Essential Vocabulary (Social Studies 2)

What is the synonym (same meaning) of "appeal"?

• Request

• Ignore

• Forget

• Deny

What is a "ballot"? "To be counted, the ballot must be received at headquarters by Friday, September 6."

• A document used to cast a vote

• A political debate

• A law passed by the government

• A meeting of elected officials

What does "bipartisan" mean? "The bipartisan character of the response of the two major parties is not an accident."

• Supported by two political parties

• Having no political affiliation

• Divided by political differences

• Favoring one political party

What is the meaning of "grassroots"? "He builds his political networks from the grassroots through local patrons and social groups."

• Ordinary people as the basis of political movements

• Laws made by elected officials

• A system of organized debates

• Political action by government leaders

What is the antonym of "partisan"? "Special interest groups and partisan politics have blocked all efforts at reform since 1986."

• Nonpartisan

• Unbiased

• Biased

• Neutral

What is a "census"? "I consulted the records of the 1901 population census"

• A. A population count conducted by the government

• B. A list of elected officials

• C. A law passed by Congress

• D. A system of voting

What is the "electorate"? "The British electorate won't vote for him again"

• All the people eligible to vote

• Members of Congress

• Candidates running for office

• Judges in the Supreme Court

What does "primary" mean in elections?​ ​"Will Democratic primary elections still take place?"

• A preliminary vote to select party candidates

• The final vote to elect a leader

• A debate between political parties

• The official swearing-in ceremony

Who is an "incumbent"?

• The current officeholder running for re-election

• A newly elected official

• A candidate running for office for the first time

• A retired political leader

What is the meaning of "majority"?

• More than half

• Exactly half

• Less than half

• Equal division