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Test Bank for California Government and Politics Today, 15th Edition

Test Bank for California Government and Politics Today, 15th Edition offers a structured approach to exam preparation, helping you navigate complex topics and improve your performance.

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    CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY, 15 TH ED. Mona Field Glendale Community Col lege CHAPTER 1. CALIFORNIA POLITICS IN PERSPECTIVE Chapter Summary Chapter 1 gives a current overview of California’s unique yet complex role as a state within the United States. California is unique in its diverse population, political party registrat ion, and powerhouse economy, all of which ha ve a tremendous impact nationally and internationally. In explaining the state’s status as number one in population relative to the other forty - nine states, the chapter explores California’s political standing in the nation. In addition, it explains the role of the federal government in relation to the states and introduces the terms federalism and unitary powers . Concepts such as ballot initiative , globalization , liberal, and conservative are introduced . D iscussion Questions 1. Discuss the relationship between the federal and state governments. Which tasks are allocated to the states? What impact does federalism have on California? 2. Discuss population growth in California, including the history and th e range of attitudes about population growth. Include in your discussion the “Debating the Issues” box on page 6 . Express your personal views and substantiate them with evidence. 3. Explain how population, economic events, and federal policies have impac ted Californians. 4. Discuss the ways in which the federal government’s actions have impacted California’s economy through the decades. 5. In looking at the "Compared to California" box on page 3, why is there a difference in the minimum wage among the states? Why is there a differen ce in the cost of living among the states?

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    Test Bank Multiple Choice 1. California is number one in the nation in a. b. c. d. social equity. electoral votes. members in the House of Representatives. Both B and C are correct. Answer: D; Page Reference:2 - 3; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 2. How does California rank in population size when compared to the rest of the United States? a. b. c. d. Tenth largest based on population Thi rd largest based on population First based on population Last based on population Answer: C; Page Reference:2 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 3. The definition of federalism is a. b. c. total control of the states by the federal government. allows s tate laws to override federal laws. a political system in which power is distributed to the national and state governments thereby creating a system of dual authority. allows California to become its own nation, via "Calexit". d. Answer: C; Page Reference:4 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 4. The term unitary ref ers to a. b. a distribution of powers within a state. local authority for cities, counties , and other local governmental units derived from the state government. a concept that i s not allowed b y the U . S . Constitution. Both A and B are correct. c. d. Answer: D; Page Reference:5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application

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    5. The state determines the grounds for a. b. c. d. divorce. defense spending. immigration law. interstate commerce. Answ er: A; Page Reference:5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application True or False 1. Each Californian lives in several election jurisdictions, including a congressional district, a state Senate district, an assembly district, a co unty supervisorial district, plus a city and a school and/or community college district. Answer: True; Page Reference:6; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 2. California has a Republican majority in its state legislature. Answer: False; Page Reference:1 ; Bl oom’s Category: Understanding 3. California has the largest congressional delegation in the United States. Answer: True; Page Reference: 2 - 3; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application 4. California has often served as a model for new political ideas that then spread to other states. Answer: True; Page Reference: 5; Bloom’s Category: Application 5. The U.S. Constitution requires each state to honor the laws of other states. Answer: True; Page Reference: 5; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application

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    CHAPTER 2. THE CALIFORNIANS: LAND, PEOPLE, AND POLITICAL CULTURE Chapter Summary Chapter 2 presents California’s size, location, and geographic diversity as well as gives an overview of the state’s ethni c, political, and cultural diversity. Conflicts among agriculture, environmentalists, urban interests, and the oil industry are discussed , as well as the rich natural resources of the state. California’s ethnic and cult ural diversity is described , and the concepts of assimilation versus diversity are debated. The state’s political culture is described in terms of economic impacts of the current recession, and the term monocultural electorate is introduced. The role of government according to both liberal and conservative viewpoints is explained. Discussion Questions 1. Discuss the importance of Cal ifornia’s location and geography in the state’s history and development. 2. Give an overview of ethnic diversity in California and explain the social, economic, and political impacts diversity has on California. 3. Discuss the cultural and political at titudes in California and share your views on the issues of today. Discuss the impact of the recent economic challenges California faces. 4. Debate the issue of assimilation versus diversity, using the box on page 13 as a reference. Based on your underst anding of the entire chapter, what are the advantages and disadvantages of assimilation and diversity? 5. Compare the themes of conservatism and liberalism as they play out in California politics.

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    Test Bank Multiple Choice 1. The geographic area of Ca lifornia is 156,000 square miles and is larger than some whole countries. It is the largest state in the United States. a. b. c. d. first fifth second third Answer: D; Page Reference:10 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 2. The largest ethnic group in California includes first - generation immigrants and a population whose ancestors came from what country? a. b. c. d. Spain Russia Mexico Italy Answer: C; Page Reference 11 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application 3. What is a natural resource in California that has become the subject of continual political debate over its use? a. California’s agriculture b. California’s timber c. California’s water d. California’s landscape Answer: D; Page Reference: 11; Bloom’s Category: Application, Understanding 4. Calif ornia is the most populous state with what percentage of the nation’s people? a. b. c. d. 20 percent 12 percent 10 percent 19 percent Answer: B; Page Reference: 12; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 5. California is more of a two - tier state than some ot her states. What does the author mean by this? a. That California should be divided into two states: northern California and southern California b. That there are too many people in California, and it should become its own country c. That there are large gaps betwe en those who are rich and those who are poor d. That there are too many two - story houses Answer: C; Page Reference: 15; Bloom’s Category:Analysis

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    True or False 1. California is the leading state on the Pacific Rim and is the nation’s number - one exporter. Answer: True; Page Reference: 11; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application 2. Californi a has more people who identify as multiracial than any other state. Answer: True; Page Reference: 12 ; Bloom’s Category: Application, Evaluation 3. Assimilation takes place in varying degrees of education, language, and customs. Answer: True; Page Reference: 13; Bloom’s Category: Application 4. One of the biggest challenges in California for middle - to low - income residents is the high cost of housing. Answer: T rue; Page Reference: 15 ; Bloom’s Category: Application, Evaluation 5. Most people think of California as being a very conservative state. Answer: False; Page Reference: 16 - 17 ; Bloom’s Category: Analysis

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    CHAPTER 3. CALIFORNIA’S HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT Chapter Summary Chapter 3 covers the history of California, including the precolonial period, the Spanish era, the Mexican period, Americanization, and the economic ups and dow ns that have shaped the state since statehood. The near complete destruction of California’s native peoples by the Spanish is discussed, and the subsequent economic and social destruction of the Californios is mentioned. The historic role of the Asian i mmigrants and their mistreatment is described, and the legacy of the Progressive Movement, the repatriation of Mexican American citizens, the internment of the Japanese, and the role of the Berkeley - based Free Speech Movement all provide historic contex t. California’s constitution is contrasted with the United States Constitution. Discussion Questions 1. Explain California’s historical turning points. Select three events that helped shape the state and describe them. Which ones led to statehood? 2. Clarify the role of scapegoating throughout California history. Identify the ethnic or cultural communities that have been targeted and why. 3. Compare and contrast the United States Constitution with the California State Constitution. Explain how Calif ornia guarantees a higher level of democracy and freedom. 4. Compare and discuss the amendment process for the U . S . Constitution and the California State Constitution. Should it be easy or difficult to amend either document? 5. Explain the roots of the Progressive Era in Califo rnia and discuss its legacy.

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    Test Bank Multiple Cho ice 1. The United States gained control of California by a. b. c. d. buying it from Spain. provoking a war with Mexico. trading New Mexico and Nevada for California. returning control of Texas back to Mexico. Answer: B; Page Reference: 20; Bloom’s Cat egory: Understanding 2. The goal of the Progressive Movement in California was to a. b. c. reform education. control the railroads and the stock market. reduce the power of corrupt political parties and rich corporations that spent large amounts of mon ey to control politicians. reduce the number of immigrants. d. Answer: C; Page Reference: 22; Bloom’s Category: Understanding, Application 3. What was the most important legacy left by the Progressives? a. b. c. d. California’s missions The railroad Direct democracy Gold Answer: C; Page Reference: 23 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 4. The process by which California’s legislature shar es lawmaking authority with the people is called a. b. c. d. social equality. electoral votes. initiative. manifest destiny. Answer: C; Page Reference: 24; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 5. Those who came to California in search of gold during the Go ld Rush were known as a. b. c. d. Raiders . Forty - niners . the Big Four . Progressives . Answer: B; Page Referenc e: 20; Bloom’s Category:Understanding

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    True or False 1. Direct democracy enables voters to make laws directly, amend the state constitution, recall officials, or repeal laws. Answer: True; Page Reference: 23; Bloom’s Category: Application, Evaluation 2. The election for non - partisan offices forbids candidates from mentioning their party affiliation on the ballot. Answer: True; Page Reference: 22; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 3. California’s constitution has been amended over 500 times. Answer: True; Page Reference: 24; Bloom’s Cate gory: Understanding 4. In the 1960s , the Master Plan for Education guaranteed a free community col lege education, and both the Cal State system and the UC system were low cost. Answer: True; Page Reference: 24; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 5. Voters can amend the state constitution without any legislative action. Answer: True; Page Reference: 24; Bloom’s Category: Application

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    CHAPTER 4. FREEDOM AND EQUALITY: CALIFORNIA’S DELICATE BALANCE Chapter Summary Chapter 4 ex plores the delicate balance between individual freedom and social equality and explains how diverse communities access political power. Concepts of civil rights and civil liberties are discussed, and examples are given of how the freedom of individuals i s curtailed by society’s decisions to protect its members. Issues of racial and ethnic prejudice are explored throughout California’s history. This chapter refers to the economic needs of people, and the issues of housing, education, and employment are explored as they impact various ethnic communities. The role of ethnic coalitions is compared with the emerging political strength of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, and the declining role of women in elective office is referenced . Discussion Questions 1. Clarify the relationship between individual freedom and social equality. Do they always conflict? 2. What are the challenges facing Californians in providing public education? 3. Discuss the growing influence of the Latino and Asian population and communities. 4. Discuss the challenges women and minorities face living in California. You may include in your discussion the themes of education, economic, and political opportunities. 5. Describe the concept of the demographi c shift and explain how it affects your community.

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    Test Bank Multiple Choice 2. In order to create a balance between maximum freedom of its citizens and social responsibility, California’s policies a. allow all citizens the freedom to make their own decisions in all matters. b. rest rict all decision - making by the citizens and have created a law for virtually every activity. c. can direct a law enforcement officer to invade your home and personal belongings at any time. d. place some limits on our freedom for the good of the larger society. Answer: D; Page Reference: 28; Bloom’s Category: Application, Analysis 3. Coalitions of ethnic groups are formed in order to a. b. c. d. reduce gang activity. promote qualified political candidates . raise money to build new schools. create a new polit ical party. Answer: B; Page Reference: 32; Bloom’s Category: Application 4. Formerly black communities are often now numerically dominated by Latinos. How does this affect African American leaders? a. b. c . d. c. . It has no effect on them. Some have learned to speak Spanish. They can ignore their Latino constituents. They stop running for office. 44 School funding has been reduced as a result. They must move. Answer: B; Page Reference: 33; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 5. Governor Brown signed the California Dream Act in 2011. This allows a. b. c. d. the return of affirmative action and a ban on Prop 209. interest - free loans on housing. undocumented residents to have a driver’s license. undoc umented college students access to private scholarships. Answer: D; Page Reference: 30; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 1 Achieving equality is a continuing challenge in California. This is primarily due to a. plagues and diseases. b. large socioeconomic gaps. c. discrimination in employment and education . d. Both B and C are correct. Answer: D; Page Reference: 30 - 31 ; Bloom’s Categor y: Application, Evaluation

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    True or False 1. Chinese immigrants, who were brought to California to help build the railroads, became the target of racism and wer e prohibited from holding many kinds of jobs. Answer: True; Page Reference: 29 ; Bloom’s Category: Application, Understanding 2. California was the first state to elect two women to the U.S. Senate. Answer: True; Page Reference: 34; Bloom’s Category: Unde rstanding 3. Seventy - five percent of the state legislative seats are held by women. Answer: False; Page Reference: 34; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 4. California’s state legislature has a GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) caucus. Answer : True; Page Referen ce: 35 - 36 ; Bloom’s Category: Understanding 5. Ethnic and immigrant communities no longer have to fight for their share of political and economic power. Answer: False; Page Reference: 33 - 34; Bloom’s Category: Application, Evaluation

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