Released Questions SOL CE 5A and CE 5B

The Democratic Party mails out pamphlets explaining their candidates' platforms. What function of political parties is being demonstrated?

• help separate fact from opinion

• monitor actions of officeholders

• recruit and nominate candidates

• 
  educate the electorate about campaign issues

Answer explanation

The pamphlets explain their views to those who may vote. By explaining their views they are informing or educating the voters about how they feel on the issues.

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CE.5.a

In order to win an election, a major party is most likely to —

• propose cuts to popular programs

• divide campaign funds between candidates equally

• organize leaders of special interest groups

• 
  appeal to the political center

Answer explanation

Candidates who can get support from the political center typically win because in the center is most of the independent voters who do not support one candidate or the other. While both candidates often have similar support from their parties, the independent voters often decide elections.

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CE.5.b

This graph best reflects which fact about American voters?

• Union members vote for the Democratic Party.

• Business owners vote for the Republican Party.

• Independent voters help decide elections.

• Political identification helps voters choose candidates.

Answer explanation

In this graph we can see that the number of Democrats and Republicans is very close. That means that the independents and who they vote for will decide whether the Republican or Democratic candidate wins the election.

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CE.5.b

Third parties differ from the two main political parties because third parties —

• 
  are often concerned with one issue

• are older than the two main parties

• have more political experience

• have more official members

Answer explanation

Third parties often are solely formed by individuals who are worried about one thing

Green Party - Environment

Labor Party - Jobs

Libertarian Party - Personal Freedoms

Tea Party - Taxes

This makes them different than two main parties who address many different issues.

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CE.5.b

A candidate for national office often appeals to the most citizens by

• belonging to a third party

• holding moderate views

• leading an activist group

• meeting with foreign leaders

Answer explanation

While candidates typically have the support of liberal voters or conservative voters based on their party. Those who can appeal to the moderate voter often win as those voters are often not tied to a particular party.

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CE.5.b

Which of the following is a function of political parties?

• Protecting former Presidents

• Electing Supreme Court justices

• Appointing diplomatic officials

• Nominating qualified candidates

Answer explanation

Political parties recruit individuals who are involved in politics who share many of their views. These are the individuals who they will put forward as their candidates for office.

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CE.5.a

All of the following are functions of political parties EXCEPT-

• recruiting and nominating candidates

• helping candidates win elections

• reporting campaign bias

• educating the electorate about campaign issues

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CE.5.b

For the 2024 presidential election, the Republican party has several different individuals running. To help the Republican party decide who to support, they will hold primary elections in several states. A primary election is an example of which function of a political party?

• Monitoring the actions of officeholders

• Recruiting and nominating candidates

• 
  Educating the electorate

• Creating the party's platform

Answer explanation

The primary process allows the voters, especially those of the party of that candidate, to express what individual they think would be best to represent the party and win the election.

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CE.5.a

John Smith, a Democrat, has completed his four-year term as governor. He cannot seek re-election because his state's constitution prevents a governor from serving two consecutive terms.

What will the Democratic party need to do to get a new candidate for governor?

• have a town hall meeting

• write a petition and get voter signatures

• have a televised press conference

• recruit and nominate a different party member

Answer explanation

Political parties are organized and have established processes to choose candidates to fill open positions, replace members who can no longer serve, or to choose individuals for appointments.

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CE.5.a

Political parties will inform the public of their beliefs about the issues in the image, this is known as the party's ...

• Ballot

• Platform

• Agenda

• Propaganda

Answer explanation

A political platform changes over time. As the party evolves and the candidates put forward changes the views a party has on the issues changes too.

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CE.5.b