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. Remedial action designed to overcome the effects of discrimination against minorities and women.






2. 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.






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






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






5. A judicial system in which the court of law is a neutral arena where two parties argue their differences.






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






7. The proportion of the voting age public that votes - sometimes defined as the number of registered voters that vote.






8. Requirement that evidence unconstitutionally or illegally obtained be excluded from a criminal trial.






9. An agency of Congress that analyzes presidential budget recommendations and estimates the cost of proposed legislation.






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






11. Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators.






12. A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals (each limited to $2000) and present them to a candidate or political party as a 'bundle -' thus increasing the PAC's influence.






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






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






15. Established rules and regulations that restrain government officials.






16. The rights of an individual to own - use - rent - invest in - buy - and sell property.






17. The formal process for making regulations.






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






19. 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.






20. Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.






21. Words that by their very nature inflict injury on those to whom they are addressed or insight them to acts of violence.






22. Lawsuit brought by an individual or group of people on behalf of all those similarly situated.






23. An opinion disagreeing with a majority in a Supreme Court ruling.






24. International organization derived from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that promotes it free trade around the world.






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






26. Clause in the Constitution that states that 'Congress should have the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. . . .' This clause is also known as the elastic clause as is a major and significant p

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






28. The legislative leader selected by the majority party who helps plan party strategy - confers with other party leaders - and tries to keep members of the party in line.






29. The tendency of presidents to learn more about doing their jobs over time.






30. An election during periods of expanded suffrage and change in the economy and society that proves to be a turning point - redefining the agenda of politics and the alignment of voters within parties.






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






32. Formal accusation against a president or other public official - the first step in removal from office.






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






34. A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.






35. People who favor national action over action at the state and local levels.






36. 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.






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






38. Constitutional division of powers among the legislative - executive - and judicial branches - with the legislative branch making law - the executive applying and enforcing the law - and the judiciary interpreting the law.






39. God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law.






40. Efforts by government to alter the free operation of the market to achieve social goals such as protecting workers and the environment.






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






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






43. 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.






44. A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress after it adjourns






45. The residents of a congressional district or state.






46. 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.






47. The set of arrangements - including checks and balances - federalism - separation of powers - rule of law - due process - and a bill of rights - that requires our leaders to listen - think - bargain - and explain before they act or make laws. We then






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






49. Agency that administers civil service laws - rules - and regulations.






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