WorksheetsPolitical Parties Knowledge Assessment
Total questions: 17
Worksheet time: 9mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which statement best defines a political party?
a)
A group that writes laws for Congress
b)
A group that interprets the Constitution
c)
A group that seeks to control government by winning elections and holding office
d)
A group that primarily educates voters without running candidates
2.
America’s two major parties are:
a)
Republicans and Democrats
b)
Whigs and Federalists
c)
Libertarians and Greens
d)
Dixiecrats and Know-Nothings
3.
In the United States, parties are primarily ______-oriented.
a)
Principle
b)
Issue
c)
Media
d)
Election
4.
Which of the following is NOT listed as one of the five main functions of political parties?
a)
Nominate candidates
b)
Write federal regulations
c)
Inform & activate supporters
d)
Act as a watchdog
5.
Which example best illustrates the “bonding agent” function?
a)
Defining stances on public policy
b)
Coordinating with congressional committees
c)
Organizing national nominating conventions
d)
Vouching that nominees are trustworthy and capable of the job
6.
“Bipartisan” actions are those…
a)
Supported by both major parties
b)
Showing firm allegiance to one party
c)
Led only by the executive branch
d)
Found only in multiparty systems
7.
One potential consequence of strong partisanship is:
a)
Open primaries
b)
Gridlock
c)
Higher voter turnout
d)
Proportional representation
8.
The “watchdog” role refers to:
a)
The party in power monitoring itself
b)
Interest groups auditing campaign finances
c)
The party out of power policing the party in power
d)
The Supreme Court reviewing party platforms
9.
Which of the following is NOT presented as a reason the U.S. has a two-party system?
a)
Historical basis (two-party systems early on)
b)
Tradition (reluctance to back minor parties)
c)
The mathematics of the electoral system (first past the post)
d)
George Washington established the system
10.
Which is NOT an advantage of a multiparty system?
a)
Stable single-party majority governments
b)
Broader representation of the people
c)
Greater responsiveness to public will
d)
More choices for voters
11.
Which is a disadvantage of multiparty systems noted in the slides?
a)
Fewer viable minor parties
b)
Stronger executive leadership
c)
Greater influence of extremists and unstable coalitions
d)
Guaranteed policy continuity
12.
Since 1968, the overall trend described in the slides is:
a)
Neither party consistently dominates; divided government is common
b)
Continuous Democratic control of both branches
c)
Continuous Republican control of both branches
d)
Third parties control most of the government
13.
Which is a listed role of minor parties?
a)
Regularly winning congressional majorities
b)
Selecting Supreme Court nominees
c)
Nominating major-party candidates
d)
Acting as a “spoiler” by pulling decisive votes from a major party
14.
Which factor is NOT listed as influencing party affiliation in the slides?
a)
Age
b)
Family
c)
Religion
d)
Favorite food
15.
Which label aligns with the left side of the political spectrum as presented?
a)
Traditionalist
b)
Progressive
c)
Libertarian
d)
Reactionary
16.
Which terms are associated with the right side of the political spectrum in the United States?
a)
Liberal, Progressive, Democratic Party
b)
Conservative, Right-Wing, Republican Party
c)
Libertarian, Socialist, Green Party
d)
Moderate, Centrist, Independent
17.
What term refers to firm allegiance to a party that can contribute to gridlock?
a)
Partisanship
b)
Gerrymandering
c)
Patronage
d)
Mandate
100 %
