PLSC Exam 2 questions with verified
answers(graded A)11
Describe the structure of Congress, the requirements for holding office, and members' term lengths, and
how they are chosen (and how this has changed with regard to the Senate) - correct answer ✔✔o The
structure of Congress consists of two components, the Senate which consists of 100 members for 6-year
terms and the House of Representatives which consists of 435 members for 2-year terms. In the House a
members minimum age must be 30 years or older and the minimum length of citizenship must be 9
years or longer. In the Senate a members minimum age can be 25 years or older and their length of
citizenship can be 7 years or longer. Senate members were originally elected by state legislature, but that
changed, and they are elected by the people. House of Representatives members have always been
elected by Americans.
How have congressional careers changed over time? - correct answer ✔✔o Careers have changed in that
the tenure of service has been increasing since the 40th Congress. Members are being reelected more
and serving in congress longer than before.
What is gerrymandering and how is it accomplished (cracking and packing)? - correct answer ✔✔o
Drawing district lines in such a way as to purposely disadvantage certain groups. Types of gerrymander
are partisan and racial. Cracking is splitting up the group to dilute their voting power. Packing is
concentrating the group to minimize their overall impact.
What is incumbency advantage? Be able to discuss and give examples of the direct and
indirect effects of incumbency. - correct answer ✔✔o Once you have a seat, you're more likely to hold
onto it. Direct effects are advantages candidates receive from holding office like casework requests from
constituents for information and help in dealing with government agencies, patronage, pork-barrel
legislation measures earmarking projects for individual members' districts, early money, and name
recognition. Indirect effects are the ability to scare-off potential challengers.
Be able to discuss why incumbency advantage is less for Senators versus House
members. - correct answer ✔✔o Diverse population so you can't develop personal ties to constituents.
Party competition so more competition between parties. Better competition so far more for the fewer
seats in the Senate. Media Markets for HOR doesn't really use the media because of district lines.
, Describe the characteristics of members of Congress and what this means for
representation. - correct answer ✔✔o More male, more educated, higher incomes, more strong party
identification, more polarized, more strong ideology then the average public.
Describe the three goals of members of Congress - correct answer ✔✔o Reelection so they can hold
office for as long as desired, to gain influence in D.C. over the other members of either house, and to
make good public policy to change things they care about.
Describe the three activities (according to Mayhew) that members of Congress perform - correct answer
✔✔o Advertising which increases the probability of reelection, credit claiming which involves making
people think they made a difference in gov't, and position taking which involves taking a side on issues
and making it known.
Distinguish between delegate and trustee models of representation - correct answer ✔✔o Delegates
believe they are agents of others and represent those who voted for them. Trustees vote based on what
they think would be beneficial for the constituency.
Describe the three roles members of Congress take-on to achieve their goals - correct answer ✔✔o
Advertising: Building a brand name, No issue content, Emphasizes positive character traits.
o Credit Claiming: making constituents believe that the representative is personally responsible for
something the government has done to benefit the actor
o Position Taking: Announcing judgment on important issues. Dangerous!
Describe Fenno's notion of multiple constituencies ("concentric circles") and how these affect
congressional representation - correct answer ✔✔o Geographic: The broadest circle is that of the
geographic district, encompassing all potential voters and regions. Reelection: The next circle consists of
the electoral supporters--"who is likely to vote for me?". Primary supporters: The next circle is the
primary supporters--"who is actually going to do work for me?". Personal: The smallest circle is the
candidate's intimates--family, close friends, and trusted advisers.
Describe the process Congress utilizes to pass legislation: - correct answer ✔✔o Bill is introduced by
representative and referred to a committee where it is passed down committees until it is reported on by
the whole committee. If it is reported on favorably then the bill is voted on in the HOR. If the bill makes it
through the HOR then it is voted on in the Senate. If the bill is voted in favor of in both houses then the
bill is sent to the president to be signed into law or vetoed.
answers(graded A)11
Describe the structure of Congress, the requirements for holding office, and members' term lengths, and
how they are chosen (and how this has changed with regard to the Senate) - correct answer ✔✔o The
structure of Congress consists of two components, the Senate which consists of 100 members for 6-year
terms and the House of Representatives which consists of 435 members for 2-year terms. In the House a
members minimum age must be 30 years or older and the minimum length of citizenship must be 9
years or longer. In the Senate a members minimum age can be 25 years or older and their length of
citizenship can be 7 years or longer. Senate members were originally elected by state legislature, but that
changed, and they are elected by the people. House of Representatives members have always been
elected by Americans.
How have congressional careers changed over time? - correct answer ✔✔o Careers have changed in that
the tenure of service has been increasing since the 40th Congress. Members are being reelected more
and serving in congress longer than before.
What is gerrymandering and how is it accomplished (cracking and packing)? - correct answer ✔✔o
Drawing district lines in such a way as to purposely disadvantage certain groups. Types of gerrymander
are partisan and racial. Cracking is splitting up the group to dilute their voting power. Packing is
concentrating the group to minimize their overall impact.
What is incumbency advantage? Be able to discuss and give examples of the direct and
indirect effects of incumbency. - correct answer ✔✔o Once you have a seat, you're more likely to hold
onto it. Direct effects are advantages candidates receive from holding office like casework requests from
constituents for information and help in dealing with government agencies, patronage, pork-barrel
legislation measures earmarking projects for individual members' districts, early money, and name
recognition. Indirect effects are the ability to scare-off potential challengers.
Be able to discuss why incumbency advantage is less for Senators versus House
members. - correct answer ✔✔o Diverse population so you can't develop personal ties to constituents.
Party competition so more competition between parties. Better competition so far more for the fewer
seats in the Senate. Media Markets for HOR doesn't really use the media because of district lines.
, Describe the characteristics of members of Congress and what this means for
representation. - correct answer ✔✔o More male, more educated, higher incomes, more strong party
identification, more polarized, more strong ideology then the average public.
Describe the three goals of members of Congress - correct answer ✔✔o Reelection so they can hold
office for as long as desired, to gain influence in D.C. over the other members of either house, and to
make good public policy to change things they care about.
Describe the three activities (according to Mayhew) that members of Congress perform - correct answer
✔✔o Advertising which increases the probability of reelection, credit claiming which involves making
people think they made a difference in gov't, and position taking which involves taking a side on issues
and making it known.
Distinguish between delegate and trustee models of representation - correct answer ✔✔o Delegates
believe they are agents of others and represent those who voted for them. Trustees vote based on what
they think would be beneficial for the constituency.
Describe the three roles members of Congress take-on to achieve their goals - correct answer ✔✔o
Advertising: Building a brand name, No issue content, Emphasizes positive character traits.
o Credit Claiming: making constituents believe that the representative is personally responsible for
something the government has done to benefit the actor
o Position Taking: Announcing judgment on important issues. Dangerous!
Describe Fenno's notion of multiple constituencies ("concentric circles") and how these affect
congressional representation - correct answer ✔✔o Geographic: The broadest circle is that of the
geographic district, encompassing all potential voters and regions. Reelection: The next circle consists of
the electoral supporters--"who is likely to vote for me?". Primary supporters: The next circle is the
primary supporters--"who is actually going to do work for me?". Personal: The smallest circle is the
candidate's intimates--family, close friends, and trusted advisers.
Describe the process Congress utilizes to pass legislation: - correct answer ✔✔o Bill is introduced by
representative and referred to a committee where it is passed down committees until it is reported on by
the whole committee. If it is reported on favorably then the bill is voted on in the HOR. If the bill makes it
through the HOR then it is voted on in the Senate. If the bill is voted in favor of in both houses then the
bill is sent to the president to be signed into law or vetoed.
