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






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






3. Presidential staff the agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.






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






5. 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.






6. The widely shared beliefs - values - and norms about how citizens relate to governments and to one another.






7. 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.






8. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership can be a condition of employment.






9. 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.






10. The dispensing of government jobs to persons who belong to the winning political party.






11. Constitutional requirement that governments act reasonably and that the substance of the laws themselves be fair and reasonable; limits what the government may do.






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






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






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






15. A decision made by a higher court such as a circuit court of appeals or the Supreme Court that is binding on all other federal courts.






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






17. Largely banned party soft money - restored a long-standing prohibition on corporations and labor unions for using general treasury funds for electoral purposes - and narrowed the definition of issue advocacy.






18. 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






19. The precise legal definition of how government will implement a policy.






20. Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments - such as the power to levy taxes.






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






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






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






24. A president's claim of broad public support.






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






26. A government agency or commission with regulatory power whose independence is protected by Congress.






27. A congressional committee created for a specific purpose - sometimes to conduct an investigation.






28. 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.






29. A division of population based on occupation - income - and education.






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






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






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






33. A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends. Interest groups usually work within the framework of government and try to achieve their goals through tactics such as lobbying.






34. Those citizens who follow public affairs closely.






35. Those citizens who follow public affairs carefully.






36. Candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election - not necessarily more than half.






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






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






39. A philosophy that encourages individual nations to act on their own when facing threats from other nations.






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






41. Powers that grow out of the very existence of government.






42. The formal process for making regulations.






43. A policy that emphasizes a united front and cooperation between the major political parties - especially on sensitive foreign policy issues.






44. 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.






45. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.






46. Federal statute barring Federal employees from active participation in certain kinds of politics and protecting them from being fired on partisan grounds.






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






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






49. Legislative or executive review of a particular government program or organization. Can be in response to a crisis of some kind or part of routine review.






50. 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.