Test bank for american governmen t 12th edition by OConnor

Test Bank for
American
Government 12th
Edition by OConnor
 Multiple-Choice Questions
1.

How does the Preamble to the Constitution begin?
a. “We the People…”
b. “We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
c. “When in the Course of human events…”
d. “In Order to form a more perfect Union…”
Answer: a
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.1.1
Topic: Roots of American Government: We the People
Learning Objective: LO 1.1: Trace the origins of American
government.
Page Reference: 4
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

2.

What was the most common initial reason for settlement in North
America by the first colonists?
a. family reunification
b. religious freedom
c. flight from diseases rampaging through Europe
d. commerce
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.1.2

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Topic: Roots of American Government: We the People
Learning Objective: LO 1.1: Trace the origins of American
government.
Page Reference: 5
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate
3.

In a direct democracy, decisions are made collectively by citizens
using __________.
a. indirect democracy
b. majority rule
c. enlightened representatives
d. trustee representatives
Answer: b
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.2.3
Topic: Types of Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.2: Evaluate the different types of
governments countries may employ.
Page Reference: 7
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

4.

The ancient Greeks considered representative government to be

__________.
a. nearly perfect
b. a natural right
c. aristocratic
d. undemocratic
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.2.4
Topic: Types of Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.2: Evaluate the different types of
governments countries may employ.
Page Reference: 8
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

5.

Indirect democracy uses which of the following?
a. plebiscites
b. unanimity
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c. representation
d. “mob rule”
Answer: c
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.2.5
Topic: Types of Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.2: Evaluate the different types of
governments countries may employ.

Page Reference: 8
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate
6.

What are republics?
a. representative democracies
b. direct democracies
c. a hallmark of direct democracy
d. forms of government frequently found in totalitarian regimes
Answer: a
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.2.6
Topic: Types of Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.2: Evaluate the different types of
governments countries may employ.
Page Reference: 8
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

7.

In an oligarchy, rule is by which of the following?
a. the many in their self-interest
b. a few people in their self-interest
c. one person in the best interest of society
d. the many in the best interest of society
Answer: b
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.2.7
Topic: Types of Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.2: Evaluate the different types of

governments countries may employ.
Page Reference: 7
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

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8.

Which function of government stated in the Preamble is
consistent with the notion of having government-provided police
protection?
a. establishing justice
b. securing the blessings of liberty
c. promoting the general welfare
d. ensuring domestic tranquility
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.3.8
Topic: Functions of American Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Explain the functions of American
government.
Page Reference: 8
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty Level: Moderate

9.

Which of the following expanded Americans’ conceptions of

personal liberty?
a. indirect democracy
b. the Fourteenth Amendment
c. the American Dream
d. political ideology
Answer: b
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.4.9
Topic: American Political Culture and the Basic Tenets of
American Democracy
Learning Objective: LO 1.4: Describe American political
culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy.
Page Reference: 9
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

10.

The idea that governments draw legitimacy and power from the
governed is referred to as which of the following?
a. majority rule
b. direct democracy
c. capitalism
d. popular consent
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.4.10
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Topic: American Political Culture and the Basic Tenets of

American Democracy
Learning Objective: LO 1.4: Describe American political
culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy.
Page Reference: 10
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate
11.

Which of the following is the doctrine that society should be
governed by certain ethical principles that are part of nature and
can be understood by reason?
a. ethical law
b. contract law
c. natural law
d. Newton’s law
Answer: c
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.4.11
Topic: American Political Culture and the Basic Tenets of
American Democracy
Learning Objective: LO 1.4: Describe American political
culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy.
Page Reference: 10
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

12.

The Framers agreed that the new nation had to be founded on
notions of which of the following?
a. economic equality

b. aristocracy
c. racial equality
d. religious freedom
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.4.12
Topic: American Political Culture and the Basic Tenets of
American Democracy
Learning Objective: LO 1.4: Describe American political
culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy.
Page Reference: 10
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

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13.

How many citizens did the Constitution initially mandate that
each member of the House of Representatives should represent?
a. 30,000
b. 60,000
c. 100,000
d. 130,000
Answer: a
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.13
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.

Page Reference: 11
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

14.

In general, which of the following is true about the U.S.
population?
a. It is mostly under the age of thirty.
b. It is getting older.
c. It is becoming more homogeneous.
d. It is becoming more Christian.
Answer: b
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.14
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 12, 14
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

15.

What percentage of Americans are immigrants?
a. 0.7 percent
b. 3 percent
c. 9 percent
d. 15 percent
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.15

Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
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Page Reference: 12
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy
16.

Which accurately compares Southerners to Northerners?
a. Northerners are more religious.
b. Northerners are more likely to favor states’ rights.
c. Southerners are more in favor of civil rights.
d. Southerners are more likely to favor downsizing the federal
government.
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.16
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 14
Skill Level: Analyze It
Difficulty Level: Difficult

17.

Approximately what percentage of children live in a household

with both parents?
a. 40 percent
b. 50 percent
c. 60 percent
d. 70 percent
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.17
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 15
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

18.

Based on the average age of the state’s population, which issue
would you expect to be least important to voters in Florida, which
has the oldest state population in the U.S.?
a. Social Security
b. Medicare
c. public education
d. prescription drug costs
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Answer: c
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.18
Topic: The Changing American People

Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 14
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty Level: Moderate
19.

Which of the following public policies would social conservatives
be most likely to support?
a. decreasing defense spending
b. prohibiting any references to God or religion on money or
government buildings
c. restricting abortions
d. regulating the banking and financial sectors
Answer: c
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.19
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 17
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty Level: Difficult

20.

Members of which of the following groups are most likely to be
social conservatives?
a. evangelical Protestants
b. African Americans
c. the elderly

d. single mothers
Answer: a
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.20
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 17
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty Level: Moderate

21.

Which of the following is a true statement about liberals?
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a. They believe individuals should look to churches and other
social service organizations for assistance.
b. They are more likely to vote Republican than Democratic.
c. They generally favor government intervention to promote
equality.
d. They seek to end costly welfare programs.
Answer: c
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.21
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 17
Skill Level: Analyze It

Difficulty Level: Difficult
22.

Which of the following is a true statement about moderates?
a. They created the Tea Party movement.
b. They comprise over half of the U.S. population.
c. They largely support an overhaul of the welfare system.
d. They believe that a centrist approach to politics is best.
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.22
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 19
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

23.

Over time, Americans’ expectations of government have
generally __________.
a. increased
b. decreased
c. been related to national defense
d. been related to foreign policy
Answer: a
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.7.23
Topic: Toward Reform: People and Politics
Learning Objective: LO 1.7: Characterize changes in
Americans’ attitudes toward and expectations of government.

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Page Reference: 19 – 20
Skill Level: Analyze It
Difficulty Level: Moderate
24.

Americans’ confidence in government institutions in the United
States has __________.
a. remained stagnant over time
b. generally increased
c. generally decreased
d. fluctuated considerably depending on who is in office
Answer: c
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.7.24
Topic: Toward Reform: People and Politics
Learning Objective: LO 1.7: Characterize changes in
Americans’ attitudes toward and expectations of government.
Page Reference: 20
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

25.

Americans generally have the lowest levels of confidence in
which of the following institutions?
a. the press
b. business and industry

c. the executive branch
d. Congress
Answer: d
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.7.25
Topic: Toward Reform: People and Politics
Learning Objective: LO 1.7: Characterize changes in
Americans’ attitudes toward and expectations of government.
Page Reference: 20
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

26.

Which of the following was expected of the federal government
200 years ago?
a. regulating business
b. providing national defense
c. providing poverty relief
d. inspecting food
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Answer: b
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.7.26
Topic: Toward Reform: People and Politics
Learning Objective: LO 1.7: Characterize changes in
Americans’ attitudes toward and expectations of government.
Page Reference: 19
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Difficulty Level: Moderate

 True-False Questions
27.

Indigenous peoples had been living in North America for more
than 30,000 years before the arrival of the first European
colonists.
Answer: TRUE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.1.27
Topic: Roots of American Government: We the People
Learning Objective: LO 1.1: Trace the origins of American
government.
Page Reference: 4
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

28.

Monarchy is a type of government that Aristotle considered rule
by “tyranny.”
Answer: FALSE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.2.28
Topic: Types of Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.2: Evaluate the different types of
governments countries may employ.
Page Reference: 6
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

29.

Many colonists were uncomfortable with the term democracy
because it conjured up fears of the people and mob rule.
Answer: TRUE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.2.29
Topic: Types of Government
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Learning Objective: LO 1.2: Evaluate the different types of
governments countries may employ.
Page Reference: 8
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy
30.

Conservatives tend to want the government to respond quickly
to societal changes.
Answer: FALSE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.30
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 17
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Difficult

31.

Over the years, our attitudes about personal liberty have
remained unchanged.
Answer: FALSE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.4.31
Topic: American Political Culture and the Basic Tenets of
American Democracy
Learning Objective: LO 1.4: Describe American political
culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy.
Page Reference: 9
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

32.

The elderly often vote against programs favored by younger
voters; younger voters often vote against programs favored by
the elderly.
Answer: TRUE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.32
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 14
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

33.

Large numbers of nonvoters can threaten democratic legitimacy.

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Answer: TRUE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.4.33
Topic: American Political Culture and the Basic Tenets of
American Democracy
Learning Objective: LO 1.4: Describe American political
culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy.
Page Reference: 10
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate
34.

Fewer Americans consider themselves to be liberal than to be
conservative.
Answer: TRUE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.34
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 17
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

35.

The Framers did not envision that the U.S. government would do
as much to “promote the general welfare” as it has been doing in

recent years.
Answer: TRUE
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.3.35
Topic: Functions of American Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Explain the functions of American
government.
Page Reference: 9
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
36.

Although many people still view the United States as a __________
nation, a great number of religious groups—including Jews,
Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims—have established roots in the
United States.
Answer: Christian
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Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.36
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 14
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate
37.

The United States has undergone a tremendous change in the
number of states allowing for __________ marriage.
Answer: same-sex
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.37
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 15
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

38.

__________ is the coherent set of values and beliefs people hold
about the purpose and scope of government.
Answer: Political ideology
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.38
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 16
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty Level: Easy

39.

__________ believe that moral decay must be stemmed and that
government should support and further traditional moral
teachings.

Answer: Social conservatives
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.39
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 17
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

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40.

__________ believe in extensive government control of personal
and economic liberties.
Answer: Statists
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.40
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 19
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

41.

Americans tend to share the common goal of achieving the
__________, which generally includes a happy and successful life,

wealth, a house, and a better life for one’s children.
Answer: American dream
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.7.41
Topic: Toward Reform: People and Politics
Learning Objective: LO 1.7: Characterize changes in
Americans’ attitudes toward and expectations of government.
Page Reference: 19
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

 Short Answer Questions
42.

What was the primary reason that colonists settled in America?
Discuss the establishment of at least two specific colonies.
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain how wealthy people in England and other
European nations wanted to increase their wealth. They
brought laborers with them. Thus, commerce was the
primary reason for many people to settle in America.
2. Discuss the establishment of at least two colonies. For
example, there were English commercial settlements in
Virginia. Puritans left Europe in 1620, landing in Plymouth,
Massachusetts. Settlers from Finland, Germany, and
Sweden colonized New Amsterdam, which was later named
New York. Ultimately settlements were established in many
areas of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York.
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Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.1.42
Topic: Roots of American Government: We the People
Learning Objective: LO 1.1: Trace the origins of American
government.
Page Reference: 5 – 6
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate
43.

What is the main difference between direct democracy and
indirect democracy? Assess which plays a more prominent role in
government of the United States.
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Define direct democracy as a system of government in
which the people meet to discuss issues and make political
decisions by majority rule.
2. Define indirect democracy as a system in which the
people vote for representatives who make decisions based
on the people’s behalf. The term republic is often used to
describe indirect, representative democracies.
3. Explain that in the United States, the voters elect
lawmakers to represent them. This is a form of indirect
democracy. Elements of direct democracy are much less
prominent in the United States.
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.2.43
Topic: Types of Government
Learning Objective: LO 1.2: Evaluate the different types of
governments countries may employ.
Page Reference: 7 – 8

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

44.

How is the large number of immigrants to the United States likely
to affect public policy?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Note that 15 percent of the population is an immigrant,
and that many of them are Hispanic.
2. Discuss how this may affect politics in a number of ways.
For example, policies will likely reflect the needs and
concerns of this growing minority. In some cases,
governments have to decide whether to conduct business
solely in English or in Spanish as well.
3. Discuss other policies that are important to immigrants
more broadly, such as immigration policy.
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Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.44
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 11 – 12
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty Level: Moderate
45.

Evaluate same-sex marriage from a conservative perspective
and from a liberal perspective. Would conservative and social
conservative viewpoints be the same? Why or why not?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Note that, generally speaking, conservatives favor the
status quo and making change only slowly, whereas
liberals are more in favor of rapid change to promote
equality.
2. Discuss why this means that liberals would more likely
favor same-sex marriage than conservatives.
3. Indicate that there might be some differences between
conservatives and social conservatives. While both
conservatives and social conservatives would likely oppose
same-sex marriage, they would do so on different grounds.
Social conservatives tend to believe that same-sex
marriage is inconsistent with the traditional moral
teachings that government should promote.
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.45
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 15 – 17
Skill Level: Analyze It
Difficulty Level: Difficult

46.

How have Americans’ expectations of their government changed
over time?
Answer: An ideal response will:

1. Review that in the first 150 years of our nation’s history
the federal government had fewer functions, which were
limited to national defense, printing money, and collecting
taxes and tariffs.
2. Note that as the country expanded economically and in
size, greater demands were placed on the government.
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The government began to play a role in things like
regulating business activity, assisting the poor, and
inspecting food.
3. Discuss how Americans are suspicious of government
and also frustrated with it.
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.7.46
Topic: Toward Reform: People and Politics
Learning Objective: LO 1.7: Characterize changes in
Americans’ attitudes toward and expectations of government.
Page Reference: 19 – 21
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty Level: Moderate

 Essay Questions
47.

Explain what the Framers meant by “securing the blessings of
liberty,” and discuss how far a government should go to ensure
citizens’ liberty.
Answer: An ideal response will:

1. Explain that the Framers used the term “securing the
blessings of liberty” to refer to the freedom to criticize the
government or petition it when they disagreed with its
policies.
2. Discuss that American political culture and the basic
tenets of American democracy suggest that government
should go a long way in “securing the blessings of liberty.”
The Framers were very concerned with personal liberty and
political equality. They were also concerned with popular
consent, majority rule, popular sovereignty, notions of
individualism, and religious freedom.
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.3.47
Topic: Functions of American Government; American Political
Culture and the Basic Tenets of American Democracy
Learning Objective: LO 1.3: Explain the functions of American
government; LO 1.4: Describe American political culture, and
identify the basic tenets of American democracy.
Page Reference: 8 – 9
Skill Level: Analyze It
Difficulty Level: Difficult
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48.

Why are there regional and sectional differences within the
United States? Explain how these differences arose.
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Discuss regional and sectional differences in the United

States. Regional sectionalism can be explained based on
where people settled and where they came from. For
example, people who settled in Virginia and southward
were largely concerned with commerce; those who settled
in the Northeast were seeking religious freedom.
2. Provide examples such as Scandinavians settling in
Minnesota or the Irish, Italians, and Jews settling in the
Northeast. These groups brought with them views on the
appropriate role of government.
3. Identify the different views across different regions of
the country. Northerners were more supportive of civil
rights than Southerners. Westerners were concerned with
issues like free land. Some Westerners have been
concerned with water rights.
4. Analyze urban and rural differences in the United States.
Urban areas tend to be much more liberal than rural areas,
which are more conservative.
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.5.48
Topic: The Changing American People
Learning Objective: LO 1.5: Analyze the changing
characteristics of the American public.
Page Reference: 11 – 15
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty Level: Difficult

49.

Political scientists note that ideologies perform four key
functions. After discussing each function, decide and explain
which most affects your own ideology.

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Identify and discuss the four functions political scientists
attribute to ideologies: (1) Explanation—ideologies help
explain why political and social conditions are a certain
way. (2) Evaluation—ideologies provide a means for
evaluating events, political institutions, and social
conditions. (3) Orientation—ideologies help locate issues
and positions relative to some benchmark. (4) Political
Program—ideologies help make political decisions and
guide political action.
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2. Make a case for which of these functions most affects
your ideology.
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.49
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 16
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty Level: Difficult
50.

Why might the labels of “conservative” and “liberal” be
misleading?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Indicate that studies have found that people may label
themselves ideologically one way but may indicate the

opposite ideological position on some issues. People may
have conservative views on some issues, such as
economics, and liberal views on others, such as civil rights.
2. Discuss how the simple left-right continuum may be
inadequate for creating an accurate ideological picture for
many people. Alternatively, in addition to the left-right
scale, it would be useful to consider a position ranging from
statist positions to libertarian ones.
Test Bank Item Title: TB_Q1.6.50
Topic: Political Ideology
Learning Objective: LO 1.6: Assess the role of political ideology
in shaping American politics.
Page Reference: 17 – 19
Skill Level: Analyze It
Difficulty Level: Difficult

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