POL 201 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
The Senate has the power to approve treaties with a __________ vote. - Answers - two-
thirds
The district that makes up the area from which an official is elected is known as his or
her - Answers - constituency
Members of Congress may act as delegates or trustees, but they must win the next
election in order to pursue either role. This primary goal of electoral survival is an
example of which type of action? - Answers - instrumental behavior
Representatives who believe that they have been elected in order to do the bidding of
those who sent them to the legislature are considered to be serving as - Answers -
delegates
When a senator voted against a gun-control bill that he agreed with but that his
constituency did not support, he exemplified a __________ style of representation. -
Answers - delegate
Agency representation is similar to the relationship between - Answers - lawyer and
client
The agency conception of representation works because of the ambition of politicians
(as agents) and the capacity of constituents (as principals) to - Answers - reward and
punish on the basis of the legislator's performance and reputation.
What is one way in which the founders made the Senate more distant from the will of
the majority than the House? - Answers - Senators have longer terms than House
members.
Leaders in the House have greater control over the agenda and debate compared to
leaders in the Senate. Which principle of politics best explains this difference? -
Answers - institution principle
How many members are in the U.S. House of Representatives? - Answers - 435
Compared to the House of Representatives, the Senate is much more - Answers -
deliberative
, Compared to the Senate, the small size and relative homogeneity of House districts,
combined with more frequent elections, make House members - Answers - especially
responsive to the legislative needs of local interest groups.
Perhaps the most important factor determining who runs for Congress is - Answers -
candidates' personal ambitions
Article I of the Constitution specifies that the House of Representatives must originate
all legislation on which topic? - Answers - taxes and spending
In recent years, the rate of reelection for representatives seeking to return to service in
the U.S. House of Representatives has been about __________ percent. - Answers -
90
What is the general term for providing minor services to constituents, introducing bills
for specific citizens, and attempting to influence decisions by agencies and regulatory
commissions on their behalf? - Answers - constituency service (casework)
In recent decades, which areas of the country have gained U.S. House seats due to the
reapportionment process following each census? - Answers - Western and Southern
states
In 2003, the Texas legislature redrew the Texas congressional district boundaries in a
way that favored Republicans. This exemplifies the practice known as - Answers -
gerrymandering
Who is the chief presiding officer in the U.S. House of Representatives? - Answers - the
Speaker of the House
What is one of the most important powers of House majority party leaders? - Answers -
selecting legislation for consideration in the House chamber
In recent years, how have congressional party leaders sought to augment their formal
powers? - Answers - fundraising for members, including the use of leadership political
action committees (PACs)
In the House of Representatives, who determines the order in which bills come up for a
vote? - Answers - the Rules Committee
What is the area of policy over which a committee is assigned responsibility? - Answers
- jurisdiction
Imagine you are a newly elected member of the House from a district with a military
base that provides many jobs for your constituents and access to federal resources.
Due to budget cuts, there is pressure to close a number of bases across the country.
The House Committee on Armed Services must deal with military base closure requests
ANSWERS
The Senate has the power to approve treaties with a __________ vote. - Answers - two-
thirds
The district that makes up the area from which an official is elected is known as his or
her - Answers - constituency
Members of Congress may act as delegates or trustees, but they must win the next
election in order to pursue either role. This primary goal of electoral survival is an
example of which type of action? - Answers - instrumental behavior
Representatives who believe that they have been elected in order to do the bidding of
those who sent them to the legislature are considered to be serving as - Answers -
delegates
When a senator voted against a gun-control bill that he agreed with but that his
constituency did not support, he exemplified a __________ style of representation. -
Answers - delegate
Agency representation is similar to the relationship between - Answers - lawyer and
client
The agency conception of representation works because of the ambition of politicians
(as agents) and the capacity of constituents (as principals) to - Answers - reward and
punish on the basis of the legislator's performance and reputation.
What is one way in which the founders made the Senate more distant from the will of
the majority than the House? - Answers - Senators have longer terms than House
members.
Leaders in the House have greater control over the agenda and debate compared to
leaders in the Senate. Which principle of politics best explains this difference? -
Answers - institution principle
How many members are in the U.S. House of Representatives? - Answers - 435
Compared to the House of Representatives, the Senate is much more - Answers -
deliberative
, Compared to the Senate, the small size and relative homogeneity of House districts,
combined with more frequent elections, make House members - Answers - especially
responsive to the legislative needs of local interest groups.
Perhaps the most important factor determining who runs for Congress is - Answers -
candidates' personal ambitions
Article I of the Constitution specifies that the House of Representatives must originate
all legislation on which topic? - Answers - taxes and spending
In recent years, the rate of reelection for representatives seeking to return to service in
the U.S. House of Representatives has been about __________ percent. - Answers -
90
What is the general term for providing minor services to constituents, introducing bills
for specific citizens, and attempting to influence decisions by agencies and regulatory
commissions on their behalf? - Answers - constituency service (casework)
In recent decades, which areas of the country have gained U.S. House seats due to the
reapportionment process following each census? - Answers - Western and Southern
states
In 2003, the Texas legislature redrew the Texas congressional district boundaries in a
way that favored Republicans. This exemplifies the practice known as - Answers -
gerrymandering
Who is the chief presiding officer in the U.S. House of Representatives? - Answers - the
Speaker of the House
What is one of the most important powers of House majority party leaders? - Answers -
selecting legislation for consideration in the House chamber
In recent years, how have congressional party leaders sought to augment their formal
powers? - Answers - fundraising for members, including the use of leadership political
action committees (PACs)
In the House of Representatives, who determines the order in which bills come up for a
vote? - Answers - the Rules Committee
What is the area of policy over which a committee is assigned responsibility? - Answers
- jurisdiction
Imagine you are a newly elected member of the House from a district with a military
base that provides many jobs for your constituents and access to federal resources.
Due to budget cuts, there is pressure to close a number of bases across the country.
The House Committee on Armed Services must deal with military base closure requests
