3A.5.4 Interpretations and debates of US democracy Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Politics, Unit 3

The 20 questions

1. Which feature of the US electoral system provides political stability and predictability?

   • Snap elections
   • Proportional representation
   • Fixed-term elections
   • Coalition governments

2. What democratic drawback can occur under the US Electoral College system?

   • Losing popular vote
   • Snap elections
   • Low voter turnout
   • Coalition government

3. Which reform initiative aims to bypass the Electoral College without amending the Constitution?

   • National Popular Vote Compact
   • Bipartisan Redistricting Act
   • Federal Election Override
   • Direct Primary Reform

4. Under which First Amendment principle did the Supreme Court protect independent campaign spending?

   • States' rights
   • Free speech
   • Equal protection
   • Due process

5. Which key advantage helps existing members of US Congress secure re-election?

   • Electoral College bias
   • Name recognition
   • Low funding
   • Equal media access

6. What is a primary criticism of the US two-party political system?

   • Causes snap elections
   • Restricts voter choice
   • Promotes coalitions
   • Increases voter turnout

7. Which electoral rule heavily reinforces the two-party system in US elections?

   • Alternative vote
   • First-past-the-post
   • Proportional representation
   • Single transferable vote

8. What primary democratic concern arises from high levels of campaign spending in US elections?

   • Increased voter registration
   • Lower voter turnout
   • Stronger third parties
   • Unequal political influence

9. What is a central critique of interest group influence in US democracy?

   • Weaker party alignment
   • Lower voter registration
   • Decreased election costs
   • Unequal political access

10. Which feature is frequently cited as evidence of democratic weakness in the USA?

    • Low voter turnout
    • Peaceful power transfer
    • Frequent elections
    • Constitutional rights protection

11. Which state-level factor creates significant variation in US voter turnout rates?

    • Supreme Court rulings
    • Voter registration laws
    • Presidential veto power
    • Congressional term limits

12. Which reform would directly ensure the US president is chosen by popular vote nationwide?

    • Mandatory voter registration
    • Abolishing primary elections
    • National popular vote
    • Proportional Senate seats

13. Which argument is most commonly used by defenders of the US Electoral College?

    • Protects smaller states
    • Eliminates swing states
    • Ensures proportional representation
    • Increases voter turnout

14. What practice involves redrawing electoral boundaries to protect incumbents or a ruling party?

    • Lobbying
    • Filibustering
    • Pork-barrelling
    • Gerrymandering

15. In Federalist 10, what term did James Madison use for groups with opposing interests?

    • Parties
    • Corporations
    • Factions
    • PACs

16. What is a primary justification for restricting campaign spending in US elections?

    • Abolishing political parties
    • Shortening term limits
    • Preventing corruption
    • Increasing election costs

17. Which electoral feature is most responsible for maintaining the US two-party system?

    • Compulsory voting
    • Proportional representation
    • Winner-take-all rules
    • Open primary elections

18. Which evidence best supports the argument that US national elections are competitive?

    • Alternating party control
    • Safe congressional districts
    • High incumbent success
    • Uncontested primary elections

19. What is the primary democratic argument for introducing proportional representation in US elections?

    • Lower turnout rates
    • Guaranteed single-party rule
    • Accurate vote representation
    • Fewer political parties

20. Which political theory views interest groups as essential for healthy competition in US democracy?

    • Pluralism
    • Marxism
    • Elitism
    • Structuralism

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