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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. Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution.






2. Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say.






3. The number of Americans who are out of work but actively looking for a job. The number does not usually include those who are not looking.






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






5. A term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups.






6. The legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition.






7. A jury of 12 to 23 persons who - in private - hear evidence presented by the government to determine whether persons shall be required to stand trial. If the jury believes there is sufficient evidence that a crime was committed - it issues an indictm






8. A widely shared and consciously held view - like support for homeland security.






9. A monopoly that controls goods and services - often in combinations that reduce competition.






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






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






12. A formal writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court.






13. Financial contributions by individuals or groups in the hope of influencing the outcome of the election and subsequently influencing policy.






14. 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






15. 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.






16. An individual who does not to join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.






17. A government that enforces recognized limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through free - fair - and relatively frequent elections.






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






19. Constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states - by compact - create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals.






20. Power of a government to take private property for public use; the U.S. Constitution gives national and state governments this power and requires them to provide just compensation for property so taken.






21. An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning.






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






23. A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government.






24. Implies that although federalism provides 'a sharing of power and authority between the national and state governments - the state's share rests upon the permission and permissiveness of the national government.'






25. Written defamation of another person. For public officials and public figures - the constitutional tests designed to restrict libel actions are especially rigid.






26. A decision by the president not to spend money appropriated by Congress - now prohibited under Federal law.






27. A rise in the general price level (and decrease in dollar value) owing to an increase in the volume of money and credit in relation to available goods.






28. Police targeting of racial minorities as potential suspects of criminal activities.






29. The right to keep executive communications confidential - especially if they relate to National Security.






30. An official who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of legislator.






31. Views the Constitution as giving a limited list of powers—primarily foreign policy and national defense—to the national government - leaving the rest to the sovereign states. Each level of government is dominant within its own sphere. The Supreme Cou






32. A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity.






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






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






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






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






37. In this type of sample - every individual has unknown and random chance of being selected.






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






39. Agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant that the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser offense to avoid having to stand trial for more serious offense.






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






41. The process by which individuals perceive what they want to in media messages.






42. The process by which we develop our political attitudes - values - and beliefs.






43. A policy-making alliance among loosely connected participants that comes together on a particular issue - then disbands.






44. Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates.






45. The right to vote.






46. Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that the government cannot interfere with speech unless the speech presents a clear and present danger that it will lead to evil or illegal acts.






47. A policy that emphasizes a united front and cooperation between the major political parties - especially on sensitive foreign policy issues.






48. Programs in which eligibility is based on prior contributions to government - usually in the form of payroll taxes.






49. Remedial action designed to overcome the effects of discrimination against minorities and women.






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






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