Question

name
ap government
unit 2 - interactions among branches of government
the legislative branch homework
part ii: multiple choice
directions: choose the best answer for each of the following questions.

1. which of the following is an accurate comparison of the united states house of representatives and the united states senate?

house of representatives
senate
a) the majority and minority parties control legislative scheduling and rules equally.
minority party members can threaten to filibuster a bill the majority party wants to pass.
b) the constitutions framers intended it to reflect the will of the people.
the constitutions framers designed it to represent the interests of the states.
c) most legislative work takes place in the standing committees.
based on its size, it tends to have stricter rules affecting the legislative process.
d) members serve two - year terms with a term limit of up to twelve years.
members serve six - year terms with no term limits.

1. a committee chair in the house of representatives is always

a) the member with the longest service on the committee
b) a representative of the speaker
c) a member of the majority party in the chamber
d) a trusted ally of the president

1. setting boundaries of electoral districts to favor specific political interests within legislative bodies

a) redistricting
b) reapportionment
c) gerrymandering
d) logrolling

Explanation:

1. Question 1:

• Option a: In the House, the majority party has more control over legislative scheduling and rules. In the Senate, the filibuster (a tactic to delay or block a bill) is a power that can be used by the minority (though there are some limitations and changes over time). So this option is incorrect.
• Option b: The House of Representatives was designed to reflect the will of the people (based on population) and the Senate was designed to represent the interests of the states (each state has two senators). This is a correct comparison.
• Option c: Most legislative work takes place in committees in both the House and the Senate. So this is not a correct comparison.
• Option d: There are no term limits for members of the House of Representatives or the Senate. So this is incorrect.

1. Question 2:

• Option a: Committee chairs in the House are not always the member with the longest service. The seniority system was reformed, and now the majority - party caucus has more say.
• Option b: A committee chair is not just a representative of the Speaker. The Speaker has influence, but the chair is part of the majority - party structure.
• Option c: Committee chairs in the House of Representatives are always members of the majority party in the chamber. This is because the majority party controls the legislative process and committee operations.
• Option d: A committee chair is not necessarily a trusted ally of the President. Their loyalty is first to their party (in terms of committee leadership).

1. Question 3:

• Option a: Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, which can be a neutral or political process. But when it is used to favor specific political interests, it has a more specific name.
• Option b: Reapportionment is the process of reallocating seats in a legislative body among different political units (e.g., states in the U.S. House based on population changes).
• Option c: Gerrymandering is the practice of setting boundaries of electoral districts to favor specific political interests within legislative bodies.
• Option d: Logrolling is the practice of exchanging favors, especially in legislative bodies (e.g., voting for each other's bills).

Answer:

1. B. The Constitution's framers intended it to reflect the will of the people (House) and The Constitution's framers designed it to represent the interests of the states (Senate)
2. C. a member of the majority party in the chamber
3. C. Gerrymandering