Introduction to American Government Study Guide Questions
Course Introduction
Introduction to American Government offers students a foundational understanding of the structures, functions, and principles of the United States government. The course explores the historical development of the Constitution, the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Students analyze the impact of political parties, elections, public opinion, and interest groups on policy-making. Through discussion and critical examination of case studies, the course encourages students to engage thoughtfully with contemporary issues and the ongoing evolution of American democracy.
Recommended Textbook
Practicing Texas Politics 15th Edition by Lyle
Brown
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11 Chapters
834 Verified Questions
834 Flashcards
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Page 2
Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5141
Sample Questions
Q1) According to Professor Daniel Elazar, the political culture of Texas is A) individualistic.
B) individualistic and traditionalistic.
C) moralistic and traditionalistic.
D) moralistic and individualistic.
Answer: B
Q2) Between 2000 and 2010, Texas's population grew by approximately A) 4 percent.
B) 20 percent.
C) 8 percent.
D) 32 percent.
Answer: B
Q3) After WWII, increased numbers of Latinos in Texas sought employment in A) the agricultural sector.
B) the industrial sector.
C) the Mexican markets.
D) the Canadian markets.
Answer: B
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Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Separation of powers
A) is not found in the Texas Constitution.
B) means a bicameral legislature.
C) places the lawmaking, law-enforcing, and law-adjudicating powers in separate branches of government.
D) has been rejected by American constitutional theory.
Answer: C
Q2) The principal means by which constitutional change has occurred in Texas since 1876 is
A) judicial interpretation.
B) legislative interpretation.
C) custom and usage.
D) constitutional amendment.
Answer: D
Q3) Amendments to the Texas constitution are proposed by the
A) Texas Legislature.
B) Texas Governor.
C) Texas Secretary of State.
D) Texas Election Commission.
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) Approximately how many incorporated municipalities are there in Texas?
A) 254
B) 350
C) 900
D) 1,200
Answer: D
Q2) Texas's local governments are like those of other states in that they
A) are on the bottom rung of the governmental ladder.
B) make laws that are binding on the state legislature.
C) exist independent of state government authority.
D) have no governmental authority.
Answer: A
Q3) Of the following county officials, who is appointed?
A) County sheriff
B) County judge
C) County auditor
D) County tax assessor-collector
Answer: C
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Chapter 4: Political Parties
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In Texas, a candidate may only win an office in a general election if he/she receives
A) a majority of the vote.
B) two-thirds of the vote.
C) a plurality of the vote.
D) three-quarters of the vote.
Q2) In the 2002 general election, Republicans
A) won all statewide races.
B) lost control of the Court of Criminal Appeals.
C) lost only the Land Commissioner's office.
D) lost the support of Anglos.
Q3) Of the third-parties listed below, which probably has had the least influence on Texas politics?
A) Green
B) Populist
C) Libertarian
D) Socialist Labor
Q4) Discuss the impact of independent and third-party candidates upon Texas politics. Why do they keep recurring even though it seems like they are never successful? What are the most prominent third parties today?
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Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Discuss voting behavior in Texas. Identify who votes and who does not. Explain why Texas ranks among the lowest in voting nationally.
Q2) Under current law, the first primary election in Texas is held on the A) second Saturday in May of even-numbered years.
B) fourth Saturday in July of even-numbered years.
C) second Tuesday in April of even-numbered years.
D) first Tuesday in March of even-numbered years.
Q3) Describe how potential voters in Texas learn about candidates and issues. What appear to be the primary factors in voter choices (deciding who to vote for).
Q4) The Latino community showed its political strength in May of 2010 by
A) holding a support rally for the Arizona Immigration law.
B) contributing millions of dollars to the Republican Party.
C) organizing the new Raza Unida Party.
D) having 28,000 protesters in Dallas opposing the Arizona immigration law.
Q5) The size of the vote necessary for a candidate to win a general election is a A) plurality.
B) simple majority.
C) two-thirds majority.
D) three-fourths majority.
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Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
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70 Verified Questions
70 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Distinguish between a "professional/career" interest group and a "government employee" interest group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would "educator" groups more closely resemble?
Q2) Our federal system of government encourages interest groups to A) be more general and less specific in their demands.
B) be more inclined to form coalitions with other groups.
C) have a decentralized organizational structure.
D) have a single national office and staff.
Q3) A social interest group would not be involved in an issue concerning
A) school prayer.
B) women's rights.
C) highway funding.
D) civil rights.
Q4) Which Texas House speaker was not the subject of an inquiry about potentially improper practices with regard to interest groups?
A) Billy Clayton
B) Gus Mutscher
C) Gib Lewis
D) Pete Laney
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Chapter 7: The Legislature
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84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) How long does the governor have following the adjournment of the legislature in which to act on bills?
A) Ten working days
B) Twenty calendar days
C) One month
D) Ninety days
Q2) The terms of office for members of the Texas legislature are
A) Senate, four years; House of Representatives, two years; no term limits.
B) House of Representatives, four years; Senate, four years; two-term limit.
C) Senate, four years, two terms; House of Representatives, two years, four terms.
D) Senate, six years; House of Representatives, two years; no limit.
Q3) When the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version,
A) the bill will die because further action cannot occur until the two agree.
B) the bill will go to a House-Senate conference committee.
C) one chamber will have to accept the language of the other.
D) the governor will indicate a preference for one chamber's bill.
Q4) Describe the formal qualifications of members of the Texas legislature. Explain why actual members of the legislature fail to represent a representative cross-section of Texas society.
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Chapter 8: The Executive
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Should the governorship of Texas become vacant (through death, resignation, or removal), the official first in line to succeed to the position would be the A) attorney general.
B) commissioner of agriculture.
C) lieutenant governor.
D) comptroller of public accounts.
Q2) The Texas governor's effectiveness relies on all the following, except his/her A) ability to raise money.
B) formal constitutional powers.
C) personality and persuasiveness.
D) position on conservative issues.
Q3) A Texas governor can use "executive orders" to accomplish all the following, except A) set policies.
B) create task forces.
C) abolish boards and commissions.
D) punish elected officeholders.
Q4) Identify three executive officials appointed by the governor, and describe their functions.
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Page 10
Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
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77 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) As a 19-year-old mother of one child, a recipient of public assistance, and a resident of Dallas County, which of the following most threatens you?
A) The use of the Lone Star Card for obtaining subsidized food
B) The possible closing of the only hospital in rural Van Zandt County
C) The cap on consecutive and lifetime receipt of cash public assistance benefits
D) The possibility that eligibility screening for public assistance would be contracted out to a private business
Q2) Acquiring a government job based on political loyalty, without regard to ability, is called
A) elite access.
B) political patronage.
C) a merit system.
D) affirmative action.
Q3) Which of the following provides a list of approved textbooks for public schools?
A) Texas Education Agency
B) Commissioner of Education
C) State Board of Education
D) State Board for Educator Certification
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11
Chapter 10: Laws, Courts, and Justice
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78 Verified Questions
78 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The Texas Constitution and state law grant the government the authority to take a person's life, property, and liberty
A) whenever a prosecutor deems necessary.
B) under appropriate circumstances.
C) under the any circumstance.
D) without a court order.
Q2) The short-term method for relieving overcrowded court dockets in Texas is to
A) limit the type of cases that courts may handle.
B) bring in a temporary judge or use an ADR.
C) utilize the "change of venue" procedure.
D) order a two-year delay in the case to give the docket time to clear.
Q3) The term alternative dispute resolution refers to
A) parole and probation.
B) mediation and arbitration.
C) audit and comptroller.
D) reverse and reform.
Q4) There are two sides to the tort reform issue; justify both and explain why the groups arrayed on each side of the issue took the positions they did. In your judgment, should punitive damages in tort matters be limited?
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Chapter 11: Finance and Fiscal Policy
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is the purpose of the Economic Stabilization Fund in Texas? Describe how it was created and is utilized.
Q2) The state's Economic Stabilization Fund is
A) funded by proceeds from the state lottery.
B) used to fund local government operations.
C) used to supplement federal grants when those decline.
D) sometimes called the "rainy day" fund.
Q3) Which of the following task(s) does the Comptroller's office oversee?
A) Preparing the state's budget
B) Issuing checks to pay state obligations
C) Appropriating lottery funds
D) Selling general obligation bonds
Q4) The traditional Texas fiscal policy is the achievement of a balanced budget through
A) low taxes and low levels of public spending.
B) high taxes and low public spending.
C) high taxes and high public spending.
D) low taxes and high public spending.
Q5) Describe the history of highway funding in Texas. Identify problems associated with the current system and possible solutions.
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