Section I — Multiple Choice

Section II — Free Response

Section I — Multiple Choice

Section II — Free Response

AP Comparative Government — Full Practice Exam

55 Multiple-Choice Questions (45 minutes) + 4 Free-Response Questions (100 minutes)

SECTION I: MULTIPLE-CHOICE (45 minutes, 55 questions)

1. Which of the following best defines a "state"? (A) A group of people sharing a common language and culture
(B) A political entity with a population, territory, sovereignty, and government
(C) An organization that promotes international cooperation
(D) A political party that controls the government
(E) A system of laws and courts

2. A "nation-state" is best described as: (A) A state containing many ethnic groups
(B) A state in which the majority of the population shares a common national identity
(C) An international organization of nation-states
(D) A state that has no sovereignty
(E) A territory without a government

3. Max Weber's three types of authority are: (A) Executive, legislative, judicial
(B) Traditional, rational-legal, charismatic
(C) Federal, unitary, confederal
(D) Democratic, authoritarian, totalitarian
(E) Presidential, parliamentary, semi-presidential

4. The United Kingdom's Parliament is characterized by: (A) A written constitution limiting its power
(B) Parliamentary sovereignty — the ability to make or unmake any law
(C) Equal power between the House of Commons and House of Lords
(D) A requirement for judicial review of all legislation
(E) Direct election of the prime minister by citizens

5. Which of the following is a defining feature of a presidential system? (A) The executive is drawn from the legislature
(B) The legislature can remove the executive through a vote of no confidence
(C) The executive and legislature are separately elected with fixed terms
(D) There is no head of state separate from the head of government
(E) The government must maintain the confidence of the legislature

6. China's political system is best classified as: (A) Parliamentary democracy
(B) Theocratic republic
(C) Single-party authoritarian socialist state
(D) Federal presidential system
(E) Constitutional monarchy

7. Iran's "vilayat-e faqih" refers to: (A) Iran's electoral system
(B) The principle of guardianship of the Islamic jurist, giving the Supreme Leader ultimate authority
(C) Iran's federal arrangement
(D) The constitutional provision for a free press
(E) Iran's membership in OPEC

8. The concept of "democratic backsliding" is most applicable to which country since 2000? (A) United Kingdom
(B) China
(C) Russia
(D) Mexico
(E) Iran

9. Which of the following is an example of a supranational organization? (A) The Nigerian National Assembly
(B) The UK House of Lords
(C) The European Union
(D) Iran's Guardian Council
(E) The Chinese Communist Party

10. Nigeria's "federal character" principle requires that: (A) All citizens speak the same language
(B) Government appointments reflect the country's ethnic and regional diversity
(C) Only the president can appoint ministers
(D) The country adopts an Islamic legal code
(E) Each state has its own military

11. The "rentier state" concept is most directly relevant to the political economy of: (A) The United Kingdom
(B) Mexico
(C) Nigeria
(D) China
(E) All of the above equally

12. In the UK, collective cabinet responsibility means that: (A) Each minister is responsible only for their own department
(B) All cabinet members must publicly support government decisions or resign
(C) The cabinet is elected by the House of Commons
(D) Cabinet meetings are open to the public
(E) The opposition party also participates in cabinet

13. Russia's "vertical of power" refers to: (A) The federal court system
(B) The centralization of authority in the presidency and Moscow
(C) The separation of powers between branches
(D) Russia's integration into European institutions
(E) The role of the Orthodox Church in politics

14. Which country has NO direct national elections? (A) United Kingdom
(B) Russia
(C) China
(D) Iran
(E) Mexico

15. The "sexenio" in Mexico refers to: (A) The six-party system
(B) The six-year presidential term with no immediate re-election
(C) The six-month legislative session
(D) The six constitutional amendments
(E) The six federal districts

16. Iran's Guardian Council has the power to: (A) Command the military
(B) Veto presidential appointments of governors
(C) Vet political candidates and veto legislation deemed un-Islamic
(D) Negotiate international treaties
(E) Collect taxes

17. China's nomenklatura system: (A) Provides free healthcare to all citizens
(B) Is China's electoral system for the NPC
(C) Controls all senior political and bureaucratic appointments
(D) Is a form of collective farming
(E) Establishes China's environmental regulations

18. Which of the following best explains the low voter turnout in Nigeria? (A) High satisfaction with government performance
(B) Mandatory voting with penalties for non-participation
(C) Security concerns, distrust, and electoral manipulation
(D) Online voting that confuses rural voters
(E) A voting age of 25

19. The UK's House of Lords is distinctive because it is: (A) Directly elected by proportional representation
(B) Primarily an unelected revising chamber that can delay but not permanently block legislation
(C) More powerful than the House of Commons
(D) Composed exclusively of religious leaders
(E) Responsible for choosing the prime minister

20. Mexico's 2000 presidential election was significant because: (A) It was Mexico's first election
(B) Vicente Fox's victory ended 71 years of PRI dominance
(C) It was cancelled due to fraud
(D) The military seized power
(E) Mexico left NAFTA

21. Which country's bureaucracy is most characterized by the nomenklatura system? (A) United Kingdom
(B) Russia
(C) China
(D) Mexico
(E) Nigeria

22. Political legitimacy based on long-standing customs is called: (A) Rational-legal authority
(B) Charismatic authority
(C) Traditional authority
(D) Performance authority
(E) Democratic authority

23. The First-Past-the-Post electoral system tends to produce: (A) Perfect proportional representation
(B) A large number of parties in the legislature
(C) Disproportionate results favoring larger parties
(D) Consistent coalition governments
(E) Mandatory run-off elections

24. Which of the following best describes civil society in Russia? (A) Vibrant and fully independent
(B) Dominated by foreign-funded organizations
(C) Weak and suppressed, with NGOs labeled "foreign agents"
(D) Nonexistent
(E) More powerful than the government

25. China's "One Country, Two Systems" policy applies to: (A) Urban and rural areas
(B) The CCP and the eight minor parties
(C) Hong Kong and Macau
(D) The executive and legislative branches
(E) The military and civilian sectors

26. The primary source of political legitimacy for the UK's monarchy is: (A) Rational-legal authority
(B) Charismatic authority
(C) Performance legitimacy
(D) Democratic elections
(E) Traditional authority

27. Which country has the most constrained civil society? (A) United Kingdom
(B) Mexico
(C) Nigeria
(D) China
(E) Iran

28. Russia's mixed electoral system for the State Duma includes: (A) Only proportional representation
(B) Only single-member districts
(C) 225 single-member FPTP seats and 225 party-list PR seats
(D) Indirect elections through regional legislatures
(E) No elections — all members are appointed

29. Which country's legislature is formally the highest organ of state power but in practice serves as a rubber stamp? (A) United Kingdom
(B) Russia
(C) China
(D) Iran
(E) Mexico

30. Nigeria's presidential election requires the winner to: (A) Win only the popular vote
(B) Win a majority and 25% of votes in two-thirds of states
(C) Win a plurality in all 36 states
(D) Be nominated by the military
(E) Win two consecutive elections

31. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran: (A) Is solely a military organization
(B) Reports to the elected president
(C) Functions as a military force and major economic/political actor
(D) Was disbanded after the 1979 Revolution
(E) Operates only outside Iran

32. Which of the following is NOT a feature of China's political system? (A) One-party rule by the CCP
(B) Indirect elections at the national level
(C) An independent judiciary that can review CCP decisions
(D) Control of media through the Great Firewall
(E) The Politburo Standing Committee as the center of power

33. Mexico's Congress can check the president's power by: (A) Impeaching and removing the president
(B) Blocking legislation and confirming appointments
(C) Dissolving the presidency
(D) Appointing state governors
(E) Controlling the military directly

34. Which country's regime is classified as theocratic? (A) United Kingdom
(B) Russia
(C) China
(D) Iran
(E) Nigeria

35. The "resource curse" explains why resource-rich countries may experience: (A) Rapid democratization
(B) Corruption, conflict, and poor governance despite wealth
(C) Perfect environmental sustainability
(D) Strong social welfare programs
(E) Complete economic independence

36. Which of the following is a source of Iran's political legitimacy? (A) NATO membership
(B) Traditional Shia religious authority
(C) EU integration
(D) A history of free elections
(E) Separation of religion and state

37. Nigeria has experienced all of the following EXCEPT: (A) Military coups
(B) Civil war (Biafra, 1967-1970)
(C) A one-party communist state
(D) Return to civilian rule in 1999
(E) Oil-dependent economy

38. The UK's devolution of power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland: (A) Created a federal system
(B) Was constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be reversed
(C) Delegated (but did not constitutionally guarantee) authority to regional assemblies
(D) Was opposed by all political parties
(E) Established independent militaries for each nation

39. In a parliamentary system, a "vote of no confidence" can: (A) Remove individual judges
(B) Remove the government, potentially triggering new elections
(C) Only be called by the monarch
(D) Be exercised by the military
(E) Remove provincial governors

40. Which country has the highest level of press freedom among the six course countries? (A) Russia
(B) China
(C) Iran
(D) Nigeria
(E) United Kingdom

41. The term "clientelism" refers to: (A) Customer service in government agencies
(B) The exchange of goods, services, or favors for political support
(C) A system of proportional representation
(D) Military conscription
(E) Free trade agreements

42. Which of the following describes China's approach to political participation? (A) Free and competitive elections at all levels
(B) Multi-party competition for legislative seats
(C) Limited, controlled participation at the local level with no national-level electoral choice
(D) Direct democracy through referendums
(E) No political participation at all

43. Mexico's political transition to democracy was most significantly marked by: (A) The 1910 Revolution
(B) The NAFTA agreement
(C) The 2000 election of Vicente Fox (PAN), ending 71 years of PRI rule
(D) The Zapatista uprising
(E) The creation of MORENA

44. Russia's "managed democracy" refers to: (A) A genuinely competitive democratic system
(B) A system with the appearance of democratic institutions but with actual power concentrated in the presidency
(C) Direct democracy through citizen assemblies
(D) A parliamentary system with proportional representation
(E) Decentralized local governance

45. Which country has the most independent judiciary? (A) United Kingdom
(B) Russia
(C) China
(D) Iran
(E) Nigeria

46. The concept of "political efficacy" includes: (A) Only the ability to win elections
(B) Citizens' belief in their ability to understand and influence politics
(C) The government's efficiency in policy implementation
(D) Military loyalty to the regime
(E) International recognition of sovereignty

47. Which of the following is true about MORENA in Mexico? (A) It is Mexico's oldest political party
(B) It was created by Andrés Manuel López Obrador and has been dominant since 2018
(C) It is a conservative religious party
(D) It advocates for Mexico to leave NAFTA
(E) It is a minor party with no representation

48. Nigeria's bicameral legislature consists of: (A) The Senate and the House of Representatives
(B) The Duma and the Federation Council
(C) The House of Commons and House of Lords
(D) The Majles and the Guardian Council
(E) The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee

49. Which two countries are members of OPEC? (A) UK and Russia
(B) China and Mexico
(C) Russia, Iran, and Nigeria
(D) Only Iran and Nigeria
(E) UK and Mexico

50. "Performance legitimacy" is most central to which country's regime? (A) United Kingdom
(B) China
(C) Iran
(D) Nigeria
(E) Mexico

51. The UK's Fixed-term Parliaments Act (2011) was significant because it: (A) Made the UK a federal state
(B) Set regular five-year election intervals (since repealed)
(C) Abolished the monarchy
(D) Created a written constitution
(E) Joined the EU

52. Which country has experienced the most competitive elections among approved candidates while still maintaining theocratic control? (A) China
(B) Iran
(C) Russia
(D) Nigeria
(E) Mexico

53. The "Great Firewall" in China is a system that: (A) Protects China's physical borders
(B) Blocks access to foreign internet content and censors domestic online discourse
(C) Is China's missile defense system
(D) Regulates China's banking sector
(E) Is a historical landmark

54. Which country has the highest Gini coefficient among the six, indicating the greatest income inequality? (A) United Kingdom
(B) Russia
(C) China
(D) Mexico
(E) Nigeria

55. Political socialization through media in the UK is characterized by: (A) Complete state control of all media outlets
(B) A free, independent press with multiple perspectives
(C) State censorship of all opposition views
(D) The Great Firewall blocking foreign media
(E) Government ownership of all newspapers

SECTION II: FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS (100 minutes, 4 questions)

FRQ 1: Conceptual Analysis (Suggested 20 minutes)

A political scientist studies election results in two countries.

Country X: In the national election, Party A won 45% of the vote but secured 55% of legislative seats. Party B won 25% of the vote but only 10% of seats. Two smaller parties won the remaining votes and seats.

Country Y: In the national election, Party A won 35% of the vote and received 33% of legislative seats. Party B won 20% of the vote and received 18% of seats. Five parties won seats in total.

1a. Identify the electoral system likely used in each country and explain your reasoning. (2 points)

1b. Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of the electoral system used in Country X compared to Country Y. (2 points each, 4 points total)

1c. Describe how the electoral system in Country X affects party strategy and voter behavior. (2 points)

FRQ 2: Country-Specific Analysis (Suggested 20 minutes)

2a. Describe two ways in which the Mexican president's power is constrained by Mexico's political institutions. (2 points each, 4 points total)

2b. Explain how Mexico's federal structure affects policy implementation across the country. (2 points)

2c. Describe how Mexico's transition from PRI dominance to competitive democracy has changed interest group politics. (2 points)

FRQ 3: Country Comparison (Suggested 25 minutes)

Compare the legislative branches of the United Kingdom and Russia.

3a. Describe the structure of the UK Parliament. (2 points)

3b. Describe the structure of the Russian legislature (State Duma and Federation Council). (2 points)

3c. Compare the policy-making power of the UK Parliament and the Russian State Duma. (2 points)

3d. Explain how the electoral system affects the composition and behavior of each legislature. (2 points)

FRQ 4: Argument Essay (Suggested 35 minutes)

Prompt: "A free press is essential for a country's economic development."

Develop an argument about the relationship between press freedom and economic development. Use specific, relevant evidence from at least two course countries to support your argument.

Scoring Rubric:

• Claim (1 point): Present a defensible claim
• Evidence (1 point): Use at least one specific piece of evidence from a course country
• Reasoning (1 point): Connect evidence to the claim
• Alternative Perspective (1 point): Address an opposing view