Question

LESSON 1 REVIEW

Building Citizenship
1. ANALYZING CHANGE An issue often debated today is the
concept of term limits for representatives in Congress. As a
citizen, do you support term limits? Why or why not? What other
changes to the way the House of Representatives functions
would you like to see?
Building History-Social Science
Analysis Skills
2. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS Why did the Founders establish
Congress as a bicameral legislature?
3. UNDERSTANDING CONTEXT How were the criteria for
becoming a member of Congress established and by whom?
4. IDENTIFYING CONNECTIONS Explain the advantages
incumbents have over their opponents in congressional elections.
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Writing About Government
5. INFORMATIVE WRITING Explain the process of redistricting
How have Supreme Court decisions such as Baker v. Carr and
Shaw v. Reno affected the drawing of U.S. districts?
Collaborating
6. SPEAKING AND LISTENING In small groups, read how racial
gerrymandering spread after the passage of the Voting Rights
Act of 1965. Discuss the effects of racial gerrymandering on
the structure of our government and on the citizens within the
districts. Brainstorm ideas on how racial gerrymandering can be
stopped or lessened.

Answer 1

1. ANALYZING CHANGE: An issue often debated today is the concept of term limits for representatives in Congress. As a citizen, my personal opinion is that term limits could have some benefits, such as preventing career politicians from becoming entrenched in their positions and potentially promoting fresh ideas and perspectives. However, term limits could also have negative effects, such as limiting the experience and institutional knowledge of representatives. Additionally, I would like to see changes to the way the House of Representatives functions such as reducing the influence of money in politics and increasing transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
2. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS: The Founders established Congress as a bicameral legislature in order to balance the power between the states and the federal government, with the Senate representing the states and the House of Representatives representing the people. This system of checks and balances would ensure that the interests of both the states and the people were represented in the legislative process.
3. UNDERSTANDING CONTEXT: The criteria for becoming a member of Congress were established by the Constitution, which states that representatives must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for at least seven years, and an inhabitant of the state from which they are elected. The qualifications for Senators are similar, but they must be at least 30 years old.