Summer Semester 2013

SAMPLE EXAM TEST BANK

                                                    

 

Below are a few of the retired sample questions in my test bank for this course. 

 

SAMPLE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

 

1.  Abortion and prayer in schools can be considered _________________, moral issues designed to cause someone to cross party lines.

a)  amnesty issues

b)  wedge issues

c)  economic issues

d)  divisive issues

 

2.  Which non-state has limited voting powers (in representation in Congress) but is actually run by Congress and still pays taxes?

a)  Guam

b)  Puerto Rico

c)  Washington D.C.

d)  the Virgin Islands

 

3.  State constitutions tend to be very lengthy documents because they are

a)  written in legalese.

b)  poorly worded and confusing.

c)  laden with detailed policy decisions.             

d)  packed with historical information.

 

4.  A state’s tendency to expand welfare benefits, regulate business, adopt progressive state income taxes, and generally use the resources of government to achieve social change is descriptive of

a)  policy conservatism.

b)  policy liberalism.           

c)  policy socialism.

d)  policy libertarianism.

 

5.  States have been called "laboratories of democracy" because

a)  states often provide innovative solutions to social and economic problems.

b)  conflicts cannot be sufficiently resolved by states.

c)  states have little incentive to economically compete with other states in attracting businesses.

d)  most social and economic solutions are addressed by the federal government.

 

SAMPLE ESSAY RESPONSE QUESTIONS

 

Essay Response 1: Explain the differences between the concepts of initiatives, referendums, and recalls, including the definitions and examples for each.  How do these relate to our understanding of democracy?  Why do some states adopt these measures while others do not?  Do you believe these are influential in state policy or unnessecary?  Be sure to explain why.

 

Essay Response 2: Discuss the concept of the rational voter, including a definition and example.  What does the term “rationality” entail in this case?  How does this relate to American politics?  Which aspect do you believe is the most important?  Be sure to explain why.