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Chapter 11: Congress
11 problems · 0 figures11-1 §11.1 source ↗
The Great Compromise successfully resolved differences between ________.
- a.large and small states
- b.slaveholding and non-slaveholding states
- c.the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution
- d.the House and the Senate
Answer
A. large and small states
11-3 §11.1 source ↗
The process of redistricting can present problems for congressional representation because ________.
- a.districts must include urban and rural areas
- b.states can gain but never lose districts
- c.districts are often drawn to benefit partisan groups
- d.states have been known to create more districts than they have been apportioned
Answer
C. districts are often drawn to benefit partisan groups
11-5 §11.1 source ↗
Briefly explain the benefits and drawbacks of a bicameral system.
Answer
A primary benefit of a bicameral system is the way it demands careful consideration and deliberate action on the part of the legislators. A primary drawback is that it is tougher overall to pass legislation and makes it extremely difficult to push through large-scale reforms.
11-7 §11.1 source ↗
Why does a strong presidency necessarily sap power from Congress?
Answer
The executive and legislative branches complement and check each other. The purpose of dividing their roles is to prevent either from becoming too powerful. As a result, when one branch assumes more power, it necessarily assumes that power from the other branch.
11-9 §11.2 source ↗
The saying “All politics is local” roughly means ________.
- a.the local candidate will always win
- b.the local constituents want action on national issues
- c.the local constituents tend to care about things that affect them
- d.the act of campaigning always occurs at the local level where constituents are
Answer
C. the local constituents tend to care about things that affect them
11-11 §11.2 source ↗
Explain the factors that make it difficult to oust incumbents.
Answer
Incumbents chase off would-be challengers because they are able to raise more money given that people want to back a winner and that voters know incumbents by name because they won the office in a previous election. The challengers who do take on incumbents typically lose soundly for the same reasons.
11-13 §11.3 source ↗
The increasing value constituents have placed on descriptive representation in Congress has had the effect of ________.
- a.increasing the sensitivity representatives have to their constituents demands
- b.decreasing the rate at which incumbents are elected
- c.increasing the number of minority members in Congress
- d.decreasing the number of majority minority districts
Answer
C. increasing the number of minority members in Congress
11-15 §11.3 source ↗
What does polling data suggest about the events that trigger exceptionally high congressional approval ratings?
Answer
The peaks of congressional approval ratings have each occurred when the United States began military involvements overseas. This suggests that the start of a foreign war is one of the few things that triggers a positive reevaluation of Congress.
11-17 §11.4 source ↗
A select committee is different from a standing committee because ________.
- a.a select committee includes member of both chambers, while a standing committee includes only members of the House
- b.a select committee is used for bill reconciliation, while a standing committee is used for prosecutions
- c.a select committee must stay in session, while a standing committee goes to recess
- d.a select committee is convened for a specific and temporary purpose, while a standing committee is permanent
Answer
D. a select committee is convened for a specific and temporary purpose, while a standing committee is permanent
11-19 §11.5 source ↗
Stopping a filibuster requires that ________.
- a.a majority of senators agree on the bill
- b.the speaker steps away from the podium
- c.the chamber votes for cloture
- d.the Speaker or majority leader intervenes
Answer
C. the chamber votes for cloture
11-21 §11.5 source ↗
The key means of advancing modern legislation is now ________.
- a.committees
- b.the actions of the leadership
- c.the budget process
- d.the filibuster
Answer
C. the budget process
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Problems and answers are adapted from American Government 4e by Glen Krutz and Sylvie Waskiewicz, OpenStax, and are used under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/american-government-4e/pages/1-introduction. Illustrations: Copyright Rice University, OpenStax, under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. This adaptation is released under the same licence, is non-commercial, and is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by OpenStax or Rice University.