PLS EXAM 1 STUDY
GUIDE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025-2026
What are the two requirements a political system must satisfy to be considered a
democracy? - ANS-1. Inclusive-all adult citizens vote for the people in charge
2. Competitiveness-system has to allow different political parties to compete on a
relatively level playing field
Approximately what percentage of countries today are democracies? - ANS-25%-43%
What is an authoritarian regime? - ANS-A government in which one leader or group of
people holds absolute power; not a democracy
What two key characteristics distinguish US democracy from the political systems of
other democratic countries? - ANS-1. Institutional fragmentation-power divided among
different institutions of govt.
2. Individualist political culture-govt should not be involved in helping some at the
cost of others, individualism (each person responsible for their own fate)
Does the design of US political institutions tend to make change easy or difficult? -
ANS-Difficult
When and where was the US constitution written? - ANS-September 17, 1787 by the
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
, What document did the US Constitution replace? - ANS-Articles of Confederation
Compared to those of other countries, is the US constitution young or old? - ANS-Old
Has the US Constitution been amended frequently or infrequently? - ANS-Infrequently
What were the two major compromises that were struck in negotiating the constitution
and what was each about? - ANS-1. The Great Compromise-between small and large
states about how seats in federal govt would be given out
a. Small states wanted equal seats (New Jersey Plan)
b. Large states wanted seats proportionate to the population (Virginia plan)
2. 3/5 Compromise-about how slaves would be counted in tax representation
a. Southern states wanted slaves to be counted to give more seats in Congress, not for
taxation though
b. Northern states objected so they decided to count slaves as 3/5 of a person for
taxation and representation
What is the Bill of Rights? - ANS-First 10 amendments to the Constitution
When and why was the Bill of Rights included in the constitution? - ANS-A set of states
led by Massachusettes said they wouldnt accept the constitution unless they included
this set of amendments (set limits on the govt.)
What were the Federalist Papers? - ANS-85 essays written by members of the
Convention to sell the making of the Constitution to the states
What is the idea of limited government? - ANS-In order to protect the rights of the
people, we put limits on what the govt can and cannot do to prevent the govt from
acting rashly and keep the govt from hurting minority groups
What are checks and balances? - ANS-The system in which it is made sure that no
branch has more power than the other.
GUIDE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025-2026
What are the two requirements a political system must satisfy to be considered a
democracy? - ANS-1. Inclusive-all adult citizens vote for the people in charge
2. Competitiveness-system has to allow different political parties to compete on a
relatively level playing field
Approximately what percentage of countries today are democracies? - ANS-25%-43%
What is an authoritarian regime? - ANS-A government in which one leader or group of
people holds absolute power; not a democracy
What two key characteristics distinguish US democracy from the political systems of
other democratic countries? - ANS-1. Institutional fragmentation-power divided among
different institutions of govt.
2. Individualist political culture-govt should not be involved in helping some at the
cost of others, individualism (each person responsible for their own fate)
Does the design of US political institutions tend to make change easy or difficult? -
ANS-Difficult
When and where was the US constitution written? - ANS-September 17, 1787 by the
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
, What document did the US Constitution replace? - ANS-Articles of Confederation
Compared to those of other countries, is the US constitution young or old? - ANS-Old
Has the US Constitution been amended frequently or infrequently? - ANS-Infrequently
What were the two major compromises that were struck in negotiating the constitution
and what was each about? - ANS-1. The Great Compromise-between small and large
states about how seats in federal govt would be given out
a. Small states wanted equal seats (New Jersey Plan)
b. Large states wanted seats proportionate to the population (Virginia plan)
2. 3/5 Compromise-about how slaves would be counted in tax representation
a. Southern states wanted slaves to be counted to give more seats in Congress, not for
taxation though
b. Northern states objected so they decided to count slaves as 3/5 of a person for
taxation and representation
What is the Bill of Rights? - ANS-First 10 amendments to the Constitution
When and why was the Bill of Rights included in the constitution? - ANS-A set of states
led by Massachusettes said they wouldnt accept the constitution unless they included
this set of amendments (set limits on the govt.)
What were the Federalist Papers? - ANS-85 essays written by members of the
Convention to sell the making of the Constitution to the states
What is the idea of limited government? - ANS-In order to protect the rights of the
people, we put limits on what the govt can and cannot do to prevent the govt from
acting rashly and keep the govt from hurting minority groups
What are checks and balances? - ANS-The system in which it is made sure that no
branch has more power than the other.
