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






2. Assigning police to neighborhoods where they walk the beat and work with churches and other community groups to reduce crime and improve relations with minorities.






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






4. A national meeting of delegates elected at primaries - caucuses - or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president - ratify the party platform - elect officers - and adopt rules.






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






6. Loss of tax revenue due to Federal laws that provide special tax incentives or benefits to individuals or businesses.






7. A theory of international relations that focuses on the tendency of nations to operate from self-interest.






8. Citizenship in more than one nation.






9. 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.






10. Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values.






11. Legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one states to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.






12. The formal instructions that government issues for implementing laws.






13. Constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government - the actions of the federal government will prevail.






14. A permanent committee established in a legislature - usually focusing on a policy area.






15. A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.






16. Photo opportunities set up by the candidates. The media have been accused of simplifying complicated political issues by relying on photo ops to explain them to the public.






17. Elections held in years when the president is on the ballot.






18. A court order forbidding specific individuals or groups from performing certain acts (such as striking) that the court considers harmful to the rights and property of an employer or community.






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






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






21. Something given with the expectation of receiving something in return.






22. 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






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






24. 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






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






26. Review of all executive branch testimony - reports - and draft legislation by the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that each communication to Congress is in accordance with the president's program.






27. Essays promoting ratification of the Constitution - published anonymously by Alexander Hamilton - John Jay - and James Madison in 1787 and 1788.






28. Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.






29. The constitutional requirement (in Article II - Section 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws.






30. Formal accusation by the lower house of legislature against a public official - the first step in removal from office.






31. Segregation imposed by law.






32. The formal process for making regulations.






33. 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.






34. The difference between the political opinions or political behavior of men and of women.






35. Libel - obscenity - fighting words - and commercial speech - which are not entitled to constitutional protection in all circumstances.






36. Weakening of partisan preferences that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents.






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






38. Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.






39. The widespread belief that the United States is a land of opportunity and that individual initiative and hard work can bring economic success.






40. 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.






41. A company in which new employees must join a union within a stated time period.






42. A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody.






43. Denial of export - import - or financial relations with the target country in an effort to change that nation's policies.






44. Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators.






45. A government agency that operates like a business corporation - created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.






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






47. 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.






48. 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.






49. Clause in the First Amendment that states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.






50. 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.