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Unit 5 - Political Participation

Total questions: 72

Worksheet time: 2hrs 31mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

States that citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race, color , or precious condition of servitude (1870)

a)

15th Amendment

b)

19th Amendment

c)

24th Amendment

d)

26th Amendment

e)

17th Amendment

2.

Amendment that lowered the voting age to 18 in Federal and state elections (1971)

a)

15th Amendment

b)

19th Amendment

c)

24th Amendment

d)

26th Amendment

e)

17th Amendment

3.

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920) extended the right to vote to women in federal or state elections, states you may not be denied the right to vote based on sex

a)

15th Amendment

b)

19th Amendment

c)

24th Amendment

d)

26th Amendment

e)

17th Amendment

4.

Passed in 1913, this amendment to the Constitution calls for the direct election of senators by the voters instead of their election by state legislatures.

a)

15th Amendment

b)

19th Amendment

c)

24th Amendment

d)

26th Amendment

e)

17th Amendment

5.

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1964) that banned the paying of a poll tax or any other tax as a prerequisite to vote in national elections, later applied to state elections through SCOTUS ruling

a)

15th Amendment

b)

19th Amendment

c)

24th Amendment

d)

26th Amendment

e)

17th Amendment

6.

Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices across the ballot

a)

Rational-Choice Voting

b)

Retrospective Voting

c)

Prospective Voting

d)

Party-Line Voting

7.

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest

a)

Rational-Choice Voting

b)

Retrospective Voting

c)

Prospective Voting

d)

Party-Line Voting

8.

Voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past

a)

Rational-Choice Voting

b)

Retrospective Voting

c)

Prospective Voting

d)

Party-Line Voting

9.

Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future

a)

Rational-Choice Voting

b)

Retrospective Voting

c)

Prospective Voting

d)

Party-Line Voting

10.

Invalidated the use of any test or device to deny the vote and authorized federal examiners to order the registration of blacks in states and counties where fewer than 50 percent of the voting-age population were registered or had voted in the last presidential election, also provided criminal penalties for interfering with the right to vote

a)

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

b)

Baker v. Carr (1962)

c)

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

d)

Voting Rights Act of 1965

11.

Banned soft money contributions to national political parties from corporations and unions; independent expenditures by corporations, labor unions, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations are sharply restricted

a)

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

b)

Baker v. Carr (1962)

c)

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

d)

Voting Rights Act of 1965

12.

Decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that independent expenditures (political spending) by corporations, associations, and labor unions is free speech protected by the 1st Amendment and so cannot be limited by federal law. Upheld bans on direct contributions to candidates. Lead to creation of super PACs & massive rise in amount of third party electioneering

a)

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

b)

McCutcheon v. FEC (2014)

c)

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

d)

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

13.

News coverage that focuses on who is ahead rather than on the issues

a)

Horse-race Journalism (Scorekeeper)

b)

Gatekeeper

c)

Watchdog

d)

Media Bias

14.

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations, fundraising organization that represents interest groups in the political process

a)

Political Party

b)

Interest Group

c)

Political Action Committee

d)

Linkage Institutions

15.

The channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the government's policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

a)

Political Party

b)

Interest Group

c)

Political Action Committee

d)

Linkage Institutions

16.

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

a)

Political Party

b)

Interest Group

c)

Political Action Committee

d)

Linkage Institutions

17.

A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office

a)

Political Party

b)

Interest Group

c)

Political Action Committee

d)

Linkage Institutions

18.

Non-Presidential general elections (ex. Senate and House) that occur midway through a presidential term

a)

Mid-term Election

b)

Critical Election

c)

Electoral College

d)

Presidential Primaries

19.

The people chosen to cast each state's votes in a presidential election. Each state can cast one electoral vote for each senator and representative it has. The District of Columbia has three electoral votes, even though it cannot elect a representative or senator.

a)

Mid-term Election

b)

Critical Election

c)

Electoral College

d)

Presidential Primaries

20.

A meeting of party delegates held every four years, used to formally nominate the parties nominee for president and establish the party platform

a)

Partisan Identification

b)

National Convention

c)

National Committee

d)

Nomination

21.

The tendency of incumbents to do better than otherwise similar challengers, especially in congressional elections

a)

Frontloading

b)

Incumbency Advantage

c)

Free Rider Problem

d)

Grassroots

22.

The recent pattern of states holding primaries early in order to maximize their media attention and political influence. Three-fourths of the presidential primaries are now held between February and mid-March.

a)

Frontloading

b)

Incumbency Advantage

c)

Free Rider Problem

d)

Grassroots

23.

A primary election where all voters (regardless of party membership) may vote for the party's nominee

a)

Pledged Delegates

b)

Super-delegates

c)

Open Primary

d)

Closed Primary

e)

Caucus

24.

A primary election where only registered party members may vote for the party's nominee

a)

Pledged Delegates

b)

Super-delegates

c)

Open Primary

d)

Closed Primary

e)

Caucus

25.

"Unpledged Delegates" (usually important party members) at national party convention (about 20% of total delegates) who, unlike "pledged delegates" selected in primaries or caucuses, are not committed to a particular candidate. Used by party leaders to retain some control over candidate selection. Can be important in close races (like Obama vs. Hillary Clinton in 2008)

a)

Pledged Delegates

b)

Super-delegates

c)

Open Primary

d)

Closed Primary

e)

Caucus

26.

Campaign money donated directly to candidates, that is subject to regulations by the FEC

a)

Hard Money

b)

Soft Money

c)

Independent Expenditure

d)

Campaign Finance

27.

Funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate, unregulated money

a)

Hard Money

b)

Soft Money

c)

Independent Expenditure

d)

Campaign Finance

28.

Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them.

a)

Hard Money

b)

Soft Money

c)

Independent Expenditure

d)

Campaign Finance

29.

The person already holding and elective office

a)

Incumbent

b)

Lobbyist

c)

Pledged Delegate

d)

Super-delegate

30.

A person, often a professional, attempting to influence government decisions on behalf of a special interest

a)

Incumbent

b)

Lobbyist

c)

Pledged Delegate

d)

Super-delegate

31.

The votes cast by citizens in an election

a)

Entrance Polls

b)

Exit Polls

c)

Popular Vote

d)

Free Rider Problem

32.

Polls based on interviews conducted on election day with randomly selected voters as after they have voted and and are leaving the polling location

a)

Entrance Polls

b)

Exit Polls

c)

Popular Vote

d)

Free Rider Problem

33.

Analyze the political cartoon and give your best interpretation of the cartoonist's political attitude.

a)

The cartoonist is positive toward's the president's ideas and sees them as inventive and progressive.

b)

The cartoonist is negative toward's the president's ideas and sees them as rooted in fantasy.

c)

The cartoonist is neutral on the president's ideas and doesn't try to cast them in any particular light.

34.

What conclusion can be drawn from analyzing the chart?

a)

The majority of Americans take get involved in the political process through donating money to a campaign.

b)

Volunteering for a political campaign is the way that most baby boomers participate in politics.

c)

Attendance at political rallies has increased in the last decade.

d)

Casting a vote is the primary way that most Americans participate in government.

35.

According to the bar graph, voter turnout in the United States can be described as:

a)

Higher than that of most other democratic nations.

b)

Very comparable to European nations like France, Germany and Spain.

c)

Low compared to most other democratic nations around the world.

d)

Higher in 2008 than it was in 1945.

36.

According to historical data, which age group has been known to have the highest voter turnout?

a)

18-24

b)

25-44

c)

45+

37.
Which of the following is the correct aim of a political party?
a)
measure political opinioin
b)
elect officials who will try to carry out a parts policies
c)
communicate a message to a large group of people
d)
encourage or prevent changes in public policy
38.
Which of the following is something a political party does NOT do?
a)
lobby legislators for votes on public policies
b)
offer candidates for office
c)
educate voters on a candidate's positions
d)
compete for votes in elections
39.
the right to vote
a)
suffrage
b)
Amendment 1
c)
Amendment 19
d)
political participation
40.
The reason most nonvoters do not vote
a)
they are too ill
b)
they are too busy
c)
they feel their vote will not matter
d)
they are not U.S. Citizens
41.
Voters' choices are affected by 
a)
income and occupation
b)
educational level
c)
religious and ethnic backgrounds
d)
all of these choices 
42.
There are a total of _votes in the Electoral College.
a)
270
b)
538
c)
435
d)
535
43.
The candidate needs ___ Electoral votes to win the Presidency.
a)
535
b)
270
c)
538
d)
100
44.

In a presidential / electoral college presidential elections........The popular vote of each state determines who the ________ of that state vote

a)

Electors

b)

Political Caucus

c)

Legislators

d)

Political Primary

45.
The measurement of public opinion through the ballot box.
a)
elections
b)
interest groups
c)
the media
d)
personal contacts
46.
Collections of people sharing certain views on public matters who work together to shape policy.
a)
mass media
b)
voters
c)
interest groups
d)
political parties
47.
Voting for candidates of only one party in an election is
a)
straight ticket
b)
gerrymandering
c)
split ticket
d)
purging
48.
voting for candidates of different parties for different offices within the same election
a)
coattail effect voting
b)
straight-ticket voting
c)
split-ticket voting
d)
defining the rging
49.
grass-roots pressures are
a)
pressures on public officials from the people at large
b)
pressures aimed at influencing group behaviors
c)
Latin meaning pressures of the court
d)
when labor unions press for government policies to help members
50.

The state of California has the most votes in the Electoral College. What reason best explains this?

a)

California has the largest population of all states

b)

California has the largest land mass of all state

c)

California has the highest number of Congressional representatives of all states.

d)

California brings in the most revenue of all states.

51.

Which statement best completes the shaded area in the Venn Diagram?

a)

Reflect fundamental conservative views

b)

Main goal is to organize to win elections

c)

Believe in little government involvement in the economy

d)

Reflect fundamental liberal views

52.

This graph best reflects which fact about American voters?

a)

Political identification helps voters choose candidates.

b)

Independent voters help decide elections.

c)

Business owners vote for the Republican Party.

d)

Union members vote for the Democratic Party.

53.

A candidate for President won 51% of Virginia's popular vote. What percentage of Virginia's electoral votes were received?

a)

2%

b)

49%

c)

100%

d)

101%

54.

"In a Rare Occurrence, the Electoral College Has a Different Winner than the Popular Vote!"


This headline started a debate about whether to do away with the Electoral College process. An argument in favor of

keeping the Electoral College would be -

a)

The Electoral College is part of the brilliant design of our government to balance power fairly between the large and small states.

b)

The Electoral College made sense when it was first created but no longer works in modern-day politics.

c)

In a democracy the people rule, so each citizen's vote should be for the candidate, not for an elector.

d)

For the Electoral College to succeed, more funds are needed for secondary education.

55.

Which statement best reflects the cartoonist's point of view in this political cartoon?

a)

A Special interest groups have a great deal of influence over elected officials.

b)

Political action committees do little to influence political campaigns.

c)

Senators are the only politicians influenced by special-interest groups.

d)

Individual citizens contribute large amounts of money to political campaigns.

56.
People not affiliated with any major or minor parties are known as 
a)
  Literate
b)
 Political efficacy
c)
 Independents
d)
  Electorate
57.
The opposite of political apathy would be
a)
  Independents
b)
 Political efficacy
c)
 Literate
d)
  Electorate
58.
Which of the following is not a functions of the major parties in United States politics 
a)
providing a mechanism for the conduct of government.
b)
insuring the good performance of their elected candidates.
c)
nominating candidates for office.
d)
supporting split-ticket voting.
59.
Why has voting rights expanded in the US
a)
is the subject of all constitutional amendments made since 1810
b)
has been moved forward by amendments and civil rights acts.
c)
was accomplished outside the United States legal system.
d)
was outlined in the text of the Constitution.
60.
Suffrage is a synonym for  
a)
A type of election unique to the United States
b)
Voter turnout rates
c)
The right to vote
d)
Another term for the Electoral College
61.
Who can vote in a closed  primary
a)
all qualified voters may vote.
b)
only declared party members 
c)
voters must vote a split ticket.
d)
voters must complete separate ballots for both parties.
62.
The Framers of the Constitution  set right to vote qualifications  to whom
a)
States
b)
National government
c)
Democrats
d)
cities
63.

Which is true about Super PACs?

a)

are not regulated by the FEC (they do have to report what they bring in and what they spend... once in a while... buts thats about it)

b)

are allowed to coordinate with candidates

c)

can receive unlimited donations and spend as much as they want

d)

cannot use express advocacy

64.
Of all the activities that are employed by interest groups, the most significant one is: 
a)
Running candidates for office
b)
Providing information
c)
Offering campaign contributions
d)
Grassroots mobilization 
65.
How does the American constitutional system encourage interest group participation?
a)
Because there are so many state and federal officials and political canidates, there are many opportunities for interest groups to influence the government
b)
Interest groups have little power due to their lack of influence on the public
c)
Only one branch of government, Congress provides opportunities for interest groups to influence government
66.

Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group?

a)

To influence government officials on a specific issue

b)

To form legislative committees that study public policy

c)

To regulate the economy by setting federal lending rates

d)

To select cases for hearing in appeals courts

67.

Which of these explains a difference between political parties and interest groups?

a)

Political parties evaluate government policy, while interest groups set government policy.

b)

Political parties influence laws, while interest groups ratify laws.

c)

Political parties address many issues, while interest groups usually focus on one issue.

d)

Political parties support candidates, while interest groups nominate candidates.

68.

In Citizens United vs FEC, Why was electioneering communications unconstitutional?

a)

Cannot be limited under first amendment

b)

It was not valid

c)

Can be limited under first amendment

69.

What was the ruling in favor of?

a)

Citizens United

b)

FEC

70.
Citizens United vs FEC was the case the exploded the amoutn of what…. That is used in campaigns?
a)
dark money
b)
hard money
c)
political consultants
d)
poll tax money
71.
Super PAC's are a result of the Citizens United vs FEC ruling….which of these things is a function of Super PAC's?
a)
huge amounts of untraceable money
b)
commercials with tag lines that says who made them
c)
more transparency between the candidate and voting electorate
d)
the ablitlty of women to vote because of the 19th amendment
72.
The voting public as a whole …at lease the ones that can votes…is collectively called the….
a)
electorate
b)
interest group
c)
PAC
d)
political party

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