Question 1

Which group includes Canada's prime minister and provincial premiers?

Accepted Answer

A)  heads of government 
B)  heads of state 
C)  Privy Council 
D)  Parliament 
A)  heads of government 
B)  heads of state 
C)  Privy Council 
D)  Parliament

Question 2

What was the purpose of the Parliament Act of 1911 in Great Britain?

Accepted Answer

A)  It gave the House of Lords equal power with the House of Commons. 
B)  It reduced the power of the House of Lords over legislation to a suspensory veto. 
C)  It created a bicameral legislature. 
D)  It abolished bicameralism in Great Britain. 
A)  It gave the House of Lords equal power with the House of Commons. 
B)  It reduced the power of the House of Lords over legislation to a suspensory veto. 
C)  It created a bicameral legislature. 
D)  It abolished bicameralism in Great Britain.

Question 3

How is membership in the Canadian Senate decided?

Accepted Answer

A)  regional elections, the Senate being a regional institution 
B)  hereditary right, as in its counterpart, the House of Lords 
C)  direct election 
D)  appointment by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister 
A)  regional elections, the Senate being a regional institution 
B)  hereditary right, as in its counterpart, the House of Lords 
C)  direct election 
D)  appointment by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the executive in Canada is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  it does not include the House of Commons 
B)  it consists of the Crown, the prime minister, and the cabinet 
C)  it is made up entirely of elected officials 
D)  it has the capacity to introduce both policy and money bills 
A)  it does not include the House of Commons 
B)  it consists of the Crown, the prime minister, and the cabinet 
C)  it is made up entirely of elected officials 
D)  it has the capacity to introduce both policy and money bills

Question 5

Who represents the Crown in Canada?

Accepted Answer

A)  the monarch, Governor General, and Lieutenant Governors 
B)  the Governor General, Solicitor General, and Lieutenant Governors 
C)  the Prime Minister, Governor General, and Lieutenant Governors 
D)  the monarch, Prime Minister, and Governor General 
A)  the monarch, Governor General, and Lieutenant Governors 
B)  the Governor General, Solicitor General, and Lieutenant Governors 
C)  the Prime Minister, Governor General, and Lieutenant Governors 
D)  the monarch, Prime Minister, and Governor General

Question 6

In Canada,when a government is defeated,the head of state has two options: either dissolve parliament and call elections,or select a new government without fresh elections.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The customary term used to describe the American system of presidential government is the ______________ of powers,also known as checks and ____________.One of the famous architects of this system was James ______________.

Accepted Answer

separation

Question 8

What was James Madison's main political accomplishment?

Accepted Answer

A)  He was the chief designer of the parliamentary system of government. 
B)  He described a system of government characterized as separated institutions sharing power. 
C)  He drafted the Declaration of Independence. 
D)  He favoured the centralization of government power in one sovereign body. 
A)  He was the chief designer of the parliamentary system of government. 
B)  He described a system of government characterized as separated institutions sharing power. 
C)  He drafted the Declaration of Independence. 
D)  He favoured the centralization of government power in one sovereign body.

Question 9

What does the term "separation of powers" refer to?

Accepted Answer

A)  the division of authority between different regions in a federal system 
B)  the division of authority between political parties, the bureaucracy, and the executive 
C)  the division of authority between federal, provincial/state, and local governments 
D)  the division of authority between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government 
A)  the division of authority between different regions in a federal system 
B)  the division of authority between political parties, the bureaucracy, and the executive 
C)  the division of authority between federal, provincial/state, and local governments 
D)  the division of authority between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

Question 10

Which of the following assumptions is the idea of a separation of powers most likely based on?

Accepted Answer

A)  Given too much power, there is no guarantee that a leader will remain committed to the rule of law. 
B)  No single institution can handle all aspects of government. 
C)  People with different expertise will be drawn to different institutions. 
D)  Making laws should be the responsibility of the representatives of the people, not appointed judges. 
A)  Given too much power, there is no guarantee that a leader will remain committed to the rule of law. 
B)  No single institution can handle all aspects of government. 
C)  People with different expertise will be drawn to different institutions. 
D)  Making laws should be the responsibility of the representatives of the people, not appointed judges.

Question 11

Which of the features is present in both the Canadian and American executives?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cabinet members are selected by the head of government. 
B)  Cabinet members are chosen from representatives in the legislative body. 
C)  Cabinet solidarity exists amongst all members. 
D)  Executive dominance plays a role in the interaction of cabinet and the legislative body. 
A)  Cabinet members are selected by the head of government. 
B)  Cabinet members are chosen from representatives in the legislative body. 
C)  Cabinet solidarity exists amongst all members. 
D)  Executive dominance plays a role in the interaction of cabinet and the legislative body.

Question 12

The American president is both head of state and head of government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

A parliamentary government,on occasion,may allow members to vote according to their conscience.However,what is usually imposed in order to maintain a majority and confidence in the House?

Accepted Answer

A)  an official opposition 
B)  a party caucus 
C)  party discipline 
D)  responsible government 
A)  an official opposition 
B)  a party caucus 
C)  party discipline 
D)  responsible government

Question 14

In the Canadian parliamentary system,under which offices are the legislative and executive powers effectively united?

Accepted Answer

A)  the prime minister and cabinet, but not the Crown 
B)  the cabinet and the Crown, but not the prime minister 
C)  the Crown and the prime minister, but not the cabinet 
D)  legislative committees 
A)  the prime minister and cabinet, but not the Crown 
B)  the cabinet and the Crown, but not the prime minister 
C)  the Crown and the prime minister, but not the cabinet 
D)  legislative committees

Question 15

Which term refers to a statute when it is under consideration by Parliament?

Accepted Answer

A)  an act 
B)  a prerogative 
C)  a bill 
D)  a resolution 
A)  an act 
B)  a prerogative 
C)  a bill 
D)  a resolution

Question 16

Votes of confidence in the American Senate can NOT override a presidential veto.Why is this true statement?

Accepted Answer

A)  because the President acts only on the advice and consent of the Senate 
B)  because nothing can override a presidential veto 
C)  because a vote of confidence occurs when both houses pass a bill, after it has been rejected, by a simple majority 
D)  because votes of confidence do not exist in the American presidential system 
A)  because the President acts only on the advice and consent of the Senate 
B)  because nothing can override a presidential veto 
C)  because a vote of confidence occurs when both houses pass a bill, after it has been rejected, by a simple majority 
D)  because votes of confidence do not exist in the American presidential system

Question 17

What is the vote of confidence designed to do in the American system of government?

Accepted Answer

A)  It overrides a presidential veto. 
B)  It forces an election. 
C)  It shows support for the president. 
D)  There is no vote of confidence. 
A)  It overrides a presidential veto. 
B)  It forces an election. 
C)  It shows support for the president. 
D)  There is no vote of confidence.

Question 18

Why might the Canadian Senate considered to be a less democratic institution than the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Senate delays legislation. 
B)  The Senate and Senate committees have made alterations to legislative proposals. 
C)  The Senate is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. 
D)  The Senate membership is decided by regional elections, the Senate being a regional institution. 
A)  The Senate delays legislation. 
B)  The Senate and Senate committees have made alterations to legislative proposals. 
C)  The Senate is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. 
D)  The Senate membership is decided by regional elections, the Senate being a regional institution.

Question 19

In a parliamentary system,which term is commonly used to refer to the largest opposition party in the elected chamber of the legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Queen's opposition 
B)  Official Opposition 
C)  minority 
D)  Parliamentary Committee 
A)  Queen's opposition 
B)  Official Opposition 
C)  minority 
D)  Parliamentary Committee

Question 20

Which of the following parliamentary committee members theoretically has the MOST influence on legislative initiatives?

Accepted Answer

A)  An opposition MP in a minority government situation. 
B)  An opposition MP in a majority government situation. 
C)  A government MP in a minority government situation. 
D)  An opposition MP in a coalition government situation. 
A)  An opposition MP in a minority government situation. 
B)  An opposition MP in a majority government situation. 
C)  A government MP in a minority government situation. 
D)  An opposition MP in a coalition government situation.

Exam 20: Parliamentary and Presidential Systems

Which group includes Canada's prime minister and provincial premiers?

What was the purpose of the Parliament Act of 1911 in Great Britain?

How is membership in the Canadian Senate decided?

Which of the following statements about the executive in Canada is NOT true?

Who represents the Crown in Canada?

In Canada,when a government is defeated,the head of state has two options: either dissolve parliament and call elections,or select a new government without fresh elections.

The customary term used to describe the American system of presidential government is the ______________ of powers,also known as checks and ____________.One of the famous architects of this system was James ______________.

What was James Madison's main political accomplishment?

What does the term "separation of powers" refer to?

Which of the following assumptions is the idea of a separation of powers most likely based on?

Which of the features is present in both the Canadian and American executives?

The American president is both head of state and head of government.

A parliamentary government,on occasion,may allow members to vote according to their conscience.However,what is usually imposed in order to maintain a majority and confidence in the House?

In the Canadian parliamentary system,under which offices are the legislative and executive powers effectively united?

Which term refers to a statute when it is under consideration by Parliament?

Votes of confidence in the American Senate can NOT override a presidential veto.Why is this true statement?

What is the vote of confidence designed to do in the American system of government?

Why might the Canadian Senate considered to be a less democratic institution than the House of Commons?

In a parliamentary system,which term is commonly used to refer to the largest opposition party in the elected chamber of the legislature?

Which of the following parliamentary committee members theoretically has the MOST influence on legislative initiatives?

Government and Politics

Power, Legitimacy, and Authority

Sovereignty, State and Citizenship

The Nation

Political Culture and Socialization

Law

Constitutionalism

Cooperation under Anarchy

Ideology

Liberalism

Conservatism

Socialism and Communism

Nationalism

Feminism

Environmentalism

Classification of Political Systems

Liberal Democracy

Transitions to Democracy

Autocratic Systems of Government

Unitary and Federal Systems

The Political Process

Interest Groups and Political Parties

Communications Media

Elections and Electoral Systems

Representative Assemblies

The Political Executive

The Administration

The Judiciary

Filters

The customary term used to describe the American system of presidential government is the of powers,also known as checks and .One of the famous architects of this system was James .