Name Class Date Guided Reading Activity Section 1 READING THE SECTION Read the descriptions below. In the space provided, write the letter of the term that matches each description. 1. Errors introduced by polling methods that lead to one outcome over others 2. The aggregation of views shared by a segment of society on issues of interest or concern 3. Freedom from bias and other external factors that may influence results 4. Statements meant to influence public opinion or promote a particular viewpoint 5. The choices the government makes and the actions it takes in response to a particular issue or problem 6. The group of people who take part in a poll a. sample b. sampling error c. political socialization d. mass media e. public policy f. public opinion g. poll h. objectivity i. bias j. propaganda 7. Means of communication that provide information to a large audience 8. The process by which people acquire political beliefs 9. A survey of people scientifically selected to provide opinions about something 10. A poll s margin of error POST-READING QUICK CHECK In your own words, write the definition of each term. 11. public opinion: 12. exit poll: Chapter 9 29 Guided Reading Activities
Name Class Date Vocabulary Builder Section 1 public opinion objectivity sample propaganda public policy exit poll Bias sampling error poll mass media political socialization DIRECTIONS Choose six of the vocabulary terms from the word bank. Look them up in a dictionary. Use these terms to write a summary of what you learned in the section. DIRECTIONS Read each sentence and fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase. 1. The government s response to a particular issue or problem is called. (public opinion/public policy) 2. Getting information from a variety of reliable media sources helps you to avoid. (propaganda/political socialization) 3. The way in which poll questions are phrased can introduce and increase sampling error. (bias/objectivity) 4. are used to gauge public opinion on an issue. (Polls/Samples) 5. School, work, and personal experiences all contribute to an individual s. (political socialization/public opinion) Chapter 9 1
Name Class Date Guided Reading Activity Section 2 READING THE SECTION In your own words, write the definition of each term. 1. interest group: 2. political action committee: 3. labor union: 4. lobbying: 5. grass roots: POST-READING QUICK CHECK Answer the questions on the lines provided. 6. What are two ways that interest groups influence elections? 7. Do you think the negative aspects of interest groups outweigh the positive aspects? Why or why not? Chapter 9 30 Guided Reading Activities
Name Class Date Vocabulary Builder Section 2 grass roots labor union Lobbying trade association endorse interest group political action committee DIRECTIONS Read each sentence and choose the correct term from the word bank to replace the underlined phrase. 1. An organization of citizens with shared political beliefs or goals supplies information to the public and legislators in order to achieve their political goals and influence public policy. 2. People who feel strongly about an issue may take part in the political process by contributing to an organization that raises money through legal means to support the campaign of a candidate who agrees with their position. 3. People who hold the same or similar positions or who work in related industries may choose to join an organization of workers that promotes fair wages, a safer workplace, or other issues of concern to workers. 4. In addition to raising funds and public awareness to support a cause, groups pursue their political goals by directly contacting public officials to persuade them to support a cause. 5. Before an election, interest groups announce their support for a candidate who shares their views on an issue in order to achieve their political goals and shape public policy. 6. Citizens active at the lowest level of a political organization participating in and organizing demonstrations or marches are said to be involved in this type of politics. 7. A(n) business group that represents a certain industry generally supports laws and policies that benefit its industry and opposes those that it believes would harm the industry. Chapter 9 2
Name Class Date Guided Reading Activity Section 3 READING THE SECTION In the space provided, write the vocabulary term that best matches each description. 1. The body of people entitled to vote. 2. A system of choosing candidates to run for elective office. 3. A voting district made up of several precincts. 4. An organization that tries to get its members elected to public office so that its views shape public policy. 5. The smallest unit for administering elections and local voting. 6. Any political party in a two-party system other than the two major ones. POST-READING QUICK CHECK In your own words, write the definition of each term. 7. political spectrum: 8. one-party system: 9. two-party system: 10. multiparty system: Chapter 9 31 Guided Reading Activities
Name Class Date Vocabulary Builder Section 3 DIRECTIONS On the line provided before each statement, write T if a statement is true and F if a statement is false. If the statement is false, write the correct term on the line after each sentence that makes the sentence a true statement. 1. A political party s ideology is what sets it apart from other parties on the political spectrum. 2. The multiparty system has dominated American politics for more than 150 years. 3. Participating in the nomination process, educating the electorate, and helping to operate the government are the major functions of political parties. 4. Independent and third-party candidates receive support from segments of the electorate who do not agree with the positions held by the major parties. 5. A ward is the smallest unit for administering elections and local voting. DIRECTIONS Look at each set of four terms. On the line provided, write the letter of the term that does not relate to the others. 6. a. electorate b. precinct c. ward d. party organization 8. a. Democrat b. Republican c. third party d. major party 7. a. nomination b. one-party system c. independent candidate d. two-party system Chapter 9 3
Name Class Date Guided Reading Activity Section 4 READING THE SECTION Read each sentence and fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase. 1. When a political action committee donates money to a political party instead of a specific candidate, it is called. (hard money/ soft money) 2. A is a meeting of party members who select the candidates to run for election. (caucus/plurality) 3. Any registered voter may vote in either party s primary election if it is a(n), but he or she must choose one to vote in, not both. (open primary/closed primary) 4. Voters who are not able to vote at their polling place because they are ill or away from home can request a(n) to be submitted on or before election day. (direct primary/absentee ballot) POST-READING QUICK CHECK Write three words or phrases to describe each term given. 5. caucus _ 6. direct primary Chapter 9 32 Guided Reading Activities
Name Class Date Vocabulary Builder Section 4 hard money write-in candidate closed primary soft money absentee voting open primary caucus plurality direct primary DIRECTIONS Read each sentence and fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase. 1. In some states, party candidates vying for political office are chosen by. (caucus/plurality) 2. If a candidate receives more votes than his or her opponent in an election, the candidate wins by. (plurality/absentee voting) 3. describes funds contributed to a specific political campaign. (Hard money/soft money) 4. Political parties hold a/an when more than one party member seeks the same office. (open primary/direct primary) DIRECTIONS Answer each question by writing a sentence that contains at least one word from the word bank. 5. Describe the differences between the two types of direct primary elections. 6. How may people who are unable to vote at their polling location on election day submit their votes? 7. What is one way candidates can avoid limits on campaign contributions? 8. How might a candidate without a party nomination seek election to political office? Chapter 9 4