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MTEL Political Science/Philosophy (48) Practice Tests & Test Prep by Exam Edge - Free Test


Our free MTEL Political Science/Political Philosophy (48) Practice Test was created by experienced educators who designed them to align with the official Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure content guidelines. They were built to accurately mirror the real exam's structure, coverage of topics, difficulty, and types of questions.

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MTEL Political Science/Political Philosophy - Free Test Sample Questions

A situation in which the president is a member of one political party and at least one chamber of Congress (either the Senate or the House of Representatives) is controlled by the other major party is referred to as:





Correct Answer:
divided government
divided government refers to a scenario in american politics where the presidency is held by one political party while the opposite party controls one or both chambers of congress, which are the senate and the house of representatives. this division can also occur at the state level, with different parties controlling the governorship and the state legislature.

the concept of divided government is significant because it reflects the checks and balances inherent in the u.s. political system, designed to prevent any single party from wielding excessive power. the presence of divided government is relatively common in the u.s. due to the frequent elections for congress and the presidency, which occur on different schedules and can result in shifts in party control.

one of the key effects of a divided government is its impact on the legislative process. with different parties controlling the different branches, there is often a greater impetus for compromise and bipartisanship, as legislation must appeal to members of both parties to pass. this can lead to more moderate or centrist policies, as extreme positions are less likely to win the necessary cross-party support.

however, divided government can also lead to legislative gridlock, where little to no legislation is passed due to partisan disagreements and conflicts between the executive and legislative branches. this can be particularly pronounced when the ideological differences between the parties are stark and the political climate is contentious.

historically, periods of divided government in the u.s. have seen both significant legislative achievements through compromise and frustrating standstills that have required subsequent elections to resolve. the effect of divided government on policy and governance continues to be a topic of significant discussion and analysis among politicians, scholars, and the public.