5 Steps to a 5 AP US Government and Politics with CD-ROM, 2014-2015 Edition (5 Steps to a 5 on the Advanced Placement Examinations Series)

Covers the process of preparing for the Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics exam, from deciding on a strategy and evaluating strengths and weaknesses through practice exams and reviewing the subject area. Abstract: Features a 5-step plan to guide your preparation program and help you build the skills, knowledge, and test-taking confidence of US government and politics. This edition covers the course syllabus and provides model tests that reflect the version of the exam. Read more... Cover 1 Title Page 5 Copyright Page 6 Contents 8 Preface 12 Acknowledgments 14 About the Authors 16 Introduction: The Five-Step Program 18 Step 1 Set Up Your Study Program 24 1 What You Need to Know About the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam 26 Background of the Advanced Placement Program 26 Some Frequently Asked Questions About the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam 27 2 How to Plan Your Time 32 Three Approaches to Preparing for the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam 32 Calendar for Each Plan 34 Step 2 Determine Your Test Readiness 38 3 Take a Diagnostic Exam 40 AP U.S. Government and Politics Diagnostic Exam 44 Answers and Explanations 54 Rubrics for the Free-Response Essay 59 Step 3 Develop Strategies for Success 60 4 Section I of the Exam: How to Approach the Multiple-Choice Questions 62 Introduction to the Multiple-Choice Section of the Exam 62 Types of Multiple-Choice Questions 63 Strategies for Answering the Multiple-Choice Questions 63 Scoring the Multiple-Choice Section 64 AP U.S. Government and Politics Diagnostic Exam 2: Multiple-Choice Questions 68 Answers and Explanations 79 5 Section II of the Exam: How to Approach the Free-Response Essay 86 Introduction to the Free-Response Essay 86 Types of Free-Response Prompts 88 Developing the Free-Response Essay 88 Rubrics for the Free-Response Essay 89 Final Comments—Some Helpful Hints 89 AP U.S. Government and Politics Diagnostic Exam 2: Free-Response Essay 91 Rubrics for the Free-Response Essay 95 Step 4 Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High 96 6 Architecture and Development of U.S. Government 98 Principles of Government 99 Origins of American Government 100 The United States Constitution 105 Review Questions 109 Answers and Explanations 110 Rapid Review 111 7 Federalism 112 The Constitutional Basis of Federalism 113 Federalism in Practice 114 Establishing National Supremacy 115 Federalism Today 115 Review Questions 117 Answers and Explanations 119 Rapid Review 120 8 Political Culture 122 American Democratic Values 122 Political Socialization 123 Public Opinion 123 Review Questions 125 Answers and Explanations 126 Rapid Review 127 9 Political Parties 128 Roles of Political Parties 128 Party Systems 129 What Do Political Parties Do? 129 Party Identification and Membership 130 The Two-Party Tradition in America 130 Third or Minor Parties 132 Structure and Organization of Political Parties 132 Future of Political Parties 133 Review Questions 135 Answers and Explanations 137 Rapid Review 138 10 Voting and Elections 140 Participation and Voting 140 Types of Elections 143 Campaign Finance 145 Review Questions 147 Answers and Explanations 149 Rapid Review 150 11 Interest Groups and the Mass Media 152 Interest Groups 152 Mass Media 154 Biases in the Media 157 Review Questions 158 Answers and Explanations 160 Rapid Review 161 12 The Legislative Branch 162 Structure of Congress 163 Organization of Congress 163 Election to Congress 163 Leadership of Congress 164 The Committee System 165 Congressional Staff and Support 166 Roles of Members of Congress 166 Privileges of Members of Congress 166 Powers of Congress 166 The Lawmaking Process 167 Legislative Tactics 168 Influences on Congress 168 Review Questions 170 Answers and Explanations 172 Rapid Review 173 13 The Executive Branch and the Bureaucracy 174 Constitutional Origins of the Presidency 174 The Road to the White House 176 The Vice Presidency 176 Presidential Powers 177 Limitations on Presidential Powers 178 Presidential Character 178 The Bureaucracy 179 The Executive Office of the President (EOP) 180 Executive Departments 181 Review Questions 182 Answers and Explanations 184 Rapid Review 185 14 The National Judiciary 186 The Federal Court System 186 Structure of the Judicial System 187 Judicial Selection 188 The Court at Work 189 Courts as Policymakers 190 Judicial Philosophy 191 Review Questions 192 Answers and Explanations 194 Rapid Review 195 15 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights 196 Civil Liberties 196 Freedom of Religion 197 Freedom of Speech 198 Freedom of the Press 199 Freedom of Assembly and Petition 200 Property Rights 200 Right to Privacy 201 Rights of the Accused 201 Civil Rights 202 The Civil Rights Movement 202 Other Minorities 203 Affirmative Action 205 Review Questions 206 Answers and Explanations 207 Rapid Review 208 16 Politics and Public Policymaking 210 The Policymaking Process 210 Domestic Policy 211 Economic Policy 213 Foreign and Defense Policy 214 Review Questions 216 Answers and Explanations 218 Rapid Review 219 Step 5 Build Your Test-Taking Confidence 220 AP U.S. Government and Politics Practice Exam 1 224 Answers to Multiple-Choice Questions 236 Answers and Explanations 237 Rubrics for the Free-Response Essay 242 AP U.S. Government and Politics Practice Exam 2 246 Answers to Multiple-Choice Questions 256 Answers and Explanations 257 Rubrics for the Free-Response Essay 262 AP U.S. Government and Politics Practice Exam 3 266 Answers to Multiple-Choice Questions 278 Answers and Explanations 279 Rubrics for the Free-Response Essay 286 Appendixes 288 Web Sites Related to the Advanced Placement Exam 290 Glossary of Terms 292 A 292 B 292 C 292 D 293 E 294 F 294 G 294 H 295 I 295 J 295 L 295 M 295 N 296 O 296 P 296 R 297 S 297 T 298 U 298 V 298 W 298 Get ready for your AP exam with this straightforward and easy-to-follow study guide, updated for all the latest exam changes! 5 Steps to a 5: AP U.S. Government and Politics features an effective, 5-step plan to guide your preparation program and help you build the skills, knowledge, and test-taking confidence you need to succeed. This fully revised edition covers the latest course syllabus and provides model tests that reflect the latest version of the exam. Inside you will find: 5-Step Plan to a Perfect 5: 1. Set Up Your Study Program 2. Determine Your Test Readiness 3. Develop Strategies for Success 4. Develop the Knowledge You Need to Score High 5. Build Your Test-Taking Confidence 2 complete practice AP U.S. Government and Politics exams Interactive practice AP exams on CD-ROM 3 separate plans to fit your study style Review material updated and geared to the most recent tests Savvy information on how tests are constructed, scored, and used Covers the process of preparing for the Advanced placement U.S. government and politics exam, from deciding on a strategy and evaluating strengths and weaknesses through four practice exams and review of the subject areas