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. Literally - a 'friend of the court' brief - filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.






2. The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.






3. A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.






4. A notion held by a nineteenth-century Americans that the United States was destined to rule the continent - from the Atlantic the Pacific.






5. Directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law.






6. Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote.






7. The set of arrangements - including checks and balances - federalism - separation of powers - rule of law - due process - and a bill of rights - that requires our leaders to listen - think - bargain - and explain before they act or make laws. We then






8. Presidential custom of submitting the names of perspective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.






9. An imbalance in international trade in which the value of imports exceeds the value of exports.






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






11. Statement required by Federal law from all agencies for any project using Federal funds to assess the potential affect of the new construction or development on the environment.






12. The Supreme Court has ruled that individuals - groups - and parties can spend unlimited amounts in campaigns for or against candidates as long as they operate independently from the candidates. When an individual - group - or party does so - they are






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






14. Interpretation of the First Amendment that would permit legislatures to forbid speech encouraging people to engage in illegal action.






15. A local or judicial election in which candidates are not selected or endorsed by political parties and party affiliation is not listed on ballots.






16. International organization derived from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that promotes it free trade around the world.






17. A type of policy that takes benefits (usually through taxes) from one group of Americans and gives them to another (usually through spending).






18. Donations made to political candidates - party committees - or groups which - by law - are limited and must be declared.






19. 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.






20. A specific course of action taken by government to achieve a public goal.






21. A philosophy that encourages individual nations tacked together to solve international problems.






22. State laws formerly pervasive throughout the South requiring public facilities and accommodations to be segregated by race; ruled unconstitutional.






23. The distribution of individual preferences or evaluations of a given issue - candidate - or institution within a specific population.






24. Money spent by individuals or groups not associated with candidates to elect or defeat candidates for office.






25. These are broad state grants to states for prescribed activities—welfare - child care - education - social services - preventive health care - and health services—with only a few strings attached. States have greater flexibility in deciding how to sp






26. The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states.






27. Divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more heterogeneous or different.






28. Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.






29. Relationships among interest groups - congressional committees and subcommittees - and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.






30. A formal agreement between a U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that acquires approval by both houses of Congress.






31. System designed to reduce voter fraud by limiting voting to those who have established eligibility to vote by submitting the proper documents.






32. An international trade organization with more than 130 members - including the United States and the People's Republic of China - that seeks to encourage free trade by lowering tariffs and other trade restrictions.






33. A congressional district created to include a majority of minority voters; ruled constitutional so long as race is not the main factor in redistricting.






34. The right to vote.






35. The belief that nations must engage in international problem solving.






36. How voters feel about a candidate's background - personality - leadership ability - and other personal qualities.






37. Interest groups organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code may advertise for or against candidates. If their source of funding is corporations or unions - they have some restrictions on broadcast advertising. 527 organizations were impo






38. Efforts by government to alter the free operation of the market to achieve social goals such as protecting workers and the environment.






39. The total amount of money the Federal government has borrowed to finance deficit spending over the years.






40. A provision in a deed to real property prohibiting its sale to a person of a particular race or religion. Judicial enforcement of such deeds is unconstitutional.






41. The candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election.






42. Governance divided between the parties - especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.






43. The head of the White House staff.






44. A veto exercised by the president after Congress has adjourned; if the president takes no action for 10 days - the bill does not become law and does not return to Congress for possible override.






45. God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law.






46. 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.






47. A government entity that is independent of the legislative - executive - and judicial branches.






48. Literacy requirements some states imposed as a condition of voting - generally used to disqualify black voters in the South; now illegal.






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






50. The boost that candidates may get in an election because of the popularity of candidates above them on the ballot - especially the president.