign policy issues

- day-to-day campaign activities

The agenda-setting function of the media refers to the power to - counter the censorship activities of media watch groups - decide which issues are important enough to bring to public attention - endorse specific candidates for political office - favor the position of one interest group over another

- decide which issues are important enough to bring to public attention

Giving state governments greater discretion in deciding how to achieve the specific goals of welfare reform is an example of - implied powers - dual federalism - devolution - an unfunded mandate

- devolution

An electoral system based on single-member districts is usually characterized by - ideological rather than mass-based parties - higher rates of voter turnout than are common in other systems - domination of the legislature by two political parties - strong, centralized political parties and a weak executive

- domination of the legislature by two political parties

All of the following are traditional political values held by most Americans EXCEPT - due process of law - equality of opportunity - equality of outcome - individual freedom

- equality of outcome

The term "bicameralism" refers to the - establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules - checks that Congress has over the federal bureaucracy - president having veto power over both chambers of Congress - members of the House of Representatives having two-year terms

- establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules

Since the early 1980s, the Republican Party platform has been increasingly influenced by - civil libertarians - evangelical Christians - active military officers - environmental activists

- evangelical Christians

Although people do not have much confidence in government institutions, polls show that they - expect individuals to solve major problems by dropping out of society - expect non-profits to solve major problems - avoid thinking about problems - expect government to solve major problems

- expect government to solve major problems

Typically, presidential candidates implement their campaign strategies by - ignoring the electoral college, because the popular vote determines the outcome of the election - applying their resources evenly among the states, because they must win popular votes in a majority of the states to be elected - focusing on larger, competitive states, because they might tip the balance of the electoral college - focusing on small states, because these states have proportionally more electoral votes than more populous states have

- focusing on larger, competitive states, because they might tip the balance of the electoral college

Political events like the Vietnam War tend to produce what are called - social and economic effects - opinion leader influence - generational effects - peer group influence

- generational effects

Establishing the boundaries of United States congressional districts to give one party an advantage over another party is referred to as - filibustering - raiding - reapportionment - gerrymandering

- gerrymandering

"Pork barrel" legislation helps the reelection chances of a member of Congress because such legislation - requires the member of Congress to travel extensively - helps earn the member of Congress a reputation for service to his or her district - prevents other candidates from claiming that the member of Congress is too liberal for his or her district - gives the member of Congress national standing and coverage on national television news

- helps earn the member of Congress a reputation for service to his or her district

When a child's parents both identify strongly with the same political party, the child will most likely - identify with the opposing party - become an independent rather than a party identifier - identify with the parents' party - become alienated from the political system

- identify with the parents' party

In the last thirty years, the single most important variable in determining the outcome of an election for a member of the House of Representatives has been, - positions on key social issues - previous political offices held in the district - incumbency - personal wealth

- incumbency

When contributing to congressional campaigns, political action committees (PACs) are most likely to contribute to - state party organizations - third-party challengers - incumbents of both major parties - national party organizations

- incumbents of both major parties

In response to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act), the United States Supreme Court, in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), ruled that - limits cannot be placed upon candidates' contributions to their own campaigns - limits on issue advertisements 90 days before an election are unconstitutional - limits on campaign contributions by minors are constitutional under the First Amendment - independent campaign expenditures by corporations and unions are protected by the First Amendment

- independent campaign expenditures by corporations and unions are protected by the First Amendment

The media's effect on public opinion can best be described as - influencing older citizens' opinions of incumbents - influencing which issues the public sees as important - affecting the public's views on domestic policy only - changing well-educated people's views on foreign policy

- influencing which issues the public sees as important

What is a bill of attainder? - compromise bill passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate - law that declares that an action of an individual can be punished without a trail - bill passed by Congress that applies to only one person - decision by an executive branch official that does not need to be approved by Congress

- law that declares that an action of an individual can be punished without a trail

Which of the following is NOT an explanation for low voter turnout? - frequent elections at the state and local level - laws protecting minority voting rights - low political efficacy among many voters - registration requirements

- laws protecting minority voting rights

A difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that in the House - bills are more likely to be amended on the floor - party leaders are less powerful - legislative activity on the floor is more constrained by rules - committees are less important in the decision-making process

- legislative activity on the floor is more constrained by rules

One of the best strategies that interest groups can use to achieve their goals is - using the judiciary to invalidate federal legislation - encouraging states to use their Tenth Amendment rights and ignore federal law - pressing for changes in high-profile public policies - lobbying members of Congress to make small changes in existing policy

- lobbying members of Congress to make small changes in existing policy

The practice in Congress whereby Representative A promises to vote for Representative B's legislation, provided that Representative B will support Representative A's legislation, is referred to as - partisan discipline - personal casework and services - logrolling - pork barrel legislation

- logrolling

Constitutional checks and balances, especially applied to the president, are designed to - ensure efficient government - minimize the threat of tyranny from any one branch of government - ensure that the states do not become too powerful - ensure that the federal government is militarily strong

- minimize the threat of tyranny from any one branch of government

Most democratic nations have a - multi-party system - one-party system - regional-party system - two-party system

- multi-party system

In the process and structure of public policy-making, "iron triangles" refer to the - bargaining and negotiating process between the President and Congress about the direction of domestic policy - group of presidential advisers who formulate the President's foreign policy agenda - interrelationship among federal, state, and local levels of government in the policy process - networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process

- networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process

All of the following are commonly used by interest groups to influence the political process EXCEPT - nominating candidates - contributing money to candidates - lobbying - filing lawsuits

- nominating candidates

All of the following are commonly used by interest groups to influence the political process EXCEPT - nominating candidates - lobbying - filing lawsuits - contributing money to candidates

- nominating candidates

Children are most likely to adopt the party identification - endorsed by the media - of the president - of their parents - of their teachers

- of their parents

Congressional legislative powers include all of the following EXCEPT - passing federal laws - pardoning felons - approval of treaties - establishing a lower-court system

- pardoning felons

The free rider problem occurs when - people benefit from an interest group's efforts without making any contribution - political campaigns manipulate the news media in order to obtain free advertising - elected officials provide government services for those who have helped their campaigns - congressional candidates win elections because they belong to the party of a popular president

- people benefit from an interest group's efforts without making any contribution

Congressional standing committees are best described as - committees created for each session - permanent subject-matter committees - specially appointed investigative bodies - joint committees of the two houses of Congress

- permanent subject-matter committees

Political socialization is the process by which - governments communicate with each other - public attitudes toward government are measured and reported - political values are passed to the next generation - children are trained for successful occupations

- political values are passed to the next generation

The term "pork barrel" refers to legislation specifically designed to - equalize representation between farming and nonfarming states - encourage a balanced federal budget - distribute excess produce to the poor - provide funding for local projects that are intended to benefit constituents

- provide funding for local projects that are intended to benefit constituents

Lobbyists try to influence legislators mainly through - orchestrating petition drives and letter-writing campaigns - placing persuasive advertisements in the media - "wining and dining" legislators - providing legislators with information on technical issues

- providing legislators with information on technical issues

The aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs shared by some portion of adults is referred to as - public opinion - an ideology - political opinion - propaganda

- public opinion

Which of the following statements about public opinion polls is correct - public opinion polls are not very important in the political process today - public opinion polls provide leaders with clear-cut policy decisions - public opinion polls lead to direct policy change - public opinion polls do identify issues important to the public

- public opinion polls do identify issues important to the public

Interest groups use political action committees (PACs) to - generate research that can be used to influence public opinion - raise and spend money on election campaigns - lobby the executive bureaucracy when they are considering new rules and regulations - provide expertise to members of Congress when they are writing legislation

- raise and spend money on election campaigns

The primary function of political action committees (PAC's) is to - provide members of Congress with unbiased information regarding proposed legislation - raise campaign funds to support favored candidates - encourage broader participation in politics among the electorate - serve as fund-raising organizations for challengers

- raise campaign funds to support favored candidates

The most important principle in sampling is - a large sample - asking the right questions - randomness - use of a computer

- randomness

After a constitutional amendment has been proposed by both houses of Congress, its adoption requires - official filing with the secretary of state - ratification by three-fourths of the states - signature by the president - support by a majority vote of the people

- ratification by three-fourths of the states

Which one of the following is an action that does NOT involve participation in the political process? - reading about politics in the newspaper - contacting a senator to vote for a bill - creating a blog to write about politics - giving money to a PAC

- reading about politics in the newspaper

An election in which there is a significant shift in the bases of electoral support from one political party to another is called a - deviating election - realigning election - dealigning election - primary election

- realigning election

Most of the bills introduced in the House and the Senate are then - killed in the Rules Committee - passed by one chamber but not the other - referred to committee but never sent to the full Congress - voted down during the amendment stage of the floor debate

- referred to committee but never sent to the full Congress

Enumerated powers of the federal government include all of the following EXCEPT the power to - regulate intrastate commerce - declare war - regulate interstate commerce - coin money

- regulate intrastate commerce

The Americans with Disabilities Act was widely unpopular with governors and mayors because it - required that people with disabilities be given equal access to public facilities - did not go far enough to establish equal access to public facilities - applied only to federal facilities and did nothing to accommodate people in municipal buildings - required that states and cities pay for federally mandated construction and remodeling

- required that states and cities pay for federally mandated construction and remodeling

The franking privilege refers to the - right of the chair to control the schedule of his or her congressional committee - practice whereby legislators with the most seniority select the committees on which they want to serve - practice of permitting senators to preview lists of judicial nominees - right of members of Congress to send mail to their constituents at the government's expense

- right of members of Congress to send mail to their constituents at the government's expense

Nominations to the Supreme Court must be approved by a - simple majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate - two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate - two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives only - simple majority vote in the Senate only

- simple majority vote in the Senate only

Most of the work of legislating in Congress takes place in - standing committees - conference committees - select committees - joint committees

- standing committees

Congressional district boundaries are usually redrawn every ten years by the - President - House Rules Committee - state legislatures - Bureau of the Census

- state legislatures

The Articles of Confederation implemented the principle of - a unified system of taxes - a strong national government - state sovereignty - an independent judiciary

- state sovereignty

The clause in the United States Constitution that states that federal law will prevail in the event of a conflict between federal and state law is known as the - presentment clause - equal protection clause - necessary and proper clause - supremacy clause

- supremacy clause

The Constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in - the United States House of Representatives - a White House budget resolution - the Congressional Budget Office - the United States Senate

- the United States House of Representatives

In the United States political system, the term Federalism refers to - limits on the powers of the state governments - limits on the powers of the national government - the division of powers between the levels of government - the fundamental basis of law

- the division of powers between the levels of government

Of the following, the most important role in the political socialization of children is played by - their places of worship - the school - the media - the family

- the family

With respect to the impact of motor voter laws, the evidence suggests - the number of registrants has not increased - voter turnout has increased somewhat - voter turnout has increased significantly - the number of registrants has increased somewhat

- the number of registrants has increased somewhat

One reason for the persistence of a two-party system in the United States is - the lack of divisive issues in United States politics - the separation of powers - low voter turnout in most elections - the single-member district electoral system

- the single-member district electoral system

In situations of conflict between state and national law, national law prevails due to - full faith and credit clause - the supremacy clause - federalism - the Tenth Amendment

- the supremacy clause

The process known as front-loading refers to - a presidential candidate seeking endorsements before officially declaring candidacy - presidential candidates raising funds far in advance of the first presidential primary - the tendency of states to choose an early date on the primary calendar - the winner-take-all principle of the electoral college

- the tendency of states to choose an early date on the primary calendar

The voting patterns of members of Congress correlate most strongly with - the population density of their districts - their political party affiliation - their economic background - the location of their districts

- their political party affiliation

A political culture exists where - a constitution creates an orderly society - the demographics of a nation suggest the presence of a fairly homogeneous group - there is a large amount of agreement among the public - there is a distinctive and patterned way of thinking about political and economic life

- there is a distinctive and patterned way of thinking about political and economic life

A major difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate is that - there is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House - revenue bills must originate in the Senate - judicial nominations originate in a House committee - filibusters are possible only in the House

- there is unlimited debate in the Senate but not in the House

The Twenty-sixth Amendment extended suffrage to - residents of the District of Columbia - blacks - those aged eighteen to twenty - women

- those aged eighteen to twenty

The term "split-ticket voting" is most accurately describes as - turning in a pooled or mutilated ballot as a form of protest - voting for candidates of different parties on the same ballot - using separate ballots for candidates at the state and national levels - voting Republican in one election cycle and Democrat in the next

- voting for candidates of different parties on the same ballot

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold) was designed to curtail which of the following? - Individual contributions to candidates - Public disclosure rules - Lobbying - Soft money

- Soft money

The gender gap refers to the tendency of women to vote for - Independent presidential candidates - Republican presidential candidates - women candidates - Democrat presidential candidates

- Democrat presidential candidates

General agreement among the citizenry on an issue is called - propaganda - a consensus - public opinon - an ideology

- a consensus

The most widely performed act of political participation in the United States is - voting in presidential elections - contributing money to political candidates - writing to public officials - voting in local elections

- voting in presidential elections

All of the following issues were decided at the Constitutional Convention EXCEPT - representation in the legislature - qualifications for members of the House and Senate - voting qualifications of the electorate - method of electing the President

- voting qualifications of the electorate

Critical elections in the United States typically have occurred - when groups of voters have changed their traditional patterns of party loyalties - when voter turnout has declined significantly from the previous election - as a result of a temporary shift in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties - whenever a third party has secured more than fifteen percent of the presidential vote

- when groups of voters have changed their traditional patterns of party loyalties