AP United States Government and Politics - Unit 8 Quiz

The importance of political parties has diminished in recent years because of ________.

decreased party loyalty among voters

the rise of social media

politicians becoming more willing to depart from the party platform

the rise of multiple parties that compete with each other

decreased party loyalty among voters

Over the course of the twentieth century, the variety of newspapers in most American cities ________.

increased

decreased

stayed the same

none of the above

decreased

How have changes in the candidate nomination process weakened political parties?

Candidates are now nominated by rank-and-file party members.

Candidates must be vetted by leadership in both parties.

Most states have laws requiring open primaries where anyone can vote.

Candidates are generally nominated by party leadership.

Candidates are now nominated by rank-and-file party members.

Which type of poll is most likely to be criticized for being slanted towards the opinions of the wealthy or well educated?

tracking polls

exit polls

straw polls

scientific polls

straw polls

How did the political landscape in the South change in the mid-twentieth century?

It became a region of battleground states, with nearly equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans.

It became more firmly Democratic.

Most white Southerners followed Democratic leadership in supporting the civil rights movement.

It became more firmly Republican.

It became more firmly Republican.

How did Donald Trump respond to reports of low approval ratings in the early months of his presidency?

He made a more concerted effort to work with both Democrats and Republicans.

He ignored them.

He argued that any negative polls came from fake news sources.

He responded with polls of his own that showed higher approval ratings.

He argued that any negative polls came from fake news sources.

Politicians tend to have the most direct connection to the public through which of the following?

the internet

radio broadcasting

newspapers

television news

the internet

The use of news media to fuel political rivalries is best exemplified by which of the following?

Franklin D. Roosevelt's radio addresses

the establishment of the popular press

newspapers created by Jefferson and Hamilton during the Washington administration

the establishment of the Associated Press in 1848

newspapers created by Jefferson and Hamilton during the Washington administration

What was the main effect of the 1973 ban on "soft money" contributions?

It strengthened most minor parties.

It temporarily strengthened the role of political parties.

It lessened the importance of political parties.

It increased the influence of corporations on political parties.

It lessened the importance of political parties.

Which of the following has led to the ratings decline of evening news shows on major broadcasting networks in recent years?

a resurgence in newspaper subscriptions

the growth of radio news shows

the 24-hour news cycle on cable news channels

competition from late-night comedy shows

the 24-hour news cycle on cable news channels

What is the best predictor of how members of a particular party in Congress will vote?

party platforms

gender

the amount of time the member has been in Congress

the region of the country they are from

party platforms

What effect did the Green Party have on the 2000 election?

It put a minor party candidate in the White House for the first time in United States history.

It helped Al Gore by taking potential voters from George W. Bush.

It caused the Democrats to distance themselves from environmental issues.

It helped George W. Bush by taking potential voters from Al Gore.

It helped George W. Bush by taking potential voters from Al Gore.

If a policymaker is acting as a delegate, he or she is more likely to ________.

focus on exit polls only

prefer straw polls to other types of polls

ignore poll data

follow public opinion polls closely

follow public opinion polls closely

How likely is an average politician to depart from his or her party?

Very likely, because voters like to know that their representatives are independent.

Very unlikely, because politicians seldom have opinions of their own.

Very unlikely, because politicians rely on the party for campaign support.

Very likely, because politicians often resent their party leadership.

Very unlikely, because politicians rely on the party for campaign support.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate are generally members of which party?

minority

Democratic

majority

Republican

majority

What fuels negative or cynical views towards politicians?

investigative journalism

press conferences and media events

the party press

the Associated Press

investigative journalism

Which type of poll is most likely to be criticized for turning an election into a "horse race"?

random sample polls

exit polls

straw polls

tracking polls

tracking polls

Which of the following news sources is a young voter most likely to turn to for political updates?

news shows on traditional broadcast networks

newspapers

National Public Radio

cable news shows

cable news shows

A straw poll is usually conducted ________.

by politicians themselves

on Election Day

multiple times leading up to an election

by a newspaper or magazine

by a newspaper or magazine

Which of the following changes helped lead to the creation of the "popular press" in America?

the invention of the telegraph

growing urban centers throughout the United States

the rise of political parties

the advent of radio and television

growing urban centers throughout the United States