School Improvement in Maryland

Public Release Item: Public Release items have appeared on HSA forms and then are released for public viewing and use. Releasing items is one step to ensuring that schools, districts, and other stakeholders understand how the core learning goals are assessed on the HSA.

Goal 1 Political Systems

Expectation 1.1 The student will demonstrate understanding of the structure and functions of government and politics in the United States.

Indicator 1.1.4 The student will explain roles and analyze strategies individuals or groups may use to initiate change in governmental policy and institutions.

Assessment Limits:

  • Political parties, interest groups, lobbyists, candidates, citizens, and the impact of the media on elections, elected officials and public opinion.
  • Referendum and initiative processes.

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Which of these explains a difference between political parties and interest groups?

  1. Political parties evaluate government policy, while interest groups set government policy.
  2. Political parties influence laws, while interest groups ratify laws.
  3. Political parties address many issues, while interest groups usually focus on one issue.
  4. Political parties support candidates, while interest groups nominate candidates.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_114_gov09.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Study the cartoon below. Then answer the following.

The cartoonist would most likely agree that

  1. donations to political candidates have decreased
  2. qualifications for political candidates have changed
  3. political candidates pay little attention to public opinion polls
  4. political candidates mainly represent large business interests
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_114_gov25.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Which of these explains why former members of the legislature are often hired as lobbyists?

  1. They retain congressional voting privileges.
  2. They have inside knowledge of lawmaking procedures.
  3. They are able to continue using the offices they had as congressional members.
  4. They are elected to interest groups by the same constituents who elected them as lawmakers.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_114_gov26.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Suppose the Maryland Medical Association wants to change state licensing requirements for doctors.

What would be the association's best course of action to bring about this change?

  1. hiring a firm to conduct an opinion poll of Maryland residents
  2. rallying support from Maryland hospitals
  3. advertising their positions in Maryland periodicals
  4. lobbying the Maryland General Assembly
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_114_gov41.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Some groups are lobbying to permit citizens to register and vote on election day.

Which of these is an argument against such a measure?

  1. Citizens lack the time to register to vote.
  2. Present law allows voters to vote in any precinct.
  3. Officials cannot quickly verify a voter's identity.
  4. Transportation is available to polling places.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_114_gov07.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group?

  1. to influence government officials on specific issues
  2. to form legislative committees that study public policy
  3. to regulate the economy by setting federal lending rates
  4. to select cases for hearing in appeals courts
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_114_gov19.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

The state legislature passed a bill allowing a tax increase to improve roads. The proposed law was then placed on the ballot for voters to decide on the tax increase.

Which of these terms describes this action?

  1. amendment
  2. nomination
  3. petition
  4. referendum
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_114_gov46.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2005

News organizations predict the winners of elections before all the votes are counted. On election day 2000, supporters of George W. Bush complained that news organizations predicted Al Gore to be the winner in California hours before the polls closed on the West Coast.

  • Explain reasons why Bush supporters may have been displeased with the early predictions.
     
  • Should news organizations predict the winners of elections? Explain why or why not.
     
  • Use details and examples to support your answer.
     
Write your answer on the lines in the answer box below.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_114_gov16.xml

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Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

An interest group is most likely to

  1. nominate party candidates
  2. veto proposed legislation
  3. set government policy
  4. lobby elected officials
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_114_gov49.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Look at the cartoon below.

The cartoonist is making a statement about

  1. rising costs of medical care
  2. funding for candidates
  3. high salaries of members of Congress
  4. increasing costs of government programs
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_114_gov52.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

What is a reason people join third parties?

  1. Third-party candidates usually win elections.
  2. Third parties always raise a large sum of money.
  3. The Democratic and Republican party dues are too expensive.
  4. The Democratic and Republican parties do not represent their views.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_114_gov11.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Which of these activities is most likely performed by political parties?

  1. holding general elections
  2. raising campaign money
  3. designating voting precincts
  4. counting absentee ballots
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_114_gov12.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2004

Read the news article excerpt below.

“Residents in southwestern Allegany County wanted their area to become part of neighboring Garrett County. Under the state constitution, the Maryland legislature must pass a law before a county's borders can be changed....”

–from an article in Sunpapers, 12/2/98
  • Describe what actions these Allegany residents could take to influence the government on this issue.
     
  • Which of these actions would be most effective? Explain why.
     
  • Include details and examples to support your answer.
     
Write your answer in the answer box below.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_114_gov43.xml

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Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2002

The two-party system dominates American politics. Historically, third parties have had difficulty obtaining political power in the United States.
  • Describe two challenges third parties face in their struggle to gain political power in the United States.
  • For each of the two challenges, include details and examples to support your description.
Write your answer on the lines in the answer box below.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_114_gov06.xml

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Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Look at the cartoon below.

Which of these ideas about political campaigns is represented by the cartoon?

  1. They cost too much for some candidates.
  2. They are products of planned marketing.
  3. They have little effect on elections.
  4. They are dependent on grassroots support.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_114_gov19.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Which of these is the most direct way for a group of teenagers to influence the outcome of a bill that would raise the minimum driving age?

  1. testifying at a legislative hearing
  2. launching a voter registration drive
  3. writing to an ambassador
  4. appealing to a high court
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_114_gov22.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

The mass media is sometimes referred to as “the fourth branch of the government” because it

  1. endorses all governmental policies
  2. influences public opinion
  3. is a powerful federal agency
  4. is paid for with federal taxes
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_114_gov53.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2003

Read the scenario below.
Recently a city ordinance [law] was passed that banned skateboard riding on most city streets and sidewalks. You and your friends believe this is an unjust law.
  • Describe two legal ways you and your friends could try to get this law changed.
  • Explain why each of your choices would be effective.
  • Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in the answer box below.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_114_gov06.xml

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Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Which of these is an example of lobbying by a special interest group?

  1. A hotel association develops a plan to attract more tourists.
  2. An animal rights organization presents its views to a legislator.
  3. A group of citizens asks city officials for a schedule of public hearings.
  4. A neighborhood association backs a group of candidates for an election.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_114_gov29.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

A city council is considering a measure to ban skateboarding on city streets.

Which of these would be the most effective way for citizens to express their opposition to the ban?

  1. share their views at the next city council meeting
  2. boycott businesses located in the city
  3. refuse to vote at the next city council election
  4. write a letter to the governor about the situation
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_114_gov44.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Which of these best explains why candidates for public office often spend more money on advertising during the last week of a campaign?

  1. Advertising costs are lower at the end of a campaign.
  2. Advertising may persuade undecided voters to make a choice.
  3. Campaign laws require that all money raised by candidates be spent.
  4. Campaign laws require that advertising be restricted to the end of a campaign.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_114_gov57.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Look at the cartoon below. Then answer the following.

Which of these does the cartoon suggest occurs as a result of media predictions of election results?

  1. Polling places close before their scheduled time.
  2. Candidates withdraw from elections.
  3. Networks give different information about candidates.
  4. Citizens are discouraged from going to the polls.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_114_gov34.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Look at the cartoon below. Then answer the following.

With which of these statements would the cartoonist most likely agree?

  1. The media should stop covering elections.
  2. Voters should be aware of voting trends on election day.
  3. The media should wait until all polls close before projecting winners.
  4. Voters should stop voting for candidates who advertise on television.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_114_gov35.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2007

Use your knowledge about government to answer the BRIEF CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE.

  • Explain the role of political parties in the United States.
  • Do political parties have too much or too little influence on government officials? Explain your answer.
  • Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_114_gov40.xml

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Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

For which of these does a lobbyist most likely work?

  1. an appeals court
  2. a special interest group
  3. the Senate
  4. the Electoral College
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_114_gov41.xml

Correct Answer:
B