Composition Of Congress Quiz
Welcome to an informative quiz where we’ll be discussing an important topic in the study of US Government; Congress, which is the term used to define the bicameral legislature of the United States’ federal government. What do you know about how US Congress works? Let’s find out.
- 1.
All of the follow make it difficult for Congress to make policy EXCEPT:
- A.
Congress must worry about voters' preferences, so it engages in arguments on important issues
- B.
Congress does not choose the president, so there is no guarantee a bill will become law
- C.
Congress operates through coalitions of several political parties, each of which represents different interests
- D.
Congress is bicameral, and a bill must pass both houses
- E.
Each member of Congress faces reelection, and the interests of the members of his or her district must be considered
Correct Answer
C. Congress operates through coalitions of several political parties, each of which represents different interestsExplanation
Each member of Congress must consider the preferences of the voters in his or her district. This can lead to arguments over policy. In addition, a bill must pass both houses of Congress and be signed by the president (or have a veto overriden) to become law. Unlike many countries the United States has a two-party system that does not require party coalitions.Rate this question:
-
- 2.
How did the composition of Congress change between 1950 and 2002?
- A.
There was no change change in the number of ethnic minorities, but the number of women increased
- B.
There was no change in the number of women, but the number of African Americans increased
- C.
The percentage of African Americans in Congress is similar to the percentage of African Americans in the country as a whole
- D.
There are fewer Hispanics but more African Americans and Women
- E.
Although representation does not mirror the population as a whole, there are more minorities and women
Correct Answer
E. Although representation does not mirror the population as a whole, there are more minorities and womenExplanation
Congress has generally become less white and less male.Rate this question:
-
- 3.
What role does incumbency play in congressional elections?
- A.
Incumbents are more likely to be reelected in the house of Representatives than the Senate
- B.
More than 90 percent of all incumbent members of Congress are reelected
- C.
Incumbents are more likely to be reelected in the Senate than in the House of Representatives
- D.
Incumbency is only helpful when the economy is strong; more than half of all incumbents lose their reelection bids in a weak economy
- E.
There is no correlation between incumbency and reelection
Correct Answer
A. Incumbents are more likely to be reelected in the house of Representatives than the SenateExplanation
There is an incumbency advantage for all members of Congress. However, incumbents in the House of Representatives are more likely to be reelected than incumbents in the Senate.Rate this question:
-
- 4.
During the 1960s and 1970s a conservative coalition was an important factor in Congress. Why is that coalition less important today?
- A.
Because African American southern Democrats have become more moderate in their ideology
- B.
Because white southern Republicans have become less conservative
- C.
Because many southern Democrats in Congress have been replaced by Republicans
- D.
Because the regional issues that brought the coalition together, like race relations, have been resolved through the civil rights legislation
- E.
Becaus ethe southern states have changed and are less conservative than they were in the past
Correct Answer
C. Because many southern Democrats in Congress have been replaced by RepublicansExplanation
The conservative coalition of the 1960s and 1970s was made up of Republicans and southern Democrats. Republicans have replaced many southern Democrats in Congress.Rate this question:
-
- 5.
The representational view of Congress is based on the assumption that members want to get reelected and therefore vote to please their constituents. Under what circumstances is a member of Congress most likely to vote according to this view?
- A.
When a bill will bring "pork" to the congressman's district
- B.
When constituents have a clear view on some issue and the issue has attracted attantion
- C.
When constituents have a clear view on an issue and the member of Congress agrees with constantuents' views
- D.
When there is a close race for reelection and a member of Congress is eager to please constituents
- E.
When a small group of constantuents goes to great lengths to make its views known to their senator or representative
Correct Answer
B. When constituents have a clear view on some issue and the issue has attracted attantionExplanation
Congressman act according to the representational view when constituents have a clear view on an issue that has attracted attentionRate this question:
-
- 6.
Of the following members of Congress, who will most likely be chosen to head the House Appropriations Comittee when the majority is Republican?Representative Party Years in Congress Years on Comittee Smith R 18 2Jones R 5 5Gonzales D 22 8Wilson D 26 4Jefferson I 12 12
- A.
Smith
- B.
Jones
- C.
Gonzales
- D.
Wilson
- E.
Jefferson
Correct Answer
B. JonesExplanation
Although this rule is not always followed, the chairman of the comittee is usually the member who has served the longest on that comittee from the majority partyRate this question:
-
- 7.
A congressional was created to investigate any intelligence failures that might have occured prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. What kind of comittee does this represent?
- A.
Standing
- B.
Joint
- C.
Select
- D.
Conference
- E.
Oversight
Correct Answer
C. SelectExplanation
A select comittee is a group appointed for a limited purpose and lasting for only a few CongressesRate this question:
-
- 8.
The House Rules Comittee does all of the following EXCEPT:
- A.
Adopts procedures under which the house will consider a bill
- B.
Sets time limits on debate
- C.
Permits or forbids certain amendments on the floor
- D.
Reviews bills and places them on a calender
- E.
Establishes the number of votes needed for a bill to pass in the House
Correct Answer
E. Establishes the number of votes needed for a bill to pass in the HouseExplanation
The House Rules Comittee reviews bills and outs them on the agenda. It sets time limits and can limit the kind of admendments allowed. Bills must pass the House of Representatives by majority rule.Rate this question:
-
- 9.
A filibuster in the Senate can be used to talk a bill to death. A cloture vote can end a filibuster. Taken together, what is the impact of these practices?
- A.
Neither political party can control the senate unless it has at least sixty votes
- B.
A party with fifty-one votes can get most of its legislative agenda passed
- C.
The senate rarely passes legislation on controversial issues
- D.
Most important decisions are made in comittees because it is difficult to pass a bill in the Senate as a whole
- E.
The president's party has a significant advantage because the vice president of the Untied States can vote to break a tie in the Senate
Correct Answer
A. Neither political party can control the senate unless it has at least sixty votesExplanation
It takes sixty votes to end a filibuster. This means that neither party can control the Senate unless it has sixty votes. Otherwise, the minority party can use the filibuster to block legislation sponsored by the majority partyRate this question:
-
Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
-
Current Version
-
Mar 22, 2022Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Jan 04, 2011Quiz Created by
Eaddison
Back to top