11.9: Review Questions
- Page ID
- 153916
- The Great Compromise successfully resolved differences between ________.
- large and small states
- slaveholding and non-slaveholding states
- the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution
- the House and the Senate
- Answer
-
A
- While each state has two senators, members of the House are apportioned ________.
- according to the state’s geographic size
- based on the state’s economic size
- according to the state’s population
- based on each state’s need
- The process of redistricting can present problems for congressional representation because ________.
- districts must include urban and rural areas
- states can gain but never lose districts
- districts are often drawn to benefit partisan groups
- states have been known to create more districts than they have been apportioned
- Answer
-
C
- Which of the following is an implied power of Congress?
- the power to regulate the sale of tobacco in the states
- the power to increase taxes on the wealthiest one percent
- the power to put the president on trial for high crimes
- the power to override a presidential veto
- Briefly explain the benefits and drawbacks of a bicameral system.
- Answer
-
A primary benefit of a bicameral system is the way it demands careful consideration and deliberate action on the part of the legislators. A primary drawback is that it is tougher overall to pass legislation and makes it extremely difficult to push through large-scale reforms.
- What are some examples of the enumerated powers granted to Congress in the Constitution?
- Why does a strong presidency necessarily sap power from Congress?
- Answer
-
The executive and legislative branches complement and check each other. The purpose of dividing their roles is to prevent either from becoming too powerful. As a result, when one branch assumes more power, it necessarily assumes that power from the other branch.
- Senate races tend to inspire ________.
- broad discussion of policy issues
- narrow discussion of specific policy issues
- less money than House races
- less media coverage than House races
- The saying “All politics is local” roughly means ________.
- the local candidate will always win
- the local constituents want action on national issues
- the local constituents tend to care about things that affect them
- the act of campaigning always occurs at the local level where constituents are
- Answer
-
C
- What does Campbell’s surge-and-decline theory suggest about the outcome of midterm elections?
- Explain the factors that make it difficult to oust incumbents.
- Answer
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Incumbents chase off would-be challengers because they are able to raise more money given that people want to back a winner and that voters know incumbents by name because they won the office in a previous election. The challengers who do take on incumbents typically lose soundly for the same reasons.
- A congressperson who pursued a strict delegate model of representation would seek to ________.
- legislate in the way they believed constituents wanted, regardless of the anticipated outcome
- legislate in a way that carefully considered the circumstances and issue so as to reach a solution that is best for everyone
- legislate in a way that is best for the nation regardless of the costs for the constituents
- legislate in the way that they think is best for the constituents
- The increasing value constituents have placed on descriptive representation in Congress has had the effect of ________.
- increasing the sensitivity representatives have to their constituents demands
- decreasing the rate at which incumbents are elected
- increasing the number of minority members in Congress
- decreasing the number of majority minority districts
- Answer
-
C
- How has the growing interpretation of earmarks and other budget allocations as corruption influenced the way congresspersons work?
- What does polling data suggest about the events that trigger exceptionally high congressional approval ratings?
- Answer
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The peaks of congressional approval ratings have each occurred when the United States began military involvements overseas. This suggests that the start of a foreign war is one of the few things that triggers a positive reevaluation of Congress.
- House leaders are more powerful than Senate leaders because of ________.
- the majoritarian nature of the House—a majority can run it like a cartel
- the larger size of the House
- the constitutional position of the House
- the State of the Union address being delivered in the House chamber
- A select committee is different from a standing committee because ________.
- a select committee includes member of both chambers, while a standing committee includes only members of the House
- a select committee is used for bill reconciliation, while a standing committee is used for prosecutions
- a select committee must stay in session, while a standing committee goes to recess
- a select committee is convened for a specific and temporary purpose, while a standing committee is permanent
- Answer
-
D
- Explain how the committees demonstrate a division of labor in Congress based on specialization.
- Stopping a filibuster requires that ________.
- a majority of senators agree on the bill
- the speaker steps away from the podium
- the chamber votes for cloture
- the Speaker or majority leader intervenes
- Answer
-
C
- Saying a bill is being marked up is just another way to say it is being ________.
- tabled
- neglected
- vetoed
- amended
- The key means of advancing modern legislation is now ________.
- committees
- the actions of the leadership
- the budget process
- the filibuster
- Answer
-
C
- Briefly explain the difference between the classic model of legislating and the modern process.