Chapter 1: Introduction

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. As measured by gross domestic product (GDP), California’s economy ______.

A. is the largest in the world

B. is not much different than an average U.S. state

C. ranks among the 10 largest countries in the world

D. ranks among the 10 smallest countries in the world

Answer Location: Introduction

2. “A process through which people with differing goals and values try to manage their conflicts by working together to allocate values for society” is a definition of ______.

A. communism

B. politics

C. political culture

D. hybrid democracy

Answer Location: Introduction

3. The definition of a “hybrid democracy” is ______.

A. a citizenry whose rights are guaranteed by both a national and a state constitution

B. a state that was once a territory but was admitted to the union without a waiting period

C. a state with a combination of representative and direct democracy

D. a Progressive state where electric and alternative fuel vehicles are most popular

Answer Location: Introduction

4. Which of these best expresses a critical difference between politics at the state and federal levels?

A. Direct democracy is not a feature of the federal political system.

B. Direct democracy exists in every state, but not in the federal political system.

C. Representatives at the federal levels tend to respond to the most organized and well-funded members of society, whereas state representatives do not favor these groups.

D. Choice, political culture, institutions, collective action, rules, and history are concepts that explain state politics only, not federal politics.

Answer Location: Introduction

5. Approximately how many people in California are foreign-born?

A. 1 out of 2 (50%)

B. 1 in 4 (25%)

C. 1 in 10 (10%)

D. 1 out of 100 (1%)

Answer Location: Introduction

6. According to the book, ______ (is/are) at the heart of politics.

A. choices

B. the constitution

C. representatives

D. incentives and disincentives

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

7. One of the features that defines California’s political culture is ______.

A. social and economic conservatism

B. strong political party affiliation and a healthy and competitive two-party system

C. strong trust in state government; government is seen as a positive force

D. fondness for political reform, and general dislike of politicians

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

8. What is the main function of a political institution?

A. To provide a deliberative forum for elected representatives.

B. To provide politicians a physical space, such as a building, in which to conduct their business.

C. To enable citizens to bypass elected representatives and exercise self-governance.

D. To facilitate compromises that lead to acceptable solutions or alternatives.

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

9. A “norm” is ______.

A. a formal statute prescribing how individuals should behave

B. an unwritten rule that guides acceptable or expected behavior, and is enforced through daily interactions

C. a goal that political actors are trying to achieve

D. a court ruling about the state lawmakers

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

10. Which of these is an example of collective action?

A. neighbors form an association to watch for potential criminal activity in their area

B. mayors and city council members from several cities agree to fund a new bus route

C. county residents vote down a proposed tax increase

D. all of these

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

11. The largest city in California is ______.

A. San Francisco

B. Los Angeles

C. Fresno

D. San Diego

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California

12. How many representatives represent California in Congress?

A. 21 U.S. House representatives plus 2 senators

B. 33 U.S. House representatives plus 2 senators

C. 53 U.S. House representatives plus 2 senators

D. 74 U.S. House representatives plus 2 senators

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California

13. How many counties are contained within California?

A. 5

B. 21

C. 39

D. 58

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California

14. How long has California been a U.S. state?

A. about 50 years

B. about 100 years

C. more than 150 years

D. more than 200 years

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California

15. Where is California’s capital, where state elected officials conduct most of their legislative and executive business?

A. Sacramento

B. San Francisco

C. Los Angeles

D. Eureka

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California | Photo Caption 1.1

16. The capital of California is ______.

A. San Francisco

B. San Diego

C. Los Angeles

D. Sacramento

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California | Photo Caption 1.1

17. What is the approximate total population of California?

A. 5 million

B. 10 million

C. 20 million

D. 40 million

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California

True/False

1. One reason for California’s “crazy quilt” of governing institutions, rules, and processes is that citizens can bypass the legislature by using the initiative process.

Answer Location: Introduction

2. A high percentage of Californians (one of every four persons) is foreign-born.

Answer Location: Introduction

3. California has about the same percentage of non-Hispanic Whites as the rest of the United States.

Answer Location: Introduction

4. As recently as 1970, the California state legislature was generally considered one of the best in the nation.

Answer Location: Introduction

5. Compared to New York, another large state, California has a lower percentage of foreign-born residents.

Answer Location: Introduction

6. Because California is such a large state, fluctuations in the global or national economies have almost no effect on the state’s economy.

Answer Location: Introduction

7. The size of the criminal population in California exceeds that of every other state.

Answer Location: Introduction

8. When a drought ends, the public policy consequences of that drought also end.

Answer Location: Introduction

9. The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta estuary is a critical source of drinking water for Southern Californians.

Answer Location: Introduction

10. California considers itself a “sanctuary” for undocumented immigrants because state officials, including law enforcement, are generally prohibited from cooperating with federal law enforcement agents in deporting nonviolent undocumented immigrants.

Answer Location: Introduction

11. As a “sanctuary” state, California laws cannot be used to prosecute undocumented persons for crimes committed in the state.

Answer Location: Introduction

Short Answer

1. The capital of California is ______.

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California

2. To understand politics, it is also important to understand the rules, because rules create ______.

Answer Location: Box 1.1 Comparative FAST FACTS on California

3. Six fundamental concepts for understanding politics include choice, political culture, institutions, rules, history, and ______ (working together for mutual benefit).

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

Essay

1. Define the term “politics.”

Answer Location: Introduction

2. Explain what a political institution is, and provide an example.

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

3. Provide an example of a political institution in California.

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

4. With respect to politics, why do rules matter?

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

5. What are some of the conditions that make governing California difficult and possibly “exceptional?”

Answer Location: Introduction

6. Weather events have political dimensions. Describe how changes in the climate create problems and issues that require a response from California governing officials.

Answer Location: Introduction

7. What principles are important for understanding California politics?

Answer Location: Principles for Understanding California Politics

8. Briefly describe how California’s official policies counteract or defy the Trump administration in the areas of immigration policy and/or environmental policy.

Answer Location: Introduction

9. How does California define itself as a “sanctuary state?”

Answer Location: Introduction