Multiple ChoiceMultiple Choice

Types & StrategiesTypes & Strategies

TypesTypesALL TYPES = Look for the Best Answer

• The basic information/recall type of question:• Since the 1970s, which long-time Democratic

region of the U.S. has shifted its electoral support to the Republican Party?• New England• The Far West• The Great Plains• The South• The Rocky Mountain region

ALL TYPES = Look for the Best Answer

• The basic information/recall type of question:• Since the 1970s, which long-time Democratic

region of the U.S. has shifted its electoral support to the Republican Party?• New England• The Far West• The Great Plains• The South• The Rocky Mountain region

• The application type of question:• Which of these would be most likely to vote

in a presidential election?• An unemployed 45 year old white male• A 54 year old Asian high school graduate• A 34 year old black female college

professor• A 22 year old white male college student• A 58 year old white male carpenter

• The application type of question:• Which of these would be most likely to vote

in a presidential election?• An unemployed 45 year old white male• A 54 year old Asian high school graduate• A 34 year old black female college

professor• A 22 year old white male college student• A 58 year old white male carpenter

• The EXCEPT type of question:• All of these are functions of interest groups

EXCEPT:• Making campaign contributions• Lobbying federal agencies• Providing information to members of

Congress• Helping members of Congress draft

legislation• Implementing federal rules and regulations

• The EXCEPT type of question:• All of these are functions of interest groups

EXCEPT:• Making campaign contributions• Lobbying federal agencies• Providing information to members of

Congress• Helping members of Congress draft

legislation• Implementing federal rules and regulations

• The Roman numeral type of question:• Presidents have which of the following powers?

• I. Commanding the armed forces• II. Appropriating funds• III. Impeaching and removing public

officials• IV. Signing or vetoing proposed

constitutional amendments• V. Removing federal judges from office• I only• III,IV only• III,V only• I,II,IV only

• The Roman numeral type of question:• Presidents have which of the following powers?

• I. Commanding the armed forces• II. Appropriating funds• III. Impeaching and removing public

officials• IV. Signing or vetoing proposed

constitutional amendments• V. Removing federal judges from office• I only• III,IV only• III,V only• I,II,IV only

• The chart/table type of question:

1994 CAMPAIGN SPENDING BY DEMOCRATIC HOUSE INCUMBENTS & REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS

AVERAGE CAMPAIGN SPENDING BY:DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN

INCUMBENT CHALLENGER 

Democrat won with over 70% of the vote: $373,524 $23,881Democrat won with between 60%-70% of the vote: $455,186 $109,542Democrat won with less than 60% of the vote: $693,973 $268,203Democrat lost: $943,588 $612,588• Which of these is suggested by the table above?

• Democrats won a majority of House seats in 1994• Republican challengers had no chance of winning House seats in 1994• Poorly financed Republican challengers had a difficult time of winning House seats in 1994.• Republican incumbents were outspent by Democratic incumbents in 1994• Democratic challengers outspent Republican incumbents in 1994

• The chart/table type of question:

1994 CAMPAIGN SPENDING BY DEMOCRATIC HOUSE INCUMBENTS & REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS

AVERAGE CAMPAIGN SPENDING BY:DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN

INCUMBENT CHALLENGER 

Democrat won with over 70% of the vote: $373,524 $23,881Democrat won with between 60%-70% of the vote: $455,186 $109,542Democrat won with less than 60% of the vote: $693,973 $268,203Democrat lost: $943,588 $612,588• Which of these is suggested by the table above?

• Democrats won a majority of House seats in 1994• Republican challengers had no chance of winning House seats in 1994• Poorly financed Republican challengers had a difficult time of winning House seats in 1994.• Republican incumbents were outspent by Democratic incumbents in 1994• Democratic challengers outspent Republican incumbents in 1994

StrategiesStrategies• Do not panic if you come across some difficult questions. The

test is designed to include some very tough questions in order to differentiate between the more well prepared students and the less well prepared students.

• Use at least two “go throughs” on the test. On your first run, answer only the questions that you definitely know. Then go back and do the others. Frequently, going through the entire test will jog your memory so that questions that at first seemed so difficult seem much easier after the first run.

• Circle any “EXCEPT” questions in order to remind yourself that you are looking for a false statement.

• Do not change an answer unless you are certain that it is correct. Make sure all erasures are clear.

• Since ¼ of a point is subtracted for incorrect answers, you should avoid random guessing. You should, however, guess if you can eliminate at least two choices.

• Keep your eye on the clock. You have 45 minutes to answer 60 questions.

• Do not panic if you come across some difficult questions. The test is designed to include some very tough questions in order to differentiate between the more well prepared students and the less well prepared students.

• Use at least two “go throughs” on the test. On your first run, answer only the questions that you definitely know. Then go back and do the others. Frequently, going through the entire test will jog your memory so that questions that at first seemed so difficult seem much easier after the first run.

• Circle any “EXCEPT” questions in order to remind yourself that you are looking for a false statement.

• Do not change an answer unless you are certain that it is correct. Make sure all erasures are clear.

• Since ¼ of a point is subtracted for incorrect answers, you should avoid random guessing. You should, however, guess if you can eliminate at least two choices.

• Keep your eye on the clock. You have 45 minutes to answer 60 questions.

Name that Multiple ChoiceName that Multiple Choice

On a separate sheet of paper (1 sheet per group) please identify the type M.C. The first team with all the correct answers wins a prize.

On a separate sheet of paper (1 sheet per group) please identify the type M.C. The first team with all the correct answers wins a prize.