All AP US Government Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Fundamental Political Beliefs
Which of the following options are considered basic tenets of American political culture?
I) Civic responsibility
II) Economic equality
III) Individual rights
I, II, and III
III
I and III
I
I and II
I and III
Civic responsibility, also called "civic duty," refers to the idea that all eligible American citizens have a duty to vote and engage actively with the democratic political process. Individual rights refers to the idea that all individuals have certain inalienable rights that cannot be violated or impressed upon by the government. America has supposedly equal ability to compete economically, but true economic equality cannot realistically be a feature of a capitalist society.
Example Question #2 : Fundamental Political Beliefs
Why Thomas Jefferson support voting restrictions based on income and land ownership?
He thought that those who did not own land were morally inferior to those who did and thus did not deserve a vote.
He felt that a man who was fully dependent on another, an employee, could then be economically coerced into voting contrary to his own conscience.
He wanted to solidify power in the hands of himself and his friends.
He considered it rude to allow poorer classes in the same voting places as richer people.
He thought then that those who owned land had more knowledge of how to successfully manage structures and institutions.
He felt that a man who was fully dependent on another, an employee, could then be economically coerced into voting contrary to his own conscience.
Thomas Jefferson in particular argued that employees could not freely exercise democratic privileges because their bosses would inevitably force them to vote as the bosses wished. Jefferson believed that democracy must occur in public, every man aware of his neighbors' positions. While many of the other answers sound plausible, it's important to consider the philosophy of a figure as influential and ideological as Thomas Jefferson.
Example Question #2 : Citizen Role In Politics
The “honeymoon period” refers to __________.
the inflated popularity of a president shortly after being elected
the increased success of presidential incumbents who try to get reelected as opposed to presidential candidates who try to get elected to the office for the first time
the decline in popularity that a president suffers during times of economic recession
the ability of a president to pursue his political agenda with greater success in his second term in office
the inflated popularity of a political party shortly after its creation
the inflated popularity of a president shortly after being elected
The term “honeymoon period” is used to refer to the inflation of popularity that a president generally receives shortly after being elected. For the vast majority of presidents, their popularity reaches its peak shortly after coming into office and then declines until they are either voted out of office or their term limits expire.
Example Question #3 : Fundamental Political Beliefs
In Federalist #10 James Madison argued in favor of which of the following forms of government?
Representative democracy
Oligarchy
Monarchy
Direct democracy
Aristocracy
Representative democracy
You can immediately eliminate the forms of government that were not advocated by the Founding Fathers: monarchy, aristocracy, and oligarchy. James Madison wrote in Federalist #10 about the dangers of many factions. He believed that these factions would arise as a result of a direct democracy. For him, the representative democracy would be the best form of government because it allowed for the expression of ideas, but for these ideas to be put through the filter of representatives in the government.
Example Question #2 : Political Ideals And Beliefs
The power to legislate for the health, safety, welfare, and morals of the people is known as _______________.
Police powers
Social welfare
Legislative powers
Civil obligation
Constitutionalism
Police powers
Police powers are the powers, given to the legislative branch of government, to legislate for the health, safety, welfare, and morals of the people. Police powers were commonly used by the states to take care of internal affairs. When constructing the Constitution, it was recognized that the states had lots of power through police powers; therefore, the national government needed more.
Example Question #1 : Political Ideals And Beliefs
The term "political socialization" refers to a process by which
Governments redistribute wealth among their citizens
People become more involved in the political process as they grow older
Governments become more intrusive in their citizens' lives
People acquire their political affiliations, ideas, and behaviors
People come into contact with other citizens through political discussions
People acquire their political affiliations, ideas, and behaviors
The term political socialization refers to the process through which people develop their political beliefs and affiliations. Agents of political socialization can include (but are not limited to) families, the media, friends, schools, and religious communities.
Example Question #4 : Fundamental Political Beliefs
Political socialization is best described as __________.
the process by which an individual comes to their political opinions and feelings
the ability of the media to manipulate the political opinions of the population
the process by which the arrival of various immigrant groups changes American society
the process by which an immigrant is assimilated into American society
the discord that exists between government rhetoric and government action
the process by which an individual comes to their political opinions and feelings
Political socialization is the term given to the process by which an individual comes to their political opinions and feelings. It is how someone decides what they believe and who they will vote for. The most important factors are usually parents, economic background, and the media.
Example Question #3 : Fundamental Political Beliefs
The process by which an American citizen acquires a political identity is called?
Grassroots movement
National assimilation
Political socialization
Special interest formation
Political methodology
Political socialization
Political socialization is the long and complex process by which an individual citizen acquires a political identity: it includes the individuals for whom they might vote, what issues they support, and how seriously they take their political responsibilities (and the political system in general). Political socialization is primarily directed by family life, but there is a myriad of other factors, including education, the media, and affiliation with some special group, like a trade union.
Example Question #1 : Forming Political Beliefs
Which of these demographics groups is incorrectly matched with the political party for which they will most likely vote, based on recent election results?
All of these demographic groups are correctly matched with the political party they recently have been most likely to vote for.
Urban individuals : Democrats.
Women : Democrats.
African Americans : Democrats.
Rural people : Republicans.
All of these demographic groups are correctly matched with the political party they recently have been most likely to vote for.
All of these social groups are correctly matched with the political party that members of that social group are considered most likely to vote for. African Americans, women, and people living in cities have recently been more likely to vote for a candidate from the Democratic Party. White men, very wealthy individuals, devout protestants, and people from rural backgrounds have recently been more likely to vote Republican.
Example Question #4 : Fundamental Political Beliefs
Which of these best summarizes the political beliefs of a libertarian?
Favor a free market economy and no government interference in social life or personal liberty
Favor a regulated economy, but no government interference in social or private life
Favor a free market economy, but with government regulation of social behavior
Favor a regulated economy and government regulation of social behavior
Favor a strong centralized government that spends heavily on defense programs
Favor a free market economy and no government interference in social life or personal liberty
Libertarianism is a political philosophy that takes its name from original liberalism. Libertarians believe that the government should be very small and have limited powers. They favor a completely free and unregulated economy and believe the government should not be able to interfere in social or private life, or regulate personal liberty.