AP Comparative Government and Politics Practice Quiz: Objectives of Election Rules
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 15 questions to check your progress.
Question 1 of 15
All Questions (15)
A) The consolidation of a two-party system.
B) An increase in the number of political parties represented in the legislature.
C) A stronger sense of constituency service from individual representatives.
D) A decrease in the geographic representation of rural areas.
Correct Answer: B
The provided text explicitly states that 'Proportional representation can result in an increase in the number of political parties represented in national legislatures.' Single-member district plurality systems, not proportional representation, tend to promote two-party systems.
A) By winning an absolute majority in a single round of voting.
B) Through a two-round system if no candidate wins a majority in the first round.
C) By securing a plurality of the national popular vote.
D) By winning the most votes plus 25% of the vote in two-thirds of the states.
Correct Answer: C
The text states, 'Mexico’s president is elected by a plurality of the national popular vote, not an absolute majority.' This means the candidate with the most votes wins, even if it is less than 50%.
A) Its theocratic nature.
B) Its commitment to a two-party system.
C) Its federal character.
D) Its transition to a parliamentary system.
Correct Answer: C
The text specifies that the Nigerian presidential election rule requiring broad regional support 'reflect[s] the federal characteristic of this regime,' ensuring the winner has a national mandate beyond a single ethnic or regional group.
A) Mexico and Nigeria
B) Iran and Russia
C) United Kingdom and Mexico
D) Nigeria and Iran
Correct Answer: B
The text states, 'Presidential candidates in Iran and Russia must win an absolute majority of the popular vote in either the first or second round of national voting.' Mexico uses a plurality system, and Nigeria has a unique plurality-plus-distribution rule.
A) To ensure fair and transparent vote counting.
B) To vet candidates and exclude those deemed unsuitable, thereby limiting competition.
C) To promote the election of minority and women candidates.
D) To provide strong constituency service and accountability.
Correct Answer: B
As stated in the text, 'Iran’s Guardian Council excludes reform minded candidates or those who do not support Islamic values from the ballot, which limits the number of candidates and reduces electoral competition and representation.'
A) To advance the political agenda of the governing elites.
B) To reduce voter fraud and enhance electoral competition.
C) To ensure only candidates approved by the president can run for office.
D) To implement a proportional representation system.
Correct Answer: B
The text explains that as part of their democratic transitions, 'Mexico and Nigeria have created independent election commissions that attempt to reduce voter fraud and manipulation and enhance electoral competition,' which is a different objective than that of Iran's Guardian Council.
A) Increase the number of political parties in the legislature.
B) Require a runoff election if no candidate wins a majority.
C) Provide voters with strong constituency service and accountability.
D) Guarantee the election of more minority and women candidates.
Correct Answer: C
The text states that single-member district plurality systems 'provide voters with strong constituency service and accountability because there is a single representative per district.'
A) Members of Russia's Federation Council are directly elected by popular vote.
B) All members of Iran's Guardian Council are selected by the Supreme Leader.
C) Appointments to the UK's House of Lords are approved by the monarch based on recommendations.
D) Members of Mexico's legislature are all appointed by the president.
Correct Answer: C
The text specifies that 'Appointments for the United Kingdom’s House of Lords are approved by the monarch with recommendations made by the prime minister and an independent commission.' The other options are incorrect based on the provided content.
A) Increase the autonomy of regional legislatures.
B) Promote a diversity of viewpoints in the Federation Council.
C) Reassert federal power under the Russian president.
D) Ensure the election of opposition candidates as governors.
Correct Answer: C
The text indicates that the creation of federal districts and the president's ability to appoint envoys to them 'has reasserted federal power under the Russian president.'
A) To limit the number of candidates on the ballot.
B) To ensure the winner has a strong national mandate.
C) To promote the growth of smaller, third parties.
D) To simplify the voting process by eliminating runoff elections.
Correct Answer: B
The text explicitly states that 'Majoritarian rules in Iran, Nigeria, and Russia provide the winners with a national mandate,' suggesting that winning with a majority or with broad-based support legitimizes the victory.
A) All twelve members are directly elected by the people.
B) All twelve members are appointed by the Majles (parliament).
C) Half are selected by the Supreme Leader, and half are nominees from the judiciary approved by the Majles.
D) Half are selected by the president, and half are selected by the Supreme Leader.
Correct Answer: C
The text provides a clear breakdown: 'Half of Iran’s Guardian Council members are selected by the Supreme Leader, and half are nominees from the judiciary with Majles approval.'
A) Both Mexico and Russia use a plurality system to elect their presidents.
B) Both Iran and the United Kingdom use an appointment system to fill their entire primary legislative body.
C) While Nigeria's election commission seeks to enhance competition, Iran's Guardian Council works to limit it.
D) Both Nigeria and Russia require presidential candidates to win an absolute majority in the first round of voting.
Correct Answer: C
The text contrasts the roles of these bodies. Nigeria's commission aims to 'enhance electoral competition,' while Iran's Guardian Council 'reduces electoral competition.' The other options contain inaccuracies based on the provided information.
A) A multi-party system with many small parties in the legislature.
B) A two-party system.
C) A system where the executive is chosen by the legislature.
D) A system that requires a majority of votes to win an election.
Correct Answer: B
The text directly states that 'Single-member district plurality systems tend to promote two-party systems.'
A) The timing of legislative elections varies across countries based on term-limit policies.
B) Proportional representation increases the election of women, while single-member districts ensure geographic representation.
C) Mexico's independent election commission aims to increase competition, while Iran's Guardian Council vets candidates to limit competition for the ruling elite.
D) Russia's president must win a majority, while Mexico's president can win with a plurality.
Correct Answer: C
This option provides the clearest contrast in regime objectives. Mexico's rule is designed for a more democratic, competitive objective, while Iran's rule is designed to maintain the power of the existing theocratic elite by limiting who can run. This directly addresses how rules serve different objectives.
A) Limit electoral competition and representation.
B) Reassert federal power under the president.
C) Promote a diversity of viewpoints.
D) Ensure geographic representation from specific districts.
Correct Answer: C
The text introduces appointment systems by stating they can be used 'to promote a diversity of viewpoints' or 'to advance the political agenda of governing elites.' The UK system, with recommendations from an independent commission, aligns with the objective of promoting diverse viewpoints.