Government - Lesson 1 Practice Questions

Which of these is an essential feature of political activity?

• It is difficult.

• It is idealistic.

• It is individualistic.

• It is purposeful.

Which of these individuals is most likely to exercise power without authority?

• a traffic officer

• an armed robber

• a business owner

• a school principal

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks went to jail rather than give up her bus seat to a white passenger. Her action was an example of which of the following?

• horse trading

• power struggle

• collective action

• civil disobedience

A ruler's legitimacy depends mainly on which of these factors?

• the ruler's personal wealth

• the ruler's political ambition

• people's fear of the ruler's power

• people's acceptance of the ruler's authority

Formal authority is

• an established organization, especially one providing a public service.

• the ability to cause others to behave as they might not otherwise choose to do.

• the legal right or power to give orders and enforce rules.

• the process and method of making decisions for groups.

The institutions and officials organized to maintain public order, protect life and property, and provide public goods are called

• government

• legitimacy

• public good

• sovereignty

Which doctrine of legitimacy stated that a Chinese ruler had authority over all of his subjects, as long as he ruled in a moral manner?

• divine right of kings

• mandate of heaven

• public goods

• social-contract theory

The divine right of kings held that the king's power came from

• the aristocracy, who gave the king their service in exchange for land.

• the land, which the king's family had owned for centuries.

• the people, who agreed to obey the king in exchange for his promise to protect their rights.

• God, and the king did not have to answer to the people.

In the social-contract theory of government, what should happen when a ruler abuses his power?

• He should be put in prison or put to death.

• He should be removed from power.

• He should take advice from the nobles.

• Nothing, because he does not have to answer to the people.

One characteristic of public goods is that

• more than one person can consume them without reducing the amount available to others.

• only people with a large income or other qualification can make use of them.

• private citizens can exclude others from consuming them.

• the amount of them diminishes as more people consume them.