California Government Practice Exam
Course Introduction
California Government provides an in-depth examination of the structure, functions, and processes of state and local government in California. The course explores the state's constitution, political institutions, policy-making, and the roles of the governor, legislature, courts, and executive agencies. Emphasis is placed on the unique political culture and diversity of California, its initiative and referendum system, and contemporary issues affecting its governance such as immigration, education, environment, and budget challenges. Students will also analyze how Californias government interacts with federal institutions, and investigate the influence of interest groups, political parties, and the media on state politics.
Recommended Textbook
Governing California in the Twenty-First Century 5th Edition by J. Theodore Anagnoson
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
10 Chapters
301 Verified Questions
301 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/273 Page 2
Chapter 1: California Government: Promise and Practice
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4474
Sample Questions
Q1) What are the major factors that continue to fuel a crisis in California and how can they be changed?
Answer: Answer will vary
Q2) Proposition 25, which passed in November 2010,
A) maintained the two-thirds vote in both houses to pass a budget.
B) increased the requirement to pass a budget to 75 percent in both houses.
C) gave full power to the governor in the budget process.
D) lowered the requirement to pass a budget to 50 percent plus one in both houses.
Answer: D
Q3) The largest number of immigrants living in California came from A) Canada.
B) Philippines.
C) Mexico.
D) China.
Answer: C
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 3
Chapter 2: The Constitution and the Progressive Legacy
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4475
Sample Questions
Q1) Why were the Progressives against strong political parties and powerful corporations?
Answer: The progressives believe in equality among the masses and growth of all classes together.
These progressives are against big political parties and corporations as they believe that such parties only work for greed and to gather money for private use. They do not work for the masses. Similarly, they believe that the big corporations exploit the poor workers and laborers and make money at their expense. Thus, they only push the poor poorer and make the rich richer.
This makes the progressives voice their opinions against such parties and corporations.
Q2) A characteristic of California government that is NOT a legacy of the Progressive movement is
A) nonpartisan elections.
B) the office block ballot.
C) strong political parties.
D) the recall.
Answer: C
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 4
Chapter 3: Interest Groups and the Media in California
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4476
Sample Questions
Q1) What are contract lobbyists?
A) They are employees of a trade, professional, or labor association and represent that group's interest only.
B) They are lobbyists that seek long-term contracts, usually five to ten years, for development and construction companies that build administrative buildings, courts, and fire and police stations.
C) They are advocates-for-hire and often represent multiple clients on a variety of issues at the same time.
D) They specialize in policy that involves the governor, president, and foreign heads of state.
Answer: C
Q2) Campaign contributions enable a lobbyist to
A) control the legislative agenda in both houses of the state legislature.
B) gain access to legislators.
C) file amicus curiae briefs with the California Supreme Court.
D) prevent the governor from using his line-item veto.
Answer: B
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 5
Chapter 4: Parties and Elections in California
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
31 Verified Questions
31 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4477
Sample Questions
Q1) What methods did the Progressives utilize to weaken political parties in California? What was the ultimate impact on political parties in California?
Q2) The reforms of the Progressive movement had what effect on the power of political parties in California?
A) They increased party power.
B) They decreased party power.
C) They did not impact party power.
D) It is too soon to state what their effects have been on political parties.
Q3) What website is used to register to vote in California?
A) www.facebook.com
B) www.sos.ca.gov/election
C) www.gov.org
D) www.ca.com
Q4) What two initiatives made major changes to the 2012 California elections?
A) Propositions 13 and 15
B) Propositions 7 and 19
C) Propositions 11 and 20
D) Propositions 141 and 198
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
6
Chapter 5: The California Legislature
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4478
Sample Questions
Q1) What are the major differences between the U.S. Congress and the California legislature?
Q2) Legislators
A) may represent more than one district.
B) most often are defeated for re-election.
C) ignore local interests and look out for the good of the state.
D) need to focus on the interests of their constituents.
Q3) What is the structure of the California legislature?
A) There are two chambers, which consist of the Assembly and Parliament.
B) There are two chambers, which consist of the House of Representatives and Senate.
C) There is only one chamber as the Senate dominates.
D) There are two chambers, which consist of the Assembly and the Senate.
Q4) How many members serve in the California Assembly?
A) 40
B) 60
C) 75
D) 80
Q5) Briefly outline the process of passing legislation in the California legislature.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 7
Chapter 6: The Governor and the Executive Branch
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4479
Sample Questions
Q1) The governor is the commander-in-chief of
A) all military forces stationed in California.
B) the California National Guard.
C) all county sheriff's departments.
D) only the police department in Sacramento.
Q2) The governor's most significant powers are
A) acting as the commander-in-chief and making legislative recommendations.
B) preparing the state budget and using the line-item veto.
C) developing a vision for the state and managing executive actions.
D) campaigning and managing the daily tasks of the governor's office.
Q3) In California, large organizations similar to federal departments that contain a number of related bureaus are called
A) franchise tax boards.
B) real estate tax collectors.
C) superagencies.
D) political action committees.
Q4) What factors suggest that the governor of California is "invisible"?
Q5) What is the plural executive and what impact does it have on the governor of California?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 8
Chapter 7: The California Judiciary
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4480
Sample Questions
Q1) Jurisdiction refers to
A) the power of the governor to overturn decisions made by the California Supreme Court.
B) the kind of law the court handles and the geographic location.
C) the ability of the Assembly to withhold a bill before a vote within the chamber.
D) the ability of the Senate to withhold a bill before a vote within the chamber.
Q2) In California, Proposition 215
A) mandates that all instructions in K-12 classrooms be conducted in English.
B) bans educational, social, and medical services for people that are not legal residents.
C) provides for medical use of marijuana.
D) banned same-sex marriage.
Q3) Describe the process by which judges are appointed to the appellate courts in California. How long can they serve?
Q4) Discuss an example of the conflict between federal and state law that California courts have to adjudicate.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
9
Chapter 8: The State Budget and Budgetary Limitations
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4481
Sample Questions
Q1) The sales tax in California is considered to be a(n)
A) progressive tax.
B) regressive tax.
C) excise tax.
D) flat tax.
Q2) Raising taxes in California requires
A) a majority vote in both the Assembly and the Senate.
B) a two-thirds vote in both the Assembly and the Senate.
C) a constitutional initiative.
D) the approval of the citizens tax committee.
Q3) What category accounts for the largest expenditure in California's budget?
A) higher education
B) education (K-12)
C) corrections and rehabilitation
D) health and human services
Q4) Which tax contributes the least revenue to the state of California?
A) personal income tax
B) sales tax
C) corporate tax
D) they contribute approximately equally
Page 10
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 9: Local Government
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4482
Sample Questions
Q1) One disadvantage of special districts is that
A) they lack the ability to tailor the level and quality of service to citizen demands.
B) people who do not use their services have to pay for them.
C) they cannot respond well because of the large geographic areas they cover.
D) jurisdictions overlap resulting in a duplication of services provided by cities and counties.
Q2) Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of reform government at the local level?
A) at-large council elections
B) nonpartisan elections
C) city manager plans
D) concurrent elections
Q3) What are the major expense categories for California cities? From what sources do cities receive their revenue?
Q4) What are the functions of county governments in California and how are they organized?
Q5) What were the major roles and functions of California's community redevelopment agencies? Why did the state government eliminate all of these agencies?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 11
Chapter 10: Public Policy in California
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4483
Sample Questions
Q1) Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, is characterized by its
A) high cost per beneficiary and the large proportion of persons in the state covered.
B) high cost per beneficiary and the small proportion of persons in the state covered.
C) low cost per beneficiary and the small proportion of persons in the state covered.
D) low cost per beneficiary and the large proportion of persons in the state covered.
Q2) Currently, Indian tribes pay what percentage of their revenues back to the state to help other tribes that do not have gaming operations?
A) 0 percent
B) 2 percent
C) 5 percent
D) 8 percent
Q3) What is public policy? What are some of the challenges California faces in creating and implementing public policy?
Q4) What does groundwater management entail, and what are the problems that are currently being encountered in California?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.