Civics Benchmark Pt2

Question 1

What are similarities between parties

Answer 1

organize to win elections
influence public parties
reflect both liberal and conservative views
define themselves in a way that wins most of the supports by appealing to the political center

Question 2

What are the differences between parties

Answer 2

Stated in party platforms and reflected in campaigning

Question 3

What are third parties

Answer 3

Introduce a new idea and or press for a particular issue
often revolve around a political personality for example Theodore Roosevelt

Question 4

Strategies for evaluating campaign speeches literature and advertisement for accuracy

Answer 4

separating fact from opinion
detecting bias
detecting bias evaluating sources
evaluating sources
Identifying propaganda

Question 5

mass media rolls in elections

Answer 5

Identifying candid
Emphasizing selected issues
Writing editorials creating political cartoons publishing op-ed pieces
Broadcasting different points of view

Question 6

rising campaign costs

Answer 6

require candidates to conduct extensive fund raising activities
Limit opportunities to run for public office
give an advantage to wealthy individuals who run for office
encourage the development of political actions committees P a C
Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence

Question 7

campaign finance reform

Answer 7

rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws
limits have been placed on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns

Question 8

who made participate in primary and general elections

Answer 8

only citizens who register

Question 9

What are the qualifications to register to vote in Virginia

Answer 9

must be a citizen of the United States
Must be a resident of Virginia in precinct
must be at least eighteen years of age by day of general election

Question 10

when does voter registration close

Answer 10

It closes twenty two days before elections

Question 11

how to register to vote in Virginia

Answer 11

in person at the registrar’s office at the division of motor vehicles or at other designated sites
By mail in application

Question 12

what are the factors in prediction which citizens will vote

Answer 12

education
age
income

Question 13

what are reasons why citizens fail to vote

Answer 13

lack of interest
Failure to register

Question 14

true or false the percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually greater than the percentage of voters who participate in state and local elections

Answer 14

true

Question 15

true or false not all votes are important

Answer 15

False

Question 16

what is the electoral college profess

Answer 16

a slate of electors for each state is chosen by popular vote
Most states have a winner take all system
The electors meet to vote for president and vice president

Question 17

what is the winner take all system

Answer 17

the winner take all system leads to the targeting of densely populated states for campaigning although candidates must pay attention to less populated states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections

Question 18

What determines the number of electors of each state

Answer 18

The number of electors of each state is based on the size of the state’s congressional representation which is based on the state’s population

Question 19

True or false the requirement for a majority vote to win the Electoral College favors a two-party system

Answer 19

true

Question 20

what are the three distinct and independent branches of the government

Answer 20

Legislative branch
executive branch
judicial branch

Question 21

what is the legislative branch responsible for

Answer 21

make the laws of the nation
approves the annual budget
confirms presidential appointments
raises revenue through taxes and other levies
Regulates interstate and foreign trade
declares war

Question 22

What makes up the legislative branch

Answer 22

Consists of Congress a bicameral Legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate

Question 23

How many members are there in the House of Representatives

Answer 23

four hundred thirty five members based on populations of the states

Question 24

how many members are there in the Senate

Answer 24

a 100 members two per state

Question 25

What is the executive branch responsibilities

Answer 25

Executes the laws of the land
prepares the annual budget for congressional action
appoints Cabinet officers ambassadors and federal judges
administers the federal bureaucracy

Question 26

Who is in charge of the executive branch

Answer 26

headed by the president of the United States the chief executive officer of the nation

Question 27

what is the judicial branch responsibilities

Answer 27

the Supreme Court exercises the power of judicial review
The federal courts try cases involving federal law and questions involving interpretation of the Constitution of the United States

Question 28

What makes up the judicial branch

Answer 28

Consists of the federal courts including the Supreme Court the highest court in the land