AP GoPo Unit 4 Test Review

A member of Congress who advocates for a more Keynesian approach to solving a recession will likely support which of the following policies?

• Lowering taxes on the wealthy to increase business investment

• Doing nothing and letting the recession work itself out

• Increasing federal spending programs to improve transportation systems

• Increasing interest rates to stimulate the economy

Answer explanation

A Keynesian approach emphasizes government intervention during recessions. Supporting increased federal spending on transportation systems aligns with this philosophy, as it stimulates demand and creates jobs.

A 2013 YouGov poll question asked, “President Obama says the 1975 Public Affairs Act should be repealed. Do you agree or disagree?” The results showed that 13 percent of Democrats agreed and 39 percent of Republicans disagreed. However, the 1975 Public Affairs Act is fictitious. Which of the following is illustrated by the scenario?

• The type of information given in a poll question can affect how individuals respond.

• Public opinion polls can serve as a source of public support for elected officials.

• Sampling techniques that use small sample sizes usually produce more reliable results.

• When the question wording is accurate, there is no margin of error.

Answer explanation

The scenario illustrates that the type of information provided in a poll question, such as referencing a fictitious act, can significantly influence how individuals respond, highlighting the importance of question wording.

Which of the following best matches a political ideology with that ideology’s position on the proper role of government in regulating the economy?

• Communitarian—The government should regulate monetary policy but not fiscal policy.

• Libertarian—Government regulation should increase when the economy is in decline.

• Conservative—The government should strictly limit its regulation of the marketplace.

• Liberal—The government should not intervene in economic decision-making.

Answer explanation

The Conservative ideology advocates for minimal government intervention in the economy, emphasizing that the government should strictly limit its regulation of the marketplace, making this the correct match.

Which of the following represents the most likely way the information in the table will be used?

• The media will use the data to present horse race coverage of elections.

• Political action committees (PACs) will use the data to determine which candidates for elected office they will support.

• Congress will use the data to suggest that there is support for their legislative proposals.

• Social movements will use this data in their legal briefings before the federal courts.

Answer explanation

Congress will likely use the data to demonstrate public support for their legislative proposals, helping to justify their initiatives and gain backing for new laws.

Which of the following is a limitation of the data when drawing a conclusion about the most important problem facing the country in 2017?

• The results are incomplete, as only 3% of respondents were taken into account when the list was compiled.

• The data were collected in a short time frame, which does not reveal full-year trends.

• The data were compiled from an exit poll; therefore, the data reflect only the views of registered voters.

• Respondents were presented with a list of problems from which they could choose more than one.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that the data were collected in a short time frame, limiting the ability to identify full-year trends, which is crucial for understanding the most important problem facing the country in 2017.

Which of the following statements is consistent with data shown in the bar graph?

• Men are more likely than women to believe that there should be an increase in government spending to provide social services for the elderly.

• Conservatives are more likely than liberals to believe that spending on public transportation should be increased to connect citizens to employment opportunities.

• Republicans are more likely than Democrats to believe that there should be fewer regulations on businesses to promote economic growth and increase wages.

• Those with higher incomes are more likely than those with lower incomes to believe that education spending should be a federal responsibility to guarantee that each citizen has an equal chance at success.

Answer explanation

The data supports that Republicans favor fewer regulations on businesses for economic growth, aligning with the correct choice. Other statements do not reflect the data shown in the bar graph.

Which of the following statements is supported by data in the graph?

• The higher the income, the more likely that the person will support smaller government.

• Liberals are less likely than conservatives to support bigger government.

• A decrease in income is likely to increase the possibility that a person will obtain a college degree.

• Women are more likely than men to be in favor of smaller government and fewer government services.

Answer explanation

The graph indicates a positive correlation between income levels and support for smaller government, confirming that higher income individuals are more likely to favor reduced government size.

In 2014, a poll reported that 51 percent of Americans support legislation to reduce carbon emissions, while 47 percent oppose it. The reported margin of sampling error was +/- 4 percent. Which of the following inferences can be made from the poll?

• More people support legislation to reduce carbon emissions than oppose it.

• More states are passing laws to reduce carbon emissions.

• A majority of people under 35 years of age support legislation to reduce carbon emissions.

• It is unclear whether more people support legislation to reduce carbon emissions than oppose it.

Answer explanation

The poll shows 51% support and 47% oppose, but with a margin of error of +/- 4%. This means support could be as low as 47% and opposition as high as 51%, making it unclear if more people truly support the legislation.

Which of the following is the best example of the “McWorld” phenomenon described in the passage?

• The United States engages in free trade agreements, which leads to the export of American businesses and influences the culture of foreign countries.

• Private religious schools in the United States educate students alongside public secular schools.

• Market forces set the prices on a variety of goods sold in and outside the United States, increasing global poverty abroad.

• The increase in economic interdependence leads to a reduction of war and regional conflict.

Answer explanation

The correct choice illustrates the 'McWorld' phenomenon by showing how U.S. free trade agreements promote American businesses and cultural influence abroad, aligning with the idea of globalization and cultural exchange.

Based on your knowledge of United States government and politics, with which of the following statements would the author most likely agree?

• Free market principles influence American political culture as well as the cultures of other countries.

• The United States is moving toward a single religion while other countries become more religiously fragmented.

• Capitalism has little influence beyond the borders of the United States because of retribalization in other countries.

• Citizens in the United States have witnessed a decline in civil liberties because of the similarities between the two major parties.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights the influence of free market principles on both American and global political cultures, aligning with the author's likely perspective on capitalism's broader impact.