Thematic US History
Political Spectrum/Party
Online Quiz Assignment
Objective:
The objective of this assignment is to help you begin to identify your own political ideology so
that you may make a more informed political choice based on your own belief system.
The three tests:
You will take three very different on-line tests crafted by respected groups. Please remember that these quizzes
are not absolute and they are in no way meant to “pidgeon hole” you into a specific group. The results are
simply based on how you answer the questions today. My goal is for you to gain a clearer view of your political
belief system.
Quiz #1: Political Typology by the Pew Research Group
Quiz #2: Politopia: The Land of Custom-Made Government by The Institute for Human Studies
Quiz #3: World’s Smallest Political Quiz by Advocates for Self-Government
Your assignment:
Follow the directions for taking each online quiz. After taking the quiz, answer all the questions on this handout.
Have fun!
Political Party/Spectrum quiz #1
Quiz name: Political Typology Quiz
Published by: The Pew Research Center
Web Address: http://www.people-press.org/typology/quiz/
The Political Typology is a longstanding effort to sort voters into homogeneous groups based on their values,
political beliefs and party affiliation. The analysis divides the American public into nine distinct groups.
About the Sponser:
The Pew Research Center is an independent opinion research group that studies attitudes toward the press,
politics and public policy issues. It is best known for regular national surveys that measure public attentiveness
to major news stories, and for our polling that charts trends in values and fundamental political and social
attitudes. The Center's purpose is to serve as a forum for ideas on the media and public policy through public
opinion research.
Steps:
1. Go to http://www.people-press.org/typology/quiz/
2. Read and answer the 20 statements from one side of the column or the other
a. If you agree with the statement on the left answer strongly agree or agree
b. If you agree with the statement on the right answer stringly agree or agree
3. When you have answered all 20 statements, place yourself on the two political spectrum graphs based
on your current knowledge base.
4. Fill in the demographic data remaining.
5. Click “calculate my results”
6. Read, “Where do you fit? Your results”
7. Answer the following questions:
a. This quiz listed me as a _____________________________________
b. Provide a summary, in your words, of this type of typology:
c. After reading the full description and of your typology, what do you agree with and where do
you disagree? Is this you? Explain
d. In the “Typology Group Profiles” on the left hand side of the page, select one other group and
summarize their identification.
Political Party/Spectrum quiz #2
Quiz name: Politopia: The Land of Custom made government.
Published by: The Institute for Human Studies
Web Address: http://www.politopia.com/
This web site expands upon a simple linear model of the political spectrum and combines social, political and
economic philosophies.
About the sponser:
The Institute for Human Studies is a liberal “think tank” associated with George Mason University. The
mission of IHS is to support the achievement of a freer society by discovering and facilitating the development
of talented, productive students, scholars, and other intellectuals who share an interest in liberty and who
demonstrate the potential to help change the current climate of opinion to one more congenial to the principles
and practice of freedom.
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Start by going to: http://www.politopia.com/
Click on “Introduction” and tour through their explanation of their quiz
When you reach the last slide of the introduction, click on “take the quiz”
Enter the necessary information.
a. Please enter you correct age, gender and student status
b. You DO NOT have to enter your real name or email.
c. You may enter “X” for your name and “X” for your email
d. No need to track your friends.
5. Answer the 16 questions as honestly and as close to what your normal every-day response may be.
6. At the end of the quiz Answer the following questions:
a. Where would you live and why?
b. Why do you think the computer placed you where it did?
7. Return to the front page ( http://www.politopia.com/) and click on “Politopia Map”
8. Select 3 regions other than your own and, in your own words, tell me about the person who lives there.
Region Name:
A:
Persons name:
Character summary:
B:
C:
Political Party/Spectrum quiz #3
Quiz Name: World’s Smallest Political quiz
Published by: Advocates for self government
Web Address: http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
This quiz simply asks if you agree, maybe, or disagree with 10 statements. This is a very quick quiz and has
been written about in several major newspapers around the country.
About the Sponser:
The Advocate for self-government is a Libertarian advocacy group. The basic Libertarian philosophy is that
government should not interfere in the lives of citizens, other than to provide police and military protection.
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Start by going to http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
Answer the 10 statements as to the degree to which you agree or disagree.
When you have finished you will be taken to a results page
Place your red dot in the chart below:
Centrist
5. My personal issues score was a : _____
6. My economic issues score was a: _____
7. Read the summary of your political philosophy. In your own words summarize this political
philosophy.
After taking all three quizzes, which do you think is most valid in identifying your political ideology or
party affiliation? Why?