Chapter 6: Congress: The First Branch

Question 1

Constituency

Answer 1

The district making up the area from which an official is elected.

Question 2

Delegate

Answer 2

A representative who votes according to the preferences of his or her constituency

Question 3

Trustee

Answer 3

A representative who votes based on what he or she thinks is best for his or her constituency

Question 4

Agency representation

Answer 4

The type of representation according to which representatives are held accountable to their constituents if they fail to represent them properly. That is, constituents have the power to hire and fire their representatives.

Question 5

Bicameral legislature

Answer 5

A legislative assembly composed of two chambers, or houses.

Question 6

Money Bill

Answer 6

A bill concerned solely with taxation or government spending.

Question 7

Incumbency

Answer 7

Hold the political office for which one is running.

Question 8

Casework

Answer 8

An effort by members of Congress to gain the trust and support of constituents by providing personal services. One important type of casework consists of helping constituents obtain favorable treatment from the federal bureaucracy.

Question 9

Patronage

Answer 9

The resources available to higher officials, usually opportunities to make partisan appointments to offices and confer grants, licenses, or special favors to supporters.

Question 10

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Answer 10

The appropriations made by legislative bodies for local projects that often are not needed but are created so that local representatives.

Question 11

Gerrymandering

Answer 11

The apportionment of voters in districts in such a way as to give unfair advantage to one political party.