WorksheetsIndividuals, Interest Groups, and Media
Total questions: 38
Worksheet time: 44mins
All of the following are examples of mass media EXCEPT
Boones Mill Town Council meeting
Fox News Website
The Washington Post
CNN News
The media plays an important role in setting the public agenda in all of the following ways EXCEPT
focusing public attention on selected issues
holding government officials accountable to the public
makes contributions to political candidates
offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints are communicated
When the media only shows/publishes one side of an issue, the media is
displaying bias
offering a forum
evaluating sources
holding government officials accountable
Which best describes the main objective of a lobbyist?
To raise campaign funds for political parties.
To influence public decision-making for the common good.
to influence state legislators or members of congress on issues
to advise political candidates on how to manager their election campaigns
Favoring one view over another
Biased
Unbiased
Gatekeeper
Watchdog
Who influences public policy by identifying issues, making p olitical contributions, and lobbying government officials?
Legislators
Ambasssadors
Interest groups
Federal judges
Seeing to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill is known as --
legislation
debating
public policy
lobbying
What is an important difference between interest groups and political parties?
Interest groups have more members than political parties.
Interest groups have platforms addressing all issues of public concern.
Interest groups are organized to elect their candidates to political office.
Interest groups attempt to influence government directly on particular issues.
Sarah felt very strongly about an issue in the news. She wrote to her representative in Congress and expressed her feelings on the issue. Then she wrote a short editorial for the local newspaper and sent it off. Which statement describes Sarah's activities?
She was acting as a lobbyist.
She was forming her own political party.
She was starting her own special interest group.
She was participating directly in government.
Based on the graph, how have Americans' sources of news changed since 1992?
People no longer obtain news information from television.
The Internet is gradually replacing newspapers as a source of news.
More people are now listening to news on the radio than previously.
There has been a significant decline in the readership of news magazines.
Which activity is used by interest groups to influence public policy?
bribing legislators to support their proposals
impeaching their opponents in the legislature
sponsoring news programs on major television networks
giving legislators the benefit of their subject-area expertise
These are biased and hire lobbyists.
political parties
interest groups
Mass media
political cartoonists
Which groups focus on one big issue?
special-interest groups
political action committees
individuals
watchdogs
Which propaganda technique are endorsements from famous people?
transfer
bandwagon
name calling
testimonials
Which propaganda technique implies everyone is doing it?
name calling
bandwagon
plain-folks appeal
testimonials
Which propaganda technique are words that sound good but have little meaning?
glittering generalities
transfer
plain-folks appeal
card stacking
Which propaganda technique uses facts to favor a product or idea?
testimonials
transfer
plain-folks appeal
card stacking
Which group influences government by voting and running for office?
individuals
interest groups
media
Which group influences government by attending civic meetings and petitioning the government?
individuals
interest groups
media
Which group influences government by hiring lobbyists and forming PACs?
individuals
interest groups
media
Which group influences government by serving as a watchdog to expose issues in government?
individuals
interest groups
media
What element of political cartoons is the use of simple objects or symbols to stand for a large concept or idea?
exaggeration
irony
symbolism
argument
Political action committees pay for commercials that are biased for or against ___.
candidates
interest groups
political parties
the media
What type of propaganda uses negative words or feelings against an idea, product or person?
plain folks
card stacking
name calling
bandwagon
the ideas and attitudes people hold about elected officials, candidates, government, and political issues
interest group
mass media
propaganda
public opinion
What is propaganda?
a technique used to sway your opinion either for or against someone or an idea
a technique used only during political campaigns
a technique used only during wartime
a technique used strictly in commercials
Which sounds most like a Testimonial/Endorsement?
Jordan Jones uses a product and says "This is the best product I've ever used.
Michael Jordan uses a product and says "This is the best product I've ever used.
Your neighbor uses a product and says "This is the best program I've ever used.
The random guy from IHOP uses a product and says "This is the best program I've ever used.
Which best defines the purpose of Political Action Committees (PACs)?
To raise and donate money to political compaigns
Develop yard signs and other campaign materials such as doorhangers
To influence legislators through lobbying
To organize people into a political party and run election campaigns
Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group?
To influence government officials on a specific issue
To form legislative committees that study public policy
To regulate the economy by setting federal lending rates
To select cases for hearing in appeals courts
Which of these explains a difference between political parties and interest groups?
Political parties evaluate government policy, while interest groups set government policy.
Political parties influence laws, while interest groups ratify laws.
Political parties address many issues, while interest groups usually focus on one issue.
Political parties support candidates, while interest groups nominate candidates.
Which of these is an example of lobbying by an interest group?
A hotel association develops a plan to attract more tourists.
An animal rights organization presents its views to a legislator.
A group of citizens asks city officials for a schedule of public hearings.
A neighborhood association backs a candidate for an election.
If you disagree with the government you can get others who share your opinion to sign a piece of paper saying you want to change the law. This is the...
Freedom to petition
Freedom of religion
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of assembly
Which example represents the media acting as watchdog?
A journalist discovers that an office holder held a hearing.
A journalist discovers that an office holder accepted a bribe.
A journalist discovers that an office holder decided to retire.
A journalist discovers that an office holder voted against a bill.
Which source would give the most accurate information about the views held by an incumbent running for Congress?
Special interest group ratings of that Congress member
A television commercial sponsored by a political party
The voting record of the candidate while in Congress
Flyers sent through the mail by the candidate
