Chapter 6 Quiz Rippee 2nd

1.

Demography refers to

A.

The science of population changes
B.

The science of public opinion
C.

The science of democracy
D.

The U.S. census planning process
E.

Constitutional rules governing reapportionment of Congress

Correct Answer
A. The science of population changes

Explanation
Demography refers to the study of population changes, including the size, distribution, and characteristics of populations over time. It involves analyzing factors such as birth rates, death rates, migration patterns, and demographic trends. This field of study helps us understand how populations change, grow, and evolve, and it is essential for making informed decisions in areas such as public policy, healthcare, and urban planning.

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2.

Most Americans learn about government and politics through

A.

An informal learning process
B.

High school civics courses
C.

University political science classes
D.

Direct explanation from their parents
E.

Newspapers

Correct Answer
A. An informal learning process

Explanation
The given answer suggests that most Americans learn about government and politics through an informal learning process rather than through formal education or direct explanations from their parents. This means that they acquire knowledge and understanding of these topics through various informal sources such as discussions with friends and colleagues, reading books and articles, watching news and documentaries, and participating in community activities. This informal learning process allows individuals to develop a nuanced understanding of government and politics by engaging with different perspectives and sources of information.

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3.

The _________ refers to the emergence of a non-Caucasian majority, as compared with White, generally Anglo-Saxon majority

A.

Minority majority
B.

Melting pot
C.

Immigrant population
D.

Population explosion
E.

Majority minority

Correct Answer
A. Minority majority

Explanation
The term "minority majority" refers to the situation where a non-Caucasian population becomes the majority in comparison to the White, generally Anglo-Saxon majority. This term is used to describe the demographic shift in which minority groups collectively surpass the number of the dominant ethnic group. It signifies a change in the racial or ethnic composition of a population, highlighting the increasing diversity and multiculturalism within a society.

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4.

Reapportionment

A.

Can dramatically shift political power between the regions
B.

Affects how much federal aid population groups can receive
C.

Changes the states’ number of representatives in the United States Senate
D.

Has most recently increased congressional representation for New England
E.

Rarely occurs

Correct Answer
A. Can dramatically shift political power between the regions

Explanation
Reapportionment refers to the process of redistributing representation in a legislative body, such as the United States Congress, based on changes in population. This can have a significant impact on the distribution of political power between different regions. By reallocating seats in the House of Representatives, for example, reapportionment can influence the balance of power and representation among states. It can also affect the amount of federal aid that population groups receive, as funding often depends on the number of representatives a state has. Therefore, reapportionment can be a powerful tool in shaping political power and resource allocation.

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5.

As one becomes more socialized with age, one’s political orientations

A.

Become less important
B.

Change as one’s position in the aging order changes their life conditions
C.

Grow firmer
D.

Lack commitment
E.

Fluctuate more

Correct Answer
C. Grow firmer

Explanation
As individuals become more socialized with age, their political orientations tend to grow firmer. This can be attributed to a variety of factors such as increased life experience, exposure to different perspectives, and the development of a more solidified worldview. As people interact with others and engage in political discussions, they may refine their beliefs and become more confident in their political stances. This firmness in political orientations is often a result of a deeper understanding and conviction in one's values and ideologies.

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6.

The key to the accuracy of public opinion polls is

A.

Political ideology
B.

Polygraphs
C.

Sampling error
D.

The larger the size of the sample, the better
E.

Random sampling

Correct Answer
E. Random sampling

Explanation
Random sampling is the correct answer because it ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the survey. This helps to eliminate bias and increase the representativeness of the sample, leading to more accurate results. By randomly selecting participants, the sample is more likely to reflect the diversity of opinions within the population, making it a reliable method for measuring public opinion.

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7.

The procedure for conducting ____________ includes randomly selected voting places around the country and asking every tenth person how they voted.

A.

Absentee balloting
B.

A referendum
C.

Preventing voting fraud
D.

Reapportionment
E.

An exit poll

Correct Answer
E. An exit poll

Explanation
An exit poll is a procedure for conducting surveys by randomly selecting voting places and asking every tenth person how they voted. This method is commonly used to gather data on voter preferences and trends during elections. By interviewing a sample of voters leaving the polling stations, it provides an estimate of the overall voting patterns and can help predict the outcome of an election. This method is useful for understanding voter behavior and can provide valuable insights into the electoral process.

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8.

A political ideology is

A.

The process through which an individual acquires his or her political skills
B.

A relatively small proportion of people who are chosen as representative of the whole
C.

The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues
D.

The set of courses that a political science student must complete to attain a degree
E.

A coherent set of values and beliefs about public policy

Correct Answer
E. A coherent set of values and beliefs about public policy

Explanation
The correct answer is a coherent set of values and beliefs about public policy. This explanation accurately describes a political ideology as a collection of consistent and interconnected values and beliefs regarding how public policies should be formulated and implemented. These ideologies often shape individuals' political opinions and guide their decision-making processes in relation to public affairs.

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9.

Conservatives would tend to favor each of the following EXCEPT

A.

Affirmative action
B.

Low taxes
C.

Increased military spending
D.

Free-market solutions
E.

The right to life

Correct Answer
A. Affirmative action

Explanation
Conservatives typically advocate for limited government intervention and believe in individual responsibility and meritocracy. They generally oppose affirmative action, which they perceive as a form of government interference in private sector decision-making and a violation of the principle of equal opportunity. On the other hand, conservatives typically support low taxes to promote economic growth, increased military spending to ensure national security, free-market solutions to foster competition and innovation, and the right to life as part of their pro-life stance on abortion.

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10.

According to the classic study, The American Voter, done in the 1950s, most Americans fell into the category of

A.

Group benefits voters
B.

Ideologues
C.

No-issue-content voters
D.

Anti-ideologues
E.

Nature-of-the-times voters

Correct Answer
A. Group benefits voters

Explanation
According to the classic study, The American Voter, conducted in the 1950s, most Americans were classified as "group benefits voters." This means that they primarily voted based on the benefits they believed they would receive as a member of a particular group, such as a union or a racial or ethnic group. These voters were motivated by the policies and promises that would directly benefit their group, rather than being driven by ideology, specific issues, or the overall state of the nation.

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11.

Which of the following is TRUE in regard to the voting habits of African Americans and Hispanic Americans?

A.

They have always voted about as much as whites despite legal barriers
B.

The gap between their voter turnout and that of whites has widened considerably over the past thirty years
C.

Members of these groups are less likely to vote the higher their income
D.

Members of these groups are more likely to vote than whites of the same income level
E.

None of the above

Correct Answer
D. Members of these groups are more likely to vote than whites of the same income level

Explanation
Members of these groups are more likely to vote than whites of the same income level. This suggests that African Americans and Hispanic Americans are more politically engaged and active in exercising their right to vote compared to whites with similar income levels. This finding challenges the common assumption that higher income leads to higher voter turnout, indicating that other factors such as race and ethnicity play a significant role in determining voting habits.

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