2026/2027
POLS 206/207 American and State
Government (Texas University)
Comprehensive Exam Prep, Practice
Questions, Test Bank Review and Study
Guide 2026/2027
Question 1
How did public policy changes in the 1960s influence population diversity in the
United States?
A. They reduced immigration completely
B. They led to increased racial segregation
C. They increased diversity in the United States
D. They eliminated minority populations
Correct Answer: C. They increased diversity in the United States
Rationale: Public policy reforms in the 1960s, including civil rights legislation and
immigration reforms, expanded opportunities for minority groups and increased
immigration diversity. These policies reduced discriminatory barriers and allowed
greater representation of different ethnic groups in the U.S. The other options are
incorrect because policies did not restrict diversity but instead promoted inclusion and
equality.
Question 2
Which level of government is responsible for creating local governments in the
United States?
A. Federal government
B. State government
C. County government
D. Municipal courts
Correct Answer: B. State government
Rationale: State governments have constitutional authority to establish, regulate, and
oversee local governments such as counties and municipalities. The federal
government does not directly create local governments. Counties and municipal
courts operate under state authority.
Question 3
,2026/2027
What is the general trend in population change among major ethnic groups in the
United States?
A. White population increasing, Hispanic decreasing, African American increasing
B. White population decreasing, Hispanic increasing, African American remaining
stable
C. All populations decreasing
D. No demographic changes occurring
Correct Answer: B. White population decreasing, Hispanic increasing, African
American remaining stable
Rationale: Demographic trends in the United States show a decreasing proportion of
White Americans, increasing Hispanic population due to immigration and birth rates,
and a relatively stable African American population percentage. The other options do
not reflect current census trends.
Question 4
What is happening to the Asian population in the United States?
A. Decreasing rapidly
B. Remaining unchanged
C. Increasing
D. Disappearing due to migration
Correct Answer: C. Increasing
Rationale: The Asian population in the United States is increasing due to immigration,
higher education migration, and population growth. It is one of the fastest-growing
ethnic groups in the country.
Question 5
Life expectancy for African Americans compared to other ethnic groups is generally:
A. Higher
B. Equal
C. Lower
D. Unmeasurable
Correct Answer: C. Lower
Rationale: African Americans generally have lower life expectancy due to systemic
inequalities, including disparities in healthcare access, education, and income. These
social determinants significantly influence health outcomes.
Question 6
Which factors contribute most to lower life expectancy among African Americans?
A. Genetics only
B. Lifestyle only
C. Low education, income, and healthcare access
, 2026/2027
D. Climate conditions
Correct Answer: C. Low education, income, and healthcare access
Rationale: Social and economic factors such as education, income level, and access to
healthcare are major contributors to disparities in life expectancy. Genetic or
environmental factors alone do not fully explain the gap.
Question 7
Why is the Hispanic population increasing in the United States?
A. Military recruitment
B. Family reunification policies
C. Decrease in immigration
D. Economic collapse
Correct Answer: B. Family reunification policies
Rationale: Immigration policies that prioritize family reunification have contributed
significantly to Hispanic population growth in the United States. Economic and social
networks also encourage migration.
Question 8
Which law historically limited Asian immigration to the United States?
A. Civil Rights Act
B. Immigration Reform Act
C. Chinese Exclusion Act
D. Patriot Act
Correct Answer: C. Chinese Exclusion Act
Rationale: The Chinese Exclusion Act restricted Chinese immigration and was one of
the earliest immigration restriction laws in U.S. history. It significantly impacted
Asian population growth during that period.
Question 9
What is the relationship between total per capita state revenues and expenditures?
A. Negative correlation
B. No correlation
C. Positive correlation
D. Random relationship
Correct Answer: C. Positive correlation
Rationale: States that generate higher revenue per capita tend to spend more per capita,
creating a positive correlation between revenue and expenditure levels.
Question 10
POLS 206/207 American and State
Government (Texas University)
Comprehensive Exam Prep, Practice
Questions, Test Bank Review and Study
Guide 2026/2027
Question 1
How did public policy changes in the 1960s influence population diversity in the
United States?
A. They reduced immigration completely
B. They led to increased racial segregation
C. They increased diversity in the United States
D. They eliminated minority populations
Correct Answer: C. They increased diversity in the United States
Rationale: Public policy reforms in the 1960s, including civil rights legislation and
immigration reforms, expanded opportunities for minority groups and increased
immigration diversity. These policies reduced discriminatory barriers and allowed
greater representation of different ethnic groups in the U.S. The other options are
incorrect because policies did not restrict diversity but instead promoted inclusion and
equality.
Question 2
Which level of government is responsible for creating local governments in the
United States?
A. Federal government
B. State government
C. County government
D. Municipal courts
Correct Answer: B. State government
Rationale: State governments have constitutional authority to establish, regulate, and
oversee local governments such as counties and municipalities. The federal
government does not directly create local governments. Counties and municipal
courts operate under state authority.
Question 3
,2026/2027
What is the general trend in population change among major ethnic groups in the
United States?
A. White population increasing, Hispanic decreasing, African American increasing
B. White population decreasing, Hispanic increasing, African American remaining
stable
C. All populations decreasing
D. No demographic changes occurring
Correct Answer: B. White population decreasing, Hispanic increasing, African
American remaining stable
Rationale: Demographic trends in the United States show a decreasing proportion of
White Americans, increasing Hispanic population due to immigration and birth rates,
and a relatively stable African American population percentage. The other options do
not reflect current census trends.
Question 4
What is happening to the Asian population in the United States?
A. Decreasing rapidly
B. Remaining unchanged
C. Increasing
D. Disappearing due to migration
Correct Answer: C. Increasing
Rationale: The Asian population in the United States is increasing due to immigration,
higher education migration, and population growth. It is one of the fastest-growing
ethnic groups in the country.
Question 5
Life expectancy for African Americans compared to other ethnic groups is generally:
A. Higher
B. Equal
C. Lower
D. Unmeasurable
Correct Answer: C. Lower
Rationale: African Americans generally have lower life expectancy due to systemic
inequalities, including disparities in healthcare access, education, and income. These
social determinants significantly influence health outcomes.
Question 6
Which factors contribute most to lower life expectancy among African Americans?
A. Genetics only
B. Lifestyle only
C. Low education, income, and healthcare access
, 2026/2027
D. Climate conditions
Correct Answer: C. Low education, income, and healthcare access
Rationale: Social and economic factors such as education, income level, and access to
healthcare are major contributors to disparities in life expectancy. Genetic or
environmental factors alone do not fully explain the gap.
Question 7
Why is the Hispanic population increasing in the United States?
A. Military recruitment
B. Family reunification policies
C. Decrease in immigration
D. Economic collapse
Correct Answer: B. Family reunification policies
Rationale: Immigration policies that prioritize family reunification have contributed
significantly to Hispanic population growth in the United States. Economic and social
networks also encourage migration.
Question 8
Which law historically limited Asian immigration to the United States?
A. Civil Rights Act
B. Immigration Reform Act
C. Chinese Exclusion Act
D. Patriot Act
Correct Answer: C. Chinese Exclusion Act
Rationale: The Chinese Exclusion Act restricted Chinese immigration and was one of
the earliest immigration restriction laws in U.S. history. It significantly impacted
Asian population growth during that period.
Question 9
What is the relationship between total per capita state revenues and expenditures?
A. Negative correlation
B. No correlation
C. Positive correlation
D. Random relationship
Correct Answer: C. Positive correlation
Rationale: States that generate higher revenue per capita tend to spend more per capita,
creating a positive correlation between revenue and expenditure levels.
Question 10
