AP US Government : Political Participation
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Other Political Participation
Which of these statements about contemporary voting behavior is most true?
The majority of the electorate does not vote in elections.
The levels of voting turnout have little impact on which political party wins an election.
Young people have the highest voting turnout.
The most important distinction between candidates, in the eyes of the voter, is their stance on economic issues.
All of these statements are true.
The majority of the electorate does not vote in elections.
Young people generally have the lowest percentage of people turning out to vote; the levels of voting impact have a large impact on which political party wins an election; the most important distinction between candidates, in the eyes of the voter, is which political party the candidate is affiliated with. The only true answer choice available is that the majority of the electorate does not vote in elections. There has been a general decline in voter turnout throughout American history.
Example Question #2 : Other Political Participation
A parochial participant in politics is __________
an individual who is willing to sacrifice his or her own political interests in order to vote for something that ensures the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
an individual who votes in favor of legislation that is in his or her best interests.
an individual who organizes campaign funding for a candidate in a state or federal election.
an individual who is active at every level of government and who tries to avoid partisan politics.
an individual who rarely votes or engages in national politics, but who is active in his or her community and seeks to make a difference through local politics.
an individual who rarely votes or engages in national politics, but who is active in his or her community and seeks to make a difference through local politics.
A parochial participant is someone who rarely votes or engages in national or even state level politics. Instead, these individuals believe that the best way to effect change is to become active in their local community and seek to make a difference through town or district politics. It is someone who is active in the local community, but ignores large-scale politics.
Example Question #1 : Other Political Participation
The term "silent majority," used to describe the majority of “middle Americans” who do not speak out publicly against political actions, but who can theoretically be relied on to vote predictably in a national election, was famously used by __________.
Barry Goldwater
Ronald Reagan
George H.W. Bush
Robert Kennedy
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
During the 1960s, there was a massive countercultural movement going on in the United States of America. In the latter part of the decade, this movement became particularly involved in protesting the Vietnam War. Richard Nixon used the phrase “silent majority” in a speech in 1969; the term refers to the non-vocal majority of the American population who he believed favored a continuation of American politics and who were underrepresented in the national media at the time.
Example Question #3 : Other Political Participation
Which of these Presidents was not assassinated?
John F. Kennedy
James Garfield
Abraham Lincoln
William Henry Harrison
All of these Presidents were assassinated.
William Henry Harrison
In United States history four Presidents have been assassinated—John F. Kennedy, James Garfield, Abraham Lincoln, and William McKinley. William Henry Harrison succumbed to illness during the first weeks of his Presidency.
Example Question #4 : Other Political Participation
Which of the following terms describes a citizen’s belief that the government understands his or her beliefs and that the individual has influence over the actions of the government?
Political efficacy
Laissez-faire
Political prowess
Social capital
Democratic consensus
Political efficacy
Political efficacy is the correct answer. This is the belief that the individual can influence the actions of the government. Social capital involves the development of a social network. Democratic consensus is the belief that through democracy, citizens will come to an agreement. Political prowess refers to skill in the political realm. Laissez-faire is a term that involves a hands-off approach by the government.
Example Question #5 : Other Political Participation
Which of the following is true of the Senate?
I. Must be at least 30 years of age
II. Must be at least 35 years of age
III. Must be a citizen of at least 7 years
IV. Population dependent
II, III, and IV
I only
II and III
I, III, and IV
I and III
I only
To be qualified for membership in the senate, one must be at least 30 years of age. A senator must also be a United States citizen for at least 9 years and must live in the state that they represent. The Vice President is president over the Senate and also serves as a tie breaker when necessary. Unlike the House of Representatives, which is population dependent, there are 2 Senators representing every state.
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