Civics and Texas Government Exam Bank
Course Introduction
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the principles and structures of government in the United States, with particular emphasis on Texas government. Students examine the U.S. Constitution, federalism, civil liberties, political parties, and the functions of government institutions, as well as the unique history, constitution, political culture, and governing bodies of Texas. The course fosters understanding of civic responsibilities, state and local government operations, policy-making processes, and the roles of citizens in shaping public policy in Texas. Through discussion, research, and practical examples, students gain the knowledge necessary to become informed and engaged participants in Texas and American civic life.
Recommended Textbook Government and Politics in the Lone Star State 8th Edition by L. Tucker Gibson
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13 Chapters
1040 Verified Questions
1040 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/454
Page 2
Chapter 1: The social and economic milieu of texas politics
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8055
Sample Questions
Q1) During the 1990s, 2.35 million jobs were lost in Texas.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q2) The regressive tax system in Texas has resulted in
A) an unfair burden being placed on low- and middle-income families.
B) a budget surplus higher than in any other state.
C) an exodus of wealthy business owners due to high taxation rates.
D) the best-funded education system in the country.
E) the emergence of a underground black market.
Answer: A
Q3) Economic reversals including failing savings and loan institutions, falling property values, and falling property taxes happened during
A) the 1950s.
B) the 1960s.
C) the 1970s.
D) the 1980s.
E) the 1990s.
Answer: D
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Page 3
Chapter 2: The texas constitution
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79 Verified Questions
79 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8056
Sample Questions
Q1) The Constitution of 1836 which established the Republic of Texas was modeled after A) the new constitution of Mexico.
B) the Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas.
C) the U.S. Constitution.
D) the constitution of the neighboring Mexican state of Coahuila.
E) Spanish civil code.
Answer: C
Q2) The right-to-work law
A) guarantees each Texan the right to work at a living wage.
B) provides Texans the right to work on the county payroll.
C) prohibits union membership as a condition of employment.
D) demonstrates the power of unions over the power of business.
E) was encouraged by the unions because it guarantees employment.
Answer: C
Q3) Texas has had seven constitutions, and understanding that legacy is critical to understanding contemporary Texas politics and public policy.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Page 4
Chapter 3: Intergovernmental relationships
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The U.S.Supreme Court ruled in the case of United States v.Lopez that Congress had overreached its constitutional power concerning interstate commerce when it
A) attempted to enact a federal tariff on the transport of natural gas between states.
B) attempted to prevent the carrying of guns in school zones under the commerce clause.
C) banned the sale of used assault weapons between citizens in different states.
D) sought to regulate shipping along waterways shared by two or more states.
E) attempted to ban the sale of alcohol in wet counties to citizens living in dry counties.
Answer: B
Q2) In virtually every area of public policy, governments must
A) be autonomous, innovate, and coordinate.
B) collaborate, cooperate, and innovate.
C) coordinate, innovate, and be autonomous.
D) collaborate, collude, and cooperate.
E) coordinate, collaborate, and cooperate.
Answer: E
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Chapter 4: Interest groups and political power in texas
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Since 1974, more than ________ of those surveyed viewed government as being run by special interests.
A) 10 percent
B) 20 percent
C) 30 percent
D) 50 percent
E) 60 percent
Q2) Evidence suggests that the source of political power and influence lies somewhere between the ________ positions.
A) elitist and pluralist
B) elitist and moralistic
C) pluralist and moralistic
D) pluralist and traditionalist
E) elitist and traditionalist
Q3) In the past, men become members of interest groups more often than women.
A)True
B)False
Q4) What role have religious groups played in Texas politics? What influence have they had on the structure of political parties and on legislation?
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Chapter 5: The mass media in texas politics
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8059
Sample Questions
Q1) For the most part, Texas newspapers have failed to maintain considerable editorial autonomy under national management.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Dramatic changes in mass communications over the past forty years, primarily the emergence of ________, have had a major impact on the role of the media in government and politics.
A) talk radio
B) national-level public access cable stations
C) television
D) PBS
E) public radio
Q3) Television has been criticized for putting ________, a problem that candidates who are more interested in winning rather than reforming the system are willingly perpetuating.
A) state over nation
B) coverage over profits
C) individual over party
D) speech over sound bite
E) style over substance
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Chapter 6: The party system in
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8060
Sample Questions
Q1) The Democratic Party's one-party dominance in Texas goes back to Reconstruction, when the Texas Regular Party was able to capture control of government for a short time.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Generally college-educated, higher-income suburbanites identify themselves as Texas Republicans.
A)True
B)False
Q3) _______ occurs when voters decide to divide their votes among candidates of more than one political party in the same election.
A) Down the line voting
B) Ticket splitting
C) Election farming
D) Strategic voting
E) Ballot stuffing
Q4) What trend is occurring in Texas party politics? Are parties realigning or slowly disappearing? Provide examples to justify your argument.
Q5) Define political parties.How do they differ from interest groups?
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Chapter 7: Elections, campaigns, and political behavior
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Focus groups include________ participants with specific ________ to help media consultants decide which political ads to use.
A) eight to twelve; income levels
B) eight to ten; racial identities
C) eight to twelve; demographic characteristics
D) five to eight; likes and dislikes
E) twelve to sixteen; party preferences
Q2) During the Vietnam War, many people believed that individuals who were required to comply with the draft and risk death should no longer be denied the right to vote.This movement culminated with the
A) Twenty-seventh Amendment.
B) Twenty-fourth Amendment.
C) Twenty-first Amendment.
D) Twenty-sixth Amendment.
E) Twenty-second Amendment.
Q3) Why do some Texans participate in a wide range of political activities while others seem to be little more than passive spectators to the political process?
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Chapter 8: The texas legislature
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) As a result of ________, equity in redistricting was extended to Texas under the idea that state legislative districts had to be apportioned on the "one person, one vote" principle.
A) Baker v. Carr
B) Davis v. Federal Election Committee
C) Reynolds v. Sims
D) Ray v. Blair
E) Kilgarlin v. Martin
Q2) The powers of the House presiding officer includes
A) appointing a president pro tempore.
B) naming chairs and vice chairs in the Senate.
C) appointing all members of Senate procedural committees.
D) selecting the lieutenant governor.
E) vetoing bills voted on by the House.
Q3) Rick Perry became the first Republican lieutenant governor of modern Texas.
A)True
B)False
Q4) How has redistricting impacted the Texas state legislature? What significant changes have been made over the past century to ensure equality in representation?
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Chapter 9: The texas executive
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) One of the governor's informal resources is the ability to A) mobilize the Texas National Guard.
B) communicate to the public through the mass media.
C) call and set the agenda for special legislative sessions.
D) proclaim acts of executive clemency for convicted criminals.
E) make recommendations on the budget.
Q2) Why was Governor Bill Clements overwhelmed when he took office?
A) His predecessor had left the state with a larger deficit than was publically known.
B) This was his first time in government, and he was viewed negatively for it.
C) He did not understand the limitations of the powers of the governor.
D) He faced a legislative revolt when he vetoed the budget.
E) His government stalled when a record number of resignations occurred his first day of office.
Q3) How have the last four governors differed in style and leadership? Who was the most effective in dealing with the legislature?
Q4) How do the informal resources of the governor allow him or her to advance his or her political objectives?
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11
Chapter 10: The bureaucracy and policy implementation
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81 Verified Questions
81 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Every ________ the legislature sets budgets for state agencies.
A) year
B) two years
C) three years
D) four years
E) five years
Q2) From 1972 to 2010, the size of the state and local bureaucracy in Texas
A) decreased by just under 50 percent.
B) decreased by nearly 25 percent.
C) increased by nearly 100 percent.
D) increased by over 150 percent.
E) increased by just over 75 percent.
Q3) Lt.Governor Bob Bullock called the whistle-blower ordeal that the state endured
A) "a black mark on the history of Texas."
B) "the finest moment in Texas history."
C) "a lesson well learned by the state of Texas."
D) "the best civics lesson we could ever have."
E) "a black eye for the reputation of Texas."
Q4) How would you describe the personnel system in Texas? Defend your answer.
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Chapter 11: The judicial system in texas
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8065
Sample Questions
Q1) When a case reaches an appellate court, it is
A) brought before a judge and jury where it is then handled in the same way that the lower court handled the case.
B) reviewed by a council of judges who in consultation with the lower court judge decide the case based on the consensus of liberal and conservative judges.
C) brought before a judge and jury; the jury does not decide whether a person is guilty but provides an opinion to help the judge decide.
D) reviewed by a judge who examines the procedures of the lower courts and then starts a de novo trial.
E) reviewed by a judge who determines if the lower courts conformed to constitutional and statutory law.
Q2) ________ is a first-degree felony.
A) Home burglary
B) Bribery
C) Aggravated sexual assault
D) Theft of trade secrets
E) Intentional bodily injury to a child
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13
Chapter 12: Local government in texas: cities, towns, counties, and special districts
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8066
Sample Questions
Q1) In a council-manager form of government
A) there is a key distinction between policymaking and administration.
B) city elections are partisan but the policymaking is noticeably nonpartisan.
C) political leadership is equally dispersed amongst its members.
D) oversight and review of policies and budgets is minimal.
E) the legislative and administrative functions of government are combined.
Q2) What was a primary goal in establishing independent school districts?
A) To shift responsibility to county governments while decreasing the financial burden of the state.
B) To ensure financial equality in schools across the state.
C) To shift responsibility for the schools from politicians to educators and reduce costs.
D) To depoliticize education and shift responsibility for it away from county or city government.
E) To ensure every child received an education derived from a single curriculum.
Q3) A special district is governed by a board, either appointed by other governmental units or elected in partisan elections.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 13: Contemporary public policy issues in texas
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8067
Sample Questions
Q1) Education costs
A) take up the largest percentage of state expenditures.
B) are roughly equal to those of law enforcement and prisons.
C) are directly correlated to classroom sizes.
D) have been used to justify cuts in health and human services.
E) are inversely correlated to business and economic development.
Q2) In what way was tuition deregulation in Texas regressive?
Q3) The 1980 Ruiz v.Estelle federal court case dealt with the issue of A) affirmative action.
B) the death penalty.
C) educational funding.
D) prison reform.
E) air pollution.
Q4) The activities of the implementation phase of the policy process include
A) interpretation, organization, and application.
B) evaluation, formulation, and adoption.
C) identification, representation, and evaluation.
D) formation, legitimation, and evaluation.
E) identification, formulation and application.
Q5) How would you evaluate the success of education reform after Edgewood v.Kirby?
Page 15
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