Final Exam Study Guide- US & VA Government
Name:________________________________________
If you have this entire study guide completed, you may use it on the final exam. It MUST be handwritten in order to use it on the
final. You may answer all questions on another sheet of paper.
Date of final: Thursday, June 4, 2015
1. Know the definition and significance of each of the following terms:
a. Platform:
b. Plank:
c. Electorate:
d. Print media:
e. Broadcast media:
f.
Narrowcasting:
g. Watchdog journalism:
h. Horserace/scorekeeper journalism:
i.
Bandwagon effect:
j.
Gatekeeper/agenda setter role of journalism:
k.
Public Opinion:
l.
Public Policy:
m. Political Party:
n. Media Event:
o. Interest groups (provide at least 3 examples):
p. Advocate:
q. Lobbyist:
r.
Political Action Committee (PAC):
s.
Constituents:
t.
Gerrymandering:
u. Public bill:
v. Private bill:
w. Appropriations bill:
x.
Riders:
y. Pork barrel legislation:
z.
Filibuster:
aa. Cloture:
bb. Primary:
cc. Caucus:
2. List the six functions of political parties.
a. ____________________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________________________
e. ____________________________________________________________________________
f.
____________________________________________________________________________
3. Who “founded” the Democratic Party? The Republican Party?
a. Democratic Party:
b. Republican Party:
4. Define a “one-party system,” “two-party system,” and “multi-party system.” Be able to provide
examples. Which kind of system do we have in the United States?
a. One Party system (definition and example):
b. Two-party system (definition and example):
c. Multi-party system (definition and example):
5. What is the job of each branch of government?
a. Executive:
b. Legislative:
c. Judicial:
6. Know who holds the following roles in government AND THE POLITICAL PARTIES EACH BELONGS TO:
a. President:
b. Vice President:
c. Speaker of the House:
d. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court:
e. Governor of Virginia:
f.
Senators from Virginia (2):
g. Congresswoman from the 10th District of Virginia:
7. What are the three (3) requirements in order to be President of the United States:
a.
b.
c.
8. Know each term below.
a. Executive privilege:
b. Executive order:
c. Executive agreement:
9. Know how each branch of government checks and balances one another.