AP US Government : National Government Institutions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

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Example Question #22 : Institutional Relationships

The so-called “graying of America” refers to the __________.

Possible Answers:

decline in the number of Americans attending higher education

growth of minority populations in most American states

reduced involvement of the United States in foreign conflicts in the twenty-first century

demographic aging of the US population

growth in the number of Americans attending higher education

Correct answer:

demographic aging of the US population

Explanation:

The “graying of America” is a demographic term used to describe the aging of the population in contemporary times. The average age is steadily rising, as baby boomers are becoming older. This could have challenging consequences for the current young generation, because there will be less people paying into social security and more people withdrawing money.

Example Question #2 : Relationships With The Public

Pork barrel legislation is best defined as __________.

Possible Answers:

the practice of supporting a popular president even when he or she is a member of a rival political party

the act of supporting a judge for the judiciary who is guaranteed to favor one party’s policies over another

the practice of elected officials gaining funding for a project or issue that favors their district

the policy of giving government jobs to employees based on personal favors and political arrangements

the act of passing legislation that attempts to ensure the incumbent will be reelected

Correct answer:

the practice of elected officials gaining funding for a project or issue that favors their district

Explanation:

Pork barrel legislation is the term given to the common legislative practice of elected officials gaining funding through legislature for a project that favors their home district. At its most controversial, pork barrel legislation is concerned with gaining funding for something that disproportionately affects the representative's district but is paid for by the taxes of the whole nation.

Example Question #23 : Institutional Relationships

Which of the following descibres the roll of the executive and legislative branch in a presidential democracy? 

Possible Answers:

In a presidential democracy, the legislature is more accountable to the executive than it is to the voters.

In a presidential democracy, the executive is more accountable to the legislature than it is to the voters.

In a presidential democracy, the executive and the legislature are both directly accountable to the citizens.

In a presidential democracy, the executive and the legislature are less accountable to the citizens than they are to each other.

Correct answer:

In a presidential democracy, the executive and the legislature are both directly accountable to the citizens.

Explanation:

The main purpose of this question is to test the students understanding of accountability. Specifically, the difference in accountability between a parliamentary and presidential system. In a presidential democracy, all members of the legislative branch, and the president are both elected, and thus are directly voted on by citizens, making them accountable to those citizens.

While the two branches are dependent and accountable to one another, in one way or another, their relationship to the citizenry is the most fundamental aspect of their accountability.

Example Question #1 : Relationships With Interest Groups

Which of these is currently a federal restriction on lobbyists?

Possible Answers:

Lobbyists must apply for licenses to lobby to Congress.

Former members of Congress must wait up to two years before lobbying directly to former colleagues. 

Foreign entities may not lobby state or federal governments.

Lobbyists may not work in multiple states simultaneously.

State funds may never be used to lobby state or federal governments.

Correct answer:

Former members of Congress must wait up to two years before lobbying directly to former colleagues. 

Explanation:

Controversy has arisen in the past few decades over the role of former members of Congress in lobbying. This has led to what is called a "revolving door" in Congress. In light of this, light restrictions have been added that prevent former members of Congress from lobbying to former staff for one year, and other members of Congress for two. Students should be aware of current controversies surrounding interest groups in the United States.

With respect to the other answers, few states have restrictions on state funds being used to lobby, lobbyists must register but do not need to apply for licensing, lobbyists can certainly work in multiple states, and foreign entities can lobby the government as long as they adhere to certain restrictions.

Example Question #2 : Relationships With Interest Groups

Which of these Federal departments manages programs related to Native Americans?

Possible Answers:

The Department of Homeland Security

The Department of State

The Department of Justice

The Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of the Interior

Correct answer:

The Department of the Interior

Explanation:

The Department of the Interior manages programs related to Native Americans. The Department of the Interior is also responsible for the management of Federal land and national parks, as well as conservation and the management of natural resources.

Example Question #762 : Ap Us Government

The White House Press Secretary is a position established within the executive branch to effectively deal with

Possible Answers:

state legislatures.

members of congress.

everyday voters.

interactions with the news media.

Correct answer:

interactions with the news media.

Explanation:

The White House Press Secretary is a modern phenomenon, only created in the last half of the twentieth century with the explosion of different forms of news media. With a daily briefing in the White House Press Room, the Press Secretary's main function is to distill the President's message for the White House Press Corps and to answer any of their questions. While this has a residual effect of extending the message to other groups, the chief task of a Press Secretary is to deal with the press.

Example Question #2 : Relationships With Media

Which of these First Amendment rights is most frequently challenged during wartime?

Possible Answers:

Freedom of Assembly

Petitioning the government for redress of grievances

Freedom of the Press

Free exercise of religion

Freedom of Speech

Correct answer:

Freedom of the Press

Explanation:

Freedom of the Press has been temporarily restricted during wartime various times, such as in the Sedition Act of 1918, upheld by the Supreme Court in 1919 under the "clear and present danger" test, and again in 2001 following the declaration of the War on Terror. Students should be able to quickly rule out most options besides "freedom of the press" and "freedom of speech." Freedom of the press is more frequently directly restricted, as the freedom of speech for individual persons acting outside of mass media is rarely as potentially dangerous or influential.

Example Question #3 : Relationships With Media

The media’s function as protector of the people from corrupt, unethical, and incompetent political leaders is called __________.

Possible Answers:

agenda setting

objective journalism

yellow journalism

the watchdog role

the common-carrier role

Correct answer:

the watchdog role

Explanation:

The watchdog role is a term given to the media’s accepted duty to protect the general public from the corrupt and incompetent practices of political leaders. In this capacity, it is the duty of the media to report any instances of government malpractice, deceit, or general incompetence to the public.

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