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






2. Clause of the Constitution (Article I - Section 10) originally intended to prohibit state governments from modifying contracts made between individuals; for a while interpreted as prohibiting state governments from taking actions that adversely affec






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






4. Censorship imposed before a speech is made or a newspaper is published; usually presumed to be unconstitutional.






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






6. The drawing of election districts so as to ensure that members of a certain race are a minority in the district; ruled unconstitutional in Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960).






7. 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.






8. 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.






9. Segregation imposed by law.






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






11. In a criminal action - the person or party accused of an offense.






12. The process - most notably in families and schools - by which we develop our political attitudes - values - and beliefs.






13. 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.






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






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






16. How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives - including how to get individuals and groups to participate and to cooperate. The term has many applications in the various social sciences such as political science - sociology - and






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






18. Clause in the First Amendment that states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The Supreme Court has interpreted this to forbid governmental support to any or all religions.






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






20. Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated.






21. 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.






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






23. A tax whereby people with lower incomes pay a higher fraction of their income than people with higher incomes.






24. Procedure whereby a certain number of voters may - by petition - propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters.






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






26. A procedure for terminating debate - especially filibusters - in the Senate.






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






28. Election in which voters choose party nominees.






29. Agreement signed by the United States - Canada - and Mexico in 1992 to form the largest free trade zone in the world.






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






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






32. 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.'






33. A legislative practice that assigns the chair of the committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on the committee.






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






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






36. Elections in which voters determine party nominees.






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






38. General tax on sales transactions - sometimes exempting food and drugs.






39. Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787 - protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

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40. Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.






41. A law that defines crimes against the public order.






42. A jury of 6 to 12 persons that determines guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action.






43. Segregation resulting from economic or social conditions or personal choice.






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






45. A formal - public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two thirds of the Senate.






46. Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the Federal bureaucracy.






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






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






49. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.






50. A combination of entitlement programs - paid for by employer and employee taxes - that includes retirement benefits - health insurance - and support for disabled workers and the children of deceased or disabled workers.