Public Opinion and Interest Groups Quiz

What is public opinion?

• A legal document outlining government policies

• Ideas and attitudes that most people hold about a particular issue or person

• A scientific theory about human behavior

• A historical record of past events

What role does public opinion play in the presidency?

• Elects the president directly

• Determines the president's salary

• Shapes decisions of every president

• Writes the president's speeches

Which of the following is an influence on public opinion?

• Dietary habits

• Weather conditions

• Person's background

• Geographical location

Who is a pollster?

• A specialist whose job is to conduct polls regularly

• A government official

• A media reporter

• A person who writes political speeches

What is a push poll?

• A survey about physical fitness

• A poll that is conducted online

• A poll conducted in a foreign country

• Questions are worded so as to influence a person's responses

What is a problem with polls?

• Polls are only conducted in urban areas

• Polls are always inaccurate

• Polls are too expensive to conduct

• Elected officials too concerned with polls

What are interest groups?

• Groups of people who travel together

• Organizations of people who unite to promote their ideas

• Social clubs for political leaders

• Committees that organize public events

What is the focus of economic interest groups?

• Environmental protection

• Educational reform

• Healthcare policies

• Wages, working conditions, and benefits

What is the largest economic interest group?

• American Federation of Labor (AFL)

• National Education Association

• Sierra Club

• Greenpeace

What do public interest groups support?

• Causes that affect the lives of Americans in general

• Specific political candidates

• Corporate interests

• International trade agreements