AP US Government : AP US Government

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

Example Question #136 : Political Parties And Elections

In order to be qualified to vote in the United States, one must have all of the following except _____________.

Possible Answers:

identification showing them to be at least 18 years of age

voter registration in their state

U.S. citizenship or proof of residency

political party identification

None of these answers is correct.

Correct answer:

political party identification

Explanation:

One must not identify with a political party in order to be eligible to vote. Many voters choose not to affiliate themselves with any political party, and instead just vote based on the candidates running in each election.

Example Question #137 : Political Parties And Elections

During the late 19th century and into the 20th century, a common form of voter discrimination of African Americans was _______________.

Possible Answers:

citizenship test

literacy tests

property requirements

poll taxes

white primaries

Correct answer:

literacy tests

Explanation:

After the Civil War and the passage of the 15th Amendment which guaranteed the right to vote for former black slaves, thanks to Jim Crow laws and racisms, the white majority attempted to disenfranchise black voters with biased and often doctored literacy tests (which were never given to lower-class or undereducated white voters).

Example Question #138 : Political Parties And Elections

Voter turnout is best defined as the number of ________________.

Possible Answers:

non-voters in relation to the number of people eligible and able to vote

actual voters in relation to the number of people eligible to register and vote

 people who cast a ballot in any given election

 people eligible to register and vote in relation to the number of actual voters

 people registered to vote in relation to the number of actual voters

Correct answer:

actual voters in relation to the number of people eligible to register and vote

Explanation:

Voter turnout is the number of voters who are eligible to vote and actually turn out to vote.

Example Question #139 : Political Parties And Elections

Which of the following groups is more typically a non-voting group?

Possible Answers:

Less educated Americans

Most educated Americans

Middle-income Americans

Low-income Americans

High-income Americans

Correct answer:

Less educated Americans

Explanation:

Gathering a number of statistics on voter turnout, political scientists have found that voter turnout is lowest for the least educated Americans.

Example Question #140 : Political Parties And Elections

Generally, the Founders believed the only group with a sufficient stake in society to exercise their vote responsibly were _______________.

Possible Answers:

everyone

only the educated

white men and women

white male property owners

white and black men

Correct answer:

white male property owners

Explanation:

In the early history of the American republic, the Founders believed that white male property owners had the proper stake in society to vote. The structure and content of the early voting laws in the United States reflect this view.

Example Question #141 : Political Parties And Elections

In their impact, campaigns act less to inform all voters than to ______________.

Possible Answers:

discredit the opposition 

defeat opponents

sway undecided voters

mobilize those that already support a candidate

indoctrinate voters

Correct answer:

mobilize those that already support a candidate

Explanation:

Most candidates for office can count on their base of supporters that got them into the forefront in the first place. Therefore, their mission is to get them excited enough to get out and vote.

Example Question #142 : Political Parties And Elections

When candidates exploit their opponents’ weaknesses, they are ______________.

Possible Answers:

using issue ads

doing market research

engaging in negative campaigning

engaging in informative ads

franking

Correct answer:

engaging in negative campaigning

Explanation:

Negative campaigning is often the norm in political campaign ads. Candidates can score points with voters by pointing out weaknesses and mistakes of their opponent.

Example Question #1 : Interest Groups

Which of these groups is most likely to be supported by a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

Possible Answers:

Conservative Federal Judges

Liberal Federal Judges

A religious figure

Candidates challenging an incumbent

Incumbents seeking reelection

Correct answer:

Incumbents seeking reelection

Explanation:

Political Action Committees are most likely to support an incumbent seeking reelection. Political Actions Committees are groups set up to ensure the election of one candidate over another.

Example Question #1 : Interest Groups

Which of the options listed below is not one of the most prevalent reasons why PACs choose to give money to a particular candidate?

Possible Answers:

The candidate is a new politician and is running against an incumbent candidate

The candidate is from a region or state where the PAC is also located

The candidate is on a committee which handles matters relevant to the PAC’s concerns

The candidate supports the same issue(s) as the PAC

Correct answer:

The candidate is a new politician and is running against an incumbent candidate

Explanation:

PACs give money to political campaigns for a variety of reasons but when faced with an election between an incumbent and a new candidate, PACs time and again overwhelmingly choose to sponsor the incumbent. Statistically speaking, incumbents are more likely to win re-election, even when faced with a seemingly intriguing new opponent. PACs therefore view incumbent candidates as sound investment opportunities– if a PAC’s monetary gift is able to help an incumbent retain their position, then the PAC has automatically gained a friend and potential ally who may later reciprocate by supporting PAC issues.

Example Question #1 : Interest Groups

What is a political action committee (PAC)?

Possible Answers:

An organizations that focuses on grassroots/outside lobbying

An organization that conducts voter registration drives

An organization that works to educate voters on policy

An organization within a political party that coordinates campaign events

An organization that solicits campaign contributions and distributes them to political candidates

Correct answer:

An organization that solicits campaign contributions and distributes them to political candidates

Explanation:

Political Action Committees or (PACs) are organizations created to support campaign finance for a candidate.

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