PrepGo

AP Comparative Government and Politics Practice Quiz: Political and Social Cleavages

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 16 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 16

According to the provided text, which of the following best describes a social cleavage?

All Questions (16)

According to the provided text, which of the following best describes a social cleavage?

A) A temporary disagreement between political parties over a specific policy.

B) An internal division within a society based on class, ethnicity, religion, or territory.

C) The formal separation of powers between branches of government.

D) A foreign policy alliance between two or more countries.

Correct Answer: B

The text explicitly defines social and political cleavages as 'internal divisions that structure societies and may be based on class, ethnicity, religion, or territory.'

In Nigeria, the most politically significant cleavages are described as being based on which factors?

A) Class divisions between the urban elite and rural farmers.

B) Ethnic, religious, and regional differences.

C) Ideological differences between monarchists and republicans.

D) Linguistic differences between English speakers and French speakers.

Correct Answer: B

The text states that Nigeria has 'ethnic divisions among more than 250 ethnic groups... and religious and regional cleavages between the north (predominantly Muslim) and the south (where Christians and animists are concentrated).'

The primary religious cleavage in Iran is between the:

A) Sunni majority and the Shi'a minority.

B) Persian majority and the Kurdish minority.

C) Shi'a Muslim majority and other religious groups, as well as the Sunni minority.

D) Secular population and the religious government.

Correct Answer: C

The text identifies 'religious divisions between the Shi'a Muslim majority and members of other religions' and also notes that 'within practitioners of Islam, there are divisions between the Shi'a majority and those who are Sunni.'

How do the political consequences of ethnic cleavages in Nigeria and Mexico compare?

A) Ethnicity is a minor factor in both countries' politics.

B) Ethnicity has played a more significant role in Mexico due to its longer colonial history.

C) Ethnicity has played a more significant role in Nigeria due to greater diversity and politicization of ethnic identities.

D) Both countries have successfully resolved all ethnic conflicts through federalism.

Correct Answer: C

The text directly compares the two, stating: 'Ethnicity has played a more significant role in Nigeria than in Mexico because of different colonial histories and a greater diversity and politicization of ethnic/religious identities in Nigeria.'

Which of the following describes a cleavage found in the United Kingdom?

A) Divisions between the Amerindian population and mestizos.

B) Regional differences between the developed north and the less-developed south.

C) Religious differences between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland.

D) Conflict between the Shi'a majority and the Sunni minority.

Correct Answer: C

The text explicitly lists 'religious differences between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland' as a cleavage in the United Kingdom.

According to the text, which of the following is a way that states might respond to social cleavages?

A) Ignoring the existence of minority groups entirely.

B) Exclusively using brute repression against all minority demands.

C) Creating autonomous regions or ensuring minority representation in government.

D) Encouraging separatist movements to strengthen national unity.

Correct Answer: C

The text outlines a range of state responses, including 'recognition of ethnic/religious minorities and creation of autonomous regions and/or representation of minorities in governmental institutions.'

The conflict involving the Chechens in Russia is an example of a cleavage based on:

A) Class and economic development.

B) Ethnicity and religion.

C) Territory and language.

D) Political party affiliation.

Correct Answer: B

The text describes the cleavage in Russia as being between 'ethnic Russians, who are... Russian Orthodox, and minority, non-Russian populations (including the Chechens in the Caucasus region, who are predominantly Muslim),' highlighting both ethnic and religious dimensions.

Based on the text, which country has experienced demands for autonomy but not independence from minority groups?

A) Nigeria

B) Russia

C) Iran

D) Mexico

Correct Answer: D

The text specifies that separatist movements have emerged in China, Iran, Nigeria, Russia, and the UK. It then states that 'Other groups demanding autonomy, but not independence, have emerged in Mexico and the United Kingdom.' Of the options provided, only Mexico fits this description without also being on the separatist list.

In China, social cleavages are described as existing between the majority Han ethnic group and minority groups like the:

A) Chechens and Azerbaijanis.

B) Yoruba and Igbo.

C) Uighurs and Tibetans.

D) Scottish and Welsh.

Correct Answer: C

The text provides specific examples for China, mentioning 'ethnic and regional divisions between the majority Han ethnic group and at least 55 recognized ethnic minorities, such as the Uighurs in the northwest and the Tibetans in the southwest.'

How can the existence of social cleavages impact a regime's legitimacy?

A) They always strengthen legitimacy by creating a common enemy.

B) They have no impact on legitimacy, which is based solely on economic performance.

C) They can be used to strengthen legitimacy or can lead to conflict that undermines it.

D) They only undermine legitimacy in democratic countries.

Correct Answer: C

The text states that the use of cleavages 'to strengthen legitimacy and hold onto power can be found in all course countries. Such cleavages may also lead to conflict and undermine legitimacy.'

The division between the northern and southern regions is a significant cleavage in which two countries mentioned in the text?

A) Russia and China

B) Mexico and Nigeria

C) United Kingdom and Iran

D) China and Mexico

Correct Answer: B

The text identifies 'regional divisions between the north and the south' in Mexico and 'religious and regional cleavages between the north (predominantly Muslim) and the south' in Nigeria.

Which of the following is a common political consequence of social cleavages across the course countries?

A) The formation of a unified, single-party system.

B) The complete elimination of informal political networks.

C) An influence on voting behavior and party systems.

D) A decrease in citizen participation in politics.

Correct Answer: C

The text states that 'Major social and political cleavages differ across course countries and affect voting behavior and party systems as well as informal political networks.'

A government that publicly emphasizes the threat from a religious minority group to rally support from the majority population is demonstrating which concept from the text?

A) The creation of an autonomous region to appease a minority.

B) The use of social cleavages to strengthen legitimacy and hold onto power.

C) The effect of colonial history on ethnic identity.

D) The representation of minorities in governmental institutions.

Correct Answer: B

This scenario is a direct application of the principle that 'Examples of the use of social and political cleavages to strengthen legitimacy and hold onto power can be found in all course countries.'

In Mexico, a key social cleavage exists between the Amerindian population and which other groups?

A) The Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba.

B) The Shi'a and Sunni Muslims.

C) The English and Scottish.

D) Whites and mestizos.

Correct Answer: D

The text explicitly describes 'ethnic divisions between the Amerindian (indigenous) population and whites and mestizos' in Mexico.

According to the text, which of the following is a challenge that even stable regimes increasingly face due to long-standing cleavages?

A) Demands for a return to colonialism.

B) Widespread calls for the abolition of religion.

C) Dealing with radical or terrorist religious elements.

D) Pressure to merge with neighboring countries.

Correct Answer: C

The text notes that 'Even stable regimes are increasingly dealing with radical/terrorist religious elements that have sprung from long-standing cleavages.'

Based on the text, separatist movements have emerged as a result of social cleavages in all of the following countries EXCEPT:

A) China

B) United Kingdom

C) Nigeria

D) Mexico

Correct Answer: D

The text lists China, Iran, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom as countries where separatist movements have emerged. It separately mentions that Mexico has groups demanding autonomy, but not independence, making it the correct exception among the choices.