Text 8470, 611 rader
Skriven 2008-11-30 14:51:00 av Bob Klahn (1:124/311)
Ärende: My analysis of the quiz.
================================
Many of the fido posters have taken the Civics quiz available
online. I mentioned I got 32 out o 33 right, and many right
wingers have claimed lower scores, and expressed doubt about
mine.
Well, I am amazed how they could have scored so low. The right
seems to think they know everything about economics and the
constitution, so this should have been a piece of cake for them.
On top of that, the correct, according to the authors, tend
toward the conservative view of economics and the constitution.
So, just how could they do so badly?
My analysis of the quiz.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Civics Quiz
Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen? The
average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test
was 49%; college educators scored 55%. Can you do better?
Questions were drawn from past ISI surveys, as well as other
nationally recognized exams.
A printable version of the quiz, along with the answers, is
available for download for those who register <request.aspx>.
Note: This quiz does not support WebTV.
----------------------------------------------------------------
This one shoulda been a gimmie for anyone who knows anything
about the declaration of independence. OTOH, right wingers do
believe it should be Life, liberty and property, all too often.
Or they do use that phrase. Maybe they have talked each other
into believing it.
*1)* Which of the following are the inalienable rights referred
to in the Declaration of Independence?
A. life, liberty, and property
B. honor, liberty, and peace
C. liberty, health, and community
D. life, respect, and equal protection
E. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
----------------------------------------------------------------
This is elemenatary US History. When I was in high school US
History was a required subject. That was in Illinois.
*2)* In 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed a series of
government programs that became known as:
A. the Great Society
B. the Square Deal
C. the New Deal
D. the New Frontier
E. supply-side economics
----------------------------------------------------------------
Another one that should be a gimmie. US Government was also
required when I was in high school. Was required in Ohio, where
I live now, last time I was concerned with the subject.
*3)* What are the three branches of government?
A. executive, legislative, judicial
B. executive, legislative, military
C. bureaucratic, military, industry
D. federal, state, local
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, this one was a toughie, unless you are a Lincoln Scholar or
a Civl War scholar, or a historian. However, remembering that
expansion of slavery to the new territories was a hot issue then
made that the obvious choice. Again US History.
Oh, and since that debate was in Illinois, which those of us
from Illinois would be more likely to remember, no candidate was
likely to argue that slavery was not morally wrong. C was not
under active consideration at that time, and D probably wasn't
even considered at all, not in Illinios anyway. Not very many
blacks in Illinois at that time. It would not be much of an
issue.
*4)* What was the main issue in the debates between Abraham
Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in 1858?
A. Is slavery morally wrong?
B. Would slavery be allowed to expand to new territories?
C. Do Southern states have the constitutional right to leave the union?
D. Are free African Americans citizens of the United States?
----------------------------------------------------------------
After the media focus on the electoral college over the last 8
years, how could anyone not get this one?
*5)* The United States Electoral College:
A. trains those aspiring for higher political office
B. was established to supervise the first televised presidential debates
C. is otherwise known as the U.S. Congress
D. is a constitutionally mandated assembly that elects the president
E. was ruled undemocratic by the Supreme Court
----------------------------------------------------------------
Now this one is arguable. The Bill of Rights doesn't explicitly
mention any of these. Religion is the only issue referenced that
the bill of rights has a prohibition of in any form. Now both A
and D cover religion. Both are actually prohibited, but neither
with explicit wording.
The common right wing interpretation is that the 1st amendment
forbids congress to pass a law respecting the establishment of
religion. On that basis I interpreted the authors intent for D
to be the correct answer.
Actually, the constitution forbids congress to pass a law
respecting *AN* establishment of religion. IOW, anything
extablished by or for religion. That includes prayer, but I
chose based on the conservative interpretation. Read their minds
that way.
*6)* The Bill of Rights explicitly prohibits:
A. prayer in public school
B. discrimination based on race, sex, or religion
C. the ownership of guns by private individuals
D. establishing an official religion for the United States
E. the president from vetoing a line item in a spending bill
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, for this you have to be familiar with the Gettysburg
Address. We did study that when I was in school. No, I can't
repeat it from memory now, high school was over 40 years ago.
OTOH, if you are familiar with the other choices, you could do
it by process of elimination.
*7)* What was the source of the following phrase: "Government
of the people, for the people, by the people"?
A. the speech "I Have a Dream".
B. Declaration of Independence
C. U.S. Constitution
D. Gettysburg Address
----------------------------------------------------------------
Another one that takes a bit of historical knowledge. We knew
this as FDRs court packing attempt. More US History. Even
process of elimination would not give you this one.
*8)* In 1935 and 1936 the Supreme Court declared that important
parts of the New Deal were unconstitutional. President Roosevelt
responded by threatening to:
A. impeach several Supreme Court justices
B. eliminate the Supreme Court
C. appoint additional Supreme Court justices who shared his views
D. override the Supreme Court's decisions by gaining three-quarter
majorities in both houses of Congress
----------------------------------------------------------------
Another gimmie. IMO. Though technically the constitutional
provision for establishing standards of weights and measures
*might* give you D, the obvious and explicit choice is A.
*9)* Under Our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal
government. What is one power of the federal government?
A. Make treaties
B. Make zoning laws
C. Maintain prisons
D. Establish standards for doctors and lawyers
----------------------------------------------------------------
Another gimmie. Esp after all the 'discussions' we have had
about this.
*10)* Name one right or freedom guaranteed by the first
amendment.
A. Right to bear arms
B. Due process
C. Religion
D. Right to counsel
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, another hard one. I knew that one of the sticking points on
adoption of the constitution was overcome by the bill of rights,
but I didn't know the name "anti-federalists" in connection with
that.
However, since B and C are *NOT* in the original constitution,
nor the bill of rights, they are out. And since the power to tax
is inherent to government, and it's impossible to run a
government without it, that wouldn't even be an issue.
So, A is the answer by process of elimination.
Ok, maybe under socialism you can run a govt without taxes, but
I don't think that has ever happened either.
*11)* What impact did the Anti-Federalists have on the United
States Constitution?
A. their arguments helped lead to the adoption of the Bill of Rights
B. their arguments helped lead to the abolition of the slave trade
C. their influence ensured that the federal government would maintain a
standing army
D. their influence ensured that the federal government would have the
power to tax
----------------------------------------------------------------
This should also be a gimmie.
*12)* Which of the following statements is true about abortion?
A. it was legal in most states in the 1960s
B. the Supreme Court struck down most legal restrictions on it in /Roe
v. Wade/
C. the Supreme Court ruled in /Plessy v. Ferguson/ that underage women
must notify their parents of an impending abortion
D. the National Organization for Women has lobbied for legal
restrictions on it
E. it is currently legal only in cases of rape or incest, or to protect
the life of the mother
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, a true toughie. Unless you were a scholar thourghly familiar
with all four listed personalities you probably would not know
their positions on A, B, or C. It is unlikely that all four
would agree on any of those three, though. Esp Aquinas, who
would be held to Christian beliefs. None of the first three
choices fit there.
Christianity (D) didn't exist until long after the first three
died.
My memories of Socrates and Plato are more of the Dialogs of
Plato and a few of Plato's essays. Socrates seems to be someone
who could argue either side of any point. Aristotle I don't
recall much of at all. I was very interested in Greek philosophy
and history back in high school, but that was, as I said, over
40 years ago.
E, however, is one considered as long as there is recorded
philosophy. and most likely to be the belief held by all four.
IMO.
*13)* Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas would concur that:
A. all moral and political truth is relative to one's time and place
B. moral ideas are best explained as material accidents or byproducts of
evolution
C. values originating in one's conscience cannot be judged by others
D. Christianity is the only true religion and should rule the state
E. certain permanent moral and political truths are accessible to human
reason
----------------------------------------------------------------
Now this should also be a gimmie, for anyone who ever studied US
History. D and E are obviously wrong. A is disproven by their
willingness to impose their views on others, as is C. But B is
obvious. Again, if you studied US History.
*14)* The Puritans:
A. opposed all wars on moral grounds
B. stressed the sinfulness of all humanity
C. believed in complete religious freedom
D. colonized Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young
E. were Catholic missionaries escaping religious persecution
----------------------------------------------------------------
We have argued this one over and over. It should be a gimmie.
*15)* The phrase that in America there should be a "Wall of
separation" between church and state appears in:
A. George Washington's Farewell Address
B. the Mayflower Compact
C. the Constitution
D. the Declaration of Independence
E. Thomas Jefferson's letters
----------------------------------------------------------------
This one requires some interpretation of the speech. A, and B
are obviously false. C wasn't really a big issue then, it was
just getting started, and didn't get it's big boost until Nixon.
D is much more likely than E, if you ever heard the speech.
*16)* In his "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.:
A. argued for the abolition of slavery
B. advocated black separatism
C. morally defended affirmative action
D. expressed his hopes for racial justice and brotherhood
E. proposed that several of America's founding ideas were discriminatory
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, this is famous, but some of the younger ones may not know
it. Anyone over 60 lived through this.
*17)* Sputnik was the name given to the first:
A. telecommunications system
B. animal to travel to space
C. hydrogen bomb
D. manmade satellite
----------------------------------------------------------------
Again, a bit of US History, and it became current events when
the SB Anthony dollar was issued. C and D were clearly not it.
And B was among the constitutional amendments before women got
the vote.
*18)* Susan B. Anthony was a leader of the movement to
A. guarantee women the right to vote in national elections
B. guarantee former slaves the right to vote
C. ensure that harsher laws against criminals were passed
D. reduce the authority of the Constitution of the United States
----------------------------------------------------------------
After all our arguements about evolution, this should be well
known. Or if you ever saw "Inherit the Wind" and learned just a
little about the background.
*19)* The Scopes "Monkey Trial" was about:
A. freedom of the press
B. teaching evolution in the schools
C. prayer in the schools
D. education in private schools
----------------------------------------------------------------
Another gimmie. Esp after Bush has tried to turn this into
unlimited presidential power.
*20)* Who is the commander in chief of the U.S. military?
A. Secretary of the army
B. Secretary of state
C. President
D. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
----------------------------------------------------------------
Gimmie.
*21)* Name two countries that were our enemies during World War II.
A. Canada and Mexico
B. Germany and Japan
C. England and Spain
D. China and Russia
----------------------------------------------------------------
Gimmie.
*22)* What part of the government has the power to declare war?
A. Congress
B. the president
C. the Supreme Court
D. the Joint Chiefs of Staff
----------------------------------------------------------------
Again, those of us over 60 lived through this. Also, some of us,
like myself, personally knew people who were involved in the
military blockade.
*23)* In October 1962 the United States and the Soviet Union
came close to war over the issue of Soviet:
A. control of East Berlin
B. missiles in Cuba
C. support of the Ho Chi Minh regime in Viet Nam
D. military support of the Marxist regime in Afghanistan
----------------------------------------------------------------
gimmie.
*24)* In the area of United States foreign policy, Congress
shares power with the:
A. president
B. Supreme Court
C. state governments
D. United Nations
----------------------------------------------------------------
Now we are into economics rather than Civics. Still this one is
so easy everyone should get it. If nothing else, process of
elimination. E might be a sticker, but B is clearly the choice
if you think about it.
*25)* Free enterprise or capitalism exists insofar as:
A. experts managing the nation's commerce are appointed by elected
officials
B. individual citizens create, exchange, and control goods and resources
C. charity, philanthropy, and volunteering decrease
D. demand and supply are decided through majority vote
E. government implements policies that favor businesses over consumers
----------------------------------------------------------------
Econ again. This one is also easy, and we did just have a
discussion of this issue.
*26)* Business profit is:
A. cost minus revenue
B. assets minus liabilities
C. revenue minus expenses
D. selling price of a stock minus its purchase price
E. earnings minus assets
----------------------------------------------------------------
Econ again. The question is highly arguable, but the answers are
tilted toward the author's preference, A.
C D and E actually don't address the question, at least not
directly. And B has it just backwards.
*27)* Free markets typically secure more economic prosperity
than government's centralized planning because:
A. the price system utilizes more local knowledge of means and ends
B. markets rely upon coercion, whereas government relies upon voluntary
compliance with the law
C. more tax revenue can be generated from free enterprise
D. property rights and contracts are best enforced by the market system
E. government planners are too cautious in spending taxpayers' money
----------------------------------------------------------------
Econ... and this should be a gimmie. Esp after the years of
arguements in Fido over progressive vs flat taxes.
*28)* A progressive tax:
A. encourages more investment from those with higher incomes
B. is illustrated by a 6% sales tax
C. requires those with higher incomes to pay a higher ratio of taxes to
income
D. requires every income class to pay the same ratio of taxes to income
E. earmarks revenues for poverty reduction
----------------------------------------------------------------
OK, truly arguable.
Several *could* be correct answers. However, those are only
maybe answers. And several of those are only indirect.
B is the one that is clearly intended.
*29)* A flood-control levee (or National Defense) is considered
a public good because:
A. citizens value it as much as bread and medicine
B. a resident can benefit from it without directly paying for it
C. government construction contracts increase employment
D. insurance companies cannot afford to replace all houses after a flood
E. government pays for its construction, not citizens
----------------------------------------------------------------
Econ... Arguable *but*...
Since the choice is given as "most likely", and this is a
current event, C is the obvious "conventional wisdom" choice.
Oh, and the Keynsian choice, which was how Reaganomics pulled
itself out of it's death spiral whether the right wants to admit
it or not.
*30)* Which of the following fiscal policy combinations would a
government most likely follow to stimulate economic activity
when the economy is in a severe recession?
A. increasing both taxes and spending
B. increasing taxes and decreasing spending
C. decreasing taxes and increasing spending
D. decreasing both taxes and spending
----------------------------------------------------------------
Econ... Truly arguable.
The level of international trade and specialization we are
seeing has developed over all the years since WW2, but got it's
big expansion after NAFTA, in the '90s. So it hasn't really been
around all that long.
Actually, all 4 could be true. And all four could be wrong. In
this case I believe their correct answer is the one most likely
wrong.
C would require looking at the long term, and the long term
hasn't happened yet.
This is a case where I read their minds and picked the
conservative dogma as the correct answer, A.
*31)* International trade and specialization most often lead to
which of the following?
A. an increase in a nation's productivity
B. a decrease in a nation's economic growth in the long term
C. an increase in a nation's import tariffs
D. a decrease in a nation's standard of living
----------------------------------------------------------------
Econ...
Ok another real toughie.
Again, we have argued over the Fed in Fido for years. And it's a
current event subject. However, we all know the FED adjusts
interest rates, and liquidity, but Jeff Binkley is the only
other disputant I would say should know they do that partly by
buying and selling govt securities.
We have argued this extensively.
*32)* Which of the following is a policy tool of the Federal
Reserve?
A. raising or lowering income taxes
B. increasing or decreasing unemployment benefits
C. buying or selling government securities
D. increasing or decreasing government spending
----------------------------------------------------------------
Econ...
And simple math. Ok, this one has several apparent
*possibliities*. A sounds good, and would be true over time, but
not immediately. B C and E are irrelevant to the question.
So, process of elimination again.
*33)* If taxes equal government spending, then:
A. government debt is zero
B. printing money no longer causes inflation
C. government is not helping anybody
D. tax per person equals government spending per person
E. tax loopholes and special-interest spending are absent
----------------------------------------------------------------
Now, just how did so many do so badly? And why would you doubt
that someone over 60 who argues with Jeff B would not know this
stuff?
I realize some of you younger people may have gone to schools
that no longer require US History, and you didn't live through
much of this, but we over 60 typically don't have those
handicaps.
And anyone who actually argues these points in Fidonet, instead
of just taking cheap shots, and who thinks and researches,
should do very well indeed.
I'll go back over the msgs about who did how well and make note
of who are the cheap shot artists and who actually discusses the
issues. Now that should be revealing.
BOB KLAHN bob.klahn@sev.org http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn
... "all the world's economists, laid end-to-end, could not reach a conclusion"
* Silver Xpress V4.5/P [Reg]
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr5a
* Origin: FidoTel & QWK on the Web! www.fidotel.com (1:124/311)
|