GOV 310L: AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
(21120) UT Extension Final Questions
And Answers.
Who is elected to two-year terms in office? - Answer members of the house
Governor Rick Perry's long tenure in office had what effect on the role of the lieutenant
governor? - Answer The role of lieutenant governor has lost power in recent years.
How did the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 affect the balance between the two major
political parties in Texas? - Answer It allowed people of color to participate in politics, driving
many conservative, White Texans to join the Republican Party.
Of the branches that make up the government of Texas, which is the strongest? - Answer the
legislative branch
A legislature with two chambers is called what? - Answer a bicameral legislature
Which of the following allows for the representation of various interests and provides a forum
where parties with conflicting goals can reconcile their differences through the lawmaking
process? - Answer the Texas Legislature
Which of the following is a power of the Texas House of Representatives? - Answer
impeachment
What effect has the 140-day legislative session typically had on the passage of legislation as the
end of a regular session approaches? Choose the BEST answer. - Answer There is a rush to
pass bills, resulting in less careful consideration of legislation.
What is a special bill? - Answer A bill that provides exceptions to general laws for specific
individuals or types of property.
In what way does committee membership contribute to the incumbency advantage? Choose
the BEST answer. - Answer Authority to shape legislation affords committee members the
opportunity to collect campaign contributions from special interests.
Formal Representation - Answer to be duly elected or appointed to act on another's behalf
,Descriptive/Demographic Representation - Answer to reflect the underlying social or political
composition of your district
Symbolic Representation - Answer the extent to which legislative behavior is acceptable to
your constituents - ex "when you go out you are representing the family"
Substantive Representation - Answer legislative responsiveness to constituents on matters of
public policy
Theories of Representation - Answer 1. Formal representation
2. Descriptive/demographic representation
3. Symbolic representation
4. Substantive representation
Which of the following influences how members of Congress vote? - Answer answer: All of
these
Constituency
Ideology
Congressional staff
Influential colleagues
Which of the following statements is true with respect to congressional approval ratings? -
Answer Approval is high for one's own member of Congress, but low for Congress at large.
According to Professor Craig, the recent polarization of American politics is because the center
of the ideological spectrum is disappearing. - Answer TRUE
Which is NOT a characteristic of formal institutions? - Answer answer: They rely only on
unwritten rules.
options: They have generally accepted rules and norms.
They have distinct jurisdictions.
They have official, written rules and norms.
, The pivotal politics model focuses on ________ to predict whether legislation can pass. -
Answer The median voter in the U.S. House and the 'filibuster-ender' in the U.S. Senate
According to Professor Craig, the U.S. Congress tends to pass laws that: - Answer Have bi-
partisan support and are uncontroversial
The 'franking privilege' allows members of Congress to_________. - Answer Correct answer:
Send free mail to their constituents
The Texas legislature is bicameral, which means it consists of _______. - Answer A Senate and
a House of Representatives
Which of the following statements best describes how Congress's level of professionalization
has changed over time? - Answer Congressional staff and pay increased in the 1960s and
1970s.
On high visibility issues, members of Congress are more likely to vote: - Answer Correct
answer:
In line with their 'personal' constituency.
What do political scientists mean when they refer to "home-style"? - Answer When political
scientists refer to "home-style," they are discussing the way legislators interact with their
constituents to gain trust and secure re-election. This concept, introduced by Richard Fenno,
emphasizes the strategies representatives use to create a favorable image among their voters.
"Home-style" involves personalized outreach, such as frequent visits to the district, attending
local events, and addressing specific local concerns. The goal is to establish a personal
connection and demonstrate that the legislator is one of them, understands their issues, and is
effectively representing their interests in government.
How long must you reside in Texas before you may serve as the governor? - Answer at least
five years
What is the relationship between the governor and decisions made by the Legislative Budget
Board? - Answer The Legislative Budget Board has the power to approve or reject emergency
transfers of funds by the governor.
Which of the following is a power of the Texas governor? - Answer approving or rejecting the
recommendations of the Board of Pardons and Paroles
(21120) UT Extension Final Questions
And Answers.
Who is elected to two-year terms in office? - Answer members of the house
Governor Rick Perry's long tenure in office had what effect on the role of the lieutenant
governor? - Answer The role of lieutenant governor has lost power in recent years.
How did the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 affect the balance between the two major
political parties in Texas? - Answer It allowed people of color to participate in politics, driving
many conservative, White Texans to join the Republican Party.
Of the branches that make up the government of Texas, which is the strongest? - Answer the
legislative branch
A legislature with two chambers is called what? - Answer a bicameral legislature
Which of the following allows for the representation of various interests and provides a forum
where parties with conflicting goals can reconcile their differences through the lawmaking
process? - Answer the Texas Legislature
Which of the following is a power of the Texas House of Representatives? - Answer
impeachment
What effect has the 140-day legislative session typically had on the passage of legislation as the
end of a regular session approaches? Choose the BEST answer. - Answer There is a rush to
pass bills, resulting in less careful consideration of legislation.
What is a special bill? - Answer A bill that provides exceptions to general laws for specific
individuals or types of property.
In what way does committee membership contribute to the incumbency advantage? Choose
the BEST answer. - Answer Authority to shape legislation affords committee members the
opportunity to collect campaign contributions from special interests.
Formal Representation - Answer to be duly elected or appointed to act on another's behalf
,Descriptive/Demographic Representation - Answer to reflect the underlying social or political
composition of your district
Symbolic Representation - Answer the extent to which legislative behavior is acceptable to
your constituents - ex "when you go out you are representing the family"
Substantive Representation - Answer legislative responsiveness to constituents on matters of
public policy
Theories of Representation - Answer 1. Formal representation
2. Descriptive/demographic representation
3. Symbolic representation
4. Substantive representation
Which of the following influences how members of Congress vote? - Answer answer: All of
these
Constituency
Ideology
Congressional staff
Influential colleagues
Which of the following statements is true with respect to congressional approval ratings? -
Answer Approval is high for one's own member of Congress, but low for Congress at large.
According to Professor Craig, the recent polarization of American politics is because the center
of the ideological spectrum is disappearing. - Answer TRUE
Which is NOT a characteristic of formal institutions? - Answer answer: They rely only on
unwritten rules.
options: They have generally accepted rules and norms.
They have distinct jurisdictions.
They have official, written rules and norms.
, The pivotal politics model focuses on ________ to predict whether legislation can pass. -
Answer The median voter in the U.S. House and the 'filibuster-ender' in the U.S. Senate
According to Professor Craig, the U.S. Congress tends to pass laws that: - Answer Have bi-
partisan support and are uncontroversial
The 'franking privilege' allows members of Congress to_________. - Answer Correct answer:
Send free mail to their constituents
The Texas legislature is bicameral, which means it consists of _______. - Answer A Senate and
a House of Representatives
Which of the following statements best describes how Congress's level of professionalization
has changed over time? - Answer Congressional staff and pay increased in the 1960s and
1970s.
On high visibility issues, members of Congress are more likely to vote: - Answer Correct
answer:
In line with their 'personal' constituency.
What do political scientists mean when they refer to "home-style"? - Answer When political
scientists refer to "home-style," they are discussing the way legislators interact with their
constituents to gain trust and secure re-election. This concept, introduced by Richard Fenno,
emphasizes the strategies representatives use to create a favorable image among their voters.
"Home-style" involves personalized outreach, such as frequent visits to the district, attending
local events, and addressing specific local concerns. The goal is to establish a personal
connection and demonstrate that the legislator is one of them, understands their issues, and is
effectively representing their interests in government.
How long must you reside in Texas before you may serve as the governor? - Answer at least
five years
What is the relationship between the governor and decisions made by the Legislative Budget
Board? - Answer The Legislative Budget Board has the power to approve or reject emergency
transfers of funds by the governor.
Which of the following is a power of the Texas governor? - Answer approving or rejecting the
recommendations of the Board of Pardons and Paroles
