Practice Test G - Reading
Questions 1 – 11
The United States Constitution makes no provision for the nomination of candidates
for the presidency. As the framers of the Constitution set up the system, the electors would,
out of their own knowledge, select the "wisest and best" as President. But the rise of
Line political parties altered that system drastically — and with the change came the need for
(5) nominations.
The first method that the parties developed to nominate presidential candidates was
the congressional caucus, a small group of members of Congress. That method was
regularly used in the elections of 1800 to 1824. But its closed character led to its downfall
in the mid-1820's. For the election of 1832, both major parties turned to the national
(10) convention as their nominating device. It has continued to serve them ever since.
With the convention process, the final selection of the President is, for all practical
purposes, narrowed to one of two persons: the Republican or the Democratic party
nominee. Yet there is almost no legal control of that vital process.
The Constitution is silent on the subject of presidential nominations. There is, as well,
(15) almost no statutory law on the matter. The only provisions in federal law have to do with
the financing of conventions. And in each state there is only a small body of laws that deal
with issues related to the convention, such as the choosing of delegates and the manner in
which they may cast their votes. In short, the convention is very largely a creation and a
responsibility of the political parties themselves.
(20) In both the Republican and Democratic parties, the national committee is charged with
making the plans and arrangements for the national convention. As much as a year before
it is held, the committee meets (usually in Washington, D.C.) to set the time and place for
the convention. July has been the favored month; but each party has met in convention as
early as mid-June and also as late as the latter part of August.
(25) Where the convention is held is a matter of prime importance. There must be an
adequate convention hall, sufficient hotel accommodations, plentiful entertainment outlets,
and efficient transportation facilities.
1. Which of the following motivated a 2. When was the congressional caucus
change in the original method of selecting used?
a President of the United States? (A) In the early 1800's
(A) The framers of the Constitution (B) During the election of 1832
(B) The rise of the congressional caucus (C) Throughout the nineteenth century
(C) The emergence of the party system (D) In several recent elections
(D) The establishment of national
conventions
, 3. What can be inferred about why the 8. In paragraph 4, the author compares
congressional caucus system was (A) nominations and conventions
terminated? (B) finances and the Constitution
(A) It was too expensive. (C) delegates and candidates
(B) It took too much time. (D) federal and state laws
(C) It did not conform to the Constitution.
(D) It did not include enough citizens.
9. The words "charged with" in lines 20-21
are closest in meaning to
4. The word "them" in line 10 refers to (A) responsible for
(A) conventions (B) excited about
(B) parties (C) blamed for
(C) elections (D) in favor of
(D) candidates
10. The passage refers to all of the following
5. The word "Yet" in line 13 indicates that as necessary in the city where the
what follows is convention is held EXCEPT
(A) an unexpected fact (A) an acceptable meeting place
(B) a personal observation (B) politically aware citizens
(C) a list (C) an easy way of traveling around the
(D) an example city
(D) sufficient amusement opportunities
6. The word "vital" in line 13 is closest in
meaning to 11. Where in the passage does the author
(A) extremely important refer to the original method of selecting a
(B) always accessible president?
(C) political (A) Lines 2-3
(D) optional (B) Lines 11-13
(C) Lines 18-19
(D) Lines 20-21
7. According to the passage, the only aspect
of political conventions addressed by
federal law involves
(A) organization
(B) choosing delegates
(C) voting procedures
(D) funding
Questions 1 – 11
The United States Constitution makes no provision for the nomination of candidates
for the presidency. As the framers of the Constitution set up the system, the electors would,
out of their own knowledge, select the "wisest and best" as President. But the rise of
Line political parties altered that system drastically — and with the change came the need for
(5) nominations.
The first method that the parties developed to nominate presidential candidates was
the congressional caucus, a small group of members of Congress. That method was
regularly used in the elections of 1800 to 1824. But its closed character led to its downfall
in the mid-1820's. For the election of 1832, both major parties turned to the national
(10) convention as their nominating device. It has continued to serve them ever since.
With the convention process, the final selection of the President is, for all practical
purposes, narrowed to one of two persons: the Republican or the Democratic party
nominee. Yet there is almost no legal control of that vital process.
The Constitution is silent on the subject of presidential nominations. There is, as well,
(15) almost no statutory law on the matter. The only provisions in federal law have to do with
the financing of conventions. And in each state there is only a small body of laws that deal
with issues related to the convention, such as the choosing of delegates and the manner in
which they may cast their votes. In short, the convention is very largely a creation and a
responsibility of the political parties themselves.
(20) In both the Republican and Democratic parties, the national committee is charged with
making the plans and arrangements for the national convention. As much as a year before
it is held, the committee meets (usually in Washington, D.C.) to set the time and place for
the convention. July has been the favored month; but each party has met in convention as
early as mid-June and also as late as the latter part of August.
(25) Where the convention is held is a matter of prime importance. There must be an
adequate convention hall, sufficient hotel accommodations, plentiful entertainment outlets,
and efficient transportation facilities.
1. Which of the following motivated a 2. When was the congressional caucus
change in the original method of selecting used?
a President of the United States? (A) In the early 1800's
(A) The framers of the Constitution (B) During the election of 1832
(B) The rise of the congressional caucus (C) Throughout the nineteenth century
(C) The emergence of the party system (D) In several recent elections
(D) The establishment of national
conventions
, 3. What can be inferred about why the 8. In paragraph 4, the author compares
congressional caucus system was (A) nominations and conventions
terminated? (B) finances and the Constitution
(A) It was too expensive. (C) delegates and candidates
(B) It took too much time. (D) federal and state laws
(C) It did not conform to the Constitution.
(D) It did not include enough citizens.
9. The words "charged with" in lines 20-21
are closest in meaning to
4. The word "them" in line 10 refers to (A) responsible for
(A) conventions (B) excited about
(B) parties (C) blamed for
(C) elections (D) in favor of
(D) candidates
10. The passage refers to all of the following
5. The word "Yet" in line 13 indicates that as necessary in the city where the
what follows is convention is held EXCEPT
(A) an unexpected fact (A) an acceptable meeting place
(B) a personal observation (B) politically aware citizens
(C) a list (C) an easy way of traveling around the
(D) an example city
(D) sufficient amusement opportunities
6. The word "vital" in line 13 is closest in
meaning to 11. Where in the passage does the author
(A) extremely important refer to the original method of selecting a
(B) always accessible president?
(C) political (A) Lines 2-3
(D) optional (B) Lines 11-13
(C) Lines 18-19
(D) Lines 20-21
7. According to the passage, the only aspect
of political conventions addressed by
federal law involves
(A) organization
(B) choosing delegates
(C) voting procedures
(D) funding
