Public Policy Skills Test

PUBLIC POLICY SKILLS TEST

Multiple Choice: Select the letter that best completes each statement. Do not write on the test.

_____ 1. Public policy affects the lives of

(A) politicians (B) farmers (C) lawmakers (D) everyone

_____ 2. Public policy can best be defined as:

(A) any type of government action

(B) agricultural policies

(D) signs posted in public parks

_____ 3. Which branch of government is involved with public policy:

(A) legislative (B) executive (C) judicial (D) all of these

_____ 4. Social problems can be found in:

(A) schools (B) cities (C) national parks (D) all of these

_____ 5. Statistics, case studies, and surveys are used in public policy analysis to:

(A) increase the number of new voters for the next election

(B) gather evidence that a social problem exists

(D) determine latitude and longitude

_____ 6. Which is NOT a necessary component of a public policy issue:

(A) a government action

(B) undesirable social conditions

(D) a disagreement among players concerning a public policy

_____ 7. A public policy alternative can be evaluated according to its:

(A) effectiveness (C) both A and B

(B) feasibility (D) neither A nor B

_____ 8. A public policy to cut off the hands of convicted shoplifters is very unlikely to be

enacted in your city because it would NOT be:

(A) feasible (C) both A and B

(B) effective (D) neither A nor B

_____ 9. The Internet can be used in public policy analysis to:

(A) identify the problem

(B) determine the causes of the problem

(D) all of the above

PUBLIC POLICY SKILLS TEST

_____ 10. Which of the following does not conform to the definition of a problem

leading to a public policy issue:

(A) a decline in exports

(B) an increase in crime in a city’s public housing apartments

(D) insufficient tax revenues

_____ 11. The current public policy and the causes of the social problem can be used to:

(A) develop public policy alternatives

(B) define the social problem

(D) eliminate the need for a public policy

_____ 12. Which is the correct order for the four steps essential to formulating a position on

a public policy issue:

(1) identify the causes of the problem

(2) provide evidence of the problem

(3) identify the nature of the problem

(4) determine a preferred policy alternative

(A) 1, 2, 3, 4

(B) 3, 2, 1, 4

(D) 3, 4, 2, 1

_____ 13. In selecting the best public policy alternative from various alternatives, the choice

should:

(A) be based on random selection

(B) ignore whether policy makers would support it

(D) be popular with both supporting and opposing players

_____ 14. The causes of most social problems:

(A) result from a single main factor

(B) do not suggest any causes

(D) result from social, economic, and political factors

PUBLIC POLICY SKILLS TEST

15—19 Select whether the phrases below are:

(A) public policies (B) public policy goals (C) neither A nor B

_____ 15. Drivers must wear seatbelts

_____ 16. New York City should have less crime

_____ 17. The mayor should be reelected

_____ 18. You must be 21 to purchase alcohol

_____ 19. The number of students graduating from our city high schools will increase

20—25 A public policy issue contains three components:

(A) a public policy (B) players (C) social conditions

In the two statements below (20—22 and 23—25), identify which component is stated.

“Senate Democrats propose cost containment legislation to curb the rising cost of health care.”

_____ 20. Senate Democrats propose ...

____ 21. …cost containment legislation to curb ...

____ 22. …the rising cost of health care.

“The increase in DWI roadblocks is due to pressure from Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) brought about by the country’s increase in DWI fatalities.”

_____ 23. The increase in DWI roadblocks ...

_____ 24. ...is due to pressure from Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) ...

_____ 25. ...brought about by the county's increase in DWI fatalities.