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Unit 3 Practice

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Use the timeline and your knowledge of U.S. history to answer the question. Which statement best explains a primary effect of the rulings in the Supreme Court cases described in the timeline on the civil rights of American citizens?

a)

The states restricted the civil rights of individuals when police officers needed to search private property.

b)

The federal government increased public surveillance and restricted the civil rights of individuals.

c)

The states gave up the responsibility of protecting the civil rights of individuals to the federal government.

d)

The federal government expanded and protected the civil rights of individuals.

2.

How does information gathered by the US Bureau of the Census impact the Electoral College?

a)

It determines the number of electoral votes each state receives.

b)

It has no impact on the Electoral College.

c)

It influences the selection of electors.

d)

It affects the timing of the Electoral College vote.

3.

Priyanka Kumble votes for political candidates based solely on their platforms and the policies they and their party plan to implement once elected. Which model of voting behavior does this best represent?

a)

Party-line voting

b)

Retrospective voting

c)

Prospective voting

d)

Rational choice voting

4.

Based on the results shown in the table, which of the following reasons was the most cited reason that both Clinton and Trump voters chose their respective candidate?

a)

Policies supported by the political candidate

b)

Political ideology of the voter and the political candidate

c)

Negative assessment of opponent

d)

Personal qualities of the political candidate

5.

Use the graph to answer the following question. Imagine that a party analyst looks at the graph above in 2016, and assumes the demographic trends will continue in the same direction for the 2020 presidential election. In this scenario, which of the following would be the best-supported projection of the effect on US political parties?

a)

Third parties are likely to benefit more than either major party from the percentage increase of educated voters

b)

Neither party is likely to benefit from the changing demographics, as significantly fewer citizens will be voting in that election

c)

The Republican party is likely to benefit more than the Democratic party from increased percentages of older voters who are only slightly diverse ethnically

d)

The Democratic party is likely to benefit more than the Republican party from increased percentages of younger, more ethnically diverse voters

6.

Linkage institutions are best defined as which of the following?

a)

A formal or informal association of people seeking to influence governmental policy in favor of their interests

b)

Organizations that raise money with the goal of supporting or defeating candidates, parties, or legislation

c)

Groups that connect people to the government and turn people’s concerns into political issues

d)

Organizations of people with similar political ideologies that seek to influence public policy by getting candidates elected

7.

Which of the following describes the message in the political cartoon?

a)

A risk of incorporating a third party's agenda is that the third party's platform may eclipse the dominant party's platform

b)

Incorporation of a third-party’s agenda is a way for a dominant party to secure voters who would have voted for the third-party

c)

Third parties are more successful than major parties because they appeal to a broader base of voters

d)

The major political parties are unwilling to incorporate a third-party agenda because third parties are often unsuccessful

8.

Use the table and map below to answer the following question. Which aspect of the 2016 presidential election has fueled a debate about how democratic the constitutional process is for electing US presidents?

a)

A state-by-state recount of the popular vote changed the final tally based on accusations of corruption in the vote count

b)

The Green and Libertarian third-party candidates for president transferred all their popular votes to the Republican candidate

c)

Maine allocated one of its electoral votes to Donald Trump instead of following the common procedure for vote allocation

d)

Even though Democrat Hillary Clinton outpolled Donald Trump by nearly 2.9 million popular votes, Trump won with a majority of electoral votes

9.

The data displayed in the infographic best supports which of the following statements?

a)

As of 2011, Disney and Viacom control 30% of the American media market

b)

Since 1983, American news sources have become increasingly diverse and partisan

c)

As of 2011, all of American media is under the control of six companies

d)

Since 1983, American news sources have become concentrated in the hands of a few companies

10.

Which of the following policies is an example of state action to improve voter turnout?

a)

Voter ID laws

b)

Motor voter laws

c)

Literacy tests

d)

Poll taxes

11.

Which of the following scenarios is an example of how the media influences political participation?

a)

As Lizzie scrolls through her Instagram activity feed, she sees a political advertisement for a candidate in the 2020 presidential election.

b)

After watching a debate between experts about a bill up for a vote in the House, Josie calls her senator to ask her to vote against the bill if it makes it to the Senate.

c)

Landon tunes into a political satire program to watch the host interview his favorite celebrity about their new television show about the White House.

d)

While attending a Black Lives Matter protest, Rafael marks his location and posts a status encouraging people to vote in the next local sheriff election.

12.

Gabriel Sarwan only votes for political candidates whose platforms directly benefit the profitability of his small business. This voting behavior can best be characterized by which of the following models?

a)

Rational choice voting

b)

Retrospective voting

c)

Party-line voting

d)

Prospective voting

13.

The data in the graph best illustrates which of the following common criticisms of modern elections?

a)

The rising costs of political campaigns make it harder for unknown challengers to beat incumbents who have had years to fundraise for their reelection campaigns.

b)

The influence of social media has made it easier for people seeking political office to raise money, leading to a rise in the costs of campaigns.

c)

The election cycle has become significantly shorter as fundraising efforts have declined because of caps set by Congress.

d)

The role of political consultants in campaigns has led to candidates for office raising money for their help to win a seat in Congress.

14.

Which of the following types of primaries allows voters to meet, discuss issues, and coordinate support.

a)

open

b)

closed

c)

blanket

d)

caucus

15.

Which of the following types of primaries allows voters of any party to participate.

a)

blanket

b)

open

c)

caucus

d)

closed