Test your basic knowledge |

AP Government

Subjects : civics, ap
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Government in which the people elect those who govern and pass laws; also called a republic.






2. Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority.






3. A meeting of party delegates to vote on matters of policy and in some cases to select party candidates for public office.






4. The proportion of the voting age public that votes - sometimes defined as the number of registered voters that vote.






5. Lawsuit brought by an individual or group of people on behalf of all those similarly situated.






6. The political arm of an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds on a voluntary basis from members - stockholders - or employees to contribute funds to candidates or political parties.






7. Primary election in which any voter - regardless of party - may vote.






8. Election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.






9. The current holder of the elected office.






10. Unlimited and undisclosed spending by an individual or group on communications that do not use words like 'vote for' or 'vote against -' although much of this activity is actually about electing or defeating candidates.






11. Retroactive criminal law that works to the disadvantage of a person.






12. The tendency of presidents to lose support over time.






13. Championed by Ronald Reagan - presumes that the power of the federal government is limited in favor of the broad powers reserved to the states.

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14. Democratic and civic habits of discussion - compromise - and respect for differences - which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations.






15. The process by which individuals screen out messages that do not conform to their own biases.






16. Promoting a particular position or an issue paid for by interest groups or individuals but not candidates. Much issue advocacy is often electioneering for or against a candidate - and until 2004 had not been subject to any regulation.






17. The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or - in a state court - the state constitution.






18. A policy adopted by the Bush administration in 2001 that asserts America's right to attack any nation that has weapons of mass destruction that might be used against U.S. interests at home or abroad.






19. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted.






20. Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending.






21. The rights of all people to dignity and worth; also called human rights.






22. Alternative means of health care in which people or their employers are charged a set amount and the HMO provides health care and covers hospital costs.






23. Conceives of federalism as a marble cake in which all levels of government are involved in a variety of issues and programs - rather than a layer cake - or dual federalism - with fixed divisions between layers or levels of government.






24. Theory that opposes governmental interference in economic affairs beyond what is necessary to protect life and property.






25. The system created by Congress in 1913 to establish banking practices and regulate currency in circulation and the amount of credit available. It consists of 12 regional banks supervised by the Board of Governors. Often called simply the Fed.






26. The means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy.






27. Consumer tax on a specific kind of merchandise - such as tobacco.






28. People who favor state or local action rather than national action.






29. A small political party that rises and falls with a charismatic candidate or - if composed of ideologies on the right or left - usually persists over time; also called a third party.






30. Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government - generally.






31. Clause in the Constitution (Article 4 - Section 1) requiring each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid.






32. Usually the largest organization in government with the largest mission; also the highest rank in Federal hierarchy.






33. A theory that government should control the money supply to encourage economic growth and restrain inflation.






34. 30-second statements on the evening news shows. The media have been accused of simplifying complicated political issues by relying on sound bites to explain them to the public.






35. During the Great Society - the marble cake approach of intergovernmental relations.






36. An informal and subjective affiliation with a political party that most people acquire in childhood.






37. A type of policy that provides benefits to all Americans.






38. The right to vote.






39. A theory of international relations that focuses on the hope the nations will act together to solve international problems and promote peace.






40. Programs such as unemployment insurance - disaster relief - or disability payments that provide benefits to all eligible citizens.






41. Authority given by Congress to the Federal bureaucracy to use reasonable judgment in implementing the laws.






42. A philosophy that encourages individual nations to act on their own when facing threats from other nations.






43. Clause in the Fifth Amendment limiting the power of the national government; similar clause in the Fourteenth Amendment prohibiting state governments from depriving any person of life - liberty - or property without due process of law.






44. A theory that is based on creating enough military strength to convince other nations not to attack first.






45. A landmark case in United States law and the basis for the exercise of judicial review in the United States - under Article Three of the United States Constitution. The case resulted from a petition to the Supreme Court by William Marbury - who had b






46. The list of potential cases that reach the Supreme Court.






47. Powers the Constitution specifically grants to one of the branches of the national government.






48. Economic theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms.






49. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Federal grants may establish certain conditions that extend to all activities supported by federal funds - regardless of their source. The first and most famous of these is Title VI of the 196






50. Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes - stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and the curve during booms.