Question 1

Which of these is the best explanation for the increase in the amount of constituency service?

Accepted Answer

A)  The president values his constituents, and mandates that Congress engage in this activity. 
B)  Constituent service is a consistent percentage of the annual budget. 
C)  Bureaucrats argue amongst themselves, and this causes an increase in paperwork. 
D)  The complexity of the federal government has increased as it has grown larger. 
E)  Riders on bills mandate that elected officials do more casework. 
A)  The president values his constituents, and mandates that Congress engage in this activity. 
B)  Constituent service is a consistent percentage of the annual budget. 
C)  Bureaucrats argue amongst themselves, and this causes an increase in paperwork. 
D)  The complexity of the federal government has increased as it has grown larger. 
E)  Riders on bills mandate that elected officials do more casework.

Question 2

What does the elastic clause entail?

Accepted Answer

A)  the distance between Congress and the president increases and decreases when the elastic clause is exercised 
B)  the Supreme Court can become more activist when the need to do so arises 
C)  the powers given to Congress can be expanded through the authority to make laws in the national interest 
D)  the powers given to Congress can be expanded without limit to cover any facet of daily life 
E)  the powers given to the president can be expanded through the authority to make laws in the national interest 
A)  the distance between Congress and the president increases and decreases when the elastic clause is exercised 
B)  the Supreme Court can become more activist when the need to do so arises 
C)  the powers given to Congress can be expanded through the authority to make laws in the national interest 
D)  the powers given to Congress can be expanded without limit to cover any facet of daily life 
E)  the powers given to the president can be expanded through the authority to make laws in the national interest

Question 3

Identify two collective dilemmas faced by Congress.What institutions has Congress put in place to mitigate the negative consequences of these dilemmas? How do the institutions you identify help Congress as an institution overcome the problems that would be created by the uncoordinated activities of its members?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify two collective dilemmas faced by Congress.What...

Question 4

What is the difference between plurality rule and majority rule?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plurality rule takes more people to win an election. 
B)  Plurality rule generates different legislative rules. 
C)  Plurality rule does not require more than 50 percent. 
D)  Majority rule generates different legislative rule. 
E)  Majority rule does not require more than 50 percent. 
A)  Plurality rule takes more people to win an election. 
B)  Plurality rule generates different legislative rules. 
C)  Plurality rule does not require more than 50 percent. 
D)  Majority rule generates different legislative rule. 
E)  Majority rule does not require more than 50 percent.

Question 5

Which of these models of congressional organization places the most emphasis on the growth of bureaucracies such as the congressional research service?

Accepted Answer

A)  distributional 
B)  descriptive 
C)  partisan 
D)  substantive 
E)  informational 
A)  distributional 
B)  descriptive 
C)  partisan 
D)  substantive 
E)  informational

Question 6

____________________ rules allow no amendments while ____________________ rules allow specified amendments.

Accepted Answer

A)  Open/closed 
B)  Closed/open 
C)  Open/restricted 
D)  Closed/restricted 
E)  Restricted/closed 
A)  Open/closed 
B)  Closed/open 
C)  Open/restricted 
D)  Closed/restricted 
E)  Restricted/closed

Question 7

What is the best example of party discipline?

Accepted Answer

A)  representatives leaving at the same time for their districts 
B)  representatives campaigning for one another in non-election years 
C)  representatives caucusing with their fellow partisans in election years 
D)  representatives voting with their fellow partisans on difficult votes 
E)  senators caucusing with their fellow partisans in election years 
A)  representatives leaving at the same time for their districts 
B)  representatives campaigning for one another in non-election years 
C)  representatives caucusing with their fellow partisans in election years 
D)  representatives voting with their fellow partisans on difficult votes 
E)  senators caucusing with their fellow partisans in election years

Question 8

Which of these is an allowable gerrymander?

Accepted Answer

A)  two completely separated portions of one district 
B)  income-based distribution of constituents 
C)  minority-heavy districts relative to the general population 
D)  preference for individual business interests 
E)  decreasing the population of the district relative to other districts in the state 
A)  two completely separated portions of one district 
B)  income-based distribution of constituents 
C)  minority-heavy districts relative to the general population 
D)  preference for individual business interests 
E)  decreasing the population of the district relative to other districts in the state

Question 9

The ____________________ model emphasizes committees while the ____________________ model emphasizes leadership control.

Accepted Answer

A)  partisan/distributional 
B)  distributional/expertise 
C)  expertise/distributional 
D)  partisan/expertise 
E)  expertise/partisan 
A)  partisan/distributional 
B)  distributional/expertise 
C)  expertise/distributional 
D)  partisan/expertise 
E)  expertise/partisan

Question 10

Why are subcommittees allowed to exist?

Accepted Answer

A)  solving collective dilemmas in committees 
B)  mandated by the Constitution 
C)  greatly benefit party whips 
D)  passing legislation is easier for the president 
E)  partisans favor their creation 
A)  solving collective dilemmas in committees 
B)  mandated by the Constitution 
C)  greatly benefit party whips 
D)  passing legislation is easier for the president 
E)  partisans favor their creation

Question 11

Why would two sitting incumbents face each other in a general election for Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  One moved to run for the Senate and lost. 
B)  Each is running for governor. 
C)  They have been redistricted into the same district. 
D)  Their districts have been moved into the same state. 
E)  Incumbents do not face each other in general elections. 
A)  One moved to run for the Senate and lost. 
B)  Each is running for governor. 
C)  They have been redistricted into the same district. 
D)  Their districts have been moved into the same state. 
E)  Incumbents do not face each other in general elections.

Question 12

The Congressional Black Caucus holds a meeting at the beginning of every session.What is it most likely they discuss in those meetings?

Accepted Answer

A)  issues related to the Democractic Party 
B)  issues related to the Republican Party 
C)  issues related to African Americans 
D)  issues related to African politics 
E)  issues related to urban politics 
A)  issues related to the Democractic Party 
B)  issues related to the Republican Party 
C)  issues related to African Americans 
D)  issues related to African politics 
E)  issues related to urban politics

Question 13

What is an effect of primary elections for Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  increased party control of members 
B)  increased power for committees 
C)  decreased power for individual members 
D)  decreased party control of members 
E)  decreased power for committees 
A)  increased party control of members 
B)  increased power for committees 
C)  decreased power for individual members 
D)  decreased party control of members 
E)  decreased power for committees

Question 14

____________________ representation is more independent of district opinion than ____________________ representation.

Accepted Answer

A)  delegate/descriptive 
B)  descriptive/substantive 
C)  substantive/trustee 
D)  delegate/trustee 
E)  trustee/delegate 
A)  delegate/descriptive 
B)  descriptive/substantive 
C)  substantive/trustee 
D)  delegate/trustee 
E)  trustee/delegate

Question 15

How do campaign finance laws advantage incumbents?

Accepted Answer

A)  Incumbents are allowed to take unlimited donations from private groups and challengers are not. 
B)  Incumbents are allowed to give an unlimited number of speeches, and challengers are not. 
C)  Incumbents are allowed to roll over their offices and gain more from previous elections, and challengers are not. 
D)  Incumbents are allowed to change their tax status, and challengers are not. 
E)  Incumbents are allowed to roll over funds from previous elections, and challengers cannot. 
A)  Incumbents are allowed to take unlimited donations from private groups and challengers are not. 
B)  Incumbents are allowed to give an unlimited number of speeches, and challengers are not. 
C)  Incumbents are allowed to roll over their offices and gain more from previous elections, and challengers are not. 
D)  Incumbents are allowed to change their tax status, and challengers are not. 
E)  Incumbents are allowed to roll over funds from previous elections, and challengers cannot.

Question 16

Why might a representative propose a bill knowing it will fail?

Accepted Answer

A)  Party leaders write the bill for the member. 
B)  Guaranteed referral to a committee on which the member serves. 
C)  Popularity with the representative's constituents. 
D)  The Supreme Court is unlikely to strike down the bill. 
E)  The president favors the legislation. 
A)  Party leaders write the bill for the member. 
B)  Guaranteed referral to a committee on which the member serves. 
C)  Popularity with the representative's constituents. 
D)  The Supreme Court is unlikely to strike down the bill. 
E)  The president favors the legislation.

Question 17

Why would free riding occur in Congressional politics?

Accepted Answer

A)  Representatives utilize air travel to visit their constituents as often as possible. 
B)  Writing legislation is difficult, and members will let other members do it. 
C)  Being a representative is difficult, and members do not put effort into their tasks. 
D)  Committees are not valuable, and members do not want to be on difficult ones. 
E)  Parties allow members to not work in order to advance. 
A)  Representatives utilize air travel to visit their constituents as often as possible. 
B)  Writing legislation is difficult, and members will let other members do it. 
C)  Being a representative is difficult, and members do not put effort into their tasks. 
D)  Committees are not valuable, and members do not want to be on difficult ones. 
E)  Parties allow members to not work in order to advance.

Question 18

Which of these is a duty of the party whip?

Accepted Answer

A)  organize party retreats for member organization 
B)  write legislation that is in the best interest of the party 
C)  encourage members to vote for party-sponsored legislation 
D)  coordinate partisans on relevant committees to produce partisan legislation 
E)  speak at party events with outside interest groups 
A)  organize party retreats for member organization 
B)  write legislation that is in the best interest of the party 
C)  encourage members to vote for party-sponsored legislation 
D)  coordinate partisans on relevant committees to produce partisan legislation 
E)  speak at party events with outside interest groups

Question 19

Identify and define the four major models of congressional activity described in the text.Explain how each model can explain some aspect or aspects of the congressional committee system.Which model is most consistent with the structure and operation of congressional committees?

Accepted Answer

The four major models of congressional a

Question 20

What effect does the separation of powers have on the pace of legislation?

Accepted Answer

A)  slowed down 
B)  sped up 
C)  remains the same 
D)  slower through the Supreme Court 
E)  slower through the bureaucracy 
A)  slowed down 
B)  sped up 
C)  remains the same 
D)  slower through the Supreme Court 
E)  slower through the bureaucracy

Which of these is the best explanation for the increase in the amount of constituency service?

What does the elastic clause entail?

What is the difference between plurality rule and majority rule?

Which of these models of congressional organization places the most emphasis on the growth of bureaucracies such as the congressional research service?

rules allow no amendments while rules allow specified amendments.

What is the best example of party discipline?

Which of these is an allowable gerrymander?

The model emphasizes committees while the model emphasizes leadership control.

Why are subcommittees allowed to exist?

Why would two sitting incumbents face each other in a general election for Congress?

The Congressional Black Caucus holds a meeting at the beginning of every session.What is it most likely they discuss in those meetings?

What is an effect of primary elections for Congress?

representation is more independent of district opinion than representation.

How do campaign finance laws advantage incumbents?

Why might a representative propose a bill knowing it will fail?

Why would free riding occur in Congressional politics?

Which of these is a duty of the party whip?

Identify and define the four major models of congressional activity described in the text.Explain how each model can explain some aspect or aspects of the congressional committee system.Which model is most consistent with the structure and operation of congressional committees?

What effect does the separation of powers have on the pace of legislation?

Introduction

the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Rights and Liberties

the Presidency

the Bureaucracy

the Judiciary

Public Opinion

Political Participation

Interest Groups and Social Movements

Political Parties

Elections and Campaigns

Mass Media and the Press

Economic Policy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy

Filters

Exam 5: Congress

Which of these is the best explanation for the increase in the amount of constituency service?

What does the elastic clause entail?

What is the difference between plurality rule and majority rule?

Which of these models of congressional organization places the most emphasis on the growth of bureaucracies such as the congressional research service?

____________________ rules allow no amendments while ____________________ rules allow specified amendments.

What is the best example of party discipline?

Which of these is an allowable gerrymander?

The ____________________ model emphasizes committees while the ____________________ model emphasizes leadership control.

Why are subcommittees allowed to exist?

Why would two sitting incumbents face each other in a general election for Congress?

The Congressional Black Caucus holds a meeting at the beginning of every session.What is it most likely they discuss in those meetings?

What is an effect of primary elections for Congress?

____________________ representation is more independent of district opinion than ____________________ representation.

How do campaign finance laws advantage incumbents?

Why might a representative propose a bill knowing it will fail?

Why would free riding occur in Congressional politics?

Which of these is a duty of the party whip?

Identify and define the four major models of congressional activity described in the text.Explain how each model can explain some aspect or aspects of the congressional committee system.Which model is most consistent with the structure and operation of congressional committees?

What effect does the separation of powers have on the pace of legislation?

Introduction

the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Rights and Liberties

the Presidency

the Bureaucracy

the Judiciary

Public Opinion

Political Participation

Interest Groups and Social Movements

Political Parties

Elections and Campaigns

Mass Media and the Press

Economic Policy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy

Filters

rules allow no amendments while rules allow specified amendments.

The model emphasizes committees while the model emphasizes leadership control.

representation is more independent of district opinion than representation.