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. A tax graduated so that people with higher incomes pay larger fraction of their income than people with lower incomes.






2. The means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy.






3. An official document - published every weekday - which lists the new and proposed regulations of executive departments and regulatory agencies.






4. A policy adopted by the Bush administration in 2001 that asserts America's right to attack any nation that has weapons of mass destruction that might be used against U.S. interests at home or abroad.






5. Means of communication that are reaching the public - including newspapers and magazines - radio - television (broadcast - cable - and satellite) - films - recordings - books - and electronic communication.






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






7. Powers the Constitution specifically grants to one of the branches of the national government.






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






9. 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






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






11. Arrangement whereby public officials are hired to provide legal assistance to people accused of crimes who are unable to hire their own attorneys.






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






13. A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president.






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






15. An agreement among two or more states. Congress must approve most such agreements.






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






17. A writ issued by a magistrate that authorizes the police to search a particular place or person - specifying the place to be searched and the objects to be seized.






18. 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.






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






20. A minor party founded by Ross Perot in 1995. It focuses on national government reform - fiscal responsibility - and political accountability. It has recently struggled with internal strife and criticism that it lacks an identity.






21. The authority of a court to hear a case 'in the first instance.'






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






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






24. 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.






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






26. 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.






27. A social division based on national origin - religion - language - and often race.






28. 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.






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






30. Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments - the vice president - and a few other officials selected by the president.






31. Retroactive criminal law that works to the disadvantage of a person.






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






33. Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators.






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






35. A minor party that believes in extremely limited government. Libertarians call for a free market system - expanded individual liberties such as drug legalization - and a foreign policy of nonintervention - free trade - and open immigration.






36. Tax levied on imports to help protect the nation's industries - labor - or farmers from foreign competition. It can also be used to raise additional revenue.






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






38. Initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states.






39. Promoting a particular position or an issue by interest groups or individuals but not candidates. Much issue advocacy is often electioneering for or against a candidate and - until 2004 had not been subject to regulation.






40. 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.






41. Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term.






42. 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.






43. The informal list of issues that Congress and the president consider most important for action.






44. 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.






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






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






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






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






49. 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






50. Contributions to a state or local party for party-building purposes.