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 process by which provisions of the bill of rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to state and local governments.






2. An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.






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






4. A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.






5. 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.'






6. Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president.






7. 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.






8. Government by religious leaders - who claim divine guidance.






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






10. A career government employee.






11. 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.






12. 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.






13. The principle of a two-house legislature.






14. Unlimited amounts of money that political parties previously could raise for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state and local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.






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






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






17. Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials - especially legislators - and the policies they enact.






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






19. Divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more heterogeneous or different.






20. 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.






21. 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.






22. The reliance on economic and military strength to solve international problems.






23. Federal laws (starting with the Sherman Act of 1890) that tried to prevent a monopoly from dominating an industry and restraining trade.






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






26. Legislative act inflicting punishment - including deprivation of property - without a trial - on named individuals or members of a specific group.






27. Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.






28. How voters feel about a candidate's background - personality - leadership ability - and other personal qualities.






29. Advertisements and commercials for products and services; they receive less First Amendment protection - primarily to discourage false and misleading ads.






30. Clause in the Constitution (Article 4 - Section 1) requiring each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid.






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






32. Economic theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms.






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






34. Congress appropriates a certain sum - which is allocated to state and local units and sometimes to nongovernmental agencies - based on applications from those who wish to participate. Examples are grants by the National Science Foundation to universi






35. 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.






36. Policy of erecting trade barriers to protect domestic industry.






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






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






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






40. 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






41. Federal laws (starting with the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890) that try to prevent a monopoly from dominating an industry and restraining trade.






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






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






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






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






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






47. Government by the people - both directly or indirectly - with free and frequent elections.






48. Trial or punishment for the same crime by the same government; forbidden by the Constitution.






49. 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.






50. 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.