Interest Groups in the USA
Explore the role and influence of interest groups in the American political system with this 8th-grade civics worksheet.
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Interest Groups in the USA
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your knowledge. Some questions may require you to think critically about the role of interest groups in American democracy.
1. What is the primary goal of an interest group?
To elect candidates to public office.
To influence public policy.
To provide public services.
To enforce laws.
2. Which of the following is NOT a common tactic used by interest groups?
Lobbying elected officials.
Providing expert testimony.
Declaring war on other nations.
Running public awareness campaigns.
3. A person who tries to influence legislators on behalf of an interest group is called a .
4. Interest groups often use to raise money for political campaigns.
5. All interest groups represent the interests of big businesses.
True
False
6. Interest groups contribute to the democratic process by allowing diverse voices to be heard.
True
False
7. Explain the difference between an interest group and a political party.
8. Describe one positive and one negative impact that interest groups can have on society.
Use the words below to complete the sentences.
9. When an interest group directly contacts lawmakers to influence legislation, it is called .
10. Political Action Committees, or , are organizations that raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates.