AP Success - AP Gov & Pol: Comprehensive Set 4
Question 1
What conclusion can be drawn from the chart regarding the current membership of the House and Senate in terms of years of service?
Pew Research Center.
Members with more than 12 years of service constitute the largest group in both chambers.
The House has a higher proportion of members with 0 to 6 years of service than the Senate.
The Senate has more members with 18 to 24 years of service compared to the House.
The House and Senate have an equal percentage of members with more than 30 years of service.
A majority of Senate members have over 30 years of service.
Question 2
How might the distribution of Congressional members by years of service, as shown in the graph, impact the legislative process?
Pew Research Center.
Increased mentorship opportunities for new members by more experienced legislators
Higher likelihood of bipartisan collaboration due to lack of entrenched divisions
Diminished effectiveness in Congressional oversight of the executive branch
Greater potential for institutional memory loss and policy disruption
Enhanced stability and continuity in legislative policy-making
Question 3
The data on the length of service of most members of Congress as illustrated in the graph is most likely to affect which of the following?
Pew Research Center.
The process of gerrymandering in the House
The presidential veto power over legislation
The number of cloture motions filed in the Senate
The frequency of filibusters in the Senate
The seniority system in committee chair selections
Question 4
The influence of money in politics is a significant concern for the integrity of democratic processes. Which of the following reforms has been proposed to address this issue without infringing on free speech rights?
Increasing the limits on individual contributions to reduce the influence of PACs
Allowing unlimited donations to candidates to ensure transparency
Providing public financing options for all candidates meeting certain criteria to reduce their dependence on large donations
Completely eliminating all forms of political advertising
Banning individual contributions to political campaigns
Question 5
The media's role in shaping political ideologies and attitudes is a subject of much debate. Which scenario best illustrates the concept of media framing and its potential impact on political attitudes?
Social media platforms implement algorithms that expose users to a variety of political perspectives, reducing the impact of media framing.
Coverage of a political event focuses on the economic implications, leading the public to prioritize economic issues over social or ethical considerations in their political attitudes.
Public opinion on a policy issue remains stable despite varying media coverage, suggesting a limited impact of media framing.
A political campaign uses targeted advertisements to shape voters' perceptions of a candidate, bypassing traditional media framing.
A news outlet provides unbiased reports on all political events, allowing viewers to form their own opinions without influence.
Question 6
The process by which the Bill of Rights has been applied to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is known as:
Selective incorporation
Federalism
Stare decisis
Judicial review
Enumerated powers
Question 7
Political ideologies often influence individuals' views on economic policies. Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates how economic recessions can lead to shifts in political ideologies regarding government intervention in the economy?
Despite economic challenges, there is strong resistance to any increase in government intervention in the economy, reflecting a deeply ingrained libertarian ideology.
During a period of economic growth, there is widespread support for reducing government spending and cutting taxes.
A prolonged recession results in a bipartisan effort to deregulate industries in the hope of stimulating economic growth.
In response to an economic crisis, there is a movement towards protectionist policies, reflecting a nationalist economic ideology.
An economic downturn leads to increased public support for government programs that provide unemployment benefits and healthcare, reflecting a shift towards more liberal economic policies.
Question 8
Divided government occurs when:
The government is divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
There is a division within a political party, leading to conflicts in policy making.
The Senate and the House of Representatives are controlled by different parties, regardless of the executive branch.
States are divided into different districts for electoral purposes.
Different political parties control the White House and Congress, often leading to legislative gridlock.
Question 9
The system of checks and balances is designed to prevent the abuse of power in the federal government. Which scenario BEST illustrates this system in action?
The President negotiates a treaty, and the Senate ratifies it.
A state government proposes an amendment to the Constitution.
The Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional, following a challenge to its validity.
The Vice President casts a tie-breaking vote in the Senate.
The House of Representatives passes a bill, and the President signs it into law.
Question 10
The principle of "one person, one vote," established by the Supreme Court in the 1960s, primarily affects which of the following aspects of American democracy?
The appointment of Supreme Court justices
The Electoral College
State representation in the Senate
Gerrymandering practices
Campaign finance regulations
Question 11
Which of the following scenarios would be a contemporary example of the tension between the establishment clause and the free exercise clause of the First Amendment?
A federal law banning guns within school zones
National legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation
A state's refusal to recognize same-sex marriages
A law requiring prayer in public schools
State legislation legalizing medical marijuana
Question 12
The Senate's advice and consent does NOT extend to which of the following presidential powers?
The negotiation of international treaties.
The appointment of Cabinet members.
The selection of Supreme Court justices.
The appointment of federal judges.
The authority to deploy troops domestically in times of emergency.
Question 13
Considering the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Second Amendment in "District of Columbia v. Heller," which of the following regulations would most likely be upheld?
A law prohibiting the sale of semi-automatic weapons
A law requiring background checks for all gun purchases
A statute requiring all firearms to be registered with the federal government
A local ordinance that bans the possession of handguns in all public places
A complete ban on the possession of handguns by civilians
Question 14
Gerrymandering is a practice that involves:
The process by which Congress approves state electoral maps.
The strategic redrawing of district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.
The judicial review of electoral district boundaries.
The division of power between federal and state governments.
Allocating electoral college votes based on congressional district victories.
Question 15
The process by which individuals acquire their political values and outlooks is known as political socialization. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the influence of educational institutions on political socialization?
An individual's political beliefs are primarily influenced by the opinions of their close friends
A college student becomes more politically active after taking a course on American government
Social media becomes the primary source of political news for a young adult
A high school student adopts their parents' political beliefs without questioning them
A person's political outlook changes dramatically after moving to a different state
Question 16
The concept of selective incorporation involves the application of the Bill of Rights to the states through which of the following amendments?
The Ninth Amendment
The First Amendment
The Fifth Amendment
The Tenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment
Question 17
The strategy of filibuster in the Senate is controversial because:
It effectively reduces the power of the executive branch.
It can indefinitely delay legislative action, highlighting the complexity of achieving cloture.
It is only applicable during the confirmation of judicial appointments.
It enables a minority to override the majority's will through simple legislative procedures.
It is a mechanism for immediate passage of legislation without debate.
Question 18
If a journalist is subpoenaed to reveal her sources in a court case involving national security, which First Amendment conflict is most directly at issue?
Freedom of speech versus the right to a fair trial
Freedom of the press versus national security
Freedom of assembly versus public safety
Freedom of religion versus state interest in public health
Freedom of the press versus government transparency
Question 19
The impact of social movements on political ideology and policy can be profound. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a social movement's influence on shifting public policy towards greater social equality?
Grassroots organizing leads to a change in local policies, but national policies remain unaffected.
Following a series of organized rallies and public awareness campaigns, legislation is enacted that addresses key concerns of the movement, reflecting a shift towards the movement's ideological stance on equality.
A social movement garners widespread media coverage, yet public opinion remains deeply divided on the issues, with little impact on policy.
A movement focuses on a single policy change, achieving its goal through targeted lobbying efforts rather than widespread public support.
A nationwide protest movement leads to significant public dialogue but results in no substantial change in public policy.
Question 20
The role of interest groups in shaping policy outcomes is a key aspect of American politics. Which scenario best demonstrates the potential for interest groups to influence legislation in a way that reflects their ideological stance?
An interest group with significant financial resources fails to change public opinion on an issue despite extensive advertising campaigns.
An interest group's attempt to influence legislation is thwarted by public opposition and media scrutiny.
Through strategic lobbying and the mobilization of its membership, an interest group successfully influences lawmakers to pass legislation that aligns with its ideological goals.
Despite having widespread public support, an interest group's policy goals are not reflected in legislation due to political gridlock.
Interest groups from opposing sides of an issue cancel out each other's influence, resulting in no change in policy.
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