Question 1

Constituents tend to have the greatest influence on the voting decisions of state legislators.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

In what case did the Supreme Court rule that "the fundamental principle of representative government in this country is one of equal representation of people, without regard to race, sex, economic status, or place of residence within a state"?

Accepted Answer

A) Baker v.Carr 
B) Reynolds v.Sims 
C) Johnson v.Voting Rights Act 
D) Warren v.Buffett 
E) Turner v.Tennessee 
A) Baker v.Carr 
B) Reynolds v.Sims 
C) Johnson v.Voting Rights Act 
D) Warren v.Buffett 
E) Turner v.Tennessee

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a way in which state legislatures have changed in recent decades?

Accepted Answer

A) Higher salaries 
B) More effective committee systems 
C) Move toward longer annual sessions 
D) Growth of staff support 
E) Longer terms in office 
A) Higher salaries 
B) More effective committee systems 
C) Move toward longer annual sessions 
D) Growth of staff support 
E) Longer terms in office

Question 4

The typical state senate has about _________ members.

Accepted Answer

A) 40 
B) 200 
C) 100 
D) 10 
E) 535 
A) 40 
B) 200 
C) 100 
D) 10 
E) 535

Question 5

What 1962 U.S.Supreme Court case determined that voters did have grounds upon which to challenge legislative apportionment and that federal courts should consider such questions?

Accepted Answer

A) Swann v.Charlotte-Mecklenberg 
B) Baker v.Carr 
C) Wesberry v.Sanders 
D) Reynolds v.Sims 
E) Brown v.Board of Education of Topeka 
A) Swann v.Charlotte-Mecklenberg 
B) Baker v.Carr 
C) Wesberry v.Sanders 
D) Reynolds v.Sims 
E) Brown v.Board of Education of Topeka

Question 6

State senator Jane Doe votes in favor of allowing casinos in her state as a way to increase state revenues despite the fact that a majority of her constituents oppose allowing casinos.This is an example of what type of interpretation of her role as a legislator?

Accepted Answer

A) Delegate 
B) Trustee 
C) Ombudsmen 
D) Lobbyist 
E) Caucus 
A) Delegate 
B) Trustee 
C) Ombudsmen 
D) Lobbyist 
E) Caucus

Question 7

If legislators consider themselves to be trustees of their constituents, they will tend to adhere closely to their constituents' instructions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

In all but five states, representatives serve two-year terms.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

As of 2011, which of the following states' legislatures were NOT controlled by any major party, but had split control?

Accepted Answer

A) Nebraska 
B) Ohio 
C) Florida 
D) Wisconsin 
E) Washington 
A) Nebraska 
B) Ohio 
C) Florida 
D) Wisconsin 
E) Washington

Question 10

Which of the following is true about interest groups in American states?

Accepted Answer

A) They have a significant and growing influence on state legislatures 
B) They use bribery as their primary tool to influence legislators 
C) Their influence is small and diminishing 
D) They are illegal in most states 
E) They do not ever get involved in elections 
A) They have a significant and growing influence on state legislatures 
B) They use bribery as their primary tool to influence legislators 
C) Their influence is small and diminishing 
D) They are illegal in most states 
E) They do not ever get involved in elections

Question 11

A _________________ legislature has only one chamber.

Accepted Answer

A) unicameral 
B) universal 
C) uniform 
D) united 
E) unitary 
A) unicameral 
B) universal 
C) uniform 
D) united 
E) unitary

Question 12

Malapportionment in state legislative districts prior to the 1960s was often supported by

Accepted Answer

A) legislators from major metropolitan areas. 
B) third-party candidates. 
C) residents of big cities. 
D) minorities. 
E) None of the above 
A) legislators from major metropolitan areas. 
B) third-party candidates. 
C) residents of big cities. 
D) minorities. 
E) None of the above

Question 13

Though they perform generally the same functions, state legislative committees vary in power and influence from state to state.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The Wesberry v.Sanders decision (1964) was subsequently modified to allow for somewhat more population discrepancies among state legislative districts than those allowed in federal congressional districts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

To address shortcomings, state legislatures in recent decades have

Accepted Answer

A) become appointed rather than elected bodies. 
B) adopted internal reforms. 
C) significantly decreased staff support. 
D) become less professional. 
E) None of the above 
A) become appointed rather than elected bodies. 
B) adopted internal reforms. 
C) significantly decreased staff support. 
D) become less professional. 
E) None of the above

Question 16

On average, how many state legislative elections are uncontested?

Accepted Answer

A) One-fourth 
B) One-third 
C) One-half 
D) One-fifth 
E) Two-thirds 
A) One-fourth 
B) One-third 
C) One-half 
D) One-fifth 
E) Two-thirds

Question 17

A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches is known as a lobbyist.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a typical state legislator?

Accepted Answer

A) White 
B) Previous political experience 
C) Lower than average education 
D) Higher than average income 
E) Male 
A) White 
B) Previous political experience 
C) Lower than average education 
D) Higher than average income 
E) Male

Question 19

Which state's larger chamber of the legislature (house of representatives, assembly, or house of delegates, depending upon the state) has the most members?

Accepted Answer

A) Alaska 
B) New Hampshire 
C) Alabama 
D) Louisiana 
E) Nebraska 
A) Alaska 
B) New Hampshire 
C) Alabama 
D) Louisiana 
E) Nebraska

Question 20

The smaller chamber of state legislatures is generally called the

Accepted Answer

A) lower chamber. 
B) House of Lords. 
C) House of Representatives. 
D) bigger body. 
E) Senate. 
A) lower chamber. 
B) House of Lords. 
C) House of Representatives. 
D) bigger body. 
E) Senate.

Exam 24: State Legislatures

Constituents tend to have the greatest influence on the voting decisions of state legislators.

In what case did the Supreme Court rule that "the fundamental principle of representative government in this country is one of equal representation of people, without regard to race, sex, economic status, or place of residence within a state"?

Which of the following is NOT a way in which state legislatures have changed in recent decades?

The typical state senate has about _________ members.

What 1962 U.S.Supreme Court case determined that voters did have grounds upon which to challenge legislative apportionment and that federal courts should consider such questions?

State senator Jane Doe votes in favor of allowing casinos in her state as a way to increase state revenues despite the fact that a majority of her constituents oppose allowing casinos.This is an example of what type of interpretation of her role as a legislator?

If legislators consider themselves to be trustees of their constituents, they will tend to adhere closely to their constituents' instructions.

In all but five states, representatives serve two-year terms.

As of 2011, which of the following states' legislatures were NOT controlled by any major party, but had split control?

Which of the following is true about interest groups in American states?

A _________________ legislature has only one chamber.

Malapportionment in state legislative districts prior to the 1960s was often supported by

Though they perform generally the same functions, state legislative committees vary in power and influence from state to state.

The Wesberry v.Sanders decision (1964) was subsequently modified to allow for somewhat more population discrepancies among state legislative districts than those allowed in federal congressional districts.

To address shortcomings, state legislatures in recent decades have

On average, how many state legislative elections are uncontested?

A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches is known as a lobbyist.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a typical state legislator?

Which state's larger chamber of the legislature (house of representatives, assembly, or house of delegates, depending upon the state) has the most members?

The smaller chamber of state legislatures is generally called the

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