NAME:
CLASS BLOCK:
CHAPTER TWELVE ASSIGNMENT
AP U.S. Government and Politics: Chapter 12: Congress
Directions:
- Answer the following questions in short-answer essay format – complete sentences, concise but articulate answers, check your spelling before you finish, and as always, DO YOUR OWN WORK IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
- Your answers must be indented, typed in bold, blue-color, Times New Roman, 12-point font, single-spaced. Leave one blank line between your answer and the next question. Please use this format in this assignment and all similar assignments in this course.
- Be sure to be specific, using terms and vocabulary from this chapter in the Government in America textbook. Through your answers, prove to your instructor and yourself that you’ve done the reading and that you understand the concepts.
- When it is appropriate, use specific examples that are relevant to the question (using examples from contemporary news reports is most helpful, here).
Chapter 12 Questions for Review
By the end of this chapter on Congress, the folks who create the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam that (hopefully) you will be taking in May hope believe you will be able to describe the characteristics of our senators and representatives, and the nature of their jobs.
1. List seven perks members of Congress receive. Briefly.
1
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
1
2. Describe a “typical” member of Congress in terms of the following categories.
Sex:
Age:
Race:
Religion:
Prior Occupation:
Wealth:
3. Define the following terms:
descriptive representation:
substantive representation:
Students enrolled in APGovPol must be able to explain the factors that have the greatest influence in congressional elections.
4. List and briefly explain five advantages incumbents have over their opponents in congressional elections.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
5. Define the following terms:
casework:
pork barrel projects:
6. What are the main criticisms of political action committees?
7. List and explain three ways that an incumbent might be defeated.
a.
b.
c.
8. List three criticisms of term limitations.
a.
b.
c.
One of the learning objectives for this chapter is that students will be able to explain the structure of power and leadership in the Congress, and the role of committees in the lawmaking process.
9. What are the main functions of the House Rules Committee?
10. List four formal powers of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
a.
b.
c.
d.
11. List the four types of congressional committees.
a.
b.
c.
d.
12. What is meant by the term “legislative oversight”?
13. How does the seniority system work?
14. What is the difference between the personal staff and the committee staff?
15. List three congressional staff agencies.
a.
b.
c.
Students in APGovPol need to be able to explain what the members of Congress do, and discuss the congressional process and the many influences on congressional decision making.
16. List the ten times a president must usually win in order to hope for final passage of his or her proposed legislation.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
17. What is the difference between trustees, instructed delegates, and politicos?
Trustees
Instructed delegates
Politicos
18. List three ways Congress can frustrate the activities of lobbyists.
a.
b.
c.
Another learning objective for this course and with this chapter on Congress is that students will be able to evaluate Congress in terms of American democracy, congressional reforms, and the scope of government.
19. What were the main reforms passed by Republicans when they took control of the House in 1995/
20. How does the organization of Congress contribute to the expanding scope of government?
1