Name: __________________
1
Class:
Date: _____________
A(n) ________ is a group of citizens with common interests who try to influence public policy to
benefit its members.
a. lobby
b. interest group
c. iron triangle
d. caucus
2
An interest group that is created in response to an opening or opportunity for social, political, or
economic changes is considered a ________ group.
a. proactive
b. pluralist
c. nonpartisan
d. reactive
3
Interest groups that form in response to a perceived threat are described as
a. reactive.
b. grassroots.
c. pluralist.
d. proactive.
4
Which amendment states that Americans have the right to peaceably assemble?
a. Seventh
b. Fifth
c. Tenth
d. First
5
James Madison was afraid that small divisive groups called ________ might divide the young
nation.
a. factions
b. cults
c. interest groups
d. fraternities
PAGE 1
Name: __________________
6
Class:
Date: _____________
Trying to persuade or influence elected officials to adopt or reject a specific policy change is
referred to as
a. protesting.
b. campaigning.
c. boycotting.
d. lobbying.
7
Interest groups can submit ________ briefs as a "friend of the court."
a. quid pro quo
b. amicus curiae
c. dissenting
d. concurring
8
________ are a type of economic interest group that aims to protect workers through safer
working conditions and better wages.
a. Professional associations
b. Unions
c. Trade associations
d. Corporations
9
A group formed to advance the financial status of its members is called a/an
a. grassroots movement.
b. union.
c. economic interest group.
d. trade association.
10 When people share the same belief about a specific issue, and form a group based on that
common belief they are members of a/an
a. concept-based group.
b. ideological interest group.
c. personal issue group.
d. union.
PAGE 2
Name: __________________
Class:
Date: _____________
11 ________ are not affiliated with any government and work hard to preserve their neutrality so
that they can operate in as many parts of the world as possible.
a. Nongovernmental organizations
b. Trade associations
c. Single-issue groups
d. Foreign policy groups
12 If someone works on the K Street corridor, it is safe to assume that he or she is
a. a Supreme Court justice.
b. a lobbyist.
c. a journalist.
d. an FBI agent.
13 Interest groups and lobbying firms spent approximately ________ in 2013.
a. $50 million
b. $10 billion
c. $1.1 million
d. $3.2 billion
14 The key aspect of the ________ lobbying effort is to keep the policy request narrowly tailored to
the group's needs.
a. coalition
b. inside strategy
c. simplify
d. specific policy
15 Referred to as 501(c)(3) organizations, these groups are forbidden from
a. campaigning for a particular candidate or party.
b. producing voter education guides.
c. explaining issues to the public that might be brought up during the election.
d. counseling citizens on election procedures.
PAGE 3
Name: __________________
Class:
Date: _____________
16 Which Supreme Court decision, which upheld limits on donations to congressional campaigns,
resulted in the expansion of PACs?
a. New York Times v. Sullivan
b. Marbury v. Madison
c. Griswold v. Connecticut
d. Buckley v. Valeo
17 Which Supreme Court case protected issue-based advertisements because they were protected
under the guarantee of free speech?
a. New York Times v. Sullivan
b. Griswold v. Connecticut
c. Buckley v. Valeo
d. FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life
18 In 2014, the Supreme Court, in McCutcheon et al. v. Federal Election Commission,
a. decided that unions can spend as much money as they want on issue ads.
b. ruled that an individual cannot contribute to every single candidate running for federal
office.
c. removed limits on how much money can be given to one candidate.
d. removed limits on the amount of money one individual could contribute to all federal
elections.
19 ________ is a term with negative connotations that is more frequently used during campaign
season to suggest that some groups exert a disproportionate amount of power in the American
democracy.
a. Iron triangle
b. Special interests
c. Issue network
d. Revolving door
20 Which term is used to describe the relationship between federal agencies, members of
Congress, and interest groups to seal off access to public policy making?
a. free rider
b. grassroots
c. watchdog
d. iron triangle
PAGE 4
Name: __________________
Class:
Date: _____________
21 When Senator James DeMint resigned from office to become head of a conservative think tank,
it demonstrated the concept of a(n)
a. revolving door.
b. iron triangle.
c. grassroots.
d. watchdog.
22 Robert Michels coined the phrase ________ , a theory that leaders in any organization
eventually behave in their own self-interest.
a. iron law of oligarchy
b. iron triangle
c. free rider
d. watchdog
23 One way interest groups attract and keep members is by providing benefits exclusive to
members, such as discounted travel or monthly magazines. This is otherwise known as
a. factions.
b. selective benefits.
c. public goods.
d. bribes.
24 If a group lobbies for public goods or collective benefits that are so widespread that members
and nonmembers alike receive them, incentives to join the group disappear. This collective
action dilemma is called the
a. issue network.
b. revolving door problem.
c. iron triangle.
d. free rider problem.
25 AARP is a powerful political lobby that also maintains a lucrative business that provides health
and life insurance to its members. This demonstrates how ________ helps an interest group
create financial stability.
a. behaving as a capitalist
b. creating a not-for-profit business
c. expanding its membership
d. spreading its resources
PAGE 5
ANSWER KEY
Copy of
1. b
10. b
19. b
2. a
11. a
20. d
3. a
12. b
21. a
ANSWER KEY - Page 1
4. d
13. d
22. a
5. a
14. b
23. b
6. d
15. a
24. d
7. b
16. d
25. b
8. b
17. d
9. c
18. d