An Introduction to Government
Summer Assignment 2011
*Utilizing the Internet sites I have chosen, you will be asked to complete a series of tasks, some of which are
interactive and some of which are analytical. These sites will help to give you an overview of the upcoming
content you will be examining your SENIOR year!
*Remember, this is just an introduction to get your brain thinking about government this summer. I don’t
expect you to comprehend all of the information. If you are confused at any point, use your book as a
reference. I am also available this summer via e-mail. I love to “chat.” My email address is:
kwilkinson@nthurston.k12.wa.us
If any of the links go dead, please notify me immediately.
**Due: September 12th**
Task 1: Theory of Modern Government—10 Points
Directions: Take the quick survey to see which side of the fence you stand on.. Report your outcome below.
(Use your book or your parental figures to explain any terminology you don’t understand.) PLEASE also
remember, this is a SIMPLE quiz.. It’s purpose is JUST to get you thinking about the issues  Please paste
your results in the areas below..
http://www.gotoquiz.com/ms_fuchs_us_ideology_quiz
Task II: Exploring Politics 20 Points
Project Vote Smart is a website created to give United States Citizens information about politics in America.
A. Locate the representatives at the National Level in both the House and the Senate that represents
you. Give a brief biography on your representative http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm
B. Inside of Vote-Smart, they have some basic but useful information about Government.
Click on the following headings and answer the questions below.
The Constitution http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_05.php
1. List 2 ways Congress can CHECK the President
2. List 1 way Congress can CHECK the Courts
3. Define the following terms
a. Writ of Habeus Corpus
b. Bill of Attainer
c. Ex Post Facto Laws
4. T/F The Bill of Rights was ratified with the Constitution?
5. What two Presidents have been impeached?
6. Were these two Presidents removed from office? YES OR NO
The Congress http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_03.php
1. List 4 major differences between the House and the Senate
2. List 2 powers of Congress
The President http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_04.php
1. List 2 qualifications to become President
2. List 3 benefits
3. List 2 Constitutional Powers the President has
The Budget http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_08.php
1. What is the difference between discretionary and mandatory spending?
Task III: Political Parties—5 points Per Political Party
Directions: For each site, give a brief overview of the political party, a description of the
candidates running for President (you might need to conduct a search out on the web…)
and list some of the parties’ initiatives.
The Democrats http://www.democrats.org/
(Is Obama the only democrat running?) 
Candidate
Running
Brief overview of
the party
Parties Initiatives
The Republicans http://www.gop.org
Candidate
Running
Brief overview of
the party
Parties Initiatives
Task IV: The Road the White House—5 Points
Directions: Determine which candidate you most closely match by taking an interactive
survey. After you have completed the survey, answer the following questions. Which
candidate do you match up with? Revisit the candidate's website and see if the
match is correct. AGAIN, don’t forget… This is an activity to JUST get your
BRAIN thinking about politics 
http://www.selectsmart.com/president/
Task V: Web-Review –25 Points
Directions: List 5 sites that you found dealing with government and politics that would be
useful to our class next year. Remember, political humor is good 
Name of Site:
URL
Description
Task VI: What’s in my Text –14 Points
Directions: Before the end of the year, check out a AP Government textbook from the
library. Complete the search below to introduce yourself to all of the great stuff that is
inside of your wonderful textbook .
1. On what page does the Brief Contents start? ________
2. On what page does the Glossary start? ________
3. On what page does the Federalist Papers No. 51 start? ________
4. On what page does the chapter on Political Parties start? ________
5. On what page would you find the Presidents of the United States listed? ________
6. On what page does the appendix start? ________
7. On what page would you find the key terms for chapter 2? (It’s at the end of the
chapter ) ________
8. The definition for Federalism is found on the side margin in what chapter? ________
9. On what page would you find a listing of the Supreme Court Justices Serving in the
Twentieth Century? ________
10. On what page would you find the summary for chapter 7? ________
11. On what page would you find table 16.3? ________ (The 16 refers to chapter 16)
12. On what page would you find figure 2.2? ________
13. On what page would you find the appendices for the Constitution of the United States
of America? ________
14. On what page would you find the Declaration of Independence? ________