Public Policy Study Guide

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Fay Manning
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1 Name: Date: 1. We Americans live in a world we can no longer dominate, but from which we cannot isolate ourselves. The author or this quotation is saying that the United States should A. become less dependent on foreign nations 3. During the period between World Wars I and II, which general foreign policy was followed by the United States? A. overseas expansion B. internationalism C. militarism D. isolationism B. realize that it is no longer a world power C. recognize important changes in international relations D. increase its economic and military strength 4. Speakers A, B, C, and D are discussing United States foreign policy. Base your answer(s) to the following question(s) on their statements and on your knowledge of social studies. Speaker A: Speaker B: Speaker C: Speaker D: We cannot negotiate with our adversaries from a position of weakness. They must realize that we will not give in to their threats and hostile actions throughout the world. Our country and the Soviet Union have more to gain from mutual cooperation than from confrontation. The threat of nuclear war leaves us no alternative. We cannot police the world. Our past efforts to determine the destiny of nations throughout the world must not be repeated. We must tend to our needs at home. Bilateral treaties and discussions will no longer work. We need other nations of the world as much as they need us. This is a world community of nations. 2. Which is an example of improved relations between the People s Republic of China and the United States? A. sale of United States products in China Which speaker is likely referring to United States participation in the United Nations? A. A B. B C. C D. D B. continued United States recognition of Taiwan C. increased United States support for Vietnam in its dealings with China D. return to the quota system for Chinese immigration to the United States 5. Which speaker would most probably agree that having a strong military forms the best basis for foreign policy dealings? A. A B. B C. C D. D page 1

cannot free itself from Central American problems to concentrate on Middle Eastern issues B. is in danger of becoming involved in too many foreign problems C.

2 6. Base your answer(s) to the following question(s) on the cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies. 7. Base your answer to the following question on the cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies. The cartoonist s main concern about United States foreign policy is that the United States A. cannot free itself from Central American problems to concentrate on Middle Eastern issues B. is in danger of becoming involved in too many foreign problems C. is attempting to escape from its commitments to other areas of the world D. is not able to involve itself in more than two foreign problems at a time What is the main idea of this 2001 cartoon? A. The main task in fighting terrorism is to eliminate nuclear weapons. B. The battle against terrorism will be long and difficult. C. New equipment is needed to eliminate terrorism. D. The methods of dealing with global terrorism have created consensus. page 2

politics play a large role in determining how the defense budget is spent A. to prevent labor strikes B. to prevent economic recession C. to maintain public order and safety D.

3 8. Base your answer to the following question on the cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies. 10. Read the headlines below. What is the intent of the president s actions described in all of these headlines? The main idea of the cartoon is that A. the Pentagon and Congress work closely together on the defense budget B. politics play a large role in determining how the defense budget is spent A. to prevent labor strikes B. to prevent economic recession C. to maintain public order and safety D. to provide for the national defense C. the nation needs a strong defense establishment D. new weapons systems are expensive 11. Study the results of the public opinion poll below. People were asked: As the budget is prepared, which programs should receive reduced funding, the same amount of funding, or more funding? 9. A government provides goods and services for its people. Which of the following is a good or service that the United States government provides? A. churches where people can pray B. places where people can shop C. help in choosing books to read D. protection from the country s enemies PUBLIC OPINION POLL Program Reduce Stay the Same Increase Mass Transit 35% 35% 30% Arts and Humanities 35% 50% 15% National Defense 20% 35% 45% National Parks 60% 30% 10% According to the results of the poll, which of these would most likely be the government s response? A. increase military spending B. provide funding for a subway system C. set aside more land for national parks D. increase funding for museums in major urban areas page 3

4 12. Study the chart below. PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL Year White African Hispanic American Which of these actions could the government take to address the situation indicated by the data in the chart? 14. Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia joined efforts to form a task force to stop pollution of the Chesapeake Bay. The formation of the task force is an example of government policy being shaped by A. regional interests B. national interests C. community interests D. international interests A. develop more job opportunities B. provide transportation to suburban schools C. increase defense spending D. decrease tariffs and import more products 15. Which of these government policies was established specifically to address the problem of air pollution? A. mandating reduction of emissions from automobiles B. passing laws to protect endangered species C. funding a highway beautification project 13. Why were Social Security and Medicare created? D. researching soil conservation to improve farming A. to provide economic stability for older people B. to encourage people to make their own medical decisions C. to increase the number of people requiring private assistance D. to ensure that businesses provide retirement benefits for their employees 16. Which of these government actions demonstrates a get-tough-on-crime policy? A. accepting plea-bargaining B. eliminating lengthy jail sentences C. reading suspects their Miranda rights D. limiting the number of appeals per defendant page 4

5 17. Providing foreign aid helps meet United States foreign policy goals by 19. The United States government is allowed to restrict publication of information that A. reducing the chances of revolution and war B. causing poor nations to turn to communist governments C. helping strong nations take over weak nations D. encouraging countries to establish colonies A. criticizes presidential decisions B. supports one political party C. endangers national security D. promotes legal reforms 20. The government has the right to stop a public demonstration if the demonstration 18. Read the headline below. A. expresses a minority opinion B. presents only one point of view C. threatens the safety of the community D. criticizes the actions of public officials Which of these responsibilities of government is most related to the event described in the headline? A. regulation of monopolies B. regulation of product safety C. enforcement of minimum wage laws D. enforcement of equal opportunity laws 21. Which of these has contributed most to the discussion of reforming the social security system? A. Americans are living longer than ever before. B. The number of retired persons has decreased. C. Fewer people are paying taxes to support the program. D. The taxes to pay for the program have never been increased. page 5

22. Which of these government actions would be most effective in protecting the environment? 24. Look at the graph below. A. establishing wildlife management areas B.

6 22. Which of these government actions would be most effective in protecting the environment? 24. Look at the graph below. A. establishing wildlife management areas B. reducing regulations on industrial pollution C. encouraging development of farmland D. building highways and bridges 23. Read the headlines below. Increasing the budget for which of these programs would most help the United States government prepare for the trend shown in the graph? A. defense B. education C. social security D. employment opportunities What is the intent of the government actions described in all the headlines? A. to maintain public safety B. to raise tax revenue C. to reduce crime D. to maintain social order 25. Licensing for certain occupations is an example of a government regulation that A. controls wages in licensed occupations B. encourages monopolies in competing occupations C. limits entry into an occupation by setting standards D. guarantees lifetime employment for licensed workers page 6

7 26. The Chesapeake Bay has recently suffered a decline in the oyster population. At the urging of citizens, Virginia and Maryland have cooperated in passing legislation to restore the oyster population. The above is an example of A. states working together to protect resources B. states in conflict over disappearing resources 29. Legislation promoting immigration would most likely cause A. a decrease in economic activity B. an increase in cultural diversity C. a decrease in population growth D. an increase in available housing C. government developing a resource policy without public support D. government introducing new resource taxes 30. Which of these government actions is most associated with due process of law? 27. Due to large financial losses in the American automobile industry, the United States once set limits on the number of cars it imported. This response is most likely an example of government policy being shaped by A. national interests A. creating affirmative action programs B. informing the accused of their rights C. maintaining order during times of crisis D. establishing guidelines for workplace safety B. international interests C. state interests D. regional interests 31. Which of these is an example of government funding based on population? 28. The United States protects its national security most directly by A. passing environmental laws B. entering into military alliances C. providing low interest loans to poor nations D. signing free trade agreements with bordering nations A. City councils award contracts to waste management companies. B. The federal government gives grant money for environmental clean up. C. School districts receive money from the state for each student enrolled. D. A state approves placing stoplights at busy intersections. page 7

8 32. Which of these is the most effective way for a state government to reduce pollution in a river? A. limit the number of fish that can be taken from the river each day B. encourage volunteers to pick up trash in the most polluted areas of the river C. offer tax breaks to industries that decrease the amount of pollutants released into the river D. sell land along the banks of the river owned by the state government to businesses and individuals 34. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers home loans at low interest rates to low-income borrowers who live in rural communities. What is most likely the purpose of this government program? A. to increase ownership of property B. to regulate the lending industry C. to encourage people to move D. to raise tax revenues 35. Read the news article excerpt below. 33. While working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some counties in Maryland have begun a program to encourage residents to recycle electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, and telephones. Which of these is most likely a purpose of this program? A. to reduce the amount of waste in landfills B. to persuade consumers to buy new electronics equipment C. to raise money from the resale of the electronics equipment D. to stop people from using older electrical equipment that may be unsafe The action described in the article above is intended to A. support local businesses B. generate revenue for the city C. promote economic equity in the area D. limit support for local businesses page 8

36. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides help to landowners who want to restore wetlands located on their property. 38. Read the excerpt below.

to increase tax revenues Which of these was most likely the United States policy toward Cuba at the time the article was written? A. boycotting Cuban exports B. funding the Cuban government C.

9 36. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides help to landowners who want to restore wetlands located on their property. 38. Read the excerpt below. Then answer the question(s) below. What is most likely the purpose of this program? A. to protect the environment B. to purchase private property C. to encourage development D. to increase tax revenues Which of these was most likely the United States policy toward Cuba at the time the article was written? A. boycotting Cuban exports B. funding the Cuban government C. maintaining a military alliance with Cuba D. encouraging other nations to trade with Cuba 37. After purchasing a new car, the owner had the steering wheel repaired at least four times within one year. Under Maryland law, the person is entitled to a new car or a refund. The purpose of this law is to protect the 39. Read the news headline below. A. consumer B. government C. automobile salesperson D. automobile manufacturer The headline is most associated with which of these goals? A. to increase migration B. to form military forces C. to overthrow governments D. to stop human rights abuses page 9

10 40. Read the quotation below. Americans are free... to disagree with the law but not to disobey it. For in a government of laws and not of men, no man, however prominent or powerful, and no mob however unruly or boisterous, is entitled to defy a court of law. President John F. Kennedy 42. Which of these is the goal of a state law to reduce air and water pollution? A. expanding the economy B. promoting economic equity C. protecting individual rights D. protecting public health The quotation above most directly supports presidential actions that A. improve international relations B. improve the economy C. ensure public order and safety D. ensure individual rights 43. The United States Census Bureau projects that the percentage of people over 85 years old will triple in the next fifty years. What federal government action could best help the United States adjust to this demographic trend? 41. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that all products labeled Made in the USA be all or virtually all made in the United States. Which of these is the main reason for the above requirement? A. to increase the advertising industry s profits A. granting college scholarships to low-income students B. providing low-interest loans to first-time home buyers C. increasing the minimum wage D. funding health care services B. to encourage more foreign imports C. to enforce truth-in-advertising standards D. to lower the cost of manufactured goods page 10

11 44. States may offer medical coverage to children whose families cannot afford health insurance, and who do not qualify for similar federal programs. What is the purpose of this program? A. to increase wages for hospital employees B. to ensure that children receive health care C. to increase competition in the health care industry D. to conduct a census of children living in each state 46. Which of these media reports would the federal government most likely have the authority to censor? A. a private study that goes against official unemployment figures B. a news article that tells the location of troops in combat C. a statement from business leaders about unfair campaign financing D. an interview with an author of a book who criticized the President 47. Read the excerpt below. 45. Which of the following is an example of the United States government providing foreign aid? A. placing an embargo on foreign sugar B. signing a nuclear arms control treaty C. sending medical supplies to foreign doctors D. increasing immigration restrictions This is an example of the United States working with other nations to A. promote human rights B. improve regional trade C. protect national security D. strengthen democratic reform page 11

12 48. Which example best demonstrates a change in government involvement in the economy? A. involvement in the United Nations B. creation of the Social Security Administration C. deployment of military troops to Iraq D. implementation of the Voting Rights Act 51. A state is considering lowering state income tax rates by one percent. At a public hearing on the issue, supporters and opponents of the tax decrease make the following statements: Supporters I ve talked to people from all parts of the state, and everyone agrees that tax rates are too high. If the state receives less revenue from income taxes, the legislature might be less wasteful with the taxpayers money. This tax cut is a good idea. 49. In this 1986 quotation, President Ronald Reagan expressed his opinion concerning the role of government in the United States. The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I m from the government and I m here to help. Which policy of the Reagan administration supports the opinion expressed in the quotation? A. Tightening toxic waste disposal standards B. Providing funding for missile systems C. Granting citizenship to immigrants D. Reducing income tax rates Opponents The State Budget Office estimates that this tax cut will cost the state $50 million a year in lost tax revenue. The leading accounting firm in the state estimates that the average taxpayer will see their taxes decrease by only $27. This tax cut is simply not worth the cost. Which of these two statements includes credible sources of information that uphold the statement s position? Why does agreement with credible sources of information help make a statement believable? Write your answer in the space provided. 50. The National Do Not Call Registry, dietary supplement guidelines, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act are examples of which type of protection? A. business B. consumer C. foreclosure D. whistle-blower page 12

13 52. A state is considering passing a law to ban cell phone use while driving. At a public hearing on the issue, supporters of the proposed law make the following statement: The New England Journal of Medicine published a study showing that drivers who use cell phones are four to five times more likely to be involved in accidents than other drivers. A study by the State Highway Safety Board found that crashes involving cell phone use are more likely to result in serious injury. This proposed law is the only way to protect the citizens of this state. The supporters cite two sources in their statement. Provide one explanation of how the use of both sources makes the supporters statement more credible. Support your explanation with information from the supporters statement. Write your answer in the the space provided below. page 13

OGT PREP QUIZ TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

OGT PREP QUIZ TYPES OF GOVERNMENT TYPES OF GOVERNMENT 1. In a democracy, the source of authority for the government is the: A. head of state B. legislature C. courts D. people Use the following diagrams representing the structure of two