Chapter 1 Key Concepts Quiz

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. Which of the following is the best definition of gridlock?

The failure to reach agreement to move a legislative program forward correct incorrect

A rule in the Senate that requires senators to obtain a 3/5ths majority in the chamber to filibuster correct incorrect

The effective passage of landmark legislation correct incorrect

The stage of the legislative process where conferees reconcile two versions of the same bill correct incorrect

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. James Madison authored many of the federalist papers. What was one of his main arguments in Federalist No. 51?

That the majority viewpoint must conquer all correct incorrect

That political parties were ominous and would corrupt the republic correct incorrect

That Congress was meant to be a bicameral institution correct incorrect

That minority points of view must be protected correct incorrect

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. The lower chamber of Congress, said to be closer to the people, is known as the ________.

House of Commons correct incorrect

General Assembly correct incorrect

House of Representatives correct incorrect

Senate correct incorrect

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. The upper chamber of Congress, said to be more exclusive and deliberative, is known as the ________.

House of Lords correct incorrect

House of Representatives correct incorrect

General Assembly correct incorrect

Senate correct incorrect

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. Once a year Congress invites the president to address a joint session to keep them informed and allow the president to suggest agenda items. What is this address called?

The State of the Union correct incorrect

The Primary Session of Congress correct incorrect

The Interbranch Conference correct incorrect

The Union Address correct incorrect

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. The ________ formally establishes Congress and defines its role in the United States government.

Bill of Rights correct incorrect

Constitution correct incorrect

Declaration of Independence correct incorrect

Congressional Rules of Order correct incorrect

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. The Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the constitution. What is the main purpose of these amendments?

To establish the congressional committee system correct incorrect

To empower members of Congress in better serving their districts correct incorrect

To establish a two-party political system correct incorrect

To protect individual rights of citizens correct incorrect

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. Which of the following provides that the enumeration of individual rights in the Constitution "shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people"?

The Ninth Amendment correct incorrect

The Tenth Amendment correct incorrect

The Third Amendment correct incorrect

Article IV correct incorrect

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. Which of the following provides that government powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution "are reserved to the states, respectively, or to the people"?

The Sixth Amendment correct incorrect

The Tenth Amendment correct incorrect

Article VI correct incorrect

The Ninth Amendment correct incorrect

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. What are members of Congress in charge of committees referred to as?

Ranking Member correct incorrect

The Speaker correct incorrect

Committee Chair correct incorrect

Committee Majority Leader correct incorrect

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. Which committee in the House of Representatives determines what amendments may be offered by other representatives if a bill goes to the floor?

Ways and Means committee correct incorrect

Amendments committee correct incorrect

Rules committee correct incorrect

Appropriations committee correct incorrect

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. If two separate versions of the same bill are passed in the House and Senate, which committee might be formed to reconcile the differences between the two versions?

Rules committee correct incorrect

Speakership committee correct incorrect

Reconciliation committee correct incorrect

Conference committee correct incorrect

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. Which of the following is true about committee chairs in Congress?

They can vote twice on the floor for bills from their committee correct incorrect

They must act on every bill assigned to their committee by the Speaker or Majority Leader correct incorrect

They have wide latitude in deciding the fate of bills under their committee's jurisdiction correct incorrect

None of the above correct incorrect

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. ________ believe policy should be made by considering all possible policy choices based on a neutral, best-outcome perspective.

Technocrats correct incorrect

Members of Congress correct incorrect

Supreme Court Justices correct incorrect

Lobbyists correct incorrect

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. What term do members of Congress use to refer to the people they represent?

Constituents correct incorrect

District citizenry correct incorrect

Loyal supporters correct incorrect

None of the above correct incorrect