AP Gov't Exam Review Questions &
Answers10
Nomination vs. General Election - ANSWERS-Nomination- The naming of those who will seek
office.
General Election- A regular election of candidates for office.
Primary vs. Caucus - ANSWERS-Primary- A regular election for statewide or national offices.
Caucus- A group of like minded people who meet to select the candidate they will support.
Closed Primary vs Open Primary - ANSWERS-Closed Primary- Only declared party members can
vote.
Open Primary- 23 States use this, any qualified voter can cast a ballot.
Liberal vs. Conservative - ANSWERS-Liberal- Favorable to progress or reform, advocate measures
of progressive political reform.
Conservative- Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or
innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion.
Democrat vs. Republican - ANSWERS-Democrat- A member of the Democratic Party
Republican- A member of the Republican party.
, Major Party vs. Minority Party vs. Third Party - ANSWERS-Major Party-The party in Congress
holding a majority of the seats in the House or Senate; the majority party also controls top
leadership positions.
Minority Party-The party in Congress holding a minority of the seats in the House or Senate; the
minority party forms an organized opposition to the majority party.
Third Party-Typically do not win major elections but often bring more voters into the electorate;
often spoil elections for a major party; may bring issues that the major parties will adopt
Realignment vs. Dealignment - ANSWERS-Realignment-occurs when a party undergoes a major
shift in its electoral base and political agenda. the groups of people composing the party
coalition may split up, resulting in a vastly different party. realignments are rare and tend to be
signaled by a critical election. the last realignment occurred during the new deal, when many
working class and ethnic groups joined together under the democratic party
Dealignment-A decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment
Reapportionment vs. Redistricting - ANSWERS-Reapportionment-The assigning by Congress of
congressional seats after each census. State legislatures reapportion state legislative districts.
Redistricting-The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the
census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.
Political Parties vs. Interest Groups - ANSWERS-Political Parties- an organised group of people
with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by
getting its candidates elected to public office.
Answers10
Nomination vs. General Election - ANSWERS-Nomination- The naming of those who will seek
office.
General Election- A regular election of candidates for office.
Primary vs. Caucus - ANSWERS-Primary- A regular election for statewide or national offices.
Caucus- A group of like minded people who meet to select the candidate they will support.
Closed Primary vs Open Primary - ANSWERS-Closed Primary- Only declared party members can
vote.
Open Primary- 23 States use this, any qualified voter can cast a ballot.
Liberal vs. Conservative - ANSWERS-Liberal- Favorable to progress or reform, advocate measures
of progressive political reform.
Conservative- Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or
innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion.
Democrat vs. Republican - ANSWERS-Democrat- A member of the Democratic Party
Republican- A member of the Republican party.
, Major Party vs. Minority Party vs. Third Party - ANSWERS-Major Party-The party in Congress
holding a majority of the seats in the House or Senate; the majority party also controls top
leadership positions.
Minority Party-The party in Congress holding a minority of the seats in the House or Senate; the
minority party forms an organized opposition to the majority party.
Third Party-Typically do not win major elections but often bring more voters into the electorate;
often spoil elections for a major party; may bring issues that the major parties will adopt
Realignment vs. Dealignment - ANSWERS-Realignment-occurs when a party undergoes a major
shift in its electoral base and political agenda. the groups of people composing the party
coalition may split up, resulting in a vastly different party. realignments are rare and tend to be
signaled by a critical election. the last realignment occurred during the new deal, when many
working class and ethnic groups joined together under the democratic party
Dealignment-A decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment
Reapportionment vs. Redistricting - ANSWERS-Reapportionment-The assigning by Congress of
congressional seats after each census. State legislatures reapportion state legislative districts.
Redistricting-The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the
census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.
Political Parties vs. Interest Groups - ANSWERS-Political Parties- an organised group of people
with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by
getting its candidates elected to public office.
