Question 1

The three most common forms of city government structure are: a mayor-council form, a city commission form, and a town meeting form.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

_____ argues that a small group of leaders possesses power and rules society.

Accepted Answer

A)   Pluralist theory
B)   Elite theory
C)   Regime analysis
D)   Public authority theory B

Question 3

The most frequently heard complaint about special districts is that they

Accepted Answer

A)   lack potential for efficient service provision.
B)   lack accountability.
C)   are less likely to be responsive to constituents whose demands are not otherwise being met.
D)   inhibit intergovernmental cooperation. B

Question 4

The council-manager form of city government emphasizes the separation of politics (the policy-making activities of the governing body) from administration (the execution of the policies enacted by the governing body).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Many New England towns continue their tradition of direct democracy through a _____ form of government.

Accepted Answer

A)   mayor-council
B)   city commission
C)   council-manager
D)   town meeting

Question 6

The weak-mayor-council structure limits the mayor's role to that of executive figurehead, and the council (of which the mayor may be a member) is the source of executive power and legislative power.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

_____ were created by states to function as their administrative appendages.

Accepted Answer

A)   Counties
B)   Special districts
C)   School districts
D)   Townships

Question 8

Which type of nonprofit organization plays a watchdog role-monitoring government and educating the public?

Accepted Answer

A)   policy advocates
B)   issue-oriented advocates
C)   civic nonprofits
D)   governing nonprofits

Question 9

Local government is the level of government that fights crime, extinguishes fires, paves streets, collects trash, maintains parks, provides water, and educates children.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

How do cities differ from counties?

Accepted Answer

A)   Cities are single-purpose units of government whereas counties are general-purpose units of government.
B)   Cities are general-purpose units of government whereas counties are single-purpose units of government.
C)   Cities have greater decision-making authority and discretion than counties.
D)   Cities have less decision-making authority and discretion than counties.

Question 11

Describe the difference between at-large and district (ward) elections. What are the consequences for each in terms of representation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the difference between at-large and district...

Question 12

In a _____ structure, the mayor shares policy responsibilities with the council and perhaps a manager, and serves a limited amount of time in office.

Accepted Answer

A)   strong-mayor
B)   pluralist
C)   weak-mayor
D)   city commission

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a feature of a strong mayor structure?

Accepted Answer

A)   a mayor who has no limitations on reelection
B)   a mayor who has a central role in budget formulation
C)   a mayor who serves a two-year term
D)   a mayor who has extensive appointment and removal powers

Question 14

Governing nonprofits are the most powerful of the four nonprofit types because they offer an alternative venue for decision making.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

What is the difference between a general-purpose and single-purpose local government?

Accepted Answer

A)   General-purpose local governments are prohibited from providing specific services, such as libraries, but single-purpose districts can provide any specific service.
B)   General-purpose local governments provide a wide range of functions whereas single-purpose governments perform one function.
C)   There are no substantive differences; these are just two names for the same type of government.
D)   Single-purpose local governments are prohibited from providing specific services, such as libraries, but general-purpose districts can provide any specific service.

Question 16

County boards have been criticized because they do not have a single professional administrator to manage county government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

In the _____ structure, the mayor lacks formal executive power; the city council (of which the mayor may be a member) is the source of executive and legislative power.

Accepted Answer

A)   strong-mayor-council
B)   council-manager
C)   weak-mayor-council
D)   city commission

Question 18

Today, city councils are less white, less male, and less passive than they were in the past.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

_____ are the professional, neutral experts whose job it is to run the day-to-day affairs of the city.

Accepted Answer

A)   Special-district boards
B)   Aldermen
C)   City managers
D)   Mayors

Question 20

Two states that do not have functional county governments are:

Accepted Answer

A)   Connecticut and Rhode Island.
B)   Virginia and Maryland.
C)   Alaska and Louisiana.
D)   Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Exam 11: Local Government: Structure and Leadership

The three most common forms of city government structure are: a mayor-council form, a city commission form, and a town meeting form.

_____ argues that a small group of leaders possesses power and rules society.

The most frequently heard complaint about special districts is that they

The council-manager form of city government emphasizes the separation of politics (the policy-making activities of the governing body) from administration (the execution of the policies enacted by the governing body).

Many New England towns continue their tradition of direct democracy through a _____ form of government.

The weak-mayor-council structure limits the mayor's role to that of executive figurehead, and the council (of which the mayor may be a member) is the source of executive power and legislative power.

_____ were created by states to function as their administrative appendages.

Which type of nonprofit organization plays a watchdog role-monitoring government and educating the public?

Local government is the level of government that fights crime, extinguishes fires, paves streets, collects trash, maintains parks, provides water, and educates children.

How do cities differ from counties?

Describe the difference between at-large and district (ward) elections. What are the consequences for each in terms of representation?

In a _____ structure, the mayor shares policy responsibilities with the council and perhaps a manager, and serves a limited amount of time in office.

Which of the following is NOT a feature of a strong mayor structure?

Governing nonprofits are the most powerful of the four nonprofit types because they offer an alternative venue for decision making.

What is the difference between a general-purpose and single-purpose local government?

County boards have been criticized because they do not have a single professional administrator to manage county government.

In the _____ structure, the mayor lacks formal executive power; the city council (of which the mayor may be a member) is the source of executive and legislative power.

Today, city councils are less white, less male, and less passive than they were in the past.

_____ are the professional, neutral experts whose job it is to run the day-to-day affairs of the city.

Two states that do not have functional county governments are: