导语

  

    You’ve spent the year gaining advanced knowledge. Now it’s time to reap the rewards: money-saving college credit or advanced placement, and an admissions edge. Yet a top score on the AP exam requires more than knowing the material. Even if your instructor was great and you worked hard in class, you need to get comfortable with the test format itself, preparing for pitfalls and arming yourself with foolproof strategies. That’s where the Kaplan plan offers the clear advantage. With more than 70 years of proven test-prep experience, Kaplan has developed unique study guides that provide cutting-edge review while honing your test-taking skills.

内容提要

  

    Kaplan’s AP exam preparation guides include everything you need to know to score higher on the test—guaranteed.
    Let your score soar with these Kaplan features:
    Tips from students who earned a perfect 5 on the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam.
    Strategies from AP U.S. Government and Politics teachers.
    A new group study guide, helping all group members make the most of their study sessions.
    Breakthrough advice for parents—on everything from using the book as a coaching aid to preparing for exam day.
    2 full-length practice tests (essential for learning how to beat the clock).
    An intensive diagnostic test so that you can use your time efficiently, targeting weak areas and feeling confident in your strengths.
    Detailed explanations to the answers, showing you how to think like the authors of the test.
    In-depth reviews of crucial content.
    Key terms, defined in context.
    Sample answers for free-response questions.
    Proven skill-building techniques that are guaranteed to raise your score.
    A user-friendly design for navigating the book in a flash.
    Preparation makes the difference, but quality preparation delivers results that can transform your life. Packed with exclusive tips you can only get from Kaplan, this is the ultimate guide for conquering jittery nerves and boosting brain power. Unlock your potential with Kaplan AP U.S. Government and Politics 2010: the unrivaled, one-stop resource.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
KAPI_AN PANEL OF AP EXPERTS
PART ONE: THE BASICS
CHAPTER 1: INSIDE THE AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS EXAM
    Overview of the Test Structure
    How the Exam Is Scored
    Registration and Fees
    Additional Resources
CHAPTER 2: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS: IT'S NOT ALWAYS HOW MUCH YOU KNOW
    Introduction
    General Test-Taking Strategies
    How This Book Can Help
    How to Approach the Multiple-Choice Questions
    How to Approach the Free-Response Questions
    Stress Management
    Countdown to the Test
PART TWO: DIAGNOSTIC TEST
    How to Calculate Your Score
    Answers and Explanations
    How to Make This Book Work for You Based on the Results of Your Diagnostic Test
PART THREE: AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS REVIEW
CHAPTER 3: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE U.S. FEDERAL SYSTEM
    Steps from the Declaratign of Independence to the Constitution
    The Difficult Convention
    Ratification Issues
    The Development of Parties Under the Constitution
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 4: THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF 1787 AND THE AMENDMENTS
    Basics of Federalism
    The Constitution of 1787
    Interpretations and Adjustments
    The Bill of Rights and Other Amendments
    Outline of the Constitution
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 5: FEDERALISM AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
    Basic Structure of the Federal System
    Examples of U.S. Federalism: Separations of Powers
    Examples of U.S. Federalism: Checks and Balances
    Examples of U.S. Federalism: Fiscal Federalism
    Examples of National and State Powers in Modern Federalism
    Major Events in Federalism
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 6: POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS
    Traditions of Citizen Behaviors
    Viewpoint Origins
    Participation and Voting
    Participation and Civic Responsibility
    The Political Spectrum
    Other Modern Terms and Concepts of Political Beliefs
    Major Shifts in Political Labels in the United States
    Political Efficacy and Changes in the United States
    Voter Biases
    U.S. Voter Turnout
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC OPINION AND POLLING
    Introduction
    The Development of Opinions
    Opinion Data
    Polls and Polling
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 8: POLITICAL PARTIES
    Introduction
    Dominance of Two Parties
    Significant Party Changes
    Brief History of the Democratic Party
    Brief History of the Republican Party
    Parties in Decline?
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 9: CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS
    Introduction
    Election Patterns
    The Role of Money and Reform Attempts
    Presidential Elections
    The Electoral College
    Campaign Finance Reform
    Comments on Local and Congressional Elections
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 10: INTEREST GROUPS, LOBBIES, AND POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES
    Introduction
    Functions of Interest Groups
    Famous Interest Groups (Also Registered as Lobbies)
    Lobby Group Basics
    Political Action Committees (PACs)
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 11: MEDIA AND ITS FUNCTIONS
    The History of Media
    Goals bfthe Modern Media/Concerns about the Media
    The Manipulated Media.
    Media Bias?
    Effects of Media Roles in Modern Politics
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 12: THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
    The House and the Senate
    Duties and the Committees
    The Basics of Congress
    Opinions of Congress
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 13: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
    The President
    Qualifications: Formal and Informal
    Staff Influences
    Important Informal Duties
    The Power of Executive Privilege
    Recent Events and Laws
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 14: THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY
    The Fourth Branch
    Scope of Powers
    Basics of the Bureaucracy
    The Powerful Iron Triangles of Policy
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 15: THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
    Introduction
    Two-Court Systems
    Creation of "Judicial Review"
    The "Second" Constitution
    Structure of the Federal Court System
    The Supreme Court's Work
    Civil Liberties and Equal Protection
    The Judiciary and the Political Spectrum
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 16: THE FEDERAL BUDGET AND ECONOMIC POLICIES
    The Budget
    Creating the Budget--Needs and Priorities
    Types of Spending
    Economic Policy Terms and Theories
    Presidential Economic Programs
    Federal Mandates and the Budget
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 17: DOMESTIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT
    Introduction
    Kinds of Policies
    Grant Programs
    The Basics of Policy DeveloPment
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
CHAPTER 18: FOREIGN POLICY: MILITARY AND ECONOMIC
    Introduction
    The Rise of "Agreements" over Treaties
    Helping the President
    The Importance of Policy Decisions
    Major Leaders in Foreign Poii cy
    International Organizations Affecting Foreign Policy
    Review Questions
    Answers and Explanations
PART FOUR: PRACTICE TESTS
    How to Take the Practice Tests
    How to Compute Your Score
PRACTICE TEST 1
    Answers and Explanations
PRACTICE TEST 2
    Answers and Explanations
PART FIVE: AP U.S. GOVERNMENT &
POLITICS RESOURCES
    Appendix 1: U.S. Presidents
    Appendix 2: Unique Presidential Elections
    Appendix 3: Major Election Shifts
    Appendix 4: Chief Justices of the Supreme Court
    Appendix 5: U.S. Federal Constitution
    Appendix 6: A Guide for Teachers
GLOSSARY