Political Science: Texas Focus Test Bank
Course Introduction
This course offers an in-depth exploration of political science with a special emphasis on the governmental structures, political processes, and public policies specific to Texas. Students will examine the states constitution, the organization and functions of its legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and the role of local governments. The course also investigates Texass political culture, party systems, electoral dynamics, and pressing policy issues such as immigration, education, and energy. Through analysis of historical developments and current events, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how political institutions and actors shape Texass unique political landscape within the broader context of American federalism.
Recommended Textbook
Practicing Texas Politics 15th Edition by Lyle Brown
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
11 Chapters
834 Verified Questions
834 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/312 Page 2
Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5141
Sample Questions
Q1) The immigration of undocumented immigrants into Texas A) was stopped by federal legislation in 1986, 1996, and 2002. B) has declined because Texas employers are unwilling to hire this class of workers. C) continues because of the stressed economic conditions of the Mexican economy. D) has been encouraged by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Answer: C
Q2) Among the 50 states, Texas currently ranks __________ in population.
A) first
B) second
C) third
D) fifth
Answer: B
Q3) 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
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 3
Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5142
Sample Questions
Q1) A system of government in which power is divided between a general government and associated regional governments is a(n)
A) unitary system.
B) confederate system.
C) federal system.
D) autocratic system.
Answer: C
Q2) 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
Q3) The Texas Constitution has needed hundreds of amendments due to A) its specificity and detail.
B) time limits on various provisions.
C) broad powers granted to the legislature.
D) the constant indecision of the state government.
Answer: A
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 4
Chapter 3: Local Governments
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
76 Verified Questions
76 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5143
Sample Questions
Q1) The main advantage that a home-rule city has over a general-law city is that a home rule city
A) has greater flexibility in its organization and operation.
B) has fewer people to worry about than a general-law city.
C) can use state law to operate.
D) can use its power to overrule state law.
Answer: A
Q2) About what percent of cities in Texas are general-law cities?
A) Just over 10 percent
B) Just under 50 percent
C) Just over 70 percent
D) Just over 90 percent
Answer: C
Q3) Approximately how many incorporated municipalities are there in Texas?
A) 254
B) 350
C) 900
D) 1,200
Answer: D
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 5
Chapter 4: Political Parties
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5144
Sample Questions
Q1) In which of the following decades did the Republican Party in Texas begin to win almost all of the statewide offices it challenged?
A) 1950s
B) 1970s
C) 1990s
D) 2000s
Q2) Liberals would most likely support which of the following policies?
A) Restricting the ability of a woman to obtain an abortion on demand
B) Prohibiting homosexuals from holding public employment
C) Equal pay for equal work laws regarding women
D) Reducing the progressivism of the national income tax
Q3) In the 2010 Texas gubernatorial race, Kay Bailey Hutchison was defeated most likely due to her
A) being a woman.
B) lack of political experience.
C) status as a Democrat.
D) being portrayed as a "Washington insider."
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 6
Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5145
Sample Questions
Q1) The term "midterm election" refers to those
A) elections held by a political party to nominate candidates.
B) general elections held in non-presidential election years.
C) elections for purpose of filling office vacancies.
D) elections for purposes of recalling a government official.
Q2) How do you explain the fact that, even though Texas has virtually universal adult suffrage, well under one-half of eligible Texas citizens vote? Do you vote? If you do, why do you? If you do not, why don't you?
Q3) As a percentage, Texas's Latino population is
A) less than half of the white population.
B) more than twice the white population.
C) more than half of the state's total population.
D) about the same as the Anglo population.
Q4) According to studies, negative commercials
A) are generally not aired by the networks.
B) draw voter preference away from the candidate being attacked.
C) result in a decrease of support for the candidate financing the ads.
D) have no measurable effect on voter support.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 7
Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
70 Verified Questions
70 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5146
Sample Questions
Q1) In which of the following activities are interest groups most involved?
A) Recruiting candidates
B) Writing party platforms
C) Providing an outlet for citizen activity
D) Electioneering
Q2) Which of the following goals would a business organization be least likely to pursue?
A) Lower state or federal taxes
B) Minimum government regulations
C) Fewer concessions to labor unions
D) Increased safety and environmental standards
Q3) The primary objective of an interest group is to promote
A) the political party with which it is identified.
B) benefits that better the society as a whole.
C) the particular interests of its own members.
D) programs that will increase its membership.
Q4) Identify and discuss the factors that contribute to the success or effectiveness of interest groups. Which factors seem most important?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 8
Chapter 7: The Legislature
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5147
Sample Questions
Q1) Identify the term of office for members of the Texas legislature and their compensation for serving. Express your opinion as to whether or not the compensation reflects the amount of service provided, given the short legislative sessions.
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) 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.
Q4) The Texas Constitution establishes the offices of president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives. It subsequently designates the lieutenant governor as
A) speaker of the House.
B) president of the Senate.
C) the acting governor.
D) chief executive.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 9
Chapter 8: The Executive
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5148
Sample Questions
Q1) The governor of Texas, in his role as "commander-in-chief" may use forces of the Texas National Guard and State Guard to do all the following, except
A) provide for martial law.
B) deploy military forces overseas.
C) help with federal border security.
D) assist in state disaster relief operations.
Q2) Administering the state's tax system, and acting as its treasurer is the job of the Texas
A) Attorney General.
B) Land Commissioner.
C) Secretary of State.
D) Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Q3) Define and discuss the following legislative powers of the governor
a. line-item veto
b. special sessions
c. agenda setting
d. post-adjournment veto
Q4) Identify and describe the role of those entities responsible for education policy and oversight in Texas.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 10
Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
77 Verified Questions
77 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5149
Sample Questions
Q1) Environmental policies in Texas are coordinated by the
A) Environmental Protection Agency.
B) Department of Parks and Wildlife.
C) Department of Homeland Security.
D) Commission on Environmental Quality.
Q2) You are most likely to be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through
A) intimate sexual activity.
B) a hypodermic injection given by a physician.
C) sitting on a toilet seat in a public restroom.
D) being in the room with an AIDS sufferer who was sneezing.
Q3) "Red tape" contributes to the image of most bureaucracies as
A) in need of reform.
B) dictatorial.
C) inefficient.
D) out of touch.
Q4) Describe the principle 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."
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 11
Chapter 10: Laws, Courts, and Justice
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
78 Verified Questions
78 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5150
Sample Questions
Q1) In a civil jury trial in a state district court, the judge
A) finds the fact, and the jury applies the law.
B) applies the law, and the jury finds on the facts.
C) applies the law and consults with the jury to find the fact.
D) maintains order in the court, while the jury finds the fact and applies the law.
Q2) A case involving a business contract falls under which branch of law?
A) Civil
B) Criminal
C) Constitutional
D) Admiralty
Q3) To be a practicing attorney in the State of Texas, a lawyer must be
A) a member of the State Bar of Texas.
B) licensed by the Texas Supreme Court.
C) registered with the National Lawyers Guild.
D) a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
Q4) Defend your position on the following two issues: should all judges be attorneys and should judges be elected or appointed?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 12
Chapter 11: Finance and Fiscal Policy
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5151
Sample Questions
Q1) Arguably the most influential budgeting organization in Texas is the
A) Treasurer's Office.
B) Legislative Budget Board.
C) State Auditor's Office.
D) Governor's Office of Budget and Planning.
Q2) Which of the following programs allows parents to lock in the cost of future tuition and fees at a state university or college?
A) Teach for Texas Fund
B) Texas Tomorrow Fund
C) Available University Fund
D) Texas Grant towards Excellence Fund
Q3) The "dual budgeting" system in Texas means that both
A) revenues and expenditures are equal.
B) the house and senate must pass the budget.
C) the comptroller and treasurer authorize spending.
D) the governor and the legislature draw up budget proposals.
Q4) Describe the system of higher education funding at Texas colleges and universities.
Explain how funding for community colleges differs from that of four-year institutions.
Identify some of the controversies surrounding higher education funding.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 13