Government In America 2014 Elections And Updates 16th Edition Edwards, By Wattenberg & Lineberry – Test Bank

11

Congress

 Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Each state has __________ senators, each of whom serves a __________-year term.

a. two; four
b. two; six
c. four; two
d. four; four

Answer: b
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.1.1
Topic: The Representatives and Senators; How Congress Is Organized To Make Policy
Learning Objective: LO 11.1: Characterize the backgrounds of members of Congress and assess their impact on the ability of members of Congress to represent average Americans; LO 11.3: Compare and contrast the House and Senate, and describe the roles of congressional leaders, committees, caucuses, and staff.
Page Reference: 342, 351
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

2. The Constitutional Convention decided on what form of legislature?

a. bicameral
b. direct
c. unified
d. unicameral

Answer: a
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.3.2
Topic: How Congress Is Organized To Make Policy
Learning Objective: LO 11.3: Compare and contrast the House and Senate, and describe the roles of congressional leaders, committees, caucuses, and staff.
Page Reference: 351
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

3. Partisan __________ is the difference between the parties.

a. conservatism
b. gridlock
c. ideology
d. polarization

Answer: d
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.0.3
Topic: Introduction
Learning Objective: Introduction
Page Reference: 340
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

4. In the House of Representatives, who is second in authority to the Speaker of the House?

a. majority leader
b. majority whip
c. minority leader
d. president pro tempore

Answer: a
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.3.4
Topic: How Congress Is Organized To Make Policy
Learning Objective: LO 11.3: Compare and contrast the House and Senate, and describe the roles of congressional leaders, committees, caucuses, and staff.
Page Reference: 354
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

5. Congress is __________ than the general population.

a. less partisan
b. less well paid
c. happier
d. wealthier

Answer: d
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.1.5
Topic: The Representatives and Senators
Learning Objective: LO 11.1: Characterize the backgrounds of members of Congress and assess their impact on the ability of members of Congress to represent average Americans.
Page Reference: 342
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

6. __________ is a good example of congressional casework.

a. Analysis of an incumbent’s policy positions prior to a debate
b. Analysis of water quality within a district
c. Helping a constituent navigate red tape
d. Assisting a federal agency operating within a member’s district

Answer: c
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.2.6
Topic: Congressional Elections
Learning Objective: LO 11.2: Identify the principal factors influencing the outcomes in congressional elections.
Page Reference: 347
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty Level: Moderate

7. The pork barrel may aid the district of a member of Congress by __________.

a. diverting unallocated funds to the service sector
b. increasing jobs and revenue with federally funded projects
c. increasing revenue through private market investment
d. taxing corporations less so they provide health insurance for employees

Answer: b
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.2.7
Topic: Congressional Elections
Learning Objective: LO 11.2: Identify the principal factors influencing the outcomes in congressional elections.
Page Reference: 348
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

8. The English politician and philosopher Edmund Burke advocated the concept of legislators as __________ who use their best judgment to make policy in the interests of the people.

a. delegates
b. trustees
c. partisans
d. politicos

Answer: b
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.4.8
Topic: The Congressional Process and Decision Making
Learning Objective: LO 11.4: Outline the path of bills to passage and explain the influences on congressional decision making.
Page Reference: 367
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

9. Whips serve what function?

a. to act as official spokespersons for their chambers
b. to help the Speaker schedule proposed legislation for debate
c. to meet with members of the executive cabinet
d. to persuade party members to support the party’s priorities

Answer: d
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.3.9
Topic: How Congress Is Organized To Make Policy
Learning Objective: LO 11.3: Compare and contrast the House and Senate, and describe the roles of congressional leaders, committees, caucuses, and staff.
Page Reference: 354
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

10. A filibuster can be ended through __________; it requires the approval of __________ senators.

a. abrogation; fifty-one
b. censure; fifty-five
c. cloture; sixty
d. discharge; sixty-seven

Answer: c
Test Bank Item Number: TB_Q11.3.10
Topic: How Congress Is Organized To Make Policy
Learning Objective: LO 11.3: Compare and contrast the House and Senate, and describe the roles of congressional leaders, committees, caucuses, and staff.
Page Reference: 352
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Moderate