Government and Society in the United States Final Exam Questions
Course Introduction
This course explores the structure, functions, and dynamics of government and society in the United States, examining the foundational principles of the American political system and its evolution over time. Through an analysis of institutions such as Congress, the presidency, the courts, and federal bureaucracy, students will gain insight into how public policies are formulated and implemented. The course also investigates the relationships between government and various segments of society, including the roles of political parties, interest groups, the media, and civic participation in shaping public discourse and policy outcomes. Emphasis is placed on understanding contemporary societal challenges, debates over civil rights and liberties, and the impact of demographic, social, and economic changes on American governance.
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
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Page 2
Chapter 1: The social and economic milieu of texas politics
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In 2010, the rural population of Texas was about 12 percent of the population.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) The moralistic subculture believes that public policy initiatives can come from
A) foreign officials.
B) other levels of government.
C) those outside formal governmental structure.
D) officeholders only.
E) business and corporate interests.
Answer: C
Q3) Which of the following three cities are among the ten largest cities in the United States?
A) Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio
B) Dallas, El Paso, and Houston
C) Austin, Houston, and San Antonio
D) El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio
E) Dallas, El Paso, and San Antonio
Answer: A
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Page 3
Chapter 2: The texas constitution
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79 Verified Questions
79 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The Constitution of 1876 was essentially an antigovernment charter and so did NOT
A) put a short leash on the courts.
B) replace centralization with more local control.
C) empower the governor.
D) place strict limits on taxation.
E) limit the power of the legislature.
Answer: C
Q2) School history texts, the celebration of key events and the development of a mythology of the independence period keep Texas's alive.
A) traditional culture
B) religious attitudes
C) hierarchical structure
D) educational system
E) historical uniqueness
Answer: E
Q3) The current Texas constitution is an awkward, limiting document.
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) Most official proceedings concerning our daily lives come from ________ governments.
A) state and local
B) regional and county
C) national and state
D) state and regional
E) national and local
Answer: A
Q2) The U.S.Supreme Court, in the Seminole Tribe case, gave virtually all "authority to the states to legislate relations with the Indians."
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q3) Texas has experienced little economic benefit from the North American Free Trade Agreement.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
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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) What role have religious groups played in Texas politics? What influence have they had on the structure of political parties and on legislation?
Q2) Discuss at least three key elements of elitist theories.Explain how they influence the political system.How did Robert Michaels argue that elitism was inevitable?
Q3) To many Texans, lobbying is an unsavory business that puts the interests of the few ahead of the general welfare or the needs of the state.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Public interest advocates won an uncommon and significant victory in the 2003 session when legislators strengthened ethics laws for public officials and political candidates.
A)True
B)False
Q5) The National Rifle Association was a highly visible supporter of Senator Wentworth's opponents in for the 2011.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 5: The mass media in texas politics
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Despite the media's efforts, only a small percentage of Texans attempt to keep up with what their elected officials in Austin are doing.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Many contend that Texas citizens are not well informed about state government and issues.If true, what kind of future do you predict for Texas if the public's attentiveness to policymaking remains as it is today? Give specific examples to support your view.
Q3) The U.S.Founding Fathers recognized that a free press is an independent conduit of information that is essential to making a representative democracy work.
A)True
B)False
Q4) The primary information links between those who govern and those who are governed are
A) press secretaries.
B) spin doctors.
C) government newsletters.
D) the news media.
E) political blogs.
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Chapter
6: The party system in Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
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Sample Questions
Q1) Precinct conventions held in nonpresidential election years are often poorly attended, and in many precincts, no one shows up.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Explain the evolution of Texas from one-party Democratic state to a two-party state.Describe how this change could affect the power of interest groups.
Q3) The temporary party organization includes the precinct chairpersons.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Simply stated, political parties link diverse segments of the population to government and thus contribute to the stability and ________ of government.
A) accountability
B) homogeneity
C) legitimacy
D) nonpolitical interests
E) permanence
Q5) Characterize Republican voters in Texas and contrast them to Democratic voters.How are minorities realigning politically?
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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) What role did negative ads play in the 1990 gubernatorial race between Democrat Ann Richards and Republican Clayton Williams?
A) Despite spending millions for his controlled media events, Williams was still defeated by Richards who used ads that painted Williams in a negative light.
B) Richards won despite negative ads used against her, but public fury over the use of negative ads in 1990 led to legislation prohibiting them the following year.
C) Because of the intensity of negative ads and the public outcry against them, both candidates were banned from using them two months prior to the election.
D) The intensity of negative ads in the 1990 race and issues over defamation of character produced by them led the Federal Election Commission to block them.
E) Negative ads were repeatedly use by both campaigns, though the ads used by Williams were considered racist and helped turn public opinion against him.
Q2) Only six Hispanics have been elected to statewide office in Texas.
A)True
B)False
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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) In order for a bill to become a law, its first step must be
A) the first reading.
B) passage.
C) sponsorship by the governor.
D) referral to a committee.
E) sponsorship by a legislator.
Q2) Bills that ________ are the only type of bill that must originate in the House of Representatives according to the Constitution of Texas.
A) affect the judiciary
B) deal with municipalities
C) raise revenue
D) affect the executive branch
E) concern redistricting
Q3) In 2011, about 5,700 pieces of legislation were introduced during the regular legislative session.
A)True
B)False
Q4) The work of the Texas legislature is given extensive coverage across the state.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 9: The texas executive
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80 Verified Questions
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Sample Questions
Q1) Only two of the more than 200 state boards and commissions have elected members.Which boards or commissions have elected members?
A) the Railroad Commission and the State Board of Education
B) the Pardons and Paroles Board and the State Board of Education
C) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Railroad Commission
D) the State Board of Education and the State Treasurer's Commission
E) the State Treasurer's Commission and the Railroad Commission
Q2) In carrying out the duties of his office, the governor often uses the mass media to A) run paid advertisements.
B) leak information or float trial balloons.
C) hide information from the public.
D) run public opinion polls paid for by the governor.
E) tdistort information about his policies.
Q3) The office of the commissioner of agriculture was created by the constitution rather than by statute.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 10: The bureaucracy and policy implementation
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Sample Questions
Q1) In most cases the Sunset Commission will propose that an agency be terminated or consolidated with another agency.
A)True
B)False
Q2) ________ is an example of licensing on the local level.
A) Requiring contractors to meet building codes established by city councils
B) Issuing driver's licenses to new drivers
C) Obeying rules and regulations concerning the operation of a funeral home
D) Passing the Texas bar examination to be licensed to practice law in Texas
E) Obeying rules and regulations concerning the operation of a nursing home
Q3) ________ demanded that the Texas Department of Health crack down on deplorable conditions in nursing homes.
A) Bill Clements
B) Ann Richards
C) Mark White
D) Rick Perry
E) George W. Bush
Q4) Why has the merit employment system had an inconsistent history in Texas state government? Give examples.
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Chapter 11: The judicial system in texas
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What evidence is there that Texas courts are playing an increased policy role? What accounts for this development? Should the courts be involved in making public policy? Defend your answer.
Q2) ________ typically handle cases concerning things such as traffic tickets.
A) The county court-at-law and municipal courts
B) Municipal and statutory county courts
C) Justice of the peace and municipal courts
D) Constitutional and statutory courts
E) Justice of the peace and district courts
Q3) Criminal cases range from traffic offenses punishable by fines to capital murder punishable by life in prison.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Ruby Sondock of Houston was the first woman to serve on the Texas Supreme Court. A)True
B)False
Q5) Hispanics and African Americans have had difficulty winning election to state courts. A)True
B)False
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Chapter
12: Local government in texas: cities, towns, counties, and
special districts
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80 Verified Questions
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Sample Questions
Q1) Since special districts can be created by the legislature, it is easier to create another layer of government than it is to change the powers of existing governments by A) amending the state constitution.
B) calling special sessions of the legislature.
C) electing new individuals to government offices.
D) overriding the governor's veto of those changes.
E) creating new statutes to split authority.
Q2) Privatization gives cities options for
A) dealing with ceilings on bond debts for capital improvements by renting facilities from private contractors.
B) new leaders for the government because they are having trouble finding candidates to run for office.
C) tax collection by allowing them to collect fees for services not allowed by the Texas Constitution.
D) city management, then the city councils can spend their time developing new ordinances instead of worrying about administrative duties.
E) dealing with disagreements and conflicts with county and other city governments.
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Page 14
Chapter 13: Contemporary public policy issues in texas
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80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In 1999, _____ became the nation's "dirtiest air" city.
A) Houston
B) Dallas
C) El Paso
D) Del Rio
E) San Antonio
Q2) Which of the following statements is correct regarding regular sessions of the Texas legislature?
A) A one-year budget must be written.
B) A two-year budget must be written.
C) Sessions may be canceled if the first year budget produces a surplus.
D) Budgets are not discussed in regular sessions.
E) A three-year budget must be written.
Q3) Texas taxpayer dissatisfaction and anger in recent years has been mostly due to A) an increase in grocery sales tax rates.
B) the addition of ad valorem property tax.
C) increases in ad valorem property tax rates.
D) additional municipal taxes.
E) the severance tax.
Q4) In what way was tuition deregulation in Texas regressive?
Page 15
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