Unit 5 FRQ Test Questions and Answers Rated A
Describe the point of view expressed about minor parties Explain four arguments that support the usefulness of
in the political cartoon above. - ANSWER -In the political parties in modern American politics. -
cartoon, Ralph Nader is standing at a lectern saying ANSWER -1. Mediating and moderating institution-
"We've got to put an end to our society's throw away in order to win votes from the populace, parties usually
mentality" , meanwhile, a woman is in the background have to tame extreme forces within their party
putting a vote into a trash can labeled "Green Party 2. Brings unity within Congress--between the House and
Votes". The view point of this cartoon is that society needs the Senate--and within the three levels of government
change and by voting for a minor party, we are still being (National, state, and local), common goals→ working
wasteful and expressing "throw away mentality". together
3. Filter information- affiliation is a cue for voters,
especially those who are ignorant of or too busy to keep
Identify three rules of the United States electoral system up to date, provides voters with (biased) information about
that acts as obstacles to minor party candidates winning issues
elections and explain how each acts as an obstacle ** 4. Facilitate primaries and caucuses
"rules of the electoral system" is more specific than
obstacles to minor parties. - ANSWER -No
proportional representation of Congress, there must be a Explain three reasons for the 20th century decline in the
5% vote to receive federal funds for the next election, strength of political parties. - ANSWER -1. Party
debate rules purists sometimes won't compromise on issues
15% in national polls in presidential contests (Im not really 2. Direct primaries→ less reliance on party for
sure what this means. I may have misheard soccorsi and nominations, and more on the people, candidates must be
wrote down the wrong thing), state laws and ballot loyal to the people, not the party... less party control over
access, and major parties steal their ideas. Anna the 15% nominations→ loss control of elected officials
is the amount needed in a national poll in order to 3. Civil service laws removed patronage/spoils system
participate in the presidential debate. (Pendleton Act) → less incentive to support a certain party
America's winner take all system. Meaning the winner with
most votes gets the power unlike many other countries
with proportional representation. These countries normally Define public opinion - ANSWER -What the people
give seats to parties which manage to secure over 5% of thinks about a particular issue at any point in time
the vote. This can be damaging to the traditional two
parties in control by encouraging them to be extremely
polarized in order to gain votes. Define and name one advantage (or purpose) each of
straw polls, push polls, tracking polls, and exit polls. -
ANSWER -Straw polls: Unscientific surveys used to
Minor parties make important contributions to the United gauge public opinions on a variety of issues/policies
States political system in spite of the institutional -Serve as important precursors to caucuses as they
obstacles to their candidates' success. Describe two of influence delegates
these contributions. - ANSWER -Allow the opinions Tracking polls: continuous surveys, small in size, that
of more people, whose opinions may not be mirrored by enable a campaign to chats its daily rise and fall in support
the platforms of the two major parties (ex.- Reform Party -Quick, because it's daily
regarding trade and NAFTA) Exit polls: polls conducted a selected polling places on
Have a major party recognize and champion a particular Election Day, where people are asked who they voted for
issue that was previously unnoticed (ex.- Prohibition when they leave the booth
Party) -Quite accurate
Explain two modern day criticisms of political parties and Discuss three factors you would consider to determine the
their role in American politics. - ANSWER -1. Politics accuracy and validity of public opinion polls. -
nowadays focus directly on the candidate and his/her ANSWER -Is it an accurate sample and a good size?
particular issues, rather than on the party as a whole -Was the sample made up on just one race? one gender?
2. Too Much division/polarization; only the extremes, no or was it broad and an accurate sample
middle ground 2. How are the questions phrased? is their biased or
leading language?
-Difference between saying something like "pro choice"
1/3
Describe the point of view expressed about minor parties Explain four arguments that support the usefulness of
in the political cartoon above. - ANSWER -In the political parties in modern American politics. -
cartoon, Ralph Nader is standing at a lectern saying ANSWER -1. Mediating and moderating institution-
"We've got to put an end to our society's throw away in order to win votes from the populace, parties usually
mentality" , meanwhile, a woman is in the background have to tame extreme forces within their party
putting a vote into a trash can labeled "Green Party 2. Brings unity within Congress--between the House and
Votes". The view point of this cartoon is that society needs the Senate--and within the three levels of government
change and by voting for a minor party, we are still being (National, state, and local), common goals→ working
wasteful and expressing "throw away mentality". together
3. Filter information- affiliation is a cue for voters,
especially those who are ignorant of or too busy to keep
Identify three rules of the United States electoral system up to date, provides voters with (biased) information about
that acts as obstacles to minor party candidates winning issues
elections and explain how each acts as an obstacle ** 4. Facilitate primaries and caucuses
"rules of the electoral system" is more specific than
obstacles to minor parties. - ANSWER -No
proportional representation of Congress, there must be a Explain three reasons for the 20th century decline in the
5% vote to receive federal funds for the next election, strength of political parties. - ANSWER -1. Party
debate rules purists sometimes won't compromise on issues
15% in national polls in presidential contests (Im not really 2. Direct primaries→ less reliance on party for
sure what this means. I may have misheard soccorsi and nominations, and more on the people, candidates must be
wrote down the wrong thing), state laws and ballot loyal to the people, not the party... less party control over
access, and major parties steal their ideas. Anna the 15% nominations→ loss control of elected officials
is the amount needed in a national poll in order to 3. Civil service laws removed patronage/spoils system
participate in the presidential debate. (Pendleton Act) → less incentive to support a certain party
America's winner take all system. Meaning the winner with
most votes gets the power unlike many other countries
with proportional representation. These countries normally Define public opinion - ANSWER -What the people
give seats to parties which manage to secure over 5% of thinks about a particular issue at any point in time
the vote. This can be damaging to the traditional two
parties in control by encouraging them to be extremely
polarized in order to gain votes. Define and name one advantage (or purpose) each of
straw polls, push polls, tracking polls, and exit polls. -
ANSWER -Straw polls: Unscientific surveys used to
Minor parties make important contributions to the United gauge public opinions on a variety of issues/policies
States political system in spite of the institutional -Serve as important precursors to caucuses as they
obstacles to their candidates' success. Describe two of influence delegates
these contributions. - ANSWER -Allow the opinions Tracking polls: continuous surveys, small in size, that
of more people, whose opinions may not be mirrored by enable a campaign to chats its daily rise and fall in support
the platforms of the two major parties (ex.- Reform Party -Quick, because it's daily
regarding trade and NAFTA) Exit polls: polls conducted a selected polling places on
Have a major party recognize and champion a particular Election Day, where people are asked who they voted for
issue that was previously unnoticed (ex.- Prohibition when they leave the booth
Party) -Quite accurate
Explain two modern day criticisms of political parties and Discuss three factors you would consider to determine the
their role in American politics. - ANSWER -1. Politics accuracy and validity of public opinion polls. -
nowadays focus directly on the candidate and his/her ANSWER -Is it an accurate sample and a good size?
particular issues, rather than on the party as a whole -Was the sample made up on just one race? one gender?
2. Too Much division/polarization; only the extremes, no or was it broad and an accurate sample
middle ground 2. How are the questions phrased? is their biased or
leading language?
-Difference between saying something like "pro choice"
1/3
