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






2. An explanation of the decision of the Supreme Court or any other appellate court.






3. 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.






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






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






6. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. These sanctions permit the use of federal money in one program to influence state and local policy in another. For example - a 1984 act reduced federal highway aid by up to 15 percent for any






7. Domination of an industry by a single company that fixes prices and discourages competition; also - the company that dominates the industry by these means.






8. Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.






9. The first governing document of the confederated states drafted in 1777 - ratified in 1781 - and replaced by the present Constitution in 1789.






10. Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.






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






12. Compromise between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.






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






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






15. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






16. Alternative means of health care in which individuals make tax-deductible contributions to a special account that can be used to pay medical expenses.






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






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






19. Period at the beginning of the new president's term during which the president enjoys generally positive relations with the press and Congress - usually lasting about six months.






20. Constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate.






21. The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party - group - or incumbent.






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






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






24. A legal action conferring citizenship on an alien.






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






26. A form of organization that operates through impersonal - uniform rules and procedures.






27. Petition that - if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members - will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.






28. 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






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






30. Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.






31. The power to keep executive communications confidential - especially if they relate to national security.






32. Election in which voters choose party nominees.






33. Powers expressly or implicitly reserved to the states.

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34. The powers expressly given to Congress in the Constitution.






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






36. 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






37. A characteristic of individuals that is predictive of political behavior.






38. Attempting to overthrow the government by force or use violence to interrupt its activities.






39. 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.






40. A meeting of the members of a party in a legislative chamber to select party leaders and to develop party policy. Called a conference by the Republicans.






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






42. Method whereby representatives of the union and employer determine wages - hours - and other conditions of employment through direct negotiation.






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






44. Incumbents have an advantage over challengers in election campaigns because voters are more familiar with them - and incumbents are more recognizable.






45. 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.






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






47. The tendency in elections to focus on the personal attributes of a candidate - such as his/her strengths - weaknesses - background - experience - and visibility.






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






49. Inherent powers of state governments to pass laws to protect the public health - safety - and welfare; the national government has no directly granted police powers but accomplishes the same goals through other delegated powers.






50. Voting by member of one party for a candidate of another party.