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Civic Participation: Media, Interest Groups, Government and Propaganda

Total questions: 22

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Some people are concerned that when interest groups pay for ___________________to communicate their ideas to _____________, citizens may not have a say in which laws get passed in Congress.

a)

lobbyists, lawmakers

b)

government officials, voters

c)

voters, lobbyists

2.

When the media presents a candidate's ideas about political issues using

___________________, voters' decisions are often influenced by half-truths, rumors, or lies.

a)

journalism standards

b)

propaganda

3.

Check all that apply to the 1st Amendment.

a)

Government cannot violate freedom of the press.

b)

Reporters are responsible for what they write or produce.

c)

News tried to be truthful and accurate.

4.

What does advertising in the media influence?

a)

lobbyists

b)

public opinion

c)

journalism standards

d)

public education

5.

Which of the following is an example of a stereotype?

a)

An advertisement shows a drawing of an American Indian wearing a headdress.

b)

An advertisement shows a photo of an American Indian woman teacher.

c)

An advertisement shows a photo of an American Indian working in a factory.

d)

An advertisement shows a photo of an elderly American Indian man reading.

6.

Identify one way to get fair, accurate representation from an opinion poll survey.

a)

Publish the survey findings from the sample population.

b)

Ask different questions to everyone in the sample population.

c)

Ask the same questions to everyone in the sample population.

d)

Write biased survey questions to appeal to the sample population.

7.

Which influences could motivate a citizen to vote?

a)

a political party’s door-to-door campaign

b)

violent demonstrations outside polling places

c)

a political party's campaign ads on tv

d)

confusing information about where to vote

8.

Which types of media mostly follow journalism standards?

a)

citizen journalists

b)

radio talk shows

c)

tabloids

d)

major newspapers

9.

Two reasons an election candidate might use a public opinion poll are

a)

to test voters’ tolerance for political bias in opinion poll questions.

b)

to test voters’ tolerance for political facts and/or opinions.

c)

to test a segment of the population’s interest in the candidate.

d)

to test a population’s preferences and attitudes on specific issues.

10.

What are two ways an interest group can influence government leaders and lawmakers?

a)

Hire a labor union organizer.

b)

Provide misinformation to lobbyists.

c)

Hire a lobbyist to represent them.

d)

Write newspaper opinion articles.

11.

Which is the best reason for an interest group to hire a lobbyist?

a)

to advise state election commissions about voter suppression

b)

to organize a peaceful demonstration in Washington, D.C.

c)

to persuade lawmakers to pass laws that benefit their cause

d)

to file a civil court case against other competing lobbyists

12.

Which group of people is most likely to have experienced voter suppression in southern states?

a)

Asian Americans

b)

Cuban Americans

c)

African Americans

d)

American Indians

13.

What is the best example of voter intimidation?

a)

televising or reporting election news

b)

blocking entrances to polling places

c)

handing out candidate election flyers

d)

throwing away illegal ballots

14.

Which of the following is the best example of voter suppression?

a)

A voter receives a phone call providing unclear information about voting times.

b)

A voter loses a mail-in ballot but votes in person at his or her polling place.

c)

A voter receives an absentee ballot from the state election commission.

d)

A voter receives a voting information booklet from the state election commission.

15.

Which statement about opinion polls is accurate?

a)

Random sampling is a fair way to select participants from a universe.

b)

Online surveys are more reliable than in-person or telephone interviews.

c)

Analysis of data eliminates the need to provide a final report.

d)

Biased survey questions provide a fair way to get accurate information.

16.

What are two ways that interest groups influence political policy?

a)

Interest groups only endorse ideas that are supported by public opinion.

b)

Interest groups are embedded in various government agencies.

c)

Interest groups lobby legislators to favor laws beneficial to the group.

d)

Interest groups raise money from members to help fund political campaigns.

17.

Which statement describes the media’s influence on voters' opinions?

a)

Advertising in the media helps fund polls on voters' opinions.

b)

Media seldom uses public opinion polls to measure voters' opinions.

c)

Media uses citizen journalists to help shape voters' opinions.

d)

The way media chooses to cover political stories shapes voters' opinions.

18.

A television ad uses a cartoon image of an American Indian wearing a headdress. What kind of propaganda is it?

a)

stereotyping

b)

selective omission

19.

A news magazine does not include facts about a candidate's dishonest behavior. What kind of propaganda is it?

a)

stereotyping

b)

selective omission

20.

Gallup Poll, Harris Poll, Marist University Election Poll.

a)

opinion poll organizations

b)

opinion polls

c)

an opinion

21.

a survey that measures a sample population's preferences

a)

opinion poll organizations

b)

opinion polls

c)

an opinion

22.

a verbal expression of an attitude or a preference

a)

opinion poll organizations

b)

opinion polls

c)

an opinion