Civics
Final Exam Questions
Course Introduction
Civics is the systematic study of the rights, responsibilities, and roles of citizens within a political and social system. This course explores the structure and functions of government at the local, state, and national levels, the rule of law, and the importance of civic participation. Students will analyze how public policies are formed, gain an understanding of democratic principles, and evaluate the impact of historical and contemporary events on civic life. Through discussions, case studies, and practical activities, learners will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to engage effectively as informed and responsible members of society.
Recommended Textbook
Practicing Texas Politics 16th Edition by Lyle Brown
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13 Chapters
1009 Verified Questions
1009 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/739
Page 2
Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is a multibillion-dollar industry that produces products, such as medicines and vaccines, to benefit medical science?
A) Biotechnology
B) High-technology
C) Nanotechnology
D) Robotics
Answer: A
Q2) The process of policymaking that involves con ict and cooperation between political parties and other groups that seek to elect government of cials or to in uence those of cials when they make public policy, is referred to as
A) politics.
B) public policy.
C) government.
D) justice.
Answer: A
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Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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81 Verified Questions
81 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The constitution submitted by the legislature in April 1975 to the voters was recognized as being
A) twice as long as the 1876 Constitution.
B) concise, orderly, and well-drafted.
C) essentially the same as the 1876 Constitution, though it was better organized.
D) a clearly confusing and unworkable document.
Answer: B
Q2) The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), whichprohibited national government recognition of same-sex marriage and allowed states to deny same-sex marriages performed in other states, is challenged by critics as a violation of
A) the full faith and credit clause.
B) the supremacy clause.
C) the necessary and proper clause.
D) the commerce clause.
Answer: A
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Chapter 3: Local Governments
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76 Verified Questions
76 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The segment of Texas higher education that receives support from property taxes is the
A) junior and community colleges.
B) University of Texas system.
C) State Technical Institute system.
D) Texas A&M system.
Answer: A
Q2) Historically, at-large elections in Texas cities have resulted in
A) a greater diversity of representation.
B) more voters to participate.
C) less frequent elections.
D) less diversity of representation.
Answer: D
Q3) In most rural Texas counties, each county commissioner is individually responsible for
A) superintending common schools in his or her precinct.
B) presiding at general and special elections in his or her precinct.
C) building and maintaining county roads and bridges in his or her precinct.
D) enforcing the criminal law in his or her precinct.
Answer: C
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Chapter 4: Political Parties
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79 Verified Questions
79 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Define the concept of a political party, and explain the basic functions performed by political parties. Explain what you see as the benefits and drawbacks of political parties.
Q2) Precinct conventions in Texas are usually
A) heavily attended.
B) lightly or sparsely attended.
C) held at times other than after the polls close.
D) held in odd-numbered years.
Q3) Which term would best describe a politician that is generally opposed to government-managed or government-subsidized programs?
A) Socialist
B) Conservative
C) Liberal
D) Communist
Q4) In Texas, the two leading political parties are the
A) Democratic and Republican.
B) Republican and Libertarian.
C) Republican and Green.
D) Democratic and Green.
Q5) Explain the difference between temporary and permanent party organizations.
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Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Why are Latinos such an important factor in Texas electoral politics? What progress have they made in electoral politics, and what obstacles still remain to exercising their political power? How do you think the growing Latino population will change elections in Texas in the future?
Q2) The primary purpose of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter Law) was to
A) require states to make voter registration available at driver licensing, military recruitment, welfare, and disability offices.
B) prohibit states from setting payment of a poll tax as a prerequisite for voting.
C) forbid states from creating permanent systems of voter registration.
D) require states to allow voter registration over the Internet.
Q3) Compared to the rest of the country, voter turnout in Texas is
A) higher than the national average.
B) about the same as the national average.
C) lower than the national average.
D) not calculated.
Q4) Describe the efforts of the Democratic and Republican parties to win the votes of Latinos and African Americans in Texas.
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Page 7
Chapter 6: The Media and Politics in Texas
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) On the editorial pages of newspapers and magazines
A) fiction writers are given a chance to tell their stories.
B) reporters are expected to write with objectivity and neutrality.
C) advertisers are given space to sell their products or services.
D) advocacy is practiced and editors and columnists give their opinions.
Q2) The media play a role in keeping and protecting democracy by
A) keeping citizens informed enough to make intelligent decisions and investigating government activities.
B) printing negative stories about dictatorships and other non-democratic countries.
C) giving democratically elected leaders the chance to say what they want without being challenged.
D) insisting on patriotism and support for the country's military campaigns.
Q3) When it comes to measures of civic engagement like voter turnout, being involved in groups, donating to charity, volunteering and discussing political issues online,
A) Texans are the most active in the nation.
B) Texans are above the national average.
C) Texans are exactly at the national average.
D) Texans are below the national average.
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Chapter 7: The Politics of Interest Groups
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76 Verified Questions
76 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The Texas Tea Party is
A) a powerful faction within the Texas Republican Party.
B) a political party that formed to challenge both the Republican and Democratic Parties.
C) an interest group that promotes the interests of tea growers and distributors.
D) a minor faction within the Texas Democratic Party.
Q2) Distinguish between a business group and a labor group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Despite their differences, what makes them both "economic"interest groups?
Q3) Distinguish between a professional interest group and a public employee interest group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would "public school teachers" more closely resemble?
Q4) Which of the following interest groups would be an example of a professional group in Texas?
A) Teamsters
B) National Rifle Association
C) Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
D) League of United Latin American Citizens
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9
Chapter 8: The Legislative Branch
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which statement about women in the Texas state legislature is true?
A) In recent elections, the number of women elected to the state legislature has increased.
B) The percentage of women in the state legislature is equal to the percentage of women in the general population.
C) In recent elections, the number of women elected to the state legislature has declined.
D) Female legislators have always been treated with respect and dignity by their male colleagues.
Q2) Under the Texas Constitution, those serving in the Texas legislature
A) cannot hold another government office.
B) are able to hold more than one government office.
C) can be paid by another governmental entity.
D) cannot earn money from private sector sources.
Q3) Describe the process a bill must go through to become a law in the Texas legislature. Include a discussion of both the formal procedures, and the strategies legislators may use to promote or block a bill.
Q4) What are caucuses and what functions do they serve? Do you think they help or hinder the work of the legislature?
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Chapter 9: The Executive Branch
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is true of attempts by the legislature to override a governor's veto?
A) George W. Bush was the only governor to have the legislature override his vetoes.
B) The legislature has overridden most vetoes in the modern era.
C) Overriding a veto has occurred only once since the O'Daniel administration in 1941.
D) There has never been a successful veto override in Texas.
Q2) The constitutional role of "commander-in-chief" allows the Texas governor to use the Texas National Guard and State Guard to do all the following, except
A) impose martial law.
B) deploy military forces overseas.
C) help with federal border security.
D) assist in state disaster relief operations.
Q3) Identify and discuss the various roles and functions of the Texas comptroller of public accounts. What is the comptroller's most important power?
Q4) Explain why raising campaign funds is important to win a gubernatorial election, and how donations influence the actions of governors once in office.
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Page 11
Chapter 10: Public Policy and Administration
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82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) By 2012, how many employees did the state of Texas have?
A) 85,000
B) 123,000
C) 214,000
D) 311,000
Q2) Elimination of government restrictions and allowing free market forces to prevail is called
A) devolution.
B) co-opting.
C) gerrymandering.
D) deregulation.
Q3) The system that replaced the merit system in Texas was a
A) centralized testing system.
B) centralized compensation and classification system.
C) decentralized compensation plan.
D) fragmented classification system under a plural executive.
Q4) Describe the principal environmental issues in Texas. Identify the state agency responsible for addressing these issues and explain the reasons for the state's poor environmental "report card." Why has there been so much conflict between the national and Texas governments over environmental regulation?
Page 12
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Chapter 11: The Judicial Branch
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81 Verified Questions
81 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) When a case can be heard by only one court, that court is said to have A) absolute jurisdiction.
B) ultimate jurisdiction.
C) exclusive jurisdiction.
D) final jurisdiction.
Q2) A formal accusation that a person has committed a high felony and must go to trial is a(n) A) information. B) indictment.
C) verdict.
D) opinion.
Q3) The injured party in a civil case is formally referred to as the A) defendant.
B) victim.
C) plaintiff.
D) law of parties.
Q4) Explain the benefits and drawbacks of selecting judges and justices through partisan elections. How may judges and justices be removed?
Q5) What responsibility did the legislature give to the Texas Legislative Council in 1963?
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Chapter 12: The Criminal Justice System
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which is true of county jails in Texas?
A) All have been privatized, leaving no public county jails.
B) They are designed to house felons serving long sentences.
C) They are all of exceptionally high quality.
D) Most of them do not offer rehabilitation programs.
Q2) Administrative segregationis another term for
A) solitary confinement.
B) separating prisoners based on race.
C) keeping prison administrators separated from inmates.
D) dividing prisoners based on severity of crime.
Q3) Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Fund provides money to victims and their families for all of the following,except A) counseling.
B) medical costs.
C) burial services.
D) representation by an attorney.
Q4) How does the state decide on the proper punishment for an individual's criminal offenses? Should incarceration continue to be used as aggressively as it is today? Why or why not?
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Chapter 13: Finance and Fiscal Policy
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79 Verified Questions
79 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In Texas, projected revenue levels are provided to the governor and legislature by the
A) State Auditor's Office.
B) state comptroller of public accounts.
C) General Accounting Office.
D) Governor's Office of Budget and Planning.
Q2) Approximately what percentage of state expenditures goes to all education funding in Texas?
A) 15-20 percent
B) 25-30 percent
C) 35-40 percent
D) 45-50 percent
Q3) More than half of the expenditures in Texas are paid from A) federal grants-in-aid.
B) the general revenue fund.
C) dedicated funds.
D) general obligation and revenue bonds.
Q4) Describe the state's efforts to collect sales tax from online businesses.
Q5) Explain the state's role in helping students afford a higher education.
Q6) Describe the legal mechanisms in place to keep the Texas budget balanced.
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